Safer than US? Why Americans are moving to Ukraine - And staying
Why Americans don’t want to live in the US and choose Ukraine instead (photo: facebook.com/americahousekyiv)
Michael Villena, an American who has been living in Ukraine for several years, admits he has had thoughts of leaving, but says he can't imagine living in any other country. What's more, he has no desire or plans to return to live in the United States, Michael said in an interview with RBC-Ukraine.
Michael admits that at times he considered leaving Ukraine, but those thoughts were tied only to personal matters. At the same time, he’s convinced that this is where he belongs.
"I travel a lot and still want to. But I can't imagine life in other countries. We'll live here for a long time," he says.
He doesn't consider the US a place to return to.
"As an American, I really don't want to go back and live in America. It's not my place, and it's hard to live there. I love different countries, European countries. But I think everything I want, except for the war, I can find here, in Ukraine," Michael explains.
Safer than in the US
Michael says one of the reasons he feels comfortable living in Ukraine is the sense of safety despite the war.
"In Lutsk, I feel safer than in Las Vegas. I think more people have died from shootings in Las Vegas than from the war in Lutsk. I understand that the Russians are terrorizing us, but in America, we terrorize ourselves," he notes.
Michael also emphasizes that Ukrainians are very friendly toward foreigners.
"There's more comfort here, more understanding. Maybe, it depends on the place I live and the people around me. But I really love living here and don't want to live in America," he adds.
What he misses from American life
According to Michael, the only things he misses are his family and small everyday things tied to habits and lifestyle.
"Just my parents, friends. And sometimes tacos that they sell there. Sometimes I miss the humor. In Ukraine, I perform as a stand-up comedian, but here, it's still developing. In the USA, it's already a very big sphere," he says.
Another thing he was used to in the US is small talk.
"It seems to me that Ukrainians are open, but, for example, my wife doesn't like talking to strangers on the street. I understand why, but it's common in America," the American concludes.
You may be interested in:
- How Americans imagine Ukraine and why they think it's similar to Russia
- What Americans really think about Ukrainian cuisine
