South Africa has some of the highest crime rates in the world. Frequent power outages. Some of the highest levels of income inequality in the world. High unemployment rates lead to social unrest. Political instability. Racial tensions. Water shortages.
I'm curious: If you think South Africa is the best place in the world, how much traveling have you done globally?
All what you’ve stated is 100% true - but comparing to the USA.. if you “middle class” - let’s say $75k per year converted in ZAR you live a much better life than in the USA.
Power outages are fixed by solar and borehole water..
Racial tensions are WAY less than what the MSM reports..
Political instability comparing to which country - the USA in my opinion is way worse..
I’ve travelled to majority of the countries in the world - except North Korea and places where I have no interest in going - so I’ve been exposed to many different cultures..
Living in South Africa and earning in USD in my opinion is the dream.. how much traveling have you done in South Africa?
I have not done much traveling in South Africa. When I was there I was advised quite strongly about which areas were safe for me and which were not. The country I live in, even though I do not speak the language, is safe for me to go literally anywhere. I have been to the very poorest areas and I was treated well. There were no safety concerns at all.
As for earning in USD, I am retired and do not have an income anymore. I do understand the value of earning in USD and living in a country where that money goes much further. There are many such places. The country I live in is one example.
I'm curious though: If you have traveled all over the world and you earn in USD, why are you unable to stack much Bitcoin? World travel is not cheap.
I am glad that you're happy where you live. If South Africa works for you that's great.
Fair enough, there are definitely places that tourists shouldn’t go to but that’s anywhere in the world.
I travelled when what I was doing was very lucrative.. since the end of Covid it’s pretty much stopped.
Enjoy where you live and well done for not having to work ever again - sounds pretty cool and you have things to keep you busy!
I'd say in South Africa there are a lot more places that "tourists" shouldn't go than most places in the world, actually. And as I said the country I live in has no such issues even in the poorest regions.
For me it's all about culture. Since I have enough Bitcoin to live anywhere in the world, I am looking for a place where people get a long the best, treat each other with respect, and humble and polite, open hearted and friendly.
At 35 - how much BTC do you need to live anywhere in the world? 75?
75 bitcoin? Oh hell no. I would need far less than that. Unless you have some kind of incredibly high standard of living you can live on far less. Bitcoin's appreciation is still very high, so if you spend less than it's appreciation your purchasing power goes up even though your stack goes down.
How much really depends on how you want to live.
also worth noting that your profile actually says "South Africa is fucked". So perhaps you are not being totally honest about it being the best place in the world?
Fucked in a financial setting - it’s difficult to explain..
Let’s say that if I was in your position to have enough BTC to live anywhere in the world I’d still chose here because of pros vs cons..
Outta interest - what made the penny drop for you with BTC?
In 2017 when Bitcoin was about $9000, and before I knew what Bitcoin was a mentor of mine said "I'm going to give you 1 bitcoin. In the future I want you to repay me".
"You want me to repay you $9000" I asked?
"No, I want you to pay me back 1 bitcoin".
That started the wheels turning. Although it still took years of study for me to fully understand. I did some shitcoining for awhile. But eventually I learned enough to understand why it's Bitcoin only.
Awesome… did you ever pay the mentor the 1 BTC back?
I got into BTC at $300 and like everyone - lost the keys!! At least I sleep well knowing I’ve donated them to the community 🤣
Yes I paid him back the 1 bitcoin. Then I mortgaged my house and bought as much Bitcoin as I could afford.
Awesome! What a cool story!
Took me 2 years of talking to my brother who lives in the USA orange pilled - what got him was me explaining the federal reserve has the ability to print money - that set him off on the rabbit hole..
Shitcoining is something everyone goes through because of unit bias until they come full circle when they figure out that BTC is the way!!
Buddy of mine has 2500BTC 🤣🤣 lives like a normal blue collar man…
it sounds like your buddy has his priorities well established. As I said in the beginning of this conversation, very little about my life would change if bitcoin does a 100x tonight. That's a good sign I think that I am already focused on what's important in my life.
You're already living in what you consider to be the best country in the world, so that's a good start. Just gotta keep stacking until you don't have to stack anymore.
Yeah… I really wonder what will be enough BTC for my kids when they 18 (I don’t have kids yet)
What I like about BTC the most is the mindset shift..
Do you ever go to BTC conferences?
No I don't go to conferences. I don't want anyone to know I have bitcoin, and I'm not going to learn anything at a conference I can't learn at home.
That's another reason I don't use lightning and I never pay for anything in Bitcoin. The less people that know I'm holding the better.
Hectic.. so if you need fiat do you cash out peer to peer?👌
Wherever you live - are they Bitcoin friendly?
I never trade Bitcoin P2P, too many people have gone to prison for that. I would use a regulated US based exchange if I actually needed to liquidate some Bitcoin.
Where I live is Bitcoin agnostic. But it doesn't really matter to me. I just HODL.
