Mongolia

Why Not Mongolia?

Racism: Do not go if you are Kazakh, Dorvod, or Han Chinese, because you will not be treated well by authorities or folks over 30. Traveling Ulaanbatar (UB) at night is a very bad idea, there are about 300 Neo Nazis, from a group called "Tsagaan Khas" and they attack trans people and foreigners, and the police refuse to investigate their crimes. Khalka Supremacy isn't common in the everyday folks but is common enough and is baked into the institutions, this is slowly improving. Border enforcement is very strict, have your papers, keep them up to date, and do not commit crimes.

Authoritarianism: The government arrests journalists that China and Russia don't like and sometimes journalists critical of the Mongolian government. Basic freedoms are begin taken away very quickly.

Language: Khalka Mongolian is very difficult to learn and there are not lots of resources to learn unless you speak and read Mandarin or Russian. While in UB you might not need it as much. Locals will really appreciate if you learn the language, even when you speak it poorly they take it as a sign of respect, they know it is hard for you to learn, they will encourage you (in my experiences online) but you have to put in the effort. I will link resources I was using. Please note there is the script way of writing and the cyrrilic version of writing. Additionally, remember that Mongolian is actually a language group, and that Khalka is the most commonly spoken language of the group, but that resources from "Inner Mongolia" will have some different pronunciation and the occasionally different word.

Inflation: It is really bad.

Corruption: Very serious problem.

Ableism: Even if you just have ta child that is disabled this makes it very hard to get work. Do not go if you are disabled.

Dzud: Winter storms where it drops 10 to 20 degrees and snows hard for a day to a week. Matters more in the suburbs and countryside.

Mongolia's Mixed Bag

Health: Healthcare out of pocket is tough, but most people I know who have moved there swear by it. Outcomes don't lie though and tuberculosis is very common and life expectancy isn't even 70 in Mongolia. There are also diseases on the steppe not properly documented by science.

Why Mongolia?

Distance: You will be far from the eyes and extradition treaty partners of the USA.

Legal Framework: Mongolia has a good legal framework for LGBTQ people since 2008.

Natural Beauty: Outside of the cities is one of the most beautiful landscapes with so many things to do and see!

Cost Of Living: Is a lot lower than most places!