It is hard to believe that I left my life behind in the USA over five years ago. I have never regretted the decision to expatriate. If you are thinking about expatriating I hope this article helps you on your journey.
My Family Background and Patriotism.
First a little back story about my family. We are a family of what most would consider middle class America. My family is a mixed bag of Western and Eastern European blood. I have heard stories of why my ancestors came to America. The common theme was freedom to make a life for themselves. To live the American dream!
Then WW2 happened and my family jumped into action as Patriotic Americans do. They survived, returned home worked their jobs and started businesses. My Grandfather on my Moms side served in the US Marines here in Panama around the time of the Korean war.
My Grandfather was quite a character and really enjoyed his time in Panama. He is still alive and likes to comment to me, "You better make sure any women you mess with in Panama are not related to you". My Grandmother died last year and she would literally bury him with her stare anytime he mentioned it.
The Hilarski and Milliman families luckily missed out on the Viet Nam war. My father was selected for the draft but the war ended before the government could send him off to his death or insanity. I imagine my upbringing would have been much different if my Father had to go through that.
Then came time for my generation to make a decision to serve our masters or to go to college. All four of the Hilarski kids signed up. My cousin Jeff and his Sister Amy joined the Army National Guard and Jeff went on to join the US Navy later. My Brother and I both joined the US Navy. That is me on the left the day my Brother graduated from bootcamp.
What Went Wrong?
Ever since I was a boy I questioned everything. Conformity was never something I aimed for. I did well in school because I was competitive and wanted to beat my classmates not because I enjoyed it. The only classes I truly enjoyed were history, economics and science.
I have to say that the military is no place for people who are free thinkers. I don't think I need to explain why. So I was always being reprimanded for something my first few years. I even had to go to XOI (Executive Officers Mast) for getting out of line. The XO asked me, "are you sorry for what you said"? I said, "No sir, and I take responsibility for what I said".
During that time I realized that the US Navy was no place for me. It took me a few more years to escape but at least my last few years were spent in beautiful Sicily and a few months in Panama! I spent a ton of time taking in the cultures and realized there is much more to the world than what we are taught.
The Dark Years
When I left the US Navy my Father offered my Great Grandmothers house to me. It was a beautiful duplex built in 1860 right on the Erie Canal in Pittsford, NY. A Doctor lived in one side and I would live in the other half. The deal was that I would have to go to RIT (Rochester Institute of Technology where my Step Mom worked) or another school of my choosing. My Father would also hold the mortgage, which would be covered nicely by the tenant.
I chose to move to Columbus Ohio instead. Sure staying in Rochester was the safe choice but I wanted to spread my wings. I ended up delivering pizzas for two years, working for Sprint PCS, Safelite Autoglass and a few other jobs. I actually made good money but still always found a way to piss it all away.
There was so much instability that I don't even want to get into it. I tried college, hated it and returned to work. Then in order to escape my horrible existence I decided moving to Tampa, Florida with my brother who was still serving in the US Navy at Macdill AFB.
Tampa was where my entrepreneurial skills began to take shape. I was selling cars at a VW and Honda dealer. While the guys were hustling on the floor waiting for sales to come through the door I was using Craigslist to find customers. My Brother and I were working on a side business and my online skills were working for that as well.
Then my Brother went off to Iraq. Everything changed, life was flipped turned upside down. My drive tanked and I decided to go back to my roots as a nurse and worked as a mental health counselor. Life literally was horrible. Then almost a year later my Brother returned and it was not the same between us. The war left scars on his soul and unforgiveness in my heart.
The Final Straw
I moved back to my hometown of Rochester, NY and figured I would submit to societies expected life cycle. I took a job once again at a car dealership and bought a foreclosed home that my family and I rehabbed.
I joined the ranks of the rat race. Made very few friends and had very little money. New York was sucking the life out of me. Every chance I got I would take trips to Ethiopia where someone I cared for lived. I knew that life could be better. Then I ended the long distance relationship and had to find a way out of America.
Panama Revisited
In 1997 the US Navy sent me to Panama for just under 4 months. I worked on Howard Air Force base and lived on Rodman Naval Station. It was literally a little slice of paradise and that memory never left my mind. Thoughts of the jungle and ocean would repeatedly pop up in my mind.
So with $5,000 in my pocket and a dream I moved to Panama. I found a sales position before I even left the USA so I was confident about my ability to survive. I met a teacher before leaving and I helped her open a daycare about 30 minutes outside the city. This provided all the income needed to live in Panama.
The sales position quickly turned into a partnership because the owners recognized my skills online. I was literally closing deals without talking to customers on the phone. Facebook and email were my tools of choice. I quickly built an amazing lifestyle in Panama.
Then I met my wife Anabell and we went independent. Now five years after moving to Panama we have a thriving online marketing business. We work with some of the coolest people in the world and have amazing friends. The decision to leave America was the best decision I ever made!
Benefits of Expatriation
- Freedom to live your life on your own terms.
- The Expat community is a friendly bunch.
- Opportunities are all around.
- Perfect for Digital Nomads.
- You might learn something new.
- Travel changes you.
- You meet amazing people!
- Chances to make a positive impact in your adopted community.
- You can do it without having a fat wallet.
- You Might meet the love of your life and build and empire.
If You want to read my reasons why I left, more in depth, here is my article that went viral and made Google news.
5 Reasons it Made Sense to Leave America
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