mela(NATION)life: African Americans leaving america
When Playing in your face is no longer acceptable!
ABOUT mela(NATION)life
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Why mela(NATION)life?
As a result of recent political events, many African Americans are feeling disenchanted and even unsafe in a politically unstable and racially charged environment and are investigating leaving America . We want you to know that you are not alone in your experience. Regardless of what the impetus for your move is safety, finances, increased quality of life or simply a much needed change, we encourage you to find the location that suits your needs, and move as soon as you are able to do so!
Based along the North Coast of the Dominican Republic, in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic there is a sizeable Black Expat Village that has successfully built a network of support and curated a group of capable local service providers to make relocation here a reality. We have found a safe space here and are thriving in our daily lives, we have prioritized self-care and healing and we want for our Brothers and Sisters what we want for ourselves...
Our Team
Our African American expat team has a combined 20+ years of lived experience here on the island. We have shared our experiences and sought counsel with each other to navigate the process of acclimation and finding our way here in this tropical paradise. We have found meaningful ways to contribute to our host country through community service and cultural awareness. And we collectively affirm that in addition to improving our individual selves, that we will not engage in colonial rooted practices. We understand our perceived privilege as U.S. citizens but are commited to existing in a manner that is not disruptive nor minimizing to the Dominican culture.
Our team represents a myriad of identities and backgrounds, single, married, dating, retirees and U.S. Military veterans. We have all come to this country for many reasons, but, at the top of the list is divestment from a toxic social and political climate, personal healing and FINANCES! We welcome you to consider a change in your location as a means of taking charge of your destiny. Remember, leaving America is not just a physical change, it requires a change of thought and unlearning toxic thought processes and behaviors that do not add value to any space we occupy.
Expat Support
Our network of expats here in the Dominican Republic have a strong support system that consists of weekly informal and sometimes impromptu of weekly gatherings. We celebrate holidays, birthdays and achievements. We take care of each other in meaningful ways and contribute collectively in service to our host country. And while we benefit from our shared support system, we each find ways to migrate into the culture independently through sincere appreciation for the language, culture and most importantly, the people!
Mela(NATION)life clients will have access to this thriving community of Black expats, our vetted local service providers and businesses as well as our emergency contact database. The Emergency Contact Database is a secure trove of information that we regard as a pillar of our community. We encourage everyone to provide their emergency contact "back home", as well as their medical insurance and local address, but we require participation for single or solo expats, as it is the only way we can support you if you find yourself in a less than ideal situation. And while we are all in search for whatever we consider to be paradise, we must first make sure that we do not live within a bubble of irresponsibility.
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Money talks....
To be clear! Moving abroad should not be considered a "flex". On the surface, many would think that this lifestyle requires a sizeable income or savings, this could not be further from the truth. Many of us have reimagined what "luxury" is and isn't. If you understand that based on our shared experiences of belonging to a largely marginalized group, as African Americans, the removal of that marginalization has been the greatest luxury!
We all have financial obligations here in the Dominican Republic and back in the U.S., and we cannot negate the value of financial resources as a means of supporting ourselves. However, that "magic number" looks very different in this environment. There are expats living as modestly or as luxuriously as their finances will permit with income from a work from home profession, retirement income, disability income and veterans pensions. mela(NATION)life, can assist you in assessing your current financial situation and how your income can support a comfortable lifestyle here in the Dominican Republic. It is most definitely doable!