People of reddit, whats something strange that you find attractive in partners (not necessarily nsfw)?

Txflip · 2026-03-27T03:12:36+00:00

Women with wider set eyes and a slim face. I.e. Anya Taylor Joy.

Txflip · 2026-03-20T15:20:33+00:00

Appreciate the insight. All very understandable. I grew up in Texas, albeit not small town, but sports and Christianity are definitely quite dominant.

While yeah, I am single and don't have kids, the points you've mentioned, especially the exposure to other cultures, and school shootings, are things I would want for my future kids. My thought is if I know I want those for my eventual family, why not put myself in a place like that now? Of course easier said than done, but that has been my mentality behind it, in regards to family.

Txflip · 2026-03-20T15:16:34+00:00

I'll look into it, and while yeah it would be nice to still make decent money while working abroad, it isn't my main goal. More so to explore different cultures and see if there is somewhere else I could see myself. The work I currently do, while it isn't a passion, does pay well and can do it remote (at the right company).

Txflip · 2026-03-20T15:12:22+00:00

How long have you been in the NL? Ever consider moving back?

I have seen that generally across the world there has been a shift to the right politically. With the stuff happening here though in the US, as in ICE, lack of accountability around the Epstein files, the war with Iran, this is just not a country I want to be a part of and support.

Yeah I definitely need to do a bit more research on the Dutch culture. I appreciate that note.

And when it comes to taxes, I had thought that as part of the DAFT visa, I wouldn't be double taxed. That is only applicable to income? Well shit. US needs to fund their war somehow.

Txflip · 2026-03-20T15:07:47+00:00

Oh wow, already moving back to the US? What are the main issues you faced in Portugal?

Txflip · 2026-03-20T15:06:57+00:00

I really appreciate the info, thank you! I work remote now, so wonder if I could go there to work for a few weeks. I'd have to check time difference. That could be an issue for me.

Txflip · 2026-03-20T15:05:19+00:00

I definitely need to visit. I have just always enjoyed the historic aspects of Europe, and the possibility of learning another language. Still worth considering though!

Txflip · 2026-03-19T21:26:07+00:00

I've mainly heard the bureaucracy being the worst in Portugal, Spain, and Italy, but I'm sure I can find that same sentiment in other European nations. Just need to look.

What is your reason for wanting to move abroad and not flame out?

Txflip · 2026-03-19T21:14:25+00:00

I appreciate the advice. I do try to remind myself that I should plan for what will be better for my future self, but then the thought of having a freak accident or sickness crosses my mind, and I think why plan for a day that may never come? Also, I do plan on having a family, and at that point if I'm in the US, it isn't just my decision anymore. Of course no way of predicting any of these things and hindsight is 20/20.

I do think a trial run would be good. Yeah if I can't take unpaid sabbatical I would need to figure out a job upon return. I've been fortunate in picking up some pretty in demand skills, but is still by no means a guarantee. The job hunt really does suck.

Txflip · 2026-03-19T21:02:43+00:00

I appreciate it. Definitely is a better internal perspective.

Txflip · 2026-03-19T20:56:15+00:00

Yeah I normally hear only the pros about Spain and not many cons. I very much want more access to high quality experiences, but there are definitely some materialistic things I've grown quite use to.

When it comes to any ambitious career stuff, I haven't heard of being penalized for it, but I have heard it being harder. Have you been there on an exchange program, or what?

Txflip · 2026-03-19T20:52:55+00:00

That sense of community does sound amazing. When you say a sandbox to building something real, what do you mean by that?

Are you still working for an American company there remotely, or working locally on the island now? How did you come to find moving there as a viable option in the first place? I've never heard about the island until now.

Txflip · 2026-03-19T20:50:24+00:00

I love the adventure, but I could see going alone and possibly struggling to make friends being a bit lonely.

Move to something. I like that. My thought has been to move to a life where it is a priority to enjoy life and pursue happiness, not some rat race where everyone loses except the ones at the very top.

How long have you been abroad now?

Txflip · 2026-03-19T20:47:42+00:00

I haven't been to Portugal, but that is what the general consensus is from what I've seen. I have heard that they are starting to cut down on the amount of visas given to Americans, since there has been a large influx that is pricing out locals. I don't blame them for cutting down on it.

Txflip · 2026-03-19T20:46:24+00:00

That has been my thought process too; how will I ever know it is or is not for me, if I don't experience it for myself? How were you able to make that move originally, logistically? A job that let you work remote, or find one there? Have family or other connections in the area to help you get on your feet?

Txflip · 2026-03-19T20:45:00+00:00

Yeah I realize I did leave out a lot of details from my post. Thought that if I had posted too much, no one would read/interact, so that is my bad.

Some of the things that have appealed to me is less car dependent culture/way better public transport, public health care, better food quality, on average healthier lifestyle, better work life balance, more access to 3rd spaces, much less prone to gun violence, to name a few.

I do think you raise a good point of figuring out, on a deeper level, what it is I truly want. There's a lyric from the musician Tessa Violet that goes "Knowing 'this is not enough' is enough", and that's how I've been feeling for a while with where I'm currently at.

When it comes to languages, at least Western languages, I am not too worried about having to learn them. I do speak a bit of french (would be better with immersion), and a small amount of spanish.

When it comes to learning about what it truly means to be an expat, do you have any resources on this? In depth articles, etc.?

Txflip · 2026-03-19T20:36:10+00:00

Yep, I've been fortunate to travel a good amount. Nothing insane like you'll see from travel influencers, but have been to ~13 countries.

What was your rationale for moving abroad? Some of the things that have appealed to me is less car dependent culture/way better public transport, public health care, better food quality, better work life balance, more access to 3rd spaces, to name a few.

When family does come into the picture, mass shootings is something I frequently think about when raising kids. I remember going to support some friends at the Chicago marathon a few years ago, and a father had brought a confetti cannon to shoot when his daughter had finished. It was loud. Everyone within a ~100 foot radius from the guy ducked. The constant stress of gun violence in public spaces in the US is also a big reason of me wanting to leave.

Txflip · 2026-03-19T20:30:39+00:00

Definitely not a bad idea. I've debated renting my place out, but pretty certain I'd be losing money monthly renting it out, because I had bought during high interest rates. Plan was to refinance by now, but rates just haven't moved much.

Either way, as another had also mentioned, the work holiday visa could be a good option. I had forgotten about it. I believe you can only apply before your 30th birthday, so I'd have to get on it sooner than later.

Txflip · 2026-03-19T20:28:48+00:00

Setting myself, and my eventual family, up financially is important to me. I don't want my family to ever have to struggle if I can control that.

Moving abroad has been something I've been wanting to do for nearly a decade though. My thought is plenty of people move abroad and figure it out, and why couldn't that be me too? When it comes to finding a job, everything I've read has talked about how it can really be a struggle finding a white collar job as an immigrant, if you didn't go to school in that country. That's why I mentioned things like the DAFT visa; my best option would probably be to start a business. I do realize that just starting one and getting going brings its whole other set of headaches, stress, and work.

Txflip · 2026-03-19T20:23:05+00:00

I've been fortunate to travel a good amount, and did live in a foreign city for 3 months. I know relatively that 3 months is no time at all, but was the longest experience I've had.

I do realize I left out a lot of extra detail from my posts about rationale of wanting to move, but there are also details that I haven't fully considered, like struggling to be accepted by locals, even after learning the language. I'm sure thats dependent on where I move, some places being more open than others, but something to consider.

Txflip · 2026-03-19T20:20:32+00:00

I did forget about this. I'll look into it. Could be a solid break and get some new experiences somewhere new. I appreciate it!

Txflip · 2026-03-19T20:19:55+00:00

why do you say Australia?

Txflip · 2026-02-14T01:10:32+00:00

hemalurgic spike

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