The Dream vs. The Reality
When I first arrived in the U.S., I had no real plan—I landed in Alabama by chance, a place that felt completely different from Baghdad. It wasn’t the America I had seen in movies. But then, I visited a friend in Santa Monica, California, and suddenly, I saw the America of my imagination—beaches, high-rise buildings, and luxury. It was beautiful but expensive.
From there, I visited another friend in Greensboro, NC, which brought me to Charlotte for the first time. Driving through downtown Charlotte, I was mesmerized. Tall buildings, people in suits, the rush of a big city. Coming from Iraq, where we associate skyscrapers with success, I thought: This is it. This is where I need to be.
The FOMO That Led to a Mistake
Without research, planning, or experience, I bought land in the middle of nowhere in North Carolina. The housing market was crashing in 2009, and a realtor even thought I was joking when I said I wanted to buy a house in cash. But I was serious.
Why? FOMO (Fear of Missing Out).
I saw a busy city and assumed success. I saw people in suits and assumed happiness. I saw a real estate ad and felt an urge to buy.
Lessons Learned
1. Success Isn’t Measured by Skyscrapers – Many of us from Iraq and the Middle East associate tall buildings with progress, but success is about opportunity, growth, and quality of life, not just concrete and glass.
2. FOMO Is a Dangerous Decision-Maker – Just because a city looks exciting doesn’t mean it’s the right place for you. Research, planning, and financial knowledge should drive decisions, not emotions.
3. Other People’s Hype Isn’t Your Reality – Now, I hear friends saying, “Why don’t you move to Chicago? Dallas? Miami? We have everything here!” They sound like the old me, thinking location alone equals success. But real success comes from what you build, not where you are.
What You Should Do Instead?
If you’re moving to a new place, starting a business, or making any big decision:
✅ Research deeply – Don’t base your decision on first impressions.
✅ Understand your needs – What do you actually want, beyond appearances?
✅ Think long-term – Don’t let FOMO push you into rushed, unplanned choices.
I learned this the hard way. You don’t have to. Make smart moves, not emotional ones.