Summary of "Do NOT Move to These 7 Countries in 2025. Here's Why"

The video discusses eight countries that the creator advises against moving to in 2025 due to rising costs, local resentment, infrastructure problems, and changing social dynamics, especially for American expats and retirees. It also recommends three alternative countries that still offer good opportunities for long-term living abroad.

Key Points on Countries to Avoid Moving to in 2025:

Mexico City, Mexico
- Pros: Diverse mega city, great food, cultural capital, fast internet, decent healthcare, close to the U.S.
- Cons: Rising local resentment due to gentrification, increased crime risks, soaring rents (Airbnb-driven), less welcoming vibe.
Cape Town, South Africa
- Pros: Stunning scenery, world-class wine, Mediterranean lifestyle, affordable villas.
- Cons: Frequent power outages ("load shedding"), extreme inequality, high crime and murder rates, gated living impacting personal freedom.
Barcelona, Spain
- Pros: Iconic architecture, beaches, rich culture, great food and drink.
- Cons: Over-tourism backlash, locals protesting tourists, language barriers, doubling rent prices, loss of local character.
Lisbon, Portugal
- Pros: Beautiful weather, seafood, tiled buildings, easy digital nomad visas.
- Cons: Housing crisis pushing locals out, overcrowding, English dominance reducing local flavor, strained infrastructure.
Philippines
- Pros: English-speaking, warm locals, stunning islands, very low cost of living.
- Cons: Poor infrastructure (roads, electricity, internet), political corruption, complicated visa rules, climate risks (typhoons, sea level rise).
Costa Rica
- Pros: Lush jungles, surf culture, no army, good healthcare.
- Cons: High cost of living especially in popular beach towns, overcrowding by expats and tourists, bureaucratic hassles, traffic problems.
Thailand
- Pros: Amazing food, affordable healthcare, cheap massages, rich culture.
- Cons: Dual pricing for foreigners, confusing and frequently changing visa rules, tourist fatigue among locals, expat burnout in popular areas.
(The video mentions eight countries but only details seven; the eighth is implied to be Mexico City as the starting point.)

General Trends in These Countries:

Rising rents and inflation.
Local pushback against foreigners (protests, “gringo go home” sentiments).
Infrastructure struggles (power outages, internet issues).
Visa complications and increasing costs.
Over-tourism leading to loss of authenticity.

Recommended Countries to Consider Moving to in 2025 and Beyond:

Cambodia
- Affordable rent (~$250/month), cheap transportation and food.
- Generous visa system, warm and curious locals.
- Still “wild west” with some safety concerns; best for pioneers.
Malaysia
- Modern infrastructure, clean cities, calm lifestyle.
- Good healthcare at affordable costs.
- Popular spots: Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Cameron Highlands.
- English widely spoken; Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) visa program available.
Vietnam
- Excellent value for money; $1,000/month can cover comfortable living.
- Diverse cities: Da Nang (beaches, fast Wi-Fi), Hanoi (culture, cafes), Ho Chi Minh City (energy, business).
- Solid private healthcare, delicious and cheap food.
- Friendly locals, growing but not overwhelming expat scene.
- The creator offers a detailed $49.95 masterclass on moving to Vietnam.

Notable Mentions:

The creator is Evan A., who shares personal experiences and opinions.
The video emphasizes the importance of assessing affordability, local acceptance, and sustainability before moving abroad.
Encourages viewers to consider long-term viability (10-20 years) of destinations.
Additional resources linked for learning more about life and retirement in Southeast Asia and Vietnam.

Summary: Many popular expat destinations are becoming less affordable and welcoming due to over-tourism, inflation, and local backlash. Countries like Mexico, South Africa, Spain, Portugal, the Philippines, Costa Rica, and Thailand have significant downsides in 2025. Instead, Cambodia, Malaysia, and Vietnam offer better long-term prospects for expats and retirees seeking affordability, infrastructure, and cultural richness.