[USER]

Hi all, looking for some advise from those further along be FI journey.

My wife and I, both 37 have an opportunity to move to an area and make approx 160k dollars in savings over a two year period.

This is on top of our normal savings rate.

Financially it makes great sense! However the area it’s self is very isolated, higher crime etc. there’s a reason for the financial incentives!

I wondered how many of you would take the opportunity? I am conflicted!

My wife is keen but I am concerned about taking my wife to do such an environment!

[Aaron]

This area could totally be terrible but I’ll say I’ve observed very often that there will be a narrative that a place isn’t safe when in fact it may just be unsafe based on what someone is used to.

I’ve never felt unsafe in Washington DC for example but when I lived in Rural Virginia as a teenager people felt going to dc for a field trip was a super risky thing and they were discussing packing mace in their bags and all kinds of stuff.

I thought Medellin was super dangerous also but at lease for tourists it’s very safe now.

So, you might be totally right about the safety but be sure to look into that beyond the surface level of like some stats we read seem unsafe .

[Adam]

Why do you have to live where you work? Aren’t there better surrounding communities?

[Stef]

Safety like a difficult but modern American or European city? Or like it’s recommended you live in a compound and only go out completely covered with a male escort?

[Amanda]

I understand the allure of more savings – and that’s a lot of extra money to stockpile away!! However, safety is one of my absolute priorities.

Quality of life while on the journey should always be top of mind.

So, I think for me, it’d have to be a nope!

[Rick]

I heave heard every place I go to abroad is “dangerous” and “had high crime” to always find that is not the case.

Mostly because the stories are for the areas of cities where I don’t stay or visit.

So, my question is are your crime concerns specific to the areas you will live and or work.

If not, I would discard it as low impact.

[Endri]

You seem to be fishing for answers that will deter you. Hopefully you won’t be getting those here.

Safety is about where you hangout. You can be safe in unsafe cities and places. But you can test drive it a week.

Slightly less safe isn’t enough to pass on years of FI acceleration.

[Valerie]

Isolated and high crime don’t seem to go together. Could you share more details, it’s hard to say yeah or nah without knowing how truly dangerous the situation will be.

Just city living, go for it.

Lawless mountain top where every man is for himself, I might still say go for it but have your wife stay somewhere safer maybe nearby, maybe not) and visit her often.

[Rosie]

No amount of money will make me move to an area that will make me feel unsafe everyday

Your money ain’t worth nothing if you are dead

[Cris]

Yes, I’d do it because I have. I’ve moved many times for increased income with careers and to geoarbitrage. I come from a gun lovin’ family but I choose not to conceal and carry.

Instead, my dad shipped me a can of assault grade bear mace along with the video user guide.

I kept that in my lap when driving in these undesirable areas.

When I moved a few years later, I donated it to a neighbor friend who is a night shift nurse. She was grateful as she had to use it.

[Lori]

High crime? Like normal people being murdered daily? Or like gangsters, drug dealers, drug seekers, those involved with domestic violence?

You’re highly unlikely to be a crime victim.

Be aware, but do more research into what “high crime” really means for daily life.

[Author]

Posts