The American Dream, once seen as a symbol of success and prosperity, is losing its appeal to many, Yahoo reported recently.
Haddad Aborisade, a 48-year-old former Texas teacher, is one of more than 8m Americans who have chosen to leave the US. She began traveling in 2017 and moved to Mexico City in 2020. Much has changed, but she feels she has made the right decision and questions whether the American dream is really achievable, or even worth pursuing.
As a teacher, apolisade makes $60,000 a year in Texas, but her cost of living and 60-hour work week are stressful. Her mortgage alone is $2,612 a month. “The American Dream is a sham,” she told reporters. “I have a house, I have a car, I have children. I have achieved all these things, but even if I have achieved them, it still doesn’t seem to be enough.”
After moving to Mexico, she said her anxiety and stress had been greatly reduced, especially on issues like racism and the threat of gun violence. Medical costs are also much lower, at just $1,800 a year.
“I found and finally achieved my dream outside the US, where I can enjoy the life I like without constant stress,” says apolisade
Apolisade is not the only American to benefit financially from Mexico’s new life. About 1.6 million Americans live in Mexico, enjoying more affordable housing, lower living costs (groceries, leisure activities, personal care) , more affordable health care, and better job opportunities.