Greyson Ferguson: Arizona, USA to Buenos Aires

## The Math Made Perfect Sense

Greyson Ferguson graduated college into the 2008 recession with $900/month student loan payments. For years, he scraped by in the US - living in a trailer, moving in with family, watching debt pile up faster than he could pay it.

In 2021, he made a radical decision: leave America entirely.

"I needed a country that allowed longer-term stays, was affordable, and would let me bring my pit bull," he explains. Buenos Aires checked every box. In March 2022, he arrived with two dogs and a plan.

The Financial Success Story

The economics worked even better than expected. His $400/month apartment (including utilities) replaced $1,635 in US rent, car payments, and bills. His phone plan dropped to $4/month. Gym membership: $15.

"With the reduced cost of living and clients slowly returning post-COVID, I made good progress on paying down my debt. For a time, everything clicked."

The Hidden Cost

But financial success came with a darker side. Despite his best efforts, Greyson couldn't build close connections in Buenos Aires. The isolation deepened into depression.

"I stuck with it because of the progress I'd made with my debt. But the economic changes after the 2023 election were making things harder. And then one of my dogs died. I knew I needed to make a change before my emotional state declined even further."

The Hard Decision

In April 2025, Greyson moved to Tirana, Albania. His new apartment cost $600/month - more than Buenos Aires, but in a place where he hoped to find both financial stability and mental well-being.

"Albania's friendly nature makes me hopeful my life will improve," he wrote. "But I still wouldn't change anything about my time in Argentina. It's part of my journey."

The Lesson

Greyson's story is a cautionary tale about the limits of financial optimization. "The digital nomad experience is fluid, and your experiences aren't always positive. I chose Argentina for financial gain, but had no idea I'd struggle making friends or that the extended isolation would lead to depression."

His advice? "You can't be prepared for everything when you move abroad. You hand over power when you hop on that plane. It's invigorating but also terrifying. Make sure you're running toward something, not just away from something."