Hi My name is Dom and I live in Belgium. I currently attend English training courses ; "conversation table" style and last week we had a discussion about American expats living in Belgium (those of Nato and other expats). It's a common belief that, in my country, American expats generally live in Waterloo ; which is not entirely false. But... Here are my questions! The teacher told us her husband has been working with American expats and that those expats buy brand new furniture, including wash machine, dish washer, etc. in the USA before moving overseas where they won't be buying nothing. Buying in the USA and moving everything in Europe is very expensive. Ok, I don't disagree with what she said. However, I would like to learn why they buy in the US at the risk of ending up paying too much for things they could find here for a lower price. The second question is why do American expats travel to America to see the doctor when we have the most powerful social security system of the world (I mean the Belgian system)? Is it related to the terms of their health insurance? Also, I don't remember the forum where I've read this, but I remember some US expats told that Big Brother always knows what Americans are doing, how much they earn and, even while expats, Americans still pay taxes in the USA. Is it true? All in all my personal thoughts about those facts are all those points are related. I think it's like a "vicious circle": advantages and inconvenients of paying taxes in the US and living overseas. Actually, during this course, we had a big argument because I found the teacher and students of bias against expats and I'd like to get them ACCURATE information about it and not stay on a "oh, they do it because of their patriotism" or "because of their stars and stripes". Thanks in advance for the replies, if per chance I get some Have a great Sunday, Dom.