Excellent piece JD - I quite agree. It was really interesting to see that the Economist is writing about the numbers of American emigrants. What's happening in the US right now is alarming. Weirdly, both right and left agree on this (for different reasons). Reproductive freedom and choice is a big reason we're leaving the US and concern about the rising public expression of hate, phobias, and violence. I believe it also has to do with a loss of civic organizations and community, in-person attended events. Social media has sadly replaced things that can't be replaced in our communities, and we've lost the ability to see each other's humanity with compassion and dignity. Plus, our economic disparity seems to be getting worse, not better. It's troubling times. I still have hope (and am an optimist) but I'm glad we're moving.
My parents are immigrants in the United States and my father, who LOVES America is in the process of denaturalizing himself and trying to get his original citizenship back. I live in Italy. Amd having been on both sides of immigration (American and then Italy) I can tell you that America hates people. They ask the most personal and disgusting questions. They asked my father if he was a Communist because he was in a union for his job. Bureaucracy in Italy might drive me crazy but the process was easier and not with so many conditions. I have a severe autoimmune disease so even if I wanted to move back to California I couldn't afford it. I have better Healthcare here and don't wait , don't have to ask for approval from an insurance company. I am mad we still have to file taxes stateside. Annoying.
Yeah, the tax nonsense is incredibly annoying. Like, the audacity of the U.S. being the only other country in the world besides tiny Eritrea that demands its citizens living outside of the U.S. to file taxes is pretty on-par with American narcissism in general. The Portuguese bureaucracy has lived up to its reputation lol, but I'll still take it any day over the nightmare of the United States. Staying in the U.S. was going to be a death sentence. My only shot at living was escape. I have zero desire to associate with that shithole.
Oh, there’s a LOT of conversations we could have on this subject! Here’s the thing, though: emigration is not a new idea for me, because I’ve done it before. I’ve lived in five other countries besides the USA, most of them working as an English teacher (for most of my 30s) and once or twice as a simple slacker (Czechia in the early 90s, need I say more?)😎
Right now, I’m getting ready to spend a few months recharging in Mexico, which I’ve never visited. And I’m toying with the possibility of moving there if I decide I like it. But I also am aware that moves like that are never a cure-all. As worried as I am by current developments at home, I’m mainly looking forward to finding things to keep me busy and learning as I age further. A change in place has always been helpful to me in that respect.
BUT... I’m also a straight white cisgender male, recently divorced, no dependents and not a lot left to lose. (And awaiting the arrival of a windfall check from a recent court settlement that will help fund the adventure. Dumb luck) So it’s front of mind that I carry a certain amount of privilege that shapes my decisions.
You may start seeing more from me on this subject in a few months, once I’ve actually hit the road. I have a feeling there’ll be many others doing likewise.🧐😊
If I hadn't ended up going down the path of marriage and motherhood early on and all the other paths that followed, I'd have likely moved abroad decades ago. I knew there were much better places than the U.S. after I spent a summer in Germany on exchange at 15 years old, and further confirmed when my parents moved to live in France for several years.
My fiancée and I had originally hoped to move to Scotland, but Brexit made it very tricky, and then we decided to rapidly accelerate our plans last fall as it became clear the fascists were just getting started with the scapegoating of trans folx.
I put roots down in a "majority- minority" city 43 years ago. Retired, I devote my remaining years to community organizing to clean up toxic waste sites in this former industrial hub. Though hyper-aware of the downsides of living in the US, I'm inspired by those in my community who've made it their life work to help their less fortunate neighbors.
Yes it's disheartening to be fighting battles we thought we'd won decades ago, but one reward is the amazing people I meet and work alongside.
I've acquired enough Spanish to get by in Latin America, but till I'm forced to leave, I abide by Joan Baez's powerful Rx: Activism is the antidote to despair.
Totally here for this! Validation is a funny thing, ain't it? Living abroad you get used to the LACK of it, even like the quiet, and then when it appears in the Economist, of all places (or your post, for me!) it's a weird rush. November will be a trip, indeed. Take care up there in Portugal!
I have in my draft folder a piece called "They Will Hate You If You Leave," which you already wrote! And we both did the diaspora piece. I have to ask -- have you met anyone else who is like the other half of your brain? If so, I would like to meet them, too
Thank you for keeping these comments open. Gratefully, I just found you on Twitter and thus Substack today. I want to be take all this in before I comment in depth. In short, my family and I left for the southern hemisphere last year. You sharing your experience is and will be profoundly helpful as this decision faces so many people.
Thanks, Jennifer. I did not know the extent of the exodus. My line has always been that America must be great because so many people want to come here and so few want to leave. It turns out we're just not told about the latter.
I can assure you, your government has misled you in this. I feel like I am in recovery from living in a dystopian nightmare and finally realizing I was half asleep all my life. It's like escaping a cult. I don't say this lightly, because I know you know what I mean when I say all this.
Excellent piece JD - I quite agree. It was really interesting to see that the Economist is writing about the numbers of American emigrants. What's happening in the US right now is alarming. Weirdly, both right and left agree on this (for different reasons). Reproductive freedom and choice is a big reason we're leaving the US and concern about the rising public expression of hate, phobias, and violence. I believe it also has to do with a loss of civic organizations and community, in-person attended events. Social media has sadly replaced things that can't be replaced in our communities, and we've lost the ability to see each other's humanity with compassion and dignity. Plus, our economic disparity seems to be getting worse, not better. It's troubling times. I still have hope (and am an optimist) but I'm glad we're moving.
My parents are immigrants in the United States and my father, who LOVES America is in the process of denaturalizing himself and trying to get his original citizenship back. I live in Italy. Amd having been on both sides of immigration (American and then Italy) I can tell you that America hates people. They ask the most personal and disgusting questions. They asked my father if he was a Communist because he was in a union for his job. Bureaucracy in Italy might drive me crazy but the process was easier and not with so many conditions. I have a severe autoimmune disease so even if I wanted to move back to California I couldn't afford it. I have better Healthcare here and don't wait , don't have to ask for approval from an insurance company. I am mad we still have to file taxes stateside. Annoying.
Yeah, the tax nonsense is incredibly annoying. Like, the audacity of the U.S. being the only other country in the world besides tiny Eritrea that demands its citizens living outside of the U.S. to file taxes is pretty on-par with American narcissism in general. The Portuguese bureaucracy has lived up to its reputation lol, but I'll still take it any day over the nightmare of the United States. Staying in the U.S. was going to be a death sentence. My only shot at living was escape. I have zero desire to associate with that shithole.
Luckily the earning power in Italy is so low, there is no chance I will ever reach the threshold for owing anything.
Yeah, I won't here in Portugal, either, especially as I am disabled and not working anymore. But the fact they still make us file is grrrrr.
Yeah I think the average salary in Portugal is much lower that in Italy. Both much lower than the United States but we still have healthcare.
Oh, there’s a LOT of conversations we could have on this subject! Here’s the thing, though: emigration is not a new idea for me, because I’ve done it before. I’ve lived in five other countries besides the USA, most of them working as an English teacher (for most of my 30s) and once or twice as a simple slacker (Czechia in the early 90s, need I say more?)😎
Right now, I’m getting ready to spend a few months recharging in Mexico, which I’ve never visited. And I’m toying with the possibility of moving there if I decide I like it. But I also am aware that moves like that are never a cure-all. As worried as I am by current developments at home, I’m mainly looking forward to finding things to keep me busy and learning as I age further. A change in place has always been helpful to me in that respect.
BUT... I’m also a straight white cisgender male, recently divorced, no dependents and not a lot left to lose. (And awaiting the arrival of a windfall check from a recent court settlement that will help fund the adventure. Dumb luck) So it’s front of mind that I carry a certain amount of privilege that shapes my decisions.
You may start seeing more from me on this subject in a few months, once I’ve actually hit the road. I have a feeling there’ll be many others doing likewise.🧐😊
If I hadn't ended up going down the path of marriage and motherhood early on and all the other paths that followed, I'd have likely moved abroad decades ago. I knew there were much better places than the U.S. after I spent a summer in Germany on exchange at 15 years old, and further confirmed when my parents moved to live in France for several years.
My fiancée and I had originally hoped to move to Scotland, but Brexit made it very tricky, and then we decided to rapidly accelerate our plans last fall as it became clear the fascists were just getting started with the scapegoating of trans folx.
I put roots down in a "majority- minority" city 43 years ago. Retired, I devote my remaining years to community organizing to clean up toxic waste sites in this former industrial hub. Though hyper-aware of the downsides of living in the US, I'm inspired by those in my community who've made it their life work to help their less fortunate neighbors.
Yes it's disheartening to be fighting battles we thought we'd won decades ago, but one reward is the amazing people I meet and work alongside.
I've acquired enough Spanish to get by in Latin America, but till I'm forced to leave, I abide by Joan Baez's powerful Rx: Activism is the antidote to despair.
Totally here for this! Validation is a funny thing, ain't it? Living abroad you get used to the LACK of it, even like the quiet, and then when it appears in the Economist, of all places (or your post, for me!) it's a weird rush. November will be a trip, indeed. Take care up there in Portugal!
Glad we found each other! I felt validated reading your piece, too.
An excellent piece. It's uncanny how we are thinking along the same lines!
I thought so, too! I was excited to make my way through your newsletters yesterday and read so many shared thoughts and experiences.
I have in my draft folder a piece called "They Will Hate You If You Leave," which you already wrote! And we both did the diaspora piece. I have to ask -- have you met anyone else who is like the other half of your brain? If so, I would like to meet them, too
Let me know if you're ever in Portugal! I bet we have a fair amount of other thoughts in common.
Thank you for keeping these comments open. Gratefully, I just found you on Twitter and thus Substack today. I want to be take all this in before I comment in depth. In short, my family and I left for the southern hemisphere last year. You sharing your experience is and will be profoundly helpful as this decision faces so many people.
You found me on Twitter? That's interesting since I'm not on Twitter. In any case, I'm glad you did and that you found my writing helpful.
I think someone referred to your Substack page on Twitter. 😀
Well awesome!
Thanks, Jennifer. I did not know the extent of the exodus. My line has always been that America must be great because so many people want to come here and so few want to leave. It turns out we're just not told about the latter.
I can assure you, your government has misled you in this. I feel like I am in recovery from living in a dystopian nightmare and finally realizing I was half asleep all my life. It's like escaping a cult. I don't say this lightly, because I know you know what I mean when I say all this.