🌍 Moving Abroad Isn’t What You Think: Gentrification, Food Myths & Black Expat Truths ✈️
Thinking about moving abroad? You’ve probably seen the reels and TikToks of palm trees, cheap rent, and stress-free living. But what’s left out of those 60-second videos is the real story. In this powerful episode of the Roots & Routes Podcast, host RJ MOOD is joined by fellow Black expats Tisha, Akeem, and Michelee for an unfiltered conversation about the truths, myths, and challenges of life abroad.
This isn’t about selling you the fantasy of $300 villas or endless vacations. This is about pulling back the curtain and sharing what it really takes to thrive as a Black American abroad.
✅ Gentrification Abroad – How expats sometimes contribute to the displacement of locals and what it means to move responsibly.
✅ Food Myths vs. Reality – Is everything cheap and organic overseas? The truth about groceries, dining out, and adjusting your taste buds.
✅ Culture Shock & Daily Life – From noise levels to “gringo tax,” to figuring out water safety, we share the daily adjustments that social media rarely talks about.
✅ Black Expat Identity – What it feels like to be a part of the African diaspora abroad, how identity shifts, and how Blackness is viewed in different countries.
✅ Community Matters – Why your success abroad is tied to the community you build and how to find (or create) your tribe in a new country.
✅ Facing the Hard Truths – Why chasing TikTok trends can set you up for failure, and why intentional research and preparation are non-negotiable.
For many Black Americans, the idea of moving abroad feels like the New American Dream—a chance to escape hustle culture, high costs of living, and systems that weigh heavily on our communities. But without the right information, people often arrive abroad unprepared, frustrated, or even disillusioned.
This episode is designed to ground you in truth. Moving abroad can absolutely transform your life—it can mean more peace, better balance, financial relief, and a deeper sense of freedom. But it also requires awareness, adaptability, and humility. RJ, Tisha, Akeem, and Michelee bring their lived experiences to the table so you don’t make the mistakes so many expats have made before you.
➡️ Black Americans tired of the U.S. hustle and grind.
➡️ Future expats exploring Colombia, Mexico, Panama, South Africa, and beyond.
➡️ Digital nomads & remote workers ready to build roots abroad.
➡️ Anyone who wants the truth about moving abroad—not just the Instagram highlight reel.
🎧 Tune in now: Moving Abroad Isn’t What You Think: Gentrification, Food Myths & Black Expat Truths
👉 Don’t just dream about moving abroad—get prepared.
👉 Like, share, save, and subscribe so you don’t miss the next episode.
👉 For relocation tours, expert-led virtual conferences, and free resources, visit MoodTravelColombia.com.
👉 Want more? Stay tuned for MoodTravelAbroad.com—coming soon with resources for Mexico, Panama, South Africa & more.
✨ The Roots & Routes Podcast is where real expats share real stories. Hosted by RJ MOOD, each episode connects Black travelers and future expats to the knowledge, resources, and truth they need to make moving abroad not just a dream—but a reality.
