12 Things I Can’t Tolerate in the U.S. After Living in Bulgaria

I've got to plan a trip back to the US, and part of me is dreading it. I've gotten usd to some pretty cushy perks by living in Bulgaria, and I don't want to give them up... even if it's only temporarily. Going back—even for a visit—means stepping back into things I’ve quietly lost my tolerance for. These aren’t things I used to complain about when I lived in the U.S.—they were just… normal. But once you step outside of that environment, you start to see things differently. And going back, even for a visit, comes with a few trade-offs I’m not exactly thrilled about. In this video, I’m sharing 12 mostly everyday things I’ve gotten used to in Bulgaria that I now struggle to tolerate in the U.S.—from food quality and pace of life to noise, driving, and the pressure to always be doing more. It's amazing how quickly your perspective can shift when your environment changes. If you’ve ever lived abroad—or even just traveled for an extended period—you may have noticed the same thing. Please tell me I'm not the only one!!! 🤪 Chapters 00:00 - Today's topic 01:13 - Meet Maureen 01:48 - Terrible produce 03:49 - Processed foods 05:38 - Huge food portions 07:14 - Bulgarian wine 08:18 - Tipping culture 10:28 - Smelling marijuana 11:31 - Gun violence 12:17 - Loud noises 14:00 - Toxic politics 15:09 - Rushing around 16:11 - Driving everywhere 17:43 - Constant productivity 19:30 - Summary #expatlife #livinginbulgaria #bulgariaexpat #expatlife #movingabroad #lifeabroad #americanexpat