I'm a doctor of physical therapy. While in PT school I strongly considered moving abroad (to Australia, New Zealand, or Canada), but PTs in those areas make around $40,000/yr compared to $60,000/yr for US PTs. The difference is those countries require a 3 year bachelor's to become a PT, while in the US it's 7 years including a doctorate of physical therapy.

I was under the impression I "had to" pay off my $130,000 in graduate school debt, so I decided not to move. The reality is that if you don't make enough, you don't pay anything toward your student loans for 20 years, until you have a sudden bill for $50,000+ from the IRS when the loans are forgiven.

Given the high cost of living in those places, that salary would put me back on the treadmill to nowhere. I'm thinking of starting an "Ask Dr Derek" Twitch stream a few times a week as a way to get clients for online strength coaching / health consultation. In the mean time, I'm fine with my blogging & technical writing work paying my bills as I look to cut my living expenses by moving abroad.

Thanks for your response Kristin!