"Stop googling Canada." Absolutely. We won't be a safe haven from the next four years. In fact, we may very well suffer more than those of you in the U.S. with the Trump tariffs and the end of our open borders and the likely contamination if not outright theft of our natural resources.
You should also warn people that Americans - all 360 million of you, regardless of who you voted for - are going to be blamed worldwide, including Spain and Portugal and everywhere else you think of as a safe haven - for the collapse of your democracy (and theirs) and your withdrawal from NATO and flagrant disregard for climate change. Of course those with money will be welcomed anywhere -that's never going to change - but those of you who wish to bring your U.S. "values", without the wealth, may be in for a rude awakening.
Agree. I traveled a great deal during the Trump years and wore a big button making my stance very clear. People mostly understand that the leader doesn't represent us all, but our collective behavior is appalling and has been for years. Don't get me started. No matter where we are and where we go, we have to be humble- the years of the American being the golden child of the world are over.
I think of my father, who was in the RCAF during WWII. When I brought my first BMW to show it off to my parents, he was very quiet. He was an intelligent man, and knew that Germany in 1999 was not the Germany of his youth, but I still almost felt I had betrayed him by buying a car from the nation who tried repeatedly to kill him, and came close to succeeding, in the nineteen-forties.
I feel that way now, when my daughter tells me she is buying another Tesla.
I hear you on this. I vowed never to buy a Japanese car, out of respect to my stepmum, as her father was a Japanese PoW during WW11. I understand it’s not the same place, but even so, the hurt runs too deep for her. And I’d never have a Tesla either.
Likely won't be a rude awakening. What do you believe we've listened to for the past decade? I remember the times we easily crossed into Canada and stayed in Vancouver with no passport from Washington state. My father was a medic in W.W. I.I. and my uncle flew aircraft. I remember when some people got out of Cuba before it was locked down. Many wealthy folks found their way out. Elderly people who need their insurance and medicine can't just skip the country. We have been the backbone of the country, the working class.
Left out as one of the adjustments to living elsewhere is language. English-speakers are notoriously entitled in this regard, expecting to be able to live elsewhere without adapting. I've had to learn enough French, Spanish, Thai, Karen, etc. to be able to function at a basic level in places I've lived. It's not impossible, and definitely not restricted to the young or a fictional category of person with gifts for language. It only requires intentionality and an investment of time, regardless of age. When you factor that into your relocation decisions, the world opens up considerably.
Agree completely. However the article links people to the expert, who discusses all these considerations, which I had no intention of trying to cover in my short piece. The business of language is so important that were I to add it along with all the expectations and ramifications, the article would be terminally long. That's why I used links to the expert, who does of course address the language. Should I move on, one of my first responsibilities would be language classes. Couldn't back you on this more, including the privilege of demanding that everyone else speak English.
Moving away sounds great. Wish I could. Unfortunately, millions of older Americans, including myself, simply cannot afford to do it. If my Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid get cut you will find me living under the nearest bridge, probably with a lot of other people. God Bless America.
I am very close to the same place, Jodie. I have whatever I might be able to get out of the house I own now, but once I pay off what I owe, not much left. I will still write about such things as some folks can make that decision, while recognizing that I need to start looking now for what I can do with the resources I have. I won’t get into politics here but I have a terrible feeling that all those folks who pulled the R lever honestly believed that doing so protected them. It doesn’t. So yeah, I get it.
I appreciate your comment, Julia! I didn't mean to sound snarky - it's just the truth. HA! I am one major car repair away from financial disaster! We people on the margins need to be there for each other, now more than ever. I am grateful to have a nice job, a decent apartment with rent I can afford and good friends and neighbors. There are a lot of homeless/unsheltered folks in my neighborhood, and I do whatever small things I can to help them out, just so they feel seen, if nothing else. So many people out there who have it much worse than me.
Thanks Jodie. You didn't feel snarky at all- I have lots of the same worries. It's utterly hilarious that the richest moron in the world tells us we have to "live within our means." I"ll stop there.
This is very good and level-headed advice. Honestly, I think all concerns surrounding welfare, especially payments for the veterans and seniors, are legit. And that's just one of the many reasons a person might want to move abroad. I have a very loaded relationship with immigration. All my life, I've been running away from the country where I lived. First, it was China, then Hong Kong--so it's extra painful now to face the prospect of having escaped from one authoritarian government for another. Later on, I ran to Sweden to escape my parents. But eventually I moved back, and have been feeling too tired to emigrate again. Of course, the main reason is that I have an elderly mom. Despite our fraught relationship, I'm still taking it upon myself to be her eventually end-of-life caregiver. So even though I have three passports and could move anywhere in three continents, I don't feel I have the freedom to do so any time soon. It's starting to feel a bit tragic, urghhh. But thanks for all the book and blog recommendations. I have saved the books to my list as I think they are good references for my unknown future.
BTW, I nodded so hard when reading that part about how people like me are called immigrants but Americans abroad are called expats. Carlin's joke about stuff vs. shit is so good! :-D
Thanks Lily. We have an entire country's worth of population whichs stands to be severely impacted by the incoming administration, and a great many of them voted for someone who wouldn't piss on them for as much as he cares. It's real thing right now, and like many, I'm having to rethink all my options. As are many of us.
Great article, Julia and wonderful resources. I did not know about Tim and his book and will order it right away. This is my second round of "ex-patting" and I am a European Union citizen as well as American citizen (the best thing to come out of my former marriage to the Swede, other than our beautiful daughters), so I know I have an easier time getting set up in country of choice, Spain, than others. And I planned my move to Spain months ago to live near my two daughters (one in Barcelona, the other in Paris). The Trump win was sadly the sigh of relief at leaving I hoped to avoid. I wanted to leave knowing the country was in the good hands of Kamala Harris. It didn't work out that way. I hope you figure out a good move for yourself, Julia and meanwhile, yes, exploring potential new home countries is a wonderful distraction from mayhem here in the U.S.
Even if I do nothing else other than explore the countries I am interested in it will be worth the adventure, Amy. I have no problem selling it all once more. While I love my home and all the work I put into it, it's just stuff. Life goes on. There will be more stuff, but more importantly, more life ahead. Thanks for the kind words.
I'm catching up with your writing now, after a couple of weeks of post-election distractions. We've been talking about emigrating from the US for a couple of years, primarily due to the cost of living. I had planned to work for two more years so I can draw Social Security at full retirement age. The main aspect of our plan that may change due to the election is the timing; we have to be able to sell our home, and I have concerns about the real estate market if the Rs tank the economy again. Of course, if they manage to destroy Social Security, I'll probably just have to keep working.
In the meantime, we continue our language learning (I'm conversant but rusty in Spanish) and downsizing. I have Tim Leffel's book in my shopping cart. We've been gathering information about living in places like Panama, Costa Rica, and Mexico. For now, the plan stays the same, but we're laying the groundwork to be immigrants (a term I prefer to expats).
Julia, excellent essay. I've thought of becoming an expat but to be honest, my daughter has friends here, and truly, like you said, life is life. Everywhere, life is life. Any country can go bad, even the U.S., as this election shows.
Yeah if anyone was ever thinking about Canada, don't bother. Living here is absolutely unaffordable now. We take in a LOT of immigrants which creates a housing crisis, which drives our cost of living through the roof, and now average Canadians can't even afford it.
My mom has lots of the same thoughts you do. She has looked at Panama and Portugal. But I know my mom...she'd never thrive somewhere alone. She's far too rooted in her social circles here.
I don't know what the answers are for anyone in your age group, my mom included.
Folks gonna Google anyway. I guess if you have a load of money....but honestly, Kristi, depending on how things go, about all I can do is sell the house and move out of the country to a place so cheap I can live the rest of my life on that money. Most places that cheap, however, you might want to live. Interesting times indeed.
Julia, Thanks for this valuable resource. Becoming an ex-pat is not in my life book, but I know it's a serious consideration for many others. Fortunately, I live in Hawaii. Although it's part of the US, the distance makes a difference, and there are a mix of cultures here.
In the hours and days since the election there has been a huge spike in people Googling how to emigrate to Canada. It’s said in jest, but it’s also serious. It’s a knee-jerk reaction, and those old enough will recall it’s how a lot of American men fled the Vietnam war draft. That’s all. Nothing implied other than overreacting without thinking it through isn’t helpful. Just because Canada shares a border with us doesn’t mean she wants us, nor that heading wholesale to the north is going to work as a strategy. Canadian cities have the same issues we do, the housing market is overpriced and awful. I dearly love Canada, but she’s got her own issues.
"Stop googling Canada." Absolutely. We won't be a safe haven from the next four years. In fact, we may very well suffer more than those of you in the U.S. with the Trump tariffs and the end of our open borders and the likely contamination if not outright theft of our natural resources.
You should also warn people that Americans - all 360 million of you, regardless of who you voted for - are going to be blamed worldwide, including Spain and Portugal and everywhere else you think of as a safe haven - for the collapse of your democracy (and theirs) and your withdrawal from NATO and flagrant disregard for climate change. Of course those with money will be welcomed anywhere -that's never going to change - but those of you who wish to bring your U.S. "values", without the wealth, may be in for a rude awakening.
Agree. I traveled a great deal during the Trump years and wore a big button making my stance very clear. People mostly understand that the leader doesn't represent us all, but our collective behavior is appalling and has been for years. Don't get me started. No matter where we are and where we go, we have to be humble- the years of the American being the golden child of the world are over.
I think of my father, who was in the RCAF during WWII. When I brought my first BMW to show it off to my parents, he was very quiet. He was an intelligent man, and knew that Germany in 1999 was not the Germany of his youth, but I still almost felt I had betrayed him by buying a car from the nation who tried repeatedly to kill him, and came close to succeeding, in the nineteen-forties.
I feel that way now, when my daughter tells me she is buying another Tesla.
I hear you on this. I vowed never to buy a Japanese car, out of respect to my stepmum, as her father was a Japanese PoW during WW11. I understand it’s not the same place, but even so, the hurt runs too deep for her. And I’d never have a Tesla either.
I get that, Biff.
Likely won't be a rude awakening. What do you believe we've listened to for the past decade? I remember the times we easily crossed into Canada and stayed in Vancouver with no passport from Washington state. My father was a medic in W.W. I.I. and my uncle flew aircraft. I remember when some people got out of Cuba before it was locked down. Many wealthy folks found their way out. Elderly people who need their insurance and medicine can't just skip the country. We have been the backbone of the country, the working class.
It is going to be tough for all of us. I wish you all the best Cynthia.
Left out as one of the adjustments to living elsewhere is language. English-speakers are notoriously entitled in this regard, expecting to be able to live elsewhere without adapting. I've had to learn enough French, Spanish, Thai, Karen, etc. to be able to function at a basic level in places I've lived. It's not impossible, and definitely not restricted to the young or a fictional category of person with gifts for language. It only requires intentionality and an investment of time, regardless of age. When you factor that into your relocation decisions, the world opens up considerably.
Agree completely. However the article links people to the expert, who discusses all these considerations, which I had no intention of trying to cover in my short piece. The business of language is so important that were I to add it along with all the expectations and ramifications, the article would be terminally long. That's why I used links to the expert, who does of course address the language. Should I move on, one of my first responsibilities would be language classes. Couldn't back you on this more, including the privilege of demanding that everyone else speak English.
Very useful information. I’m visiting Portugal and Spain in January.
You are most welcome.
Where will you be in Spain? I have a house near Girona and it’s a beautiful area.
Moving away sounds great. Wish I could. Unfortunately, millions of older Americans, including myself, simply cannot afford to do it. If my Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid get cut you will find me living under the nearest bridge, probably with a lot of other people. God Bless America.
I am very close to the same place, Jodie. I have whatever I might be able to get out of the house I own now, but once I pay off what I owe, not much left. I will still write about such things as some folks can make that decision, while recognizing that I need to start looking now for what I can do with the resources I have. I won’t get into politics here but I have a terrible feeling that all those folks who pulled the R lever honestly believed that doing so protected them. It doesn’t. So yeah, I get it.
I appreciate your comment, Julia! I didn't mean to sound snarky - it's just the truth. HA! I am one major car repair away from financial disaster! We people on the margins need to be there for each other, now more than ever. I am grateful to have a nice job, a decent apartment with rent I can afford and good friends and neighbors. There are a lot of homeless/unsheltered folks in my neighborhood, and I do whatever small things I can to help them out, just so they feel seen, if nothing else. So many people out there who have it much worse than me.
Thanks Jodie. You didn't feel snarky at all- I have lots of the same worries. It's utterly hilarious that the richest moron in the world tells us we have to "live within our means." I"ll stop there.
LOL! Greed rarely co-exists with basic human decency.
This is very good and level-headed advice. Honestly, I think all concerns surrounding welfare, especially payments for the veterans and seniors, are legit. And that's just one of the many reasons a person might want to move abroad. I have a very loaded relationship with immigration. All my life, I've been running away from the country where I lived. First, it was China, then Hong Kong--so it's extra painful now to face the prospect of having escaped from one authoritarian government for another. Later on, I ran to Sweden to escape my parents. But eventually I moved back, and have been feeling too tired to emigrate again. Of course, the main reason is that I have an elderly mom. Despite our fraught relationship, I'm still taking it upon myself to be her eventually end-of-life caregiver. So even though I have three passports and could move anywhere in three continents, I don't feel I have the freedom to do so any time soon. It's starting to feel a bit tragic, urghhh. But thanks for all the book and blog recommendations. I have saved the books to my list as I think they are good references for my unknown future.
BTW, I nodded so hard when reading that part about how people like me are called immigrants but Americans abroad are called expats. Carlin's joke about stuff vs. shit is so good! :-D
Thanks Lily. We have an entire country's worth of population whichs stands to be severely impacted by the incoming administration, and a great many of them voted for someone who wouldn't piss on them for as much as he cares. It's real thing right now, and like many, I'm having to rethink all my options. As are many of us.
Great article, Julia and wonderful resources. I did not know about Tim and his book and will order it right away. This is my second round of "ex-patting" and I am a European Union citizen as well as American citizen (the best thing to come out of my former marriage to the Swede, other than our beautiful daughters), so I know I have an easier time getting set up in country of choice, Spain, than others. And I planned my move to Spain months ago to live near my two daughters (one in Barcelona, the other in Paris). The Trump win was sadly the sigh of relief at leaving I hoped to avoid. I wanted to leave knowing the country was in the good hands of Kamala Harris. It didn't work out that way. I hope you figure out a good move for yourself, Julia and meanwhile, yes, exploring potential new home countries is a wonderful distraction from mayhem here in the U.S.
Even if I do nothing else other than explore the countries I am interested in it will be worth the adventure, Amy. I have no problem selling it all once more. While I love my home and all the work I put into it, it's just stuff. Life goes on. There will be more stuff, but more importantly, more life ahead. Thanks for the kind words.
I'm catching up with your writing now, after a couple of weeks of post-election distractions. We've been talking about emigrating from the US for a couple of years, primarily due to the cost of living. I had planned to work for two more years so I can draw Social Security at full retirement age. The main aspect of our plan that may change due to the election is the timing; we have to be able to sell our home, and I have concerns about the real estate market if the Rs tank the economy again. Of course, if they manage to destroy Social Security, I'll probably just have to keep working.
In the meantime, we continue our language learning (I'm conversant but rusty in Spanish) and downsizing. I have Tim Leffel's book in my shopping cart. We've been gathering information about living in places like Panama, Costa Rica, and Mexico. For now, the plan stays the same, but we're laying the groundwork to be immigrants (a term I prefer to expats).
I know the feeling, and am looking at options myself. Going to be interesting.....
Julia, excellent essay. I've thought of becoming an expat but to be honest, my daughter has friends here, and truly, like you said, life is life. Everywhere, life is life. Any country can go bad, even the U.S., as this election shows.
Let’s focus on what we can be grateful for. I had a rough night last night and miles to go today to get refocused and restarted.
Hang in there, Julia.
Yeah if anyone was ever thinking about Canada, don't bother. Living here is absolutely unaffordable now. We take in a LOT of immigrants which creates a housing crisis, which drives our cost of living through the roof, and now average Canadians can't even afford it.
My mom has lots of the same thoughts you do. She has looked at Panama and Portugal. But I know my mom...she'd never thrive somewhere alone. She's far too rooted in her social circles here.
I don't know what the answers are for anyone in your age group, my mom included.
Folks gonna Google anyway. I guess if you have a load of money....but honestly, Kristi, depending on how things go, about all I can do is sell the house and move out of the country to a place so cheap I can live the rest of my life on that money. Most places that cheap, however, you might want to live. Interesting times indeed.
And now you'd have to find a country that allows you to bring in dogs. Hey, the Bahamas is cheap and you can take dogs!
and hurricanes…..
LOL this is true. It's what keeps me here in the frozen tundra!
Ecuador is on my radar. Getting dogs there is EASY. If I do this right, assuming the shit hits the fan, that will likely be first option on my list.
You and Kirsten Powers are much alike. Her pieces on how we live in the US and her journey to Italy are great.
I love her stuff, thanks Billy.
Julia, Thanks for this valuable resource. Becoming an ex-pat is not in my life book, but I know it's a serious consideration for many others. Fortunately, I live in Hawaii. Although it's part of the US, the distance makes a difference, and there are a mix of cultures here.
What am I missing with the “Stop googling Canada” comment?
In the hours and days since the election there has been a huge spike in people Googling how to emigrate to Canada. It’s said in jest, but it’s also serious. It’s a knee-jerk reaction, and those old enough will recall it’s how a lot of American men fled the Vietnam war draft. That’s all. Nothing implied other than overreacting without thinking it through isn’t helpful. Just because Canada shares a border with us doesn’t mean she wants us, nor that heading wholesale to the north is going to work as a strategy. Canadian cities have the same issues we do, the housing market is overpriced and awful. I dearly love Canada, but she’s got her own issues.