₦airaland Forum

UnitedAlliance:
Nice write up.

But I’ve been to many other countries, mostly in Europe.

African continent is my retirement goal to tour. I’ll do forays into Asia as opportunities presents itself like major world events.

Oh, I see.

ferrariLaferrari:
Wow @ your story
Tbvh am enjoying the thread, i love seeing active old folks lol

Haha. "Old" is a relative term, so it depends on how old you are.
I'm early 30s.

ferrariLaferrari:
Wow so nice
Please how’s South Korea like, i promise vacating there someday

I've only been here for three days, but so far it's been really nice in Seoul.
I am allowed to stay 3 months, without a visa, but I intend to spend only about 5 weeks.
At that point, I'll be in a better position to answer what it's really like.

UnitedAlliance:
Nice one.

I have promised myself that I will not leave the African continent on a tour until I have visited all her capital cities.

But I can't wait to hit the Asias.

Honestly, I wouldn't recommend that. There are 54 countries in Africa, so that's a huge barrier on seeing the world.
Start with the major African cities, then visit other continents. Variety beats repetition in most cases.
Having a contrasting perspective adds value to things you experience. You experience them more completely.

For instance, if you've only ever been to Eastern Nigerian states like Anambra, Abia etc, and then visit Enugu, it's more of the same.
Sure, there are differences, but the similarities outweigh them. Leaving you with an underwhelming experience and little stimulation.
Now, if you leave the East and visit say Sokoto for the first time, the contrasting landscape, culture etc delivers a much richer experience to you.

I've been to countries in 5 out of the 6 livable continents (Antarctica isn't livable). Africa, North America, South America, Europe and Asia.
Only one left is the Australian continent. So when I visit anywhere new, I always have a contrasting perspective to view it with.

Random story:
In May, while I was in Indonesia, I decided to go spend a 3-day weekend in Australia, then return to Indonesia. Mainly so I can officially check it off my to-do list that I've seen all 6 livable continents - as Australia has never appealed to me much.
Anyway, I get to the airport in Denpasar, with a significant fever. I haven't had a fever or been sick for ten years before that, so I felt pretty bad. Counter check-in was required, and as I hand the airline agent my passport, he says "You need a visa to visit Australia."

I say "uhm, no I don't." Turns out I freaking did, but somehow never checked. Since I go almost everywhere without a visa, I took it for granted that Australia didn't require one. BIG FAIL on my part.

I could have instantly processed the visa right there on my phone, through an agency for $60, but I was too sick to care at this point.
On the bright side, I no longer had to take the trip with my fever, and happily went back to my hotel.
I lost the ticket, as it was non-refundable, but I was happier climbing into my bed than I would've been getting on the plane.

19naia:
Pictures from a small town in Colombia.

Nice! I'm in world traveler mode these days too.
Been traveling for two years straight . I work location independently, so it doesn't matter where I am. My travel style is similar, in the sense I spend 1 -2 months in a place before moving on. Since we don't need visas for most countries, it makes traveling convenient.

Colombia is one of my favorite places on this crazy planet though. I spent two months in Medellin in 2017, and loved it so much that on a whim, I jumped on a flight to Medellin again in 2018, and spent another two months in Colombia. Mostly in Medellin, but the last week in Cartagena.

It's funny how people reacted each time I told them I was in Colombia. "Oh lord! THE NARCOS... bla bla bla."
Sure, there's still a lot of drug trade in Colombia, but the violence of the Escobar era is all people seem to know.
It's like telling someone "don't go to Nigeria, because the Abacha regime is brutal." Well, that time has passed, buddy.

These days I'm doing the Asian circuit. I've been traveling slowly in Asia since December. I haven't been home to the US since then either (so much fun out here ).
In that time I've spent a month in Thailand, a month in Vietnam, then back to Thailand for another month. Then went to Malaysia for two months, as I needed a place to get away from all the partying and focus on work. I didn't like Malaysia, so it made it easier to focus (SO MANY shady Nigerians in Malaysia - fraud & prostitution - but I won't go into that. It was really sad to see though).

While in Malaysia, I visited Singapore briefly and went back to Malaysia. Then off to Indonesia for a month. After that, I spent a month in the Philippines, and left for Hong Kong. Only spent a week in Hong Kong, before leaving for South Korea where I am now. I'll be here for probably a month and half, before being on to the next destination.

So, what cities have you been in Colombia?

International airport?
This is a joke, right? I bet the governor's private residence is more palatial than this "international airport."

NYPD:
I did 5 years Engineering in Naija came to US and started school again. Started taking Pre Calculus. I was angry at first but i am happy now i took those classes. You think you know but really you dont. Nigeria we just struggle to pass without even understanding the concepts.

Taking the placement test... Trust the process . You would come out a better person and very knowledgeable...

Honestly, I chuckle a little when Nigerians expect their "education" to be weighted 1:1 in the U.S.
Seriously, have you interacted with the average Nigerian college graduate?

People who can barely spell words longer than four letters. People who lived their academic lives with the mantra "na kpali me I just de school to collect." People with zero interest in the subject matter.

Unfortunately, these kinds significantly outnumber Nigerians who actually go through school to LEARN AND APPLY the subject matter. So sadly, they also suffer the consequences made necessary by the lecturer-bribing crowd.

worworgirl:
What if a US citizen who is not my relative is sponsoring my immigration (not visit), what visa category will I apply for

There is no such category. Only a spouse or a relative can petition.

janykute:
Don't cry for us Argentina,I believe you have other problems to think about your region than the outcome of your enemies new nation.

I have no enemies.

Onyeedum:
Today, after 57 years living under serious suffocation, Biafrans are back to demand Nigeria to come to the table to revisit the merit and demerit of Nigerian unity and the same Northern Nigeria is saying no discussions. So, how difficult is it for the dumbest person on earth to see through the secrecy and the hidden agenda of the Northern Nigeria towards the rest of what make up the so called one Nigeria? Why is it that the holocaust against the Jews was discussed and compensated but not Slavery? Why is it that Rwandan genocide was discussed and compensated, the Kosovo genocide was discussed and compensated, in fact, every genocide that happened on this earth was discussed except Biafran genocide? Was Philip Effiong captured and under duress to denounce Biafra. Yes or no. As long as these questions remain unanswered the desolation of a useless union that only makes to the North is a must. The West want to go, the East and South want to go, only the North want one Nigeria. Can the North alone hold the rest to ransom, even to pay with their lives? The disagreements going on in Nigeria today is a result of bad leadership. Ownership of a bad leader does no good to either the leader or his people.

Do you truly know what a genocide means?

A civil war agitated by group A, which suffers defeat in the hands of group B is not a "genocide."
It's a CIVIL WAR.

In the US, we had a civil war between the North and South in the 1800s, because the South insisted on slavery, and the North wanted an end to it.

There were massive casualties on both sides, but the South ultimately suffered more, and quit their secession in defeat.
That was not a "genocide" on the South, it was a CIVIL WAR.

After every civil war, there's a winner and a loser. Or in the very least, a truce. NEVER a "genocide," regardless of casualty figures.

What happened in Rwanda was a genocide, not what happened in Nigeria.

I bet if the Spanish Immigration shows up to the rally, more than half of them will be back in Umuahia by dinner time tomorrow.

Ranchhoddas:
Really?
$1,000 per month.
How and why?

What could be the reason for this?

I know it's not a lack of opportunity.

Laziness.

You can offer people all the ingredients for a meal, but if they don't make the effort to cook it, they'll still starve.

LogicStatement:
Thanks for this. Though, I've done some google search but I wanted a first hand info from people who live in these cities. I am basically wondering if one can live on $1000 per month in Washington DC or NY

You can certainly live on $1k/month. Millions of American adults don't make $1k/month, however, you'll most likely be living in poverty.

Best case scenario: You find a room in a shared apartment to rent at around $250 - $400 (hard to get).
If it comes with electric, heat and internet included, then great. The remaining $600 can go toward your other expenses.

A good place to check available rent prices is Craigslist.
Go on craigslist . org. Find the city you want to check out, then visit the "housing" section.

For a shortcut to it, copy/paste this into Google: "Washington DC rooms for rent craigslist"
Click the first result, and use the drop-down to sort by price, so it shows the cheapest ones first.

bebe2:
Why do pple judge a whole city based on a few events.

My aunty has lived in Chicago for over 20yrs and seem to have done right.

Nairalanders in Chicago should educate us on this issue.

"A few events"? It appears you haven't actually looked into the level of violence in Chicago (mostly in the South side).
Chicago isn't nicknamed Chiraq for the fun of it.

Think of the most dangerous places on earth, and there are people who've been there for generations.
Does this fact negate the level of violence in these places? Nope!

Since I made my original post yesterday at 1:40 pm Eastern Time, till now (27 hours later), THIRTEEN people have been shot in Chicago.
Not in one isolated incident, but as a daily occurrence. EVERY day.

186 people have been shot so far this month. In Chicago, a person is shot approximately every 2 hours and 19 minutes.

Numbers don't lie, but if you truly feel this level of violence is just "a few events," then that's your prerogative.

Does this mean people don't live in Chicago without issues?
Absolutely not. However, as human beings, we make decisions based on probability.


Source of infograph, with a lot more Chicago violence stats: heyjackass . com.
While they're presented in satirical fashion (from official sources), there's really nothing funny about the situation.

LogicStatement:

A google search should've been your first option.
There's all kinds of statistical data on the cost of living in these places. Except you're trying to get first-hand info.

The rule of thumb is: The bigger the city, the higher the cost.

Living in NY could cost a fortune, or cost relatively little, depending on where you live.
Living in NYC (New York City) is significantly more expensive than living in other parts of New York State, for instance.
[New York City is in New York state, like Kano City is in Kano State].

NYC is made up of 5 Boroughs: Manhattan, Queens, The Bronx, Brooklyn, and Staten Island.

Average rent in Manhattan (most expensive borough) is $3,900/month for a 2-bedroom. With a roommate, that's $1,800 each in rent.
The cheapest borough in NYC is Staten Island. You can get an okay 1 BR apartment for only $1k/month.

New York is a sizable state, but most areas outside NYC aren't worth living in, as far as opportunities for a new immigrant.

Your true cost of living will depend on your lifestyle. However, you could survive with an income of $2k/month if you're really frugal.

My guess is you're looking for the cheapest option, so while looking, consider the following expenses:

- Rent - $1k
- Electric & Gas - $100 - 200 depending on the season (or if included in rent).
- Groceries (feeding) - $150 - $300, if you're not a glutton.
- Car insurance (or transport if you won't own a car) - $200
- Phone, cable & internet - $100 - $200

These are perhaps the most basic things you'll need for a start, for one person.

In general, the cheapest part of the US to live is the Mid-West (they're boring places).
The states of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.

Chicago in Illinois is the only real major city in the Mid-West, but you really don't want to live in Chicago. You'll be safer living in Iraq.

MYMINDER:
People be informed. Harvard does not have an EMBA. Neither does Stanford or Tuck. She also did nor get into their MBA program as she has already stated that it is an executive study.

This is likely what she got admitted for. Click link below. It is a Program for Leadership Development. I am just clarifying and not downgrading her achievement.

https://www.exed.hbs.edu/about-us/Pages/emba.aspx

Yup, you're right. I was going to mention that, but then I read the predominant level of comments here.
Not even worth the trouble.

fiendishghoul:
Does Harvard make you smarter?

Absolutely.

A Lamborghini will always drive you faster than a Kia

This is the exact reason Nigeria is the dump it is today, and the dump it will be tomorrow if y'all don't change your attitudes.

When next you point fingers at hopeless Nigerian politicians for offering critical positions to their under-qualified kin, know you're no different.

All that "divine whatever" talk is total ignorance. Go ahead and explain that crap to the more qualified applicant (who could be you).

kimbra:
Your father is the most selfish human on earth. You should as well relay to him to keep aside money for his burial arrangement, 'cause if I were in your shoes, I won't spend a penny from my hard earned money in his burial. Even your mum isn't helpful, they suit each other for a couple.

The OP is 21, and his brothers are older.

They're old enough to make their own ends meet. They're grown ass men.

Nigerians love slacking off and blaming others for it.

MsFaith:
sometimes I imagine how life would be if it can just fall back to #100 - $1

In 2007, it was about NGN110/$1.

Were Nigerians "prosperous" and free from poverty? No!

Think back to your life in 2007, and that's what you can expect. There's nothing to "imagine."

Ugosample:
We are still saying the same thing

Okay let me ask you, you think that even if you use your card to withdraw here in Nigeria, that the bank will not collect dollar equivalent from your own bank?

MasterCard will debit your bank, and credit the Nigerian banks ATM, that way, dollars still flow in

It's the same thing

Yes, you are absolutely correct.

However, remember this discussion is more about the direct impact of physical cash flow on the parallel market rates.
My stated scenario (as you rightly said) brings Forex through the Official Exchange -> BDC -> Street vendor.

Hoarders and vacationers cut out the middle man and sell directly to street vendors.
Higher direct supplies like this drives the price lower/faster than supplies from the official channel above.

Anyway, I believe at this point we've both made our valid points.