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    • A guide to living abroad
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    A guide to living abroad

    Umito Posted on

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    Zack Churney and his longtime partner had long wondered what it might be like to live abroad, but they felt connected to their home in Indianapolis, always unsure about taking the plunge. The events of 2020 – the pandemic, watching a friend lose a family member to gun violence, and realizing they were largely priced out of the real estate market anywhere they might want to live in the United States — made them feel like they had hit a “breaking point,” Churney said.

    With their dachshund Schnitzel, the couple moved to Ireland, then zigzagged across the European continent before settling in Germany. They are now in the process of becoming German citizens. Churney calls it “the best decision we ever made.”

    “Since we moved to Europe, we’ve learned to ask questions again and I think we’ve kind of stopped doing that in our daily lives in Indianapolis,” he said. They experienced “magical moments” in a park in Dublin, in espresso bars in Sicily, in Italy and at the Vienna Opera. They also enjoy excellent health care and a car-free lifestyle that Churney says is impossible in the Midwest.

    The decision to move abroad – to become an immigrant, essentially – is a big one, full of logistical hurdles and existential questions. But every four years, as the U.S. election cycle peaks, offshoring experts say more Americans suffer. If that’s your dream, Churney says, it may be time to seriously think about leaving the country.

    “I think you just have to enjoy the moment when it comes,” he said.

    More: Foreign voters have always counted. Why they could matter even more in the 2024 elections.

    How to choose where to move?

    Churney and his partner Austin began their European odyssey in Ireland, where they knew the language, to ease the culture shock. They decided to settle in Germany because Churney had studied at university there and was enchanted by the culture.

    But many Americans don’t even know where to start. To some extent, all of the familiar priorities that might guide a domestic move also apply to moving overseas, said Kathleen Peddicord and Lief Simon, a husband-and-wife team who run Live and Invest Overseas, a consulting firm and media. The couple divides their time between Paris and Panama.

    Do you have children? If so, a country with a strong education system should be a priority, they advise. Are you going to continue working for a particular company? If so, the company may have a say in the decision.

    However, if you are self-employed or retired, the world becomes a lot more open. Some considerations can be “put into a spreadsheet,” Peddicord said, such as cost of living, exchange rate, quality and cost of the health care system, ease of establishing residency, etc.

    “But I think the most important part is just your gut reaction to a place and your idea of ​​what you really want your life to look like,” she said. “If you could have a view from your bedroom window when you woke up in the morning, what would you most like it to be? Would you like to see a Caribbean beach? Would you like to see crashing waves on the Pacific? Do you want to see a paved courtyard? Do you want to see the Mediterranean Sea?

    Once you’ve determined your choice, definitely visit the country first, said Joe Cronin, president of the International Citizens Group. And decide how much “culture shock” you are willing to experience. If you’re not up for the challenge of learning a new language, consider a country where English is widely spoken, Cronin added.

    See also: Most Americans who vow to leave the country after an election never do so. Will this year be different?

    What are the most popular destinations for American expats?

    Among experts surveyed by USA TODAY, Portugal made the list of the most popular destinations, as well as the places they would most often advise Americans to explore. That said, it’s important to note that the country has recently implemented measures that slightly tighten immigration policies, Cronin said. Some of the programs offered now require higher incomes, for example, and short-term rentals are discouraged.

    “These changes aim to balance Portugal’s welcoming message with the need for affordable housing and social stability for its citizens,” he said.

    Spain is equally popular, followed by Mexico, Canada, Thailand, Philippines, Italy, Panama, Colombia, Malta and Greece.

    Even though Italy is a relatively expensive country to visit as a tourist, it offers great real estate deals – although many require equity. Ireland also makes it very easy for foreigners to buy property, often at prices much lower than those in the United States.

    Residence or citizenship?

    Churney’s experience aside, many resettlement experts say more Americans are interested in becoming residents of a foreign country rather than citizens. There are so many residency options in dozens of countries that may suit different people that it can be difficult to know where to start. Some depend on making an investment, and others on a source of income. In some cases, an “investment” can mean the business you run yourself from your laptop, Peddicord said.

    Churney and his partner were just 30 when they decided to move, and both had computer jobs they could do while they were settling in. Americans closer to retirement age will need to consider whether they will have enough income to stop working or whether they will be able to work for a company or for themselves in a different tax jurisdiction.

    It’s entirely possible to start researching the different options yourself – and relocation experts encourage you to do so. However, once you’ve narrowed things down a bit, it might be a good idea to consider paying for the services of a professional who can help you navigate the process.

    Patricia Casaburi, CEO of Global Citizens Solutions, says working with a consultant can help Americans not only identify the best residency program — including those that may lead to citizenship at some point — but also all the different logistics, from health care to driving licenses to taxation. . Americans abroad will also need to decide whether to purchase real estate or rent a home, Casaburi noted.

    Live and Invest Overseas hosts conferences, both in-person and virtual, focusing on many of the countries that are generating the most interest. This can be a cheaper way to delve into the details of a country before paying for the services of an individual consultant. Even cheaper, but still highly recommended by experts: Search Facebook or other social networks for American expat groups in the places you’re interested in.

    Finally, a good way to get in the water before leaving everything for a new country is to “Digital nomad visa. » Dozens of countries around the world allow foreigners to stay for extended periods – say six months to a year – with a short-term permit, provided they work remotely.

    The best way to run to the border

    What happens if you wake up Wednesday morning and decide you can’t stand America anymore?

    In just six to eight months, you may be able to become a citizen of one of five Caribbean countries that grant citizenship through investment, Casaburi said: Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis and Saint Lucia. . This may be more expensive than more traditional routes to citizenship abroad, but it is an option.

    Additionally, Peddicord notes that there are several countries, including Belize, Panama, Colombia, and Mexico, where you can visit and decide to apply for residency while you are there. “Honestly, I would say it’s not a crazy idea,” she said. “The residency process is very painful. There’s a lot of paperwork. It’s a process. It’s a lot of bureaucracy and it’s an expense. Why do all of this if you’re not sure?”

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