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Why Americans are Leaving the US

  • Writer: Angela Manning
    Angela Manning
  • Jul 6
  • 5 min read

Did you know that over 5 million Americans live abroad?  That’s right, over 5 million people have chosen to exit the United States and call another country home. Over 1,200 U.S. citizens moved abroad in the first quarter of 2025.  That’s a  102% increase compared to last year!  So, why are so many people leaving the US and where are going?  Keep reading to get the tea about why Americans are moving abroad.  It may just be the right move for you.

 

Why Americans are Leaving the US

Americans are leaving the US for two main reasons: quality of life and affordability. Let’s start with quality of life. 


America is the home of the rat race. We spend more hours on the clock than any other developed country on the planet. We work through lunch,  check work email on out phones and use days off to run errands. This workaholic lifestyle is part of our culture.  Many embrace it by choice (fueled by materialism and peer pressure) others begrudgingly (just trying to survive in the 12th most expensive country in the world). But many Americans are seeking a slower pace of life. 


Americans want to work less, lower their stress and live healthier lifestyles.  This proves difficult in a country that advertises fake food and prescription drugs. Have you noticed all the ads out there for prescription medication? Advertising prescription drugs is banned in every country except the US and New Zealand.  It’s no surprise that the US ranks 39th in the world for quality healthcare. The goal is not to heal, but to make money and many Americans are literally sick of it.

People are also leaving the US to escape violence and racism. America ranks 91st  in the world for safety. Between 2000 and 2022, there were 109 public mass shootings in the United States compared to 35 in all the other countries combined. Programs and agencies that safeguard racial equality like DEI, the Voting Rights Act  and Office of Civil Rights are being dismantled. People are being racially profiled and arrested by ICE without due process – some with US visas and even citizenship. The government claims they are deporting criminals but 71.5% of ICE detainees have no criminal record. Many American simply do not feel safe in their own country.

 

Where are Americans Going?

Americans are moving to countries all over the world from Thailand to Australia.  The chart below shows the countries with the highest number of Americans. (excluding military personnel). Mexico and Canada lead the way with over one million Americans followed by the United Kingdom, Isreal, Germany Australia, South Korea, France, Japan and Spain  While these countries have the largest American populations abroad, expat happiness does not always correlate with population size. The list below highlights countries where American expats report the highest levels of satisfaction.


The top 10 countries for expats, according to Internations:

1. Panama

2. Colombia

3. Mexico

4. Thailand

5. Vietnam

6. China

7. United Arab Emirates

8. Indonesia

9. Spain

10. Malaysia

 

 Internations, a global community for people living and working overseas,  surveyed over 10,000 expats across 172 nationalities.  They rated Panama the highest for overall happiness. Panama is also ranked near the top in the survey's Personal Finance index, alongside strong results for quality of life (ranked 3rd) and ease of settling in (ranked 2nd). Panama City is a bustling metropolis with 40 story high rises, peaceful suburban neighborhoods, beautiful parks and ocean views. It’s  known for its welcoming people, year round warm weather and affordable living. Apartment rentals range from $900 to $1500 in Panama City (1000+ square feet) and doctors visits can cost as little as $20.  No need to convert your dollars here -  Panama operates on the American dollar.  I visited Panama last year and saw for myself and see why its ranked number one. I felt safe Other countries on Internations top 10 list were,  Colombia,  Mexico, Thailand, Vietnam, China, United Arab Emirates,  Indonesia, Spain, and Malaysia.

 

 

Things to Consider

Ready to pack your bags and jump ship? Not so fast.  Moving abroad is  an endeavor that should be researched and well planned. Here are 5 things to consider when choosing another country and the questions you need answers to before making a decision.


1.    Lifestyle:

What kind of lifestyle you want to live?  Do you prefer a bustling city, quiet countryside or beachfront villa? What kind of weather do you prefer?  Some places have a wet and dry season; others have four seasons like the US.  Do you want to own a car? Some places require a car but others have reliable, inexpensive public transportation to include buses, taxis and Uber. Research the infrastructure. Are the roads in good condition? How’s the Wifi and cell service? Does the area experience frequent power outages? Consider proximity to the US if you plan to visit family and friends.  Can you take a direct flight to the US or will you have several stops? Do you want to live among the locals or in an expat community?


2.    Budget:

How will you support yourself while living abroad?  Do you have a pension, social security or savings to live on?  Are you planning to work remotely or in your new home country? Are you eligible to work in your new country?  Find out the typical cost for living expenses to include housing,  transportation, groceries, utilities, dining out and health care. Most foreign do not tax your US income however you are still required to pay state and federal taxes in the US when you reside in another country.  The only way to avoid federal taxes is to give up your US citizenship.  You can avoid state taxes by changing residency to a state with zero state tax like FL, SD, TX, WY, or NV.  


3.    Visa Requirements

Your passport will grant you permission to live in a foreign country short term (up to 180 days) but to reside there legally you will need a visa. Visa requirements vary by country but all require you prove financial solvency -  proof that you can support yourself (pension, social security, investments or savings).  A valid passport is also required. Find out the requirements for the country you’re interested in by Googling residency visa for (name of country). The website will give you details about bringing family members, timelines and any length of stay requirements. Utilize a web-based translator as the site will be in a foreign language.


4.    Healthcare

The healthcare system in foreign countries is very different than in the US.  Some countries offer quality, affordable care while others do not - be sure to do your research.  Find the answers to questions like:  Should I keep my US health  insurance or get a foreign policy? Should I use public or private healthcare?  Are hospitals and clinics close proximity? Do I have any medical conditions that require specialized care? Planning in advance for healthcare is critical for living a healthy life abroad.


5.    Culture Differences

The biggest mistake you can make an expat is expecting the people and cultural norms to adjust to your American expectations.  The pace of life is much slower in other countries compared to the US.  Everyday activities like going to the grocery store, running errands, or waiting for service in a restaurant can take longer, so you’ll need to adjust your expectations. Language barriers, bureaucracy, and different social norms are also different.  For example, public displays of affections are frowned upon and/or deemed illegal in countries like China, Malaysia and India. In Latin countries parties and meetings may not start on time so be prepared.


God made every corner of this world worth exploring! So grab your passport and your sense of wonder—you never know which country might feel like your new home!

To find out more about moving abroad, check out the websites below.

 

 

Sources:

 

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