Everything You Need To Know About Leaving The United States

“According to statistics from the U.S. State Department, around 6.4 million Americans are either working or studying overseas, which Gallup says is the largest number ever for such statistic.”

A lot of people have talked about leaving the United States if Trump was elected President. (Much of this has to do with Trump’s insults towards Muslims, immigrants, Hispanics, Native Americans, African-Americans, women, gays/lesbians, and poor people.) People are left no longer feeling welcome in the United States, a country that was founded on the principle of,

“Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”

We used to fight wars against poverty, not poor people. We used to care about our neighbors. So now what? For some, the reasons for leaving the United States have been building up for a while.

“Being unwanted, unloved, uncared for, forgotten by everybody, I think that is a much greater hunger, a much greater poverty than the person who has nothing to eat.”
― Mother Teresa

Americans are disgruntled with the American political two-party system, making it all but impossible for third parties to have a chance. The popular vote doesn’t matter in the American election system, but the President is instead selected by an electoral college.

But, there are even more far-reaching reasons why people are deciding to leave the US.

“Millions of American citizens have already left the United States in search of a better life. As the economy continues to crumble and as our society slowly falls apart, millions of others are thinking about it.” -Michael Snyder, www.endoftheamericandream.com

Many people in the US can’t find jobs, and if they do, the wages aren’t enough to meet the rising costs of living in the USA. People are looking at creating businesses or working as digital nomads in other countries where the cost of living is more affordable. The rising costs of living in the USA has caused more people than ever to think about leaving the United States.

“Of all the preposterous assumptions of humanity over humanity, nothing exceeds most of the criticisms made on the habits of the poor by the well-housed, well- warmed, and well-fed.”
― Herman Melville

The saddest thing is that many (especially minorities) who live in the USA are simply fearing for their lives.

“Mob violence is becoming increasingly common in America. As society breaks down, the government is becoming even more repressive in an attempt to maintain control. Paranoia has become standard operating procedure, and we are all considered to be potential terrorists. Sadly, the United States is rapidly being turned into a totalitarian ‘Big Brother’ police state. Millions of Americans are not excited about living in a giant prison, and they are starting to look for alternatives.–Michael Snyder, www.endoftheamericandream.com

So, whatever your reasons for leaving the United States, here’s what you need to know.

Where To Find The Cheapest Flights

In this article on airfare hacks, I’ve outlined where to find the cheapest flights and now to get the best price on flying. My favorite search engines are Skyscanner, Momondo, Google Flights, and ITA Flight Matrix.

Where To Move To When Leaving The United States

1. Canada

Canada is an option, if you don’t mind the cold. Cape Breton Island already has a website set up with many facts to help you with your move there. This has been the most popular place people are looking at when leaving the United States. The “how to move to Canada” search term has already crashed their immigration website. There is a range of different types of citizenship. And, all permanent residents may apply for public health insurance, another bonus available that American citizens don’t have.

2. Latin America

Many expats have chosen to move to Latin America. I have chosen to make the charming town of San Miguel de Allende, Mexico my home. There are already about 849,000 Americans living in Mexico, and for a good reason. I like that Mexico gives a six month visitors permit upon arrival, a very generous policy that allows me to live here.

Want to know what the policy is for Mexicans who just want to visit the USA? They must pay a non-refundable fee, the equivalent of two month’s salary or a year’s college tuition (at a public university); submit all of their personal and family data and financial records, and travel for an interview with a foreign government official – just to APPLY to take a vacation or business trip to Mexico.

And, approval of their application is not guaranteed. That just for a visit, not for a move. I imagine (or hope) that the arrogance of people who live in the USA who say they are all for Mexicans visiting the USA as long as they follow proper rules is just due to ignorance of not knowing what those rules are.

Other Latin American countries that make it easy to set up residency in are Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Colombia, Ecuador, and Nicaragua.

3. Asia

Many countries in Asia also offer easy immigration steps for US citizens. Thailand, Singapore, and Cambodia are just a few places that offer a good quality of  life.

4. New Zealand

New Zealand’s website actually as a list of skill sets that have a shortage. If you have this skills, your immigration application will be fast tracked. If you’re younger than 30, you can get a one-year working holiday visa in New Zealand, too.

5. Belize

People speak English in Belize, and the Belize government wants you to invest in their country. If your business investment benefits the community, then your business may be eligible for significant tax relief for up to 20 years.

What To Do For Work

If you don’t have the money to invest in your own business in the country you want to move to, here are some ideas for work. Your best bet would be to learn a skill that you can do online and work from your computer.

Teaching English is a skill set needed in most countries, so get your TEFL certification and teach abroad. If you want to be hired by someone else, you will usually need a work visa, so make sure to check the requirements of the country you plan to move to.

What You Need To Bring

You need to bring an open mind and an acceptance of a culture that will be different from the USA. Yes, there will be things that are inconvenient, and you may have to curtail your shopping. But, I can promise you this, you will look at American consumerism in a new light. You will learn to slow down, to embrace imperfection, to see that you can live in a different way.

It’s funny: most people who say that America is the greatest country in the world have never lived outside of it. I have, and it’s the best decision I’ve ever made.

It’s not going to be easy. And truthfully, I don’t encourage you to think about leaving the United States because of who was elected President. I urge you to make this move, because you know there’s something more out there. You know there’s a different way to live. You want to break outside the system, expand your horizons, and see more of this world.

“Radiate boundless love towards the entire world — above, below, and across — unhindered, without ill will, without enmity.”-Siddhartha Gautama

I want you to move outside the USA because you want to see how others live, open your mind, and experience the entire world, not just your tiny corner of it. No country will be great again until we start taking care of the entire planet, and that starts with getting to know it. Because we all know that borders will never be able to contain the true human spirit whose essence is love, not fear. May we have compassion for all, including for those who show hate to us because we are different. May we all realize we don’t own any part of this planet. May we come together and realize we are all the same.