Part 2: The myth that Americans can just move abroad for a better life

Part 1: Immigration: The media myth that Americans can just move abroad for a better life

Part 3: Part 3: The Fake “I moved abroad” stories

I wasn’t going to read more but I still see these stories from time to time – and have begun to add them to a Part 4 as the original posts are getting too big.

Part 4: The myth that Americans can just move abroad for a better life

Not having had international experiences, I thought it might be useful to read stories about others who have moved abroad, studied or worked abroad. In the summer of 2023, I began reading stories about Americans who moved abroad. After collecting these stories for a few months, almost all began to follow the same format: “America is awful, so this individual/family moved to Country X where everything is wonderful”.

These are formulaic content mill fluff stories written, in most cases, by 20-something young women with degrees in English Lit or creative writing or similar. Often young, freelance writers. Many stories take the form of romance novels: beautiful young woman is faced with a crisis, travels abroad, meets Mr. Wonderful, falls in love, gets married and lives happily ever after in a place where everything is so much better than America!

The reality:

• Some of the subjects of the non-romance stories have not really moved; many commute back and forth because they can’t get a residency visa
• One-third of the subjects obtained their residency visa via marriage (this is the largest category of those who have moved abroad-about 90% are young American women who moved abroad and married someone)
• Or, they have right of descent ancestry privilege, granting them residency or citizenship unavailable to most, or they have dual citizenship for assorted reasons. In fact, a large segment who “moved abroad” had dual citizenship and were not your traditional “American”; they have moved back to their ancestral country but have retained American citizenship.
• The subjects of these stories are frequently writers – because writers write stories about themselves or about other writers (the people they know). People who make or fix real stuff for a living are not in these stories.
• Almost all start with “America is awful so we moved to … some other country”. Surprisingly, many of these writers were born abroad, had lived abroad or traveled extensively abroad while growing up – they were never “that American” by virtue of their unique upbringing. Now living abroad, they look down upon, even disdain, those of us living in America. It’s not a positive perspective. Another large cohort and young writers who attend private schools, then elite universities – made possible by American wealth – but then proclaim, “America is awful!”.

A commenter referred to these fluffy stories as “aspirational nonsense” noting most people are not able to move to another country, because many, probably most, cannot get a residency or extended stay visa in most countries or lack the wealth to buy their way in.

Most Americans are limited to a 90 day stay visa (with some exceptions). As a general rule, residency requires being young and having the right in-demand job skills, marrying someone in the destination country, having immigration privilege (pre-existing dual citizenship or right of descent ancestry), or the ability to make a large investment in a local business. If you do not fit these categories (with a few exceptions) you cannot move to another country.

Most Americans cannot do this, especially older adults, unless they have immigration privilege – pre-existing dual citizenship or right of descent ancestry privileges. (Disclosure – my ancestry partially dates to before the Revolutionary War, with two sets of great grandparents as my nearest immigrant ancestors in the 19th century. Consequently, I have no right of descent options. My wife’s father was Canadian, who immigrated to the U.S., where he worked as an electrical engineer. Because of that, she has a right of descent citizenship privilege in Canada, if she chose to pursue that. Marriage does not automatically grant me residency but would help to make a residency visa available to me if we wished to live in Canada and I provide proof of financial stability so as not to be a burden on Canada.)

For older Americans, the idea of moving abroad can be more difficult. Perhaps two dozen countries, often smaller nations in the Caribbean or in Central America are straightforward for older Americans to move there. But in many countries, it is difficult or impossible for older Americans to emigrate; some have age cut off limits that kick in between age 40 and 55. In a few countries, an “investment visa” (typically $100k to $10M investment) enables the wealthy to buy their way to a residency visa.

Age plays an important role.

Americans over 55 cannot take out a mortgage in France. Australia denies residency permits to anyone over 50 and New Zealand to those age 55 and older. Canada and many countries use a points-based immigration system – you score higher, for example, by having degrees in certain fields (health care, engineering), ability to speak French, went to college in Canada, have family in Canada, and so on. But they subtract points as you grow older. Most countries of the world discriminate against older adults – for fear of acquiring elder care expenses in their economy. In Canada, you lose points for being age 40 or older and in some countries the point reduction starts by age 35. Unless you are young with an advanced degree in the right subject, most people cannot emigrate to Canada – which these “aspirational nonsense” stories leave out.

As a consequence, despite the popular and frequent “This couple retired abroad” stories – an estimated 0.7% to 1.3% of US retirees move abroad – and half of those already had international connections (dual citizenship, right of descent ancestry, family connections, already had residency in the destination country). Ultimately, despite the hype media stories, close to zero percent retire abroad!

The original list of “aspirational nonsense” stories in Part 1 grew long, so new ones are added to Part 2.

Country X is Cheaper (for Americans)

Another common theme is that living in Country X is so much cheaper than living in the U.S. – but this is misleading due to currency arbitrage.

American who move abroad often earn their income from the U.S., in U.S. dollars. The U.S. currency is “strong” in many countries because the local economy pays low wages to locals. The effect is that Americans can live like the wealthy in other countries – because of their U.S. income and US citizenship privilege (yet they bash the U.S. as “awful”).

Locals, who earn low wages in the local currency, do not live wealthy lives in those countries.

Unfortunately, Americans and others moving to these countries have an adverse impact on the locals: Gentrifying beyond borders: How Americans displace locals abroad (prismreports.org)

As that article notes, many Americans have privileges that enable them to become “expats” and move where they want. When their situation changes, they move on to someplace else – which the locals cannot do. Those who are moving abroad, and often as social media influencers, are oblivious to their privilege – and simultaneously bash the United States which makes their privilege possible. The influx of “wealthy” Americans results in higher real estate prices, rent costs – raising the cost of living for the locals.

Summary of Visas Used by Americans Emigrating Abroad

As of 2024:

Almost 2 in 3 of those who moved abroad had residency visa through marriage, prior dual citizenship, or right of descent ancestry connections!

This is based on an analysis of almost 300 of these stories!

58% of all American emigrates abroad are via marriage, prior dual citizenship or right of descent ancestry.

7% of those in these stories did not actually move abroad and do not have long stay visas (they are actually living abroad part time). When the “None/Tourist” category is removed, we have 61% moved abroad via marriage, dual citizenship or ancestry privilege. Notably that is nearly 2 in 3.

This is based on an analysis of “news stories” that appeared roughly mid 2023 to 2025 about Americans who moved abroad. Almost all of the “marriage” category, which is the largest category, are young American women who married a foreigner; almost no American men appear in that category.

UPDATED AUGUST 2025

The updated tally now includes 353 stories about people who moved abroad.

60% of all persons in these stories obtained their residency visa by virtue of: (1) Marriage, (2) prior dual citizenship, and (3) Right of descent ancestry.

The largest single category for obtaining a resiency visa is via marriage, and that is almost 100% attractive, educated American women who married someone abroad (32% of the marriage category are female and 1% are male, giving rise to the perception that young American women rely on the “MRS degree residency visa” option as this category dominates all other visa categories.)

Less than 15% were via a work visa (which includes work visas, digital nomad visas, and “non-lucrative” visas. This category – or education visas – are the visas that most Americans lacking immigration privilege might be eligible to pursue. This is why most Americans – who lack immigration privileges – cannot readily pack up and move to another country.

CNBC: The top 10 countries where young Americans want to move abroad (cnbc.com)

Related: ‘The new American dream is to leave’: Most in the US don’t believe hard work will get you ahead. Here’s what some are striving for instead (yahoo.com) (The reporter is a 20-something writer from the UK, now living in Canada.)

America is awful, the worst country in the world, so 1 in 4 Gen Z folkx say they want to move abroad. They will be surprised when they discover getting a residency visa is not easy.

Many young have bought into the myth of moving abroad, promoted by media outlets like Insider, and by 20-something influencers with social media cute privilege (and out of touch with real people) selling the myth that “America is awful but country X is wonderful”. The collections of stories in Part 1 and Part 2 illustrate the myth the media is peddling.

Insider: How to ​D​eal With ​H​omesickness, Loneliness While Living Abroad

Visa: Dual citizenship

Category: single female

She had immigration privilege: “I had a family connection to the country; my parents emigrated from there to the US when they were in their 20s, and I had spent my childhood summers visiting family in Poland.”

With Polish parents, she has a right of descent citizenship in Poland and the EU. She is a writer and writes the same story over and over again – she’s also listed in Part 1 of this series.

Another version of the same story-

Insider: I left the Bay Area and moved countries for a tech job — and I’m 100 times happier and less stressed now than I was in Silicon Valley

Visa: Dual citizenship

Category: Family

America is awful, stressed out, worst country in the world – but of course – immigration privilege: “We’re both originally from Poland — my family immigrated to California when I was nine.” (Archive copy)

Four Years Ago, I Moved To Berlin — Here’s My Honest Experience As An Asian American

Visa: Dual citizenship

Category: Single female, BIPOC

America is an expensive, racist country, but so is Germany, she finds. She was born in Italy, and immigrated with family to the U.S. when she was in elementary school and had pre-existing EU citizenship. And what does she do for a living? She’s a writer with a degree in European Studies, and a study abroad in Italy. Duh. Another young female writer with multiple citizenships and immigration privilege, presented in Business Insider as a typical American moving abroad.

Insider: Retired Couple Moved From US to Philippines to Build $140K Dream House

Visa: Dual citizenship and marriage

Category: Family, BIPOC

Of course, she was born in the Philippines, had dual citizenship, and has immigration privilege. More: “The couple paid 1.8 million Philippine pesos, or about $32,000, for the land. Since foreigners can’t own land in the Philippines, the land title is under Wilma’s name.”

Insider: I’ve made simple changes in my life so that I can retire at 40 and move to the Philippines. There are 3 years left, and I’m on track.

Visa: Will be via marriage to existing citizen

Category: Single male -> marriage

He’s engaged to a woman from the Philippines (thus, immigration and property ownership, in part, via marriage). He won’t be relocating full time to the Philippines for several years yet but on the plus side, he’s financing this through adherence to FIRE movement values and is aware of the geographic arbitrage that enables his U.S. income to buy much more in the Philippines, an important point omitted from many similar stories. Good for him and wish this couple well.

Insider: Millennial Retired Early and Built a $110K House in the Philippines

Visa: Via marriage

Category: Single male -> marriage

Different couple, same story. He’s American and like the above, she’s Filipino – they have to own the land in her name because foreigners can’t own land. Unless you plan to marry someone in the country, this is another aspirational story that doesn’t work for most people.

This and the 2 stories above, are just 3 out of over 50 “visas via marriage” stories that are American men marrying a foreigner; Over 90% of the stories involve young American women marrying a foreigner.

Insider: We spent decades exploring the world. Having a kid in our 40s entirely changed how we travel, but it’s not all bad.

Visa: Unknown but likely via marriage

Category: Family

Another writer … She’s lived all over the world and her residency in Switzerland is likely via marriage. She speaks six languages.

I Moved to Switzerland in 2009. Here’s Why We’re So Darn Happy | Inc.com

Visa: Work visa

Category: Family

She acknowledges that you probably cannot move to Switzerland. Her visa situation is not explained but another article says her husband took a job in Switzerland, and it involves global business and global travel.. She previously worked in corporate HR, now does some HR consulting and is, of course, a writer.

I moved to Ecuador because the US was too expensive. I’d love to move back to Montana and be near my grandkids but I can’t afford it.

Visa: Unknown

Category: Single female

Ecuador is one of the South American countries where U.S. retirees can move without much trouble, so this is a legitimate article although, as usual, America is awful, too expensive, blah blah blah. She has only her Social Security benefit for retirement funds (apparently no savings) and takes advantage of the strong U.S. dollar and currency arbitrage to buy things at comparatively low costs (in US $s) in Ecuador.

Insider: I moved from the US to the Netherlands. Here are 10 things that surprised me the most.

Visa: Right of descent citizenship

Category: Single female

Both of her parents were Dutch, and while born in the U.S., she spoke Dutch, so she could apply for Dutch citizenship as a child of Dutch parents. She had immigration privilege unlike you! And what do you suppose she does for a living? She’s a writer with a brief period spent, surprisingly, writing software. She attended private Wesleyan College and a year abroad at Oxford.

Insider: Surprising Things After Moving From the US to Ireland

Visa: Likely right of descent ancestry

Category: Single female

You’ll never believe what she does for a living – she’s a writer! And with a last name of McSperren, she may have right of descent immigration privileges (Ireland is generous with right of descent immigration). She attended St Louis University with a yearlong study abroad in London.

They ran this story again in January 2024 with more emphasis on America is awful: I moved from the US to Ireland. Here are 11 things that surprised me most.

27-Year-Old Moved to London From US, Wouldn’t Recommend It to Everyone (archive.org)

Visa: Education to work visa?

Category: Single female

She studied at Georgia State, in the U.S., but then did her Masters degree at the University of Southhamptom, in the UK. She also previously did work in South Africa and Ethiopia. Her Dad is a neat guy, from Africa and highly educated (in Belgium and some in the U.S.) and directs the U.S. State Department Bureau of Global Health Security and Diplomacy. Actually, he is really cool – and suspect his daughter is equally cool! The above article seems to be an accurate one about the challenges of moving abroad, specifically to London. Everything is not perfect and rosy.

Insider: I moved to Spain from California and bought 2 properties for less than $370,000. The process was shockingly easy compared to owning a home in Oakland.

Visa: Dual citizenship and marriage

Category: Family

Her husband has dual EU/US citizenship: “ I got residency through my husband because he’s an Irish EU citizen.” The single largest category of residency visas went to American women moving abroad and marrying a foreigner.

CNN: They moved from the US to cook American food in deepest Italy. Here’s what happened

Visa: Dual citizenship

Category: Family

She already had dual citizenship in the U.S. and Italy (via Italian ancestry), attended college in Rome, and her husband had Brazilian citizenship. So much international privilege. Yes, you too can pack up and move to Italy just like them! (NOT)

CNBC: This 52-year-old early retiree left the U.S. for Portugal with his family: ‘We cut our expenses by 50%’

Visa: Unknown

Category: Family, BIPOC

He retired from law at age 41 with an investment income of $152,000 per year and now works as …. wait for it – a writer. His wife is of Thai ancestry. Their teen daughter is also a writer. America is kinda awful with high expenses, bad weather, crime, and so on. CNBC has “reported” on this family more than once (running the same story more than once is a feature of content mills).

Travel and Leisure: I Moved to the Netherlands for Love — and Ended Up Learning Some Surprising Lessons in the Country’s Lesser-Known Museums

Visa: Education visa, and then possibly marriage visa

Category: Gay

Another writer, of course. Says he moved to the Netherlands for love; he went there for grad school.

I Lived Abroad For 11 Years. This Is The Thing That Shocked Me Most When I Moved Back To The U.S.

Visa: Unknown

Category: Single female

She was shocked by the health insurance marketplace but eventually ended up with free health care on a Medicaid plan. Of course: She is a writer, who at age 37, her web site says, moved back in with her Mom.

Insider: Difference in US Vs UK School Writing Styles Almost Tanked My Education

Visa: Unknown

Category: Single female

She moved from the U.S. to the U.K. at age 16. UK schools were so much better because, you know, America is awful. Can you guess what she does for a living? A writer. No info on her visa situation.

Why I Moved to Germany – Helene in Between

Visa: Entrepreneurial visa

Category: Family (from the female’s perspective)

She’s a … writer. Getting a visa was hard (it’s about 3 parts, but here is one of them). Her visa was initially denied. More work with a lawyer, more applications, denied again, and then finally after the third time, and a year of trying, their visa was approved (she got the visas – her husband was a dependent on her visa). They returned to the U.S. 3 years after moving to Germany. While in Germany, their visa had to be renewed, annually.

Insider: We left Texas to move to France. Now we’re buying a shockingly affordable six-bedroom house straight out of a fairy tale.

Visa: Entrepreneurs visa

Category: Family

She is a former RN and now a life coach in France. Her husband works in France as a “content director” (content creator, writer). Her residency visa is the French Professions Liberal Visa for entrepreneurs (that does not immediately extend to the rest of the family – he picked up a Visitor visa, presumably extended stay). Their business provides assistance to others wishing to relocate. This seems a “legit” family move – they did not already have dual citizenship or right of descent ancestry. As you can guess, housing and taxes in the U.S. are awful … and life in France is wonderful… and they do not plan to return to Texas. From their videos, this was an opportunity that they could pursue at this point in life. I rate this as a fair story!

Insider: I Moved From United States to Spain — Most Surprising Things

Visa: Unknown

Category: Single female -> “partner”

Guess what she does for a living? She’s a singer, song writer and writer for Insider and others. Often writes about herself, in fact, seems narcissistic as many stories feature her. And it’s a romance novel story, after living in multiple countries and secretly desiring to find the right guy. She previously lived for years in Mexico and France. Her visa situation is not clearly explained except “her partner” is from Argentina, and Spain shortens some visa issues for those from Spanish speaking countries of Latin America.

4 Tips on Buying a Home in Italy From an American Who’s Done It

Visa: None

Category: Single female

She hasn’t really moved – she still has the 90-day visa restriction. She was a global traveler (all over the world, traveling internationally at least once per year – and she’s 53 now) before she did this. She’s doing this now before potential future age health issues limit her options (I agree with sentiment on this). She expects to retire back to the U.S. in 15+ years. Typical of Insider, they’ve written about her before. Unlike most stories, she is not a writer but had past experience in construction management.

CNBC: Americans bought abandoned $1 Italian homes: Was it worth it?

Visa: Dual citizen US, Brazil, Italian visa unknown

Category: Family

Rubia Daniels, who appears in multiple stories, same topic, over the years. This has become a staple of content mills like CNBC. Left out of most these stories is that Daniels has a degree in Spanish, understands Italian, and was born in Brazil (Portuguese language) has dual US citizenship, and a background in construction projects. She has not moved to Italy, either – she commutes from the U.S.

They ran this story again, as if it were new, on May 5, 2024: American renovating $1 homes in Italy: It’s ‘easier to be happier here’ (cnbc.com). CNBC recycles old stories, all the time.

Insider: Surprising Things After Moving From US to South Africa

Visa: Possibly marriage

Category: Single female

Young white woman (age 25) moves from the U.S. to South Africa (she’s already visited over 30 countries, she says). “Seven years ago I left for what was then the biggest adventure of my life, a 24,000 nautical mile voyage to 12 countries around the world” (she did Semester-At-Sea). She’s now at 39 countries.

Can you imagine what she does for a living? Amazing – she’s a writer! Somehow, she could visit 30 countries by the age of 25 – on a writer’s pay (BA and MA in Creative Writing), attended a private university in the U.S. (about half the price of most), and did Semester-At-Sea. Am guessing she didn’t work from age 10 onward and pay for her college education herself.

Well+Good: How the ‘French Approach’ to Health Changed My Wellness Routine and Lowered My Stress Levels

Visa: Unknown

Category: single female

She moved to Paris but is now living in London. What do you think she does for a living? Sigh, a writer. What visa she uses is not explained. Like most of these story’s authors and subjects, she just turned 29.

Insider: Surprising Things About the US, Per an American Who Grew up Overseas

Visa: Likely dual citizen

Category: Single female

Born in France, grew up in Tunisia, and came to the U.S. to attend university. Life is better in Tunisia, she says – but was she really an American in the sense of someone who grew up, lived in, and experienced America? Many of these aspirational stories feature people who have relatively little experience in the U.S. She notes she has a hard time identifying all the states on a U.S. map. She is not a citizen of France but presumably is a citizen of Tunisia (says an AI Chat bot) and the U.S. She is now a content creator and remote social media marketing rep.

Buzzfeed: Here’s The Good, The Not So Good, And The Unexpected About Moving To Europe As A Person Of Color (From A Korean American Expat)

Visa: Work visa, but eligible for Italian citizenship by birth

Category: Single female, BIPOC

You’ll never guess what she does for a living? She’s a writer! How unusual! Also not mentioned – she is eligible for citizenship in Italy by virtue of having been born there but says she got her visa through her job.

Insider: I Relocated to Madrid After My Husband Died to Cope With Loneliness

Visa: Dual citizenship

Category: Single female

Of course, you can just do that too! Except not really – from the last paragraph “(I have dual US and EU citizenship)“; she was born in Russia. She’d already lived in half a dozen countries too. Another bull shit article from Insider about how anyone can pack their bags and move to Europe. And you’ll never believe what she does for a living! My goodness, she’s a writer! Didn’t see that coming! (My comments are not intended as critical of her – but of Insider and the media – which is a content mill flooding the web with mindless stories about Americans supposedly packing their bags and moving abroad – except when we look at the details, most had immigration privileges that most of us do not have, or they are actually commuting back and forth because they do not have a visa enabling them to stay more than 90 days out of 180 days. Those with immigration privileges are effectively higher status individuals in today’s society – they are international and the rest of us are not, which makes them more important, better than the rest of us.)

CNBC: I left the U.S. for Europe and now spend only $1,906/month—while raising 3 kids. Here’s why I’m never moving back

Visa: Via marriage

Category: Family

You won’t believe this but — she’s a writer. Didn’t see that coming, did you? She had previously worked in Berlin and has a PhD in Communications (media) and got her long-term visa – because her husband is German: “As the spouse of a German citizen, my son and I were able to move to Germany before applying for a visa, which we received three months after I applied.” Immigration privilege. And oh, America is awful, too expensive and Germany is wonderful.

CNBC: I moved to Geneva, Switzerland, and pay $6,970 a month for a luxury apartment: Take a look inside

Visa: Marriage to EU citizen

Category: Single female (now)

Contrary to the error in the story, she was born in New York, not Japan, but did grow up in Japan. She was educated in Canada, and at INSEAD Fontainebleau (France). She and her then husband both worked in investment banking in NYC and London, previously. Her now ex-husband was born in Switzerland, hence, when married she had immigration privilege to Switzerland. The likelihood you can move to Switzerland is minimal unless you have that global experience and immigration privilege – and the wealth of two investment bankers.

CNN: This US couple bought a 400-year-old Italian tower on a handshake. Here’s what happened

Visas: None

Category: Family

They do not have extended stay visas. They visit Italy four to five times per year. “Although the Winters say they’d love to eventually be able to spend half of the year in Piedmont, they don’t have long stay visas, and tourist visas only permit them to stay for 90 days at a time.” There is no information about them online regarding their current work situation or how they plan to qualify for a long-term visa.

Insider: I Moved to Germany When a Cancer Diagnosis Shattered My American Dream

Visa: Via marriage

Category: Family

She moved to Germany because America is awful. Oh, and her husband is German, so immigration privilege.

The Week: I moved my kids out of America. It was the best parenting decision I’ve ever made.

Visa: Unknown

Category: Family

They eventually moved back to the United States. You’ll never guess what she did to earn money while living in Ecuador! Writer?

Insider: How Much I Spend Living in Buenos Aires, Argentina and Why I Love It

Visa: Unknown

Category: Single female

Big surprise – what do you think she does for a living? (Writer.) She previously lived in China.

Insider: I moved to Mexico from Indiana with my young daughter. Life is easier and better than I ever could have imagined.

Visa: Unknown

Category: Single female, family

A single Euro-American Mom moved to Mexico with her daughter. She apparently writes a newsletter, does “Wild Wisdom Retreats” for women who want to travel the world, and does marketing and branding strategy. Background in PR, businesses and an international MBA. Seems legit as compared to many of these stories.

I’ve lived in Paris for 12 years—here are 15 questions French people ask to make small talk more interesting

Visa: Via marriage.

Category: Single female, BIPOC -> marriage

She’s cool – but the story leaves out critical details, as always. She was born in Nigeria, lived in the U.S., and while studying for her Masters in Europe, met her future husband, who is a citizen of Switzerland; he worked in Paris as a film producer. Thus, EU immigration privileges. That you probably do not have.

CNN: San Francisco was too expensive so they moved to Spain and bought a beautiful house for $50,000. Here’s how they did it

Visa: Unknown but eventually right of descent ancestry

Category: Gay, family

America is awful, of course:

When John Flores and Michael Leitz were looking for a home in which to spend the next stage of their lives, they realized that where they lived in San Francisco was too expensive.

Surprisingly, they are not writers – but retired teachers. Which is the other group after writers, who move abroad. Their specific visa solution is not explained but notes both have ancestry that may be relevant for a right of descent access, and both speak Spanish.

Note – over the 5 months I have tracked these stories, almost all of the subjects are

• solo women (all ethnic groups),
• solo men (Black, Hispanic, from Asia, etc),
• couples,
• gay couples (gay and lesbian)
• Transgender.

It seems odd that in the first 5 months of reviewing these stories, not one featured a solo “white” male traveler from the U.S. The closest they came to a “white guy” story was about a woman who “transitioned’ to transgender male: This transgender man moved to Canada to escape transphobia. He found it here, too | CBC News (and of course, “he is an author”).

Finally, in the 6th month, 3 stories appeared about male, white, American travelers.

Why the skewed coverage? Until a few years ago, it is said (I have not verified) that travel stories featured mostly European background travelers and not travelers from other ancestries or lifestyles. The media, which was apparently highly biased in the past, is trying to reverse their past biases and has now gone 100% in the other direction. Their focus is now solo women travelers, “people of color” and LGBTQIA+ spectrum individuals – and is now excluding straight white males from coverage.

(I’m not anti-gay – we have a gay couple in our extended family, an extended relative of mine died of HIV/AIDs, I’ve worked side by side with numerous gay colleagues, and I used to volunteer with an annual AIDS Walkathon fundraiser in a major US city.)

Footnote [1] – As of 2024, there is controversy over what terminology should be used to refer to racial or ethnic groupings. The U.S. established a racial classification system (and changes it every decade or so) that makes little sense – identifying individuals as “white”, “black”, “Asian”, “Hispanic” and Pacific Islander. An indigenous person in North America is identified as a “native American” (or Aleut, Cheyenne, Blackfeet, etc) but an indigenous person in Peru is identified as Hispanic. A person from Brazil, which is of Portuguese heritage, is labeled “Hispanic” even though they do not speak Spanish. And white folks from Spain are denoted as “Hispanic”. The definition of “Asian” includes India, which has little in common with China, Japan, Korea or many other countries in the region. Is a person from Cuba, who is of African heritage, black or Hispanic? The whole concept of racial classifications is a mess – to the point that it is nonsense.

To learn A LOT MORE about this, read Classified: The Untold Story of Racial Classification in America by law professor David E. Bernstein. The TL;DR summary is that our race classification system is ridiculous, is not based on science, genetics, anthropology, sociology or anything – it is a political entity that bears little relationship to individuals and their backgrounds. The U.S.’s bizarre racial classifications suggest a society that wants to entrench racism, rather than fix it. Some countries (such as Canada) stopped classifying people by race, says the text, because classifying people by percentage of ancestry smells a lot like Nazi-ism.

For a while, the terms “minorities” (some of whom are now a majority in contexts) and “non-whites” were used to label people who are “not white” which has the oddity of using a label that describes what they are not rather than what they are. For a while, some groups referred to themselves as “Persons of Color” and then “Black, Indigenous Persons of Color” (BIPOC) but those labels are also criticized. One academic suggestion is to use ancestral origin – hence removing “white” and using “European-American” (for mongrels like many of us), “German American”, or Chinese or “Chinese-American”, Korean or “Korean American” and so on. In other words, do away with “skin color”‘ish descriptions and narrow down to specific heritage. The U.S. race-based classification system, as of 2024, is tip toeing into the ancestral definitions by adding a new category for “Mid-Eastern” residents, who were previously classified as “white”. But a European heritage “white” person from Argentina, with blonde hair and blue eyes will still be called “Hispanic”. It is truly a mess.

Should we even bother to classify people by race? Of what value is it?

I have no idea what should be used when writing – the terms “white” and “non-white” are no longer appropriate. Sorry for this long interlude – but what should we do?

CNN: This US couple bought a home in the ‘forgotten region’ of Italy. Here’s what happened next | CNN

Visa: Dual citizen via right of descent ancestry

Category: Gay, family

Another gay couple (straight guys don’t move to Europe). One of the two has Italian immigration privilege as his Dad was born in Italy and has already received Italian citizenship. The other will be getting citizenship as a legal domestic partner. Details matter. Also, while they don’t bash America, they do say Italy is way better. They are both retired so not current writers but one was previously a “content director”.

CNBC: American spent $446K to renovate Italian home, found work-life balance (cnbc.com)

Visa: Right of descent ancestry

Category: Single female

The home was purchased for 1 Euro, of course. But required US$446K in renovation over several years. As hinted in the story – due to her ancestry, she has a right of descent immigration privilege for dual citizenship in Italy. Per another story, she was investigating the dual citizenship option when she encountered the option to buy the home. She is a Managing Director in a wealth management firm in Chicago and may have financial resources most people do not have, as well.

Insider: American Who Relocated to Germany Details Disappointing Experience, Regret (archive.org)

Visa: On military assignment

Category: Family, BIPOC

Must have been a bad day at Insider – she is not fond of Germany and looks forward to moving back to the U.S. She is half Korean, previously lived in Korea, and spent time in the Philippines. While not a writer per se, she is a content creator. Her husband is in the U.S. military on assignment in Germany.

Sifted: We moved to Europe because Silicon Valley is dead. You should too.

Visa: Work

Category: Single female

A straightforward and honest move. America is awful, so these tech sector workers moved to Europe, getting visas through their skills and jobs. They plan to remain U.S. citizens but plan to also get dual citizenship in Europe. They are not writers, apparently. They both run a small business coaching other Americans on moving to Europe (ran across many doing this as a business now).

Insider: I Moved From the US to Europe to Escape Hustle Culture and Love It

Visa: Dual Citizenship

Category: Single female

She had dual citizenship (her mother is Irish and her father, American) and had extensive travel experience growing up, and had worked in multiple countries as an adult. You’ll never guess what she does for a living – surprise! Another writer!

Insider: Americans in Europe Share Culture Shock of Feeling Safe, Free Healthcare (businessinsider.com)

Visa: Dual citizenship, marriage, education

The first on the list was a dual U.S. / Poland citizen, who has traveled to 45 countries, so of course she could move to Europe. The second on the list is the U.S. teacher from Texas who moved to Denmark – she’s married to a Danish citizen, as discussed elsewhere in this list. Another attended Columbia, then an MS and PhD at the London School of Economics, both in International Relations (and fluent in 3 languages). I didn’t bother to look at the rest-they are likely the same – privileged young women content creators. Insider only writes about that demographic and loves to feature stories about people who hate the United States – it’s bizarre.

CNN: Why this US couple swapped California for Spain | CNN

Visa: Dual citizenship

Category: Family

Because of immigration privilege: “As Luban has dual US-German citizenship, he didn’t need a visa to live in Spain.” (This might be another story duplicate they are re-running in 2024.)

Insider: I Moved My Family of 6 From Milwaukee to New Zealand

Visa: Work

Category: Family

They are there on two-year work visas and might have to return to the U.S. once they reach 55 in a few years, unless they can convert their visas to permanent residency. You cannot move to New Zealand if you are age 55 or older.

Insider: I Moved to Sweden From the US, I Was Most Shocked by These Things

Visa: Unknown

Category: Single female

She met her Swedish boyfriend in college – and that connection enabled her to get a residency visa in Sweden. It’s usually hard to get a residency visa – and most won’t qualify but there are situations like this that can help. Surprisingly, she works in industry and is not a writer! She had also done a study abroad in Australia.

Insider: Surprising Things About Living in Over 50 Countries + Photos

Category: Single female

Leff the US in 2017 at age 25 and went on to visit 53 countries, working as a digital nomad. While she “lived” in many countries, it was more of a slow travel/long stay type of traveling. She’s a writer (surprised!) and “digital marketing strategist”.

The Funny Thing I Realized When I Moved Abroad | Cup of Jo

Visa: Unknown

Category: Family

Another writer – moved to England with her family.

Insider: Working Mom Found Her Passion After Quitting Her Job and Moving Abroad.

Visa: Unknown

Category: Family

Family moved abroad for work. You’d be surprised to find out that she is now a writer. Amazing, never expected that…

Insider.com: Best Things to Do in Paris + What to Skip, From American Living There

Visa: Marriage to EU Citizen

Category: Single female -> marriage

Immigration privilege: “I’ve lived in Paris for over two years with my French husband and visited the city many times before that.” Can you imagine what she does for a living?

Insider has run the same story more than once: How to Get the Best View of the City in Paris for Free + Photos (businessinsider.com)

Insider.com: Surprising Things About Living in Paris, According to American

Visa: Unknown but likely now via marriage

Category: Single female

She’s a “content creator” of course, and a bikini model who has millions of social media followers (pretty privilege). Visa situation not explained but was likely, originally, employer sponsored. May now be via marriage.

CNBC: 67-year-old American ‘happily retired’ in Mexico: 3 things I’m so relieved I did in my 20s and 30s

Visa: Unknown

Category: Single female

Apparently, another solo white woman, now retired, living in Mexico. If you guessed what she does for a living, by now, you probably have a good idea – a writer 🙂 She also tells the same story of her move, repeatedly. And again: What I really think of retirement, unexpected challenges after 6 years (cnbc.com). CNBC runs this story over and over and over and over and over again.

Insider: Boomer Moved to Canada for Love; Got a Good Retirement, Nice Weather

Visa: Via marriage

Category: Single female -> marriage

Texas was too conservative and awful so she moved to Washington State (no income tax) and then she just packed up and moved to Canada; well, not really. She married a Canadian who sponsored her for residency. And huge surprise – she’s a retired writer…. I note the residency visa issue because … not many Americans can just move abroad like the subjects of all these stories who generally have privileges or circumstances not available to most Americans.

Insider: I’m Saving $50,000 on My Mortgage After Moving to Brussels

Visa: Marriage to EU citizen

Category: Family

America is awful, the worst country in the world, so they moved to Belgium, where he soon got laid off his job. You’ll never guess what she does for a living? It’s a mystery. Could she be a writer? Bet you didn’t see that coming! She’s traveled to over 60 countries. Oh, and she left out that her husband IS A DUTCH CITIZEN. In other words, immigration privilege.

Insider: I Moved to Norway for Work. Being an American Has Helped Me Get Ahead.

Visa: Work

Category: Single female

Refreshing – young woman from the U.S. took a contract job in Norway, right of college, and they made the job permanent, which gave her residency and on a path to citizenship in Norway. Honest story for once (how did that happen?) She had youth privilege as job and visa options disappear as you get older – where older can be age 35 and up. It is VERY HARD to immigrate to Norway. (That I speak some Norwegian, have an MBA, a BS in computer science and an MS in software engineering wouldn’t help me – I’m too old.)

Insider: I Left the US and Moved to Wales. I Can’t Imagine Moving Back to the States.

Visa: Marriage

Category: Single female -> marriage

Immigration privilege: “I met my British husband when I was teaching English in Laos and he was riding a motorbike around Southeast Asia”. l Oh, surprise – Wales is so much better than the U.S. – America is pretty awful. And you’ll be shocked to find out she is a writer and content creator. What a surprise!

Insider: I Moved From the US to Europe to Escape Hustle Culture and Love It

Visa: Dual citizenship

Category: Single female

America is awful blah blah blah. She has dual EU citizenship privilege: “I was raised by an American father and an Irish mother, so I have two passports. Growing up, we traveled a lot as a family and I’ve always had itchy feet to go see the world.” She’s lived and worked in multiple countries. And you cannot possibly guess what she does for a living!

Insider: I attended law school in the US and Belgium. I had better, cheaper classes in Europe and felt safer

Visa: Dual citizenship

Category: Family

America is awful – and immigration privilege: “I attended law school in both the United States and Europe thanks to being a dual citizen of the US and Italy.” He had citizenship-by-descent immigration privilege in Italy. The primary reason he left the U.S. was to use his immigration privilege to gain access to the European health care system, at very low cost, for treatment of a child.

This is the 2nd story Insider has run about this individual in just the past two weeks. The subject is not a writer(!) but a lawyer. And then they ran it a 3rd time in early 2024: Adopting a Dog Helped Me Learn Language in Italy; People Were Friendly

Insider: I Moved From San Francisco to Singapore and I’m so Much Happier

Visa: Work, then marriage visa

Category: Single male -> marriage

A legitimate story – he wanted to move to Singapore after experiencing the country while in the US Navy. He went to work for a company in the U.S. that provided him a work transfer to Singapore, and then married a Singapore woman. He plans to eventually renounce his U.S. citizenship because Singapore is better and America is kind of awful. Of course.

Insider: I left Texas and moved to Spain. Life is so good here I can’t ever imagine living in the US again.

Visa: Right of descent ancestry

Category: Single male, BIPOC

He was born in Mexico, grew up in the U.S., and is fluent in Spanish. He is a content creator, of course. His visa situation is not explained however his entire family (including parents) moved to Spain. The story suggests his grandparents may have been citizens of Spain, which entitles him to a right-of-descent citizenship in Spain, and that he had visited Spain often in the past (also, coming from a Latin America country bestows immigration rights in Spain). Those with a Spanish grandparent can apply for citizenship after living in Spain for one year. In other words, he had immigration privilege.

They ran the same story again in April 2024: Man Who Moved From Texas to Spain Refuses to Return to American Living (businessinsider.com)

And it gets recycled at other pubs: I’m an American living in Spain – dinners cost just $11 and we get three-hour lunch breaks | The US Sun (the-sun.com)

Insider: A Couple Tired of Life in Kansas Moved to Spain at 7 Months Pregnant

Visa: Unknown

Category: Family

Many details left unanswered in this story. A couple that is 7 months pregnant moves to Spain, with their dogs, and has residency visas? How? Never answered. Spain has easier visa procedures than many countries, and if one of them has Latin American or Spanish ancestry (even a grandparent) that can help. But oddly, none of this is explained, even on their Instagram page. He teaches and she is apparently an “influencer”. The gist of their online content is that Spain is wonderful (compared to the U.S.) If you can’t read the above link, use the Archive copy.

Insider: California-Based Woman Buys 3 Crumbling Houses in Italy for $3.30

Visa: None for Italy, but has dual US/Brazil citizenship

Category: Single female

She is originally from Brazil – has dual U.S./Brazilian citizenship, speaks Portuguese, Spanish, and with that Romance language background also has skills in Italian and French, and had been visiting Europe 2 to 3 times per year for a long time. Obviously, she has extensive global experience which you probably do not have. She does not have a long stay visa, which is left out of the story. Also left out is that many of these deals are restricted to persons under age 40. She still lives in San Francisco and commutes to Italy. She has marketed her story to numerous outlets (here, here and here) including Insider previously. Insider often recycles its stories. While her BA is in Spanish language and literature, she is, surprisingly, not a writer! Insider, misleads you to thinking you too can pack up bags and move to Italy, which is not the case, for most people.

Insider: I Moved From Miami to Pakistan As a Digital Nomad and Love It

Visa: Digital Nomad, now possibly marriage

Category: Single female

She’s a – wait for it – a travel writer. While she moved there on a digital nomad visa, she now has permanent residency, possibly with her relationship and that they moved into a home his parents own. Of course, America is awful: “I avoid the American hustle culture, which I find toxic. The people I meet in Hunza are generally quiet, polite, and respectful. I breathe clean air and eat organic, home-cooked food for every meal.”

US Vs Kosovo: How Marriage and Culture Is Different in Southern Europe – Business Insider (archive.org)

Visa: Marriage

Category: Family

Her husband was born in and is a native of Kosovo – in case your were thinking that hey, may be I’ll move to Kosovo too! There’s almost always an immigration privilege involved and you probably don’t have that.

I Retired at 48; I’m Now Traveling the World With My Husband – Business Insider (archive.org)

Visa: Dual citizen, marriage

Category: Family

There’s decent wealth involved in that story but also, while she’s from the U.S., he’s actually from the UK. They often do extended stays in the UK, and even Europe. Because, “privilege”. Duh. Oh, in retirement, they both now work as …. writers.

I moved to Europe thinking living and working there would be a dream come true. I wasn’t prepared for the loneliness.

Visa: Unknown

Category: Single female

She’s a writer. Moved from Australia to Germany. To write. (Usually I focus on Americans who move abroad – so this one is perhaps out of place as she is from Australia.)

CNN: Why this American woman has ditched the US for Portugal

Visa: Golden visa

Category: Single female

Her BA is in journalism and runs a public relations business. From the U.S., she previously studied abroad, worked abroad in London, and has traveled extensively. She purchased a Portugal “Golden Visa” by making a minimum US$500,000 investment. This visa option has been discontinued and is no longer available. Which means a content-oriented creator used wealth to buy her way into Portugal, using a visa that is no longer available. Again, the media promotes a myth that Americans can easily move abroad.

Insider: I Regret Moving to Serbia After My Divorce

Visa: Unknown

Category: Single female, white

Sigh. Another solo white woman story. She’s a writer (really). Didn’t see that coming, did you? Also left unclear is her residency visa status – mentions the 90 days limit but implied she didn’t qualify for residency by purchasing real estate. However, this article said she did buy real estate and that likely explains her visa status.

I moved to Montreal to be with a man I met on Xbox. It was a bigger culture shock than I expected.

Visa: Marriage

Category: Single female, white

Her residency visa came from marrying a Canadian. And America is not totally awful, she says. She is not a writer!

CNN: What it’s like to be an American living in Paris

Visa: Dual citizenship

Category: Single female, white

Yes, you too can just pack up and move to Paris! She was already a citizen of the U.S., Poland and therefore, the EU, then she married an Italian – immigration privilege galore: “Leaving her yoga class, she met her husband-to-be, who just so happened to live in Paris. Already a Polish (and therefore European Union) passport-holder, Dietz had easy entry into France, and then received her residency by marrying her Italian.” Poor kid grew up in the Hamptons… because you know, America is awful!

Insider: I’ve been moving back and forth between Japan and the US for years. The quality of life in Japan is much better.

Visa: Marriage

Category: Single male, white

He moved to Japan, married a Japanese native, and now they live in Japan and the U.S. Except for air conditioning, they say America is an awful, unsafe, expensive country. He is not a writer but a consultant on remote working. He grew up traveling as a child, as his Dad was an airline pilot. As with most of these stories, good for them but not just anyone can pack their bags and move to any country they feel like going to.

Insider: I moved to Germany to study but was almost deported. Now I’m financially secure and see a real future here.

Visa: Marriage

Category: Single female, white

America is awful, Germany is so much better. After getting a BA in English and a BA in anthropology, in the U.S., she went backpacking in Europe and discovered that in Germany, she could pursue a Masters with free tuition (she did not complete that degree; she eventually married a German). Travel from Europe is easier she says, so she has been to 25 countries. She now runs a multi-lingual marketing consulting service (a valuable service, by the way) – and surprisingly, is not a writer (although her first work in Germany was as a writer). She clearly worked very hard to get where she is.

Of course, Insider ran this same story the year before: Moved to Germany for Free School, Almost Got Deported; Don’t Regret It (businessinsider.com) Interestingly, she’s originally from near where I live.

I moved to Australia from America – this is the most terrifying thing about living here | Daily Mail Online

Visa: Dual citizenship, marriage

Category: Single female, white

She is a lawyer who was born in Canada, and may have citizenship in Canada, Australia and the U.S. She’s also married to a guy from New Zealand and notes she has lived in multiple countries around the world. But of course, you can do this too!

Insider: Splitting My Year Between the US and Greece, Biggest Differences (businessinsider.com)

Visa: Dual citizenship

Category: Single female, white

She describes herself as Greek-American, was born in New York but as a child, spent several years living in Greece. She’s been to over 45 countries and lives in both Los Angeles and Athens, Greece (she is an actress, producer, and travel writer through her own web site). The article says she spent 6 months in Greece. Greece limits U.S. passport holders to staying a maximum of 90 days in 180 days, so it would be possible to spend 6 months in Greece as two separate, 90 day long trips. BUT – the details: Her husband is a Greek citizen, according to Microsoft Copilot AI, and their main home is in Athens. She has a residency permit for Greece, obviously. Once again, the media peddles nonsense that anyone can move abroad – without noting that most who do this have an immigration privilege that you don’t have. (These comments are not intended to be a negative on her – she works hard and is very successful at what she does. The problem is the media uses “errors of omission” to falsely portray that anyone can, and everyone is, moving abroad.)

US family proves you can make a successful move to Ireland

Visa: Right of descent

Category: Family, white

He had Irish ancestry and Irish immigration privilege. Immigration privilege, as we’ve seen, is very common in these stories. Neither appears to be a writer!

I’m a Single Mom and Have to Stay Living in Spain to Be With My Kids

Visa: Unknown

Category: Single female, white

She’d lived in 7 countries since the age of 24 … and she’s a writer. There are apparently no people on the planet who have moved to another country who are not writers.

Tina Turner renounced US citizenship, moved to Switzerland: Here’s why

Visa: Marriage

Category: Family, BIPOC

Didn’t know this. Her husband was German and was already a resident of Switzerland. Obviously, she moved there – and actually became a citizen and gave up her U.S. citizenship. Anyway, the visa was via marriage, and she is a legitimate citizen of Switzerland.

Insider: I moved to the middle of Canada, where the affordable healthcare is great, but the closest city is 2 hours away and I can’t find anything cheap on Amazon

Visa: Marriage

Category: Single female, white

Residency Visa -> She’s a highly educated academic (Ph.D.) who is a professor now at the University of Manitoba, who married a Canadian. Marriage doesn’t guarantee residency, but her academic background and job sure help. She’s 37 now, but at age 40, points get deducted (up to 10%) for their points-based immigration system. Unless you have the right in-demand skills (her PhD is in human nutrition and she is registered dietitian, which likely qualifies as health care) – and are young enough, moving to Canada is not as easy Insider implies. Insider leaves out the details, as usual.

NY Times: Blaxit: Tired of Racism, Black Americans Try Life in Africa

(Blaxit: Tired of Racism, Black Americans Try Life in Africa – The New York Times)

Visa: Likely right of descent

Category: Family, BIPOC

America is awful, terribly racist and the worst possible country in the entire world so Black Americans are moving to Africa, says this story. The story says nothing about residency visas – but 8 countries in Africa offer residency visas – some even citizenship – by ancestral right-of descent to Black Americans: Top 8 African Countries Offering Citizenship to African-Americans — Passport Heavy For some countries I checked, if a DNA test shows you have any detectable ancestry, you qualify. Moving to another country generally requires some sort of immigration privilege. Also, the number of Americans moving to these countries is quite small – such as the 1,500 who moved to Ghana from 2019 to 2023 (less than 400 per year).

Insider: What Queer Dating Is Like in Spain Versus in the US

Visa: Unknown

Category: Single female, gay

The author of this leaves out her last name so nothing in the story can be cross checked. IT’s just a silly story.

A comment to the Yahoo version of this article summarizes:

Espizeto

22 July, 2023

Mom and dad are probably so proud to read this article. Some scientific and statistical research on something other than your own personal experience would be a more interesting article. This reads like I dated a lot of men (and women) while paying for all my own meals and had a series of first date one-night stands. This article doesn’t define Spain, this article defines the author. I hope she sees that. Imagine the same article written from the perspective of the Spanish people she dated. Met American girl here teaching English, didn’t want commitment before sex, happy to pay her own way and then sleep with me on the first-date. American girls are easy.

Insider: I’ve been traveling nonstop for 8 years, and I take on jobs along the way. These are my best 3 gigs to date — and the 3 worst ones.

Visa: Unknown

Category: Single male, gay

I thought I finally found a solo, straight white guy traveler – but the article implies he is part of the LGBTQIA+ community. Oh well. At least he is not a writer!!!!!

Insider: A trans woman on a 9-month-long world cruise is gaining an army of fans who protect her from negative comments (yahoo.com)

Visa: Travel

Category: Trans, gay

Still no straight white solo male travelers – but their 2nd transgender story.

I grew up in the US, while my wife grew up in the UK. She had a better education and now has a better understanding of the world.

Visa: Marriage

Category: Single female, white, gay

A lesbian couple. One is from the UK and one from the U.S. The one from the U.S. blames U.S. schools for her lack of knowledge. She was an RN, then a clinical psychologist but is now a …. writer. They did not move to the UK but to the U.S.

Insider: I’ve lived and worked in 60 different countries. Living in Mexico helped me embrace a more laid-back lifestyle and grow my business

Visa: Dual citizenship, and unknown

Category: Single female, white, gay

She is from the UK but has dual citizenship in the US and the UK, has long stay visas in Mexico which should soon become permanent resident visas. Started out in journalsim’ish but now runs Virtual Excellence Academy which offers training in digital nomad business entrepreneurship seemingly oriented towards content creators (graphic design, writing). A lesbian couple, her wife is a remote yoga and meditation, stress management counselor.

CNN: Disillusioned with life in the US, she moved to Mexico seven years ago. Here’s how it completely changed her life | CNN

Visa: Likely dual citizenship, wealth

Category: Family, female, white

She grew up visiting extended family who lived in Mexico (“Although the California native had been traveling to Mexico since the 1970s“), and had traveled the world extensively, considered moving to Greece. She met her husband, who is a native of Argentian, while on the island of Corfu in Europe. They both speak Spanish. That description, by CNN, leaves out about 90% of their background, which is relevant.

• He appears to be or have been the director of the US division of a Swiss financial firm: Gottex Brokers Alternative SA Opens US Office to Expand Its Secondary Alternative Investments Broking Business | Business Wire.
• He was born in Argentina and very likely has both Argentina and U.S. citizenship. The couple is in process of obtaining citizenship in Mexico.
• She lived in Greece for 2 years.
• “She happens also to be a descendant of the Skouras family, which governed 20th Century-Fox for 30 years.” (This Quinta is fertile ground for young music students (yucatanmagazine.com)).
• She was Executive Vice President of Worldwide Acquistions in the motion picture business and retired at age 40 to focus on interior design, art, and to move to Mexico, where they bought an entire ranch.
• She’s been promoting her designer business for a long time – many stories talk about her: Tour a Designer’s Vibrant 19th-Century Mansion in Mérida, Mexico | Architectural Digest,Preview: The BAI Showcase of Homes gets personal for 2021 (yucatanmagazine.com)
• According to this, the Mexican government has issued about 20,000 temporary or permanent residency card visas to Americans. In other words, very few Americans are living in Mexico, full time.

Just your totally ordinary American who made tons of money in America, the worst country in the world, became “disillusioned” and moved to Mexico where she now runs her own design business. She benefits from currency arbitrage and makes most of her income (past and present) in strong U.S. dollars and moves to Mexico where her U.S. $s make everything cheap. Yes, you too can do this … Meanwhile, millions of Mexicans are seeking a better life by moving to the U.S.

The above illustrates the poor quality of reporting. CNN is regarded as a serious mainstream media outfit but has omitted about 90% of the relevant background to create a fake news story about how a disillusioned American can pack up and move to another country. Except it is 90% disinformation – chances are you good that you do not have her wealth, global experiences, and can easily move.

From London, the writer of that story specializes in writing romance novel-like travel stories for CNN. She has traveled all over the world.

Insider: Best Things to Do in Italy, From Couple Who Spent 25 Days There (archive.org)

Visa: Unknown

Another gay couple, at least one of the two is a writer. Amazing that.

CNN: He moved to Italy with his husband. Then his ex-wife bought a home down the road | CNN

Visa: Marriage for her, and Elective Residency Visa for him

Category: Family, gay

He’s gay. No straight white males allowed in these aspirational nonsense stories of Americans moving abroad! His ex-wife married an Italian man and she had recent Italian ancestry from both her mother and her grandparents (hence, right of descent immigration privilege). “He” (the guy who moved to Italy) obtained an Elective Residency Visa, based on passive income. Guess what his ex-wife does for a living? She writes Italian cookbooks. What a surprise – another writer.

CNN: He lost his job in the US so moved to Spain and unexpectedly found a new vocation | CNN

Visa: Golden visas

Category: Family, gay

Gay couple. They first obtained Golden Visas (by investment) but later changed that to a self-employment visa. They are not writers.

Insider: I’ve been living abroad since 2021. After dating in places like Spain, France, Scotland, I never want to date in the US again.

Visa: Digital Nomad

Category: Single male, gay

What a surprise, he’s gay and appears to live abroad using digital nomad visas – because he’s a writer. Didn’t see that coming. Insider is a monoculture of writers, disconnected from the rest of the world.

Insider: I Traveled to Europe Without My Husband for the First Time in 10 Years

Visa: Unknown

Category: White family, gay

Another gay couple. Straight guys do not travel. But it’s okay – he is a writer.

CNN: He thought the guy he met on vacation was just a fling. He turned out to be the love of his life

Visa: U.S., Costa Rica citizens, probably marriage

Category: White family, gay

Another gay couple, one of whom is from Costa Rica; they live in the U.S. Good for them, they are happy. It’s bizarre though that a story about a straight white guy cannot be published. Straight European-American “white” guys are erased from existence: just ask Google’s AI!

Insider: My wife and I are raising 2 kids in Japan. Our marriage is not recognized here — but it still feels easier than back home.

Visa: Unknown, one has dual South Africa, UK citizenship, the other Canadian citizenship

Category: White family, gay

A lesbian couple – one from South Africa (with dual citizenship in the UK), the other from Canada. No explanation as to what visas they had for permanent residency.

Insider: I Moved to Puerto Rico From New Jersey, Started Coffee Brand (businessinsider.com)

Visa: Both US citizens, no visa required

Category: Family, gay, BIPOC

First, Puerto Rico is part of the U.S., although both of the subjects had Puerto Rican ancestry. The two are gay social media influencers and businessmen. Good for them. Neither works as a writer! (I’d like to visit Puerto Rico some time – had plans to do that back in 2020 but Covid happened…)

CNN: Two strangers met in Berlin. Here’s how they ended up having “three weddings” | CNN

Visa: Both from Europe

Category: Family, gay

Another gay couple. One from London, one from Berlin. Not a story about an American moving abroad, though. But very international – they did their engagement in the Barbados Islands. The story is written by Francesca Street, who is a professional romance writer for CNN “news”.

Insider: My secret to traveling on a budget costs $129 a year. I’ve used it to stay in waterfront homes and mansions for free.

Visa: None or digital nomad

Category: Single female, white

Another blue-eyed, blonde, white woman traveler – who makes her living as a writer, of course.

Reader’s Digest: I’ve Been to Every Country in the World—Here’s How It Made Me Wiser

Visa: EU citizen

Category: Single male, white

A Dutch adult, who seems to have grown up in a wealthy family, visiting countries before he could even walk, traveling throughout Europe, Africa and the Mideast as a child, has now visited every country in the world, thinks everyone should do this. He worked a variety of jobs (including in IT, and as a flight attendent) but what do you think he does now for a living? I mostly agree with his conclusions but this lifestyle is not something that most people can pursue. He says we must limit travel in the future …. now that he has done it all…

Upworthy: Couple leaves the U.S. for Spain – Upworthy

Visa: Digital nomad

Category: Family, white

They are using a digital nomad (temporary) visa. She is a former Spanish language schoolteacher in the U.S. She and her husband now run a successful “social selling” business training others on how to start a small business. Of course, America was partially awful, based on the community where they had lived.

CNN: ‘I will return to the US in an urn’: She moved to Portugal with her husband two years ago, and this American woman says she’s never coming back | CNN

Visa: D7 visa

Category: Family, white

America is, of course, awful, so they moved to an early retirement in Portugal, love it, and will not return to the U.S. They used the D7 visa. This couple are legitimate in how they did this. He had experience living in Lisbon, many decades ago and his wife speaks multiple languages including Japanese and Spanish.

Insider: Gen Zer Left NYC for Italy, Where the Wine Is $4 and the Pace Is Slow (businessinsider.com)

Visa: Education, future marriage

Category: Single female, white

Visa? Her boyfriend is an Italian citizen: “Monto, who was able to stay in Italy thanks in part to a program that caters to international partners of Italian citizens” and she is working on a Masters from a university in Italy. She also studied abroad in China, Spain and Italy. Her senior year in high school was at a private high school. There is a lot of privilege here. But never mind, you too can move to Italy – because the U.S. is too hectic and too expensive! This part of the genre of highly privileged, educated, attractive young American women moving to Europe and posting videos online about how (usually) the U.S. is awful, but things are wonderful in Europe – oblivious to how their incredible U.S. derived privilege made all this possible.

Unilad: American woman who returned from Europe explains why life is so much harder in the US (unilad.com)

Visa: Working Holiday visa at start but is now a visa via marriage

Category: Single female, white

This is “news” stor is, sourced entirely to social media, by a writer who writes fluff. The source’s full name is never given but her TikTok account is here: (9)Kayleigh (@kayshaynee) | TikTok. She’s young, has pretty privilege, and posts a video about how young people (but only young people) can get a Working Holiday Visa. Thus, she is an expert on how the U.S. is one of the most awful countries in the world and Europe is so much better. The article ends with the usual implication that, since America is awful, everyone can pack up and move to Europe, which is false.

The visa situation is explained in the next item, below – because like many of these subjects, she is good at self-promotion and there’s multiple stories about her. In fact, in addition the 2nd item, next, there’s also a 3rd version of this at another publisher: American Woman Shares The 4 Reasons Why Moving Abroad Is ‘Worth It where she reiterates that American is awful (after growing up as an elite privileged American in America).

Update: She’s a great self-promoter and still hates the United States: Woman who moved from Ireland to Boston shares why the American dream is “all a lie.” – Upworthy. Now this highly privileged individual is doing the generational bashing game – ““But you know, making more money, that’s enticing. Good job, that’s enticing. It’s not true. It used to be. It definitely used to be. You could come here and make a ton of money, make a great life for yourself. But the younger generation today, in this country — screwed. It’s literally all a lie that is sold to you. It’s such a struggle, and the older generation doesn’t seem to see how much of a struggle it is for the younger generation here” – she’s piled onto the TikTok social media meme of victimhood and doomerism.

Insider: I Moved From US to Ireland, Realized American Work Culture Is Flawed

(Same as above – same person)

Kayleigh (above) moved to Ireland to study abroad, apparently completing a Masters in psychology in Ireland. She then worked using the Working Holiday Visa (available only to young people) – but then moved back to the U.S. due to family issues. Her boyfriend (now husband) is Dutch and they will move back to Europe (in January 2025 they are moving back to the Netherlands). With pretty privilege (she successfully lost 50 pounds – which is impressive) she has a successful following on TikTok, often focusing on how awful America is while Europe is wonderful. She apparently works as a content creator – doesn’t everyone who moves abroad?

And she’s back again for a third time for more publicity: American Woman Shares The 4 Reasons Why Moving Abroad Is ‘Worth It’. It’s the same story, again – America is awful, Europe is so much better when you are a young, cute American woman hanging out with your Dutch fiancé (now husband).

Newsweek: American Living in Europe Reveals How to Avoid Pickpockets During Vacation

Visa: Dual citizenship

Category: Single female, white

From Chicago, she is a dual citizen of the U.S. and Italy. Another dumb shit story sourced to a social media post. Geesh. Of course, you have dual citizenship so you too can move to Italy! Anyone can do this! She studied at Ohio State University, did a study abroad in Rome, then later did her MBA in Italy too. She is marketing consultant (interestingly, formerly a magazine publisher). Nothing against her – my complaint is with the nonsensical media that keeps publishing this noise.

Insider: I Left the US for Northern Ireland and These Cultural Differences Surprised Me Most – Business Insider

Visa: Future marriage

Category: Single female, white

America is awful, blah blah blah, and Northern Ireland is wonderful. Her fiancée is a citizen of Northern Ireland, thus, immigration privilege going on here. A privilege you probably don’t have.

Insider: Dylan Eitharong Connected to His Thai Roots by Opening a Supper Club – Business Insider

Visa: Dual citizenship

Category: Single male, BIPOC

Legitimate story, cool guy and accomplishment. But his Dad is a native of Thailand, which qualified him for a residency/work visa. I have two friends that have lived in Thailand, one now lives there permanently; I understand it really is possible to get a long stay visa that is renewable, unlike in most countries.

Well+Good: How the ‘French Approach’ to Health Changed My Wellness Routine and Lowered My Stress Levels

Visa: Unknown

Category: Single female, white

Young European-American ancestry “white” woman moved from La Jolla, CA to France (and speaks French at the B2 level) – because she’s a writer and you’re not! France is, of course, better than the awful U.S. But she’s healthier and suffering fewer migraines. No idea what visa she used to emigrate to France.

CNN: Opinion: I’d rather live in the ‘world’s most dangerous place’ than America (msn.com)

Visa: Dual citizenship

Category: Single female, BIPOC

Like many of these stories, she was not born in the U.S. She was born in Taiwan and grew up in Taiwan before immigrating to the U.S. Then she moved back to Taiwan because the U.S. is awful. She has immigration privilege in that like most of these bull shit media stories, she has dual citizenship. Because of her privilege, she moved back to Taiwan and complains about the U.S. – too bad for the rest of non-privileged.

Insider: Being an American Expat Living in Paris Isn’t Like ‘Emily in Paris

Visa: Unknown

Category: Single female, white

100% of the example expats are women. No men move to Paris. How they all got visas is not explained and I don’t feel like tracking down each of them.

Insider: How to Find an Apartment in Paris, From an American Living Abroad

Visa: Marriage

Category: Single female moves, gets married, white

She’s a freelance writer. Of course. Only writers, only women move to Paris! She’s from the U.S., but did her Masters in financial journalism at the City, University of London and previously worked in Spain for over 2 years. The visa situation is not explained but she is married to an Irish-Frenchman – in other words, immigration privilege via marriage.

I’m an American living in a tiny coastal town in Croatia. Here are 7 things that surprised me when I moved.

Visa: Dual citizenship

Category: Single female, white

Privileged American white girl who seems narcissistic moves to Croatia, after living in London and then Australia. Life is way better in Croatia compared to the sucky United States, where everything is utterly awful. The morons at Business Insider left out, as they usually do, is that she had dual citizenship in Ireland, hence, the EU – falsely implying that anyone can pack up and move to Europe. You’ll never guess what she does for a living … she’s a social media content creator / writer.

Update: She’s back, again, of course: I’m an American living in a tiny coastal town in Croatia. Here are 7 things that surprised me when I moved.

Insider: I moved to Europe thinking I would thrive. But I felt misunderstood and homesick, so I returned to the US.

Visa: Unknown but likely dual citizenship

Category: Single female, BIPOC

Born to U.S. immigrant parents, she has a degree in international relations and works in international consulting, did study abroad in Switzerland and Belgium, and previously lived in “China, Portugal, Ireland, Germany, France, Denmark, and Italy”. This story is an unusual reality check on the challenges and realities of moving abroad- wishing her well in her future endeavors.

NY Times: In Search of Romance? Try Moving Abroad.

Category: American males are awful

All women who moved abroad for romance. In fact, pretty much all of these “I moved abroad” stories are pseudo romance novelettes. Of course, the theme is “Dating in the U.S. is awful – so I moved abroad where everything is better!”, especially the guys. American guys are just awful, obviously. Imagine if they wrote a story about 20-something guys moving abroad because American women are just awful – can you imagine the outrage?

Of the subjects in the story:

• Kacey Margo, Actress- does not have a long stay visa – did not move abroad
• Alexis Brown – did not move abroad, she traveled in Europe
• Cepee Tabibian, Author at She Hit Refresh – her mother is from Columbia, her father from Iran – which by the rules, enable her to be a citizen of Columbia, Iran and the United States if she chose. She’s been traveling internationally since age 17. She earned her Masters degree in Spain and later taught English in Spain, which got her foot in the door to get a work visa.
• Cindy Sheehan – she’s a writer. Visa not explained.
• Frantzces Lys – she runs a “wellness” business in Virginia and did not move abroad.

The NY Times headline is lying – only one definitely has a visa, and one may or may not have a visa. Three DID NOT MOVE ABROAD and are there temporarily on travel or short stay visas. The story was once titled “Can’t Find Romance? Maybe It’s Across the Ocean” – which was accurate. Details matter – except to the NY Times or most anyone in journalism.

CNN: They fell in love on vacation but went their separate ways. Four years later, she sent him an email: ‘Remember me?’

Visa: Dual citizenship

Category: Single female, white

This romance story could have been about the single white American male – but its written entirely from the perspective of the Italian woman who met him in Scotland. Her mother is from Brazil and her father was from Italy. They ended up – eventually – marrying and moved to the U.S. Presumably she has citizenship in multiple countries, but that detail is not provided. This story is about her, not him.

CNN: She arranged a date with a guy she met on a plane. When he didn’t show, she unexpectedly met her future husband | CNN

Visa: Marriage

Category: Single female, white

As always, the story is from the women’s perspective. This could have been an opportunity to do a story about a straight European American “white” male traveling to Europe and falling in love – but instead, it’s about a young Italian woman traveling to the UK to study abroad, who meets a young American traveling with his family, falls and love and they live happy ever after in … California. Oh, and this took place in 1984, 39 years ago!

(This story is a mirror image of the prior CNN story but is about a different couple.)

CNN: American bought an apartment in Spain and made a new life for himself. ‘I have not looked back’ | CNN

Visa: Business related

Category: Single male, white

A European-American “white” guy moved to Barcelona (first such story in the 5+ months I have followed this genre). He’d previously lived in 4 countries, traveled globally extensively, speaks Spanish, and has extensive experience in corporate law in the hotel and real estate industry. Started a business in the real estate sector in Barcelona where he has a permanent residency visa. He hasn’t really lived in the U.S. since 2006, says the article.

From the comments, a few people realize these options are not available to many or most Americans: “Stupid article. Give me a story of how a average, middle class person makes this transition, then you’ll have be believing it’s an achievable dream. Nothing against Mr. Coe, I’m happy for him. But this sort of lifestyle transformation is out of reach for 90% (or more) of most Americans.”

Very few Americans live overseas, especially at retirement age – less than 1-2% of those over 65 live outside the U.S. These “aspirational” stories are appealing for the same reason people read romance novels or watch “cottagecore” videos on Youtube – they are a form of escapism.

Here’s another these BS stories on retiring abroad: How to decrease your cost of living by retiring to Europe (cnbc.com) – buried in the story:

Once you sort out whether you’re able to buy or rent in another country, residing is another question. For many would-be continental retirees, a half-and-half solution is a good first step. Valid U.S. passport holders can reside anywhere in the Schengen area, which includes all of the European Union except Ireland and Cyprus, for up to 90 days during any 180-day period.

“You could go from January to March, then leave for 90 days, then go back for July, August, September,” Sikes says.

For full-time residency, you’ll have to explore whether citizenship or visa rules make sense for your retirement plan.

As pointed out repeatedly here, most countries require an immigration privilege to get a permanent residency visa – typically pre-existing dual citizenship, residency or citizenship by descent, sometimes residency by marriage, and sometimes by wealth (investment visa). If you don’t have that, you are then a 90-day commuter. There unique tax issues that apply to retirees – while double taxation of wage income is typically avoided due to treaties, the same is not true for capital gains, IRA and 401(k) distributions, all of which retirees may be dealing with.

Insider: Americans ditch suffocating healthcare costs and divisive politics to retire in Italy: ‘It’s the way they approach life’

Visa: Unknown

Category: Family, white

More of the usual bull shit from Business Insider – reminder, less than 1% of Americans retire abroad and many had prior dual citizenship, right of descent ancestry or other family connections – that seems to be the case with most of the folks in this article. Starts with the usual “America is awful…”… so these well off Americans leave America after making a lot of money in the worst country in the world and retiring early.

CNN: The American who bought a home in Italy and found ‘big surprises’ inside | CNN

Visa: None

Category: Single male, white

Another straight “white” guy? Of course, the U.S. is awful so he’s decided to move to a beautiful small village in Italy. He compares and confuses the charm of small towns with the hectic noise filled life of Chicago – when he could have found tranquility in many places in the U.S., of course. He’s not a writer but a musician and music arranger. He does not yet have a residency visa but is a commuter to Italy: “For now, he drops in and out as he finalizes his home’s makeover. In the future, he can see himself making the big leap to relocate permanently.”

I Loved Visiting This England City So Much I Moved There — Here’s How to Plan the Perfect Trip

Visa: Tourist

Category: Single female, white

She didn’t really move there – she stayed there for a few months: “Its pull is so strong, in fact, that I decided to call Bath my home for a few months in 2021“. Americans can stay in the UK for up to six months without a residency visa. She’s a young writer (well duh?), who studied in the U.S. and did a study abroad in the UK. Ten years later, she did an extended visit.

CNBC: I bought an apartment in Brussels for under $600K: Take a look inside (cnbc.com)

Visa: Marriage

Category: Family, BIPOC

She was working in Belgium and her husband is from the Netherlands. They moved to the U.S., but in 2021, they moved back to Belgium – while the United States was still restricting travel. BUT – she had a US passport and he had a Dutch passport. Those with EU passports, and their families, could travel to Europe, and similarly, US citizens could do the reverse. Everyone else was not permitted to travel. The U.S. did not re-open its borders until November 2021 yet they were off in Belgium shopping for homes before that – because they had immigration privilege that you likely do not have.

Insider: What Luxembourg Does Better Than US, According to American Living There (businessinsider.com)

Visa: Education

Category: Single female, white

America is awful, worst country in the world – everything is better in Luxembourg says this college student who is studying abroad in Luxembourg. Which means she’s on a student visa, and does not have permanent residency – and from her perspective, having everything cheap or free in Luxembourg is wonderful – too bad the U.S. is such a crappy country.

Insider: A boomer couple who were ‘watching every single penny’ they spent in the US moved to Portugal 2 years ago — and money isn’t a concern for them in retirement anymore

Visa: Unknown

Category: Family, race not specified

The U.S. is the absolute worst country in the world and it is impossible to retire in the U.S., so long time experienced global travelers who have lived in other countries – packed up their bags and retired to Portugal. (Reminder – reality is that about 1% of Americans will retire abroad and many of those had pre-existing dual citizenship, right of descent residency options or family connections abroad.)

Insider: A Gen Xer moved from California to Colombia after overcoming a rare disease. The cost of living is much cheaper, and life is more peaceful.

Visa: Marriage

Category: Single male, white

Wow – the 2nd older white guy who moved out of the U.S. because America is awful and he could not afford to live in the U.S. he says – but note that he retired at age 40. He married a Columbian woman, hence -> permanent residency visa. Also, based on his age, he is not Gen X but is the tail end of the Baby Boom generation. The article says he is 62 (as of 2024), which means he was born in 1962. The Baby Boom extends to those born up to 1964. Details matter – to everyone except journalists.

CNN: How falling for a stranger she met on a beach led this woman to ditch the US for the French Riviera | CNN

Visa: Marriage

Category: Single female, BIPOC

She visited St. Maarten, from Texas, fell in love and lived happily ever after. He’s a French national who already lived there which gave her residency privilege, as they are now married. Good for them. But mostly just a silly romance story for those lacking in immigration privilege:

Anyone who wants to stay on St-Martin for longer than 90 days must obtain a long-term French visa and residency permit. These long-term visas are available to people who: Have at least a year-long employment contract on St-Martin; Are there for scientific research; Are there to study or for an internship; Are married to a French citizen

St Maarten Immigration Requirements | All Getaways

I bought a house in Japan for less than $45,000. I live in the peaceful countryside close to every convenience, and everything’s cheaper here

Visa: Dual or Tri-citizenship

Category: Single male, white

Things left out of the story: He’s from Australia, grew up in the U.S., studied Japanese language and literature at the University of Georgia, and eventually ended up working in Japan. He has citizenship or work visas in Australia, United States and Japan. (Assuming these links are the same person – they might not be but the dates and work locations match up). It seems likely he had access to Japan that most of us do not have. Good for him, but not realistic for you!

I’m an American who’s lived in Nepal for 7 years. Adjusting to life here came with a steep learning curve.

Visa: Marriage

Category: Single male, white

He just packed up and moved to Nepal. Well, not exactly. He served in the U.S. Peace Corps in Nepal for nearly 3 years, and now there’s a Nepalese woman involved in his life. Good for him, seems like a neat guy.

The reverse: CNN-Meet Europeans who moved to the US and say there’s no going back

Visa: Dual citizenships

Category: Multiple single, white, females who moved to the US from Europe

A group of European immigrants to the U.S. who like the U.S., and don’t say that America is awful and everything is better somewhere else. How the heck did the media publish this story? 🙂 The author of that, an American, is married to an immigrant from Cuba, and is herself in process of obtaining Italian citizenship. Of course.

Youtube: Expat Ellen

Visa: Marriage

Category: Family, white

She’s from the U.S., was an RN in the SF Bay area, but she and her family moved to the Netherlands; her husband, in fact, is Dutch. The link is to her YT channel.

Insider: I spent 9 months traveling the world. I had a great time, but I’d never do it again.

Visa: Guessing dual or tri citizenships.

Category: Single female, white

She was born in Paris, France, to Russian parents, now lives in NY, USA. Likely has multiple citizenships.

When my expat friend of 12 years moved away, it broke my heart. It taught me how valuable friendships with other expats are.

Visa: Unknown, guessing marriage

Category: Probably started as single female, then family, white

Filipino-American from LA, works as a freelance writer out of Cologne, Germany. No other information available.

Insider: I left the US for Spain. Here are the 4 biggest cultural differences that really surprised me.

Visa: Marriage.

Category: Family, white

CNBC: Millennial couple left the U.S. for Spain: We’re so much happier now—here’s how much it costs

Visa: Education/Student visas, then entrepreneurial visa

Category: Family white

America is awful, Spain is so much better blah blah blah. Young couple moves to Spain, then becomes social media rock stars and now work as content creators (like most everyone in these stories) selling the dream of leaving the God Awful, worst country in the world.

Insider: I decided not to go to college. As a writer now living full time in Italy, I know it was the best decision I could’ve made.

Visa: Right of descent ancestry and married an Italian. Of course.

Category: Single (to start) female, white

Rich kid(?) goes to NYU, says it’s not for her, gets private vocal and dance lessons, then heads off to Italy at age 19. Today’s she’s a writer and public relations consultant Of course. No particular career objectives, no in demand skills at the time, flew off to Italy, where she has right of descent ancestry and married an Italian. Of course, just like you can do.

Insider: I’m an American who moved to Paris. Finding an apartment was like a full-time job — but I think I discovered the secret sauce

Visa: Marriage

Category: Single female, white

She’s a writer, of course. And married a Frenchman. As always.

Insider: I moved from Florida to southern Portugal. The weather is better, and the culture is amazing.

Visa: Tri-citizenship

Category: Single male, white

America is awful (he’s hardly an American?) – and had loads of immigration privilege – likely tri-citizenship:

Originally, I was born and raised in Montreal, and I moved to Florida when I was 17 years old, but I have Portuguese citizenship through my mother, who is Portuguese. So, it was fairly easy for me to get paperwork to be able to move and become a citizen.

Insider: I Moved to Ireland From the US: My Pros, Cons, + Lower Cost of College – Business Insider

Visa: Unknown

Category: Single female, white

But wow, America is awful, so expensive – this from a young person whose university education in Ireland was, she said, paid for by the United States government. Of course, she’s a writer.

Insider: I’m an American and lived in the Netherlands for 4 years. Subsidized childcare allowed me to start my own company.

Visa: Work

America is awful, everything is better in the Netherlands. Except they moved back to Washington, DC. She is not a writer and she is, in fact, doing some very cool things.

Insider: We went on a trip to Europe 3 years ago and never left. Our kid’s life is way better here than it was in the US.

Visa: Unknown

The usual – America is a shitty country so we moved to Portugal where life is wonderful blah blah blah. She apparently does a lot of work as … a writer. Think this is a new article about someone already listed here but can’t find that prior item.

CNN: ‘People are really uptight in the States these days’: Why this American prefers living in Estonia | CNN

Visa: Marriage

Started on a tourist visa, then got a student visa, then married an Estonian.

Insider: A mom in Sweden took 21 months off when her kids were born, and her partner took 15. Sharing parental leave changed their expectations of each other.

Visa: Marriage

Category: Single female, BIPOC (then married in Sweden)

She’s not from the U.S., but New Zealand, then married a Swede. The gist of the story is that Sweden is a socialist utopia. She’s an experienced SQA engineer and QA Manager for IKEA – not a writer!

Insider: Couple Moved From the US to Cute French Town Sight Unseen, Worth It

Visa: Not specified but it was granted in 8 days, possibly right of descent in the EU

Category: Family, white

She has traveled abroad “since being a kid”, did a study abroad in Australia, her parents are immigrants from Poland, and she is fluent in Polish, and is Polish-Catholic – from her parents, she is eligible for right of descent ancestry in Poland/EU but she does not specify if she obtained that.

Insider: American Moved to Istanbul, She Loves That It’s Cheap and Beautiful

Visa: Extended tourist visa.

Category: Single female, white

From the U.S., she previously studied in Paris, France and like almost all the rest here, she is a writer. I can’t really decipher what she writes (the style is beyond this brain injured idiot’s abilities, I guess) but she mentions having cousins in Italy …

I moved from the US to Paris and had a baby. A lot of things have surprised me about living here with my kid

Visa: Marriage (equivalent)

Category: Single female, white

America is awful, blah blah blah. Started on a tourist visa, then a family visa (they were not yet married but they had a kid), then sounds like a marriage visa eventually.

I left the US for Spain. Here are the 4 biggest cultural differences that really surprised me.

Visa: Marriage (as explained on her YouTube videos – which are funny – enjoy them!)

Category: Family, white

Her husband is a dentist and she is dental hygienist working in the same office. This may be a duplicate due to sites running the same story multiple times.

Insider: I Had One Baby in the US and One Abroad. This Is What I Wish Americans Knew.

Visa: (presumably) Work Visa

Category: Family, white

A global elitist, she has lived in Canada and the U.S. She did her undergrad degree at Ithaca University (NY), with a study abroad at the University of Valencia in Spain, a Masters in International Relations at Linköping University in Sweden and worked in Canada for five years, and speaks English, French and Spanish. She has also worked in Ireland. You’ll be surprised to learn that she is a video producer/writer/content creator.

I grew up in Paris. Here’s how tourists can experience the city like a local when they visit.

Visa: Dual citizenship

Category: Single female, white

Dual citizen of France and the U.S., educated in France (La Sorbonne, humanities), England (UCL) and the United States (Masters, journalism, Columbia University), now working in NYC. She’s a …. writer, of course.

US Mom Unpacks Cost of Child Care in Paris: ‘Hurts My Heart’

Visa: marriage (also here)

Category: Family, white

America is awful, blah blah blah.

She invited a stranger to join her on vacation in Italy. ‘It went from zero to 100, really, really quick’ | CNN

Visa: Marriage

Category: Single female, white (now married)

As always, it’s told from the women’s perspective. American woman traveling in Italy meets a guy, falls in love, eventually marries and moves to Vienna. There is an “American female immigration privilege” – the #1 most common way that Americans obtain a residency visa, per the list of stories summarized in this series, is (a) be a young female, (b) marry a foreigner, (c) move to his country.

I’m an American mom living in Spain. There are no summer camps in August, and everyone tends to travel.

Visa: Marriage

Category: Single female, white (now married)

She’s from Mexico, apparently became a U.S. citizen, then married a guy from Valencia, Spain. May have triple citizenship. Also, being from Mexico she has an accelerated path to citizenship in Spain, as well. You’d be surprised to learn that she is a writer.

I’m a 30-year-old American living in Norway: 5 reasons ‘I’m so much happier’ here (msn.com)

Visa: Marriage

Category: Single female, white (now married)

America is awful, so yet another young American woman finds love, marries a Norwegian, and then tells us how awful the U.S. is. About the only way you can get a visa in Norway is if you marry someone or have the right in-demand job skills. Norway is one of the most difficult countries for an American to emigrate to. But that’s left out of this story. She is a freelance social media content creator and writer. Of course.

I spent every summer in Greece as a kid. Here are 7 places to visit that aren’t Santorini, Mykonos, or Athens

Visa: Dual citizenship likely although this is a travel story, not immigration.

Category: Single female, white

Her parents immigrated to the U.S. from Greece, which entitles her to Greek citizenship. The author has a BA in English Lit, works as a writer, did a study abroad at Cambridge, has worked in Australia. Every attribute that you likely have too!

Boomers are leaving America to retire abroad in droves because the U.S. is just too expensive

Visa: 1) Marriage, 2) Dual citizenship (story is about two different sets of people)

Category: Single male, white; Married female, white

First, America is awful, of course. Second, they are not leaving in “droves”. That is a lie.

Their first anecdotal subject got his visa via marriage to a Spanish woman. The second subject was by marriage (her husband was born in Hungary).

Reminder – less than 1% of Americans retire abroad, and perhaps half of those are because of prior dual citizenship or family connections in the destination country, or because they already worked and lived in the destination country.

My kids lived in Slovenia for a year. When we returned to the US I felt reverse culture shock.

Visa: Work (military assignment)

Category: Family, white

He’s in the military and was in Slovenia, on assignment, and his family moved with him to Slovenia. He later took assignments in Lithuania and Germany, with his family.

Mom to Bilingual Kids Shares Biggest Regret About Naming Them

Visa: Marriage

Category: Single female, white (now married)

Attractive American woman married a Spaniard guy. There is a definite immigration privilege for young, attractive American women who wish to live abroad, typically in Europe.

What Living Abroad Is Teaching Me About Clothes

Visa: Student

Category: Single male, BIPOC, Gay

Uniquely, for these stories, a young man moves to England to study in a Ph.D. program. He describes himself as a fashion writer.

Want to leave the US? Here’s how to move to Canada, Mexico and Europe as an American.

Visa: Does not really apply in this article as it is generic

This generic article is a hoot – it says, if you have immigration privilege you can move abroad if you have family or right of descent ancestry in the right countries! Otherwise, out of luck!

He bought a cheap house in Italy to improve his life expectancy | CNN

Visa: Tourist, he has not moved there permanently (yet)

Category: Single male, BIPOC

A male actor, in his 70s, has bought a cheap home in Italy, that requires renovation. His purpose is to be closer to Africa, where has done a lot of work over the years. But once the renovation is completed, he plans to donate the home to a non-profit. He says he has lots of experience living in other countries, and in global travel. He plans to eventually live in Italy part time – on a six-month tourist visa. Thus, he is not moving their permanently.

30-year-old left the U.S. for Budapest—pays $560/month for a 1-bedroom apartment (cnbc.com)

Visa: Work

Category: Single female, BIPOC

Moved to Hungary as an English teacher, making less than US $8k/year. Laid off during Covid and then became a social media content creator, and now a travel writer/remote marketing specialist. Legitimately moved without prior dual citizenship or right of descent ancestry. Looking up jobs as English teachers, the ones now posted say you need a degree in the right subject to qualify and all required a right to work visa in the EU, prior to consideration. The visa she now has, has since been abolished and she does not yet know if she will be able to obtain a new visa.

Surprising Things About Moving to the US From the UK After 4 Years – Business Insider

Visa: Highly likely dual or tri-citizen

Category: Single female, white

She says she has hardly lived in the U.S. She attended the private ACS International School Hillingdon, in England, for high school, then Boston University in the U.S., but with a study abroad with Semester-At-Sea. Then she worked in the UK but returned to the U.S. Her Dad is Dutch and her Mom is Puerto Rican. That would entitle her to EU citizenship directly in the Netherlands, and an accelerated path to citizenship in Spain (due to Puerto Rican ancestry) – and her parents live in Spain. She very likely has dual- or tri-citizenship and spent most of her life in the UK.

Moving to Costa Rica Was Ideal for a California Woman and Her Son – Business Insider (archive.org)

Visa: Marriage

Category: Family, white

I’m an American Mom Raising My Daughter in the US and Spain – Business Insider (archive.org)

Visa: Dual citizen US/Italy, hence EU and can live in Spain

Category: Family, white

And like nearly 100% of these stories, it’s an American woman who marries a foreigner and has EU dual citizenship (possibly due to ancestry). They live in both the U.S. and Spain. You’d never believe that she works as a … writer (and surprisingly has a degree in math and computer science).

Moving Abroad: How to Move to Another Country

Visa: (Work) D7 visa (minimum income, passive income, residency requirement)

Category: Family, white

The author is … a writer, of course. It is unclear she understands that ordinary Americans working at jobs that make our civilized lives possible cannot just move to another country, as writers can do. She disparages aspects of life in the U.S., as that seems to be mandatory among writers.

After She Traveled the World, She Only Wants to Live in Chiang Mai – Business Insider

Visa: Presumably work visa, now in Thailand

Category: Single female, white

A global elitist writer who has visited 90 countries and 7 continents, and lived in Spain, Italy, India, Vietnam, Uruguay, Mexico and now Thailand. At least one parent is an immigrant to the US from Uruguay (both live there now). She has left the U.S. permanently because the country that enabled her to be a global elite is awful, worst country in the world. She says Thailand is affordable (because of the strong US currency exchange rate). In spite of a global travel footprint the size of Bill Gates, she writes about climate change and sustainability. She is also oppressed, she says.

First generation Gen Z’ers are moving abroad for a better life (nbcnews.com)

Visa: Dual citizenship in the mid-east, likely

Category: Single female, BIPOC (middle eastern)

Story based on a single anecdote of one individual born to immigrants in the U.S. but mostly grew up in Jordan. Attended US university, studied public health, but we have so many autoimmune disorders, she had to leave. She’s now working on a Masters degree but says she can’t find work. America is awful, costs too much, the “American Dream” doesn’t exist. She’s moving to Qatar where her sister lives. America is truly the worst country in the world for the global set who can move wherever they want. The story quotes the UN’s 3 million estimate of Americans living abroad (less than 1%).

They built a home in Thailand after their US property was flooded in a hurricane | CNN

Visa: Marriage

Category: Family, multi-racial

She’s already a citizen of Thailand. “Jim Dolan was able to obtain a Thailand Marriage Visa”

I’m a scientist who moved to Lithuania from the US. I am less stressed and my work-life balance is so much better that I don’t consider moving back any time soon. (msn.com)

Visa: Work

Category: Single male, white

America is awful, and his values align with “European” values. He is a Ph.D. STEM research scientist and project lead – which as we have noted before, being a young, highly educated STEM workers opens pathways to emigration not open to others.

Tinder Helped Me Find Love in Paris — so I Just Moved There From Texas (archive.org)

Visa: Entrepreneur visa.

Category: Single female, white

Stuck in France, she made herself available on Tinder, figuring it was an easy way to hang out with locals. In the genre of the many other stories about a young American woman who goes abroad and finds love.

American in Finland: what work is like in the world’s happiest country (cnbc.com)

Visa: Marriage

Category: Single female, BIPOC (now married)

Story does not make it clear but she married a Finnish basketball player. She is now a social media influencer and writer who writes about her unique immigration privilege – and that, of course, America is awful. Also, Finland is now the world’s happiest country in an index that selects, each year, a Scandinavian country as the world’s happiest – an index that does not measure even one individual’s actual happiness. More -> The Law of Jante – Coldstreams Travel and Global Thinking

She hit it off with the guy she met at the bar on vacation. Then he sent her an unexpected text message | CNN

Visa: Marriage

Category: Single female, BIPOC

Another romance novel from CNN Travel. Young American woman goes to Europe, falls in love, marries, now lives in Italy. Same story every week. Always told from the woman’s perspective.

21-year-old left the U.S. and relocated to Australia (cnbc.com)

Visa: Working Holiday Visa (age 18-30 only)

Category: Single female, white

She is using the Working Holiday Visa which enable young people (and only young people) to have an extended stay in Australia.

They moved from the US to Italy to save their marriage. Here’s how that worked out | CNN

Visa: Dual citizenship

Category: Family, white

Yes, they just packed up and moved to Italy, from California. Hint – he was already a citizen of Latvia, hence had dual US/EU citizenship, and with EU citizenship, moving to another country in the EU is like moving between states in the U.S.

How this US couple scored rare Italy self-employment visas | CNN

Visa: Work

Category: Family, white

Legitimately obtained self-employment visas, although, as usual, the U.S. is kind of crappy and their lives in Italy are so much better.

A boomer left Florida to live on a sailboat on the French Riviera. He says it’s cheaper and calmer than the US.

Visa: One year visa, renewable, self employed

Category: Family, white (assumed – they give no verifiable information on the subject of the story)

Started out as digital nomads, now has a one-year visa – and lives on their sailboat. The rest is the usual – America is awful, too expensive, crime too high – and France is so much better. (Oddly enough, I write this on a day where I am in France, kind of – actually at St. Pierre, an island off Newfoundland in Canada, that is a territory of France. So, technically, I am in France as I wrote this, even though I was in North America!)

American expat lives on $73,000 in one of the most expensive countries (cnbc.com)

Visa: Marriage

Category: Single female, BIPOC

She originally married an Icelander (since divorced). (I’ve been following her All Things Iceland YT channel for a long time – she’s cool.) While she now works on content creation, she started out as an engineer.

When my family moved from the US to the UK, I enrolled my kids in an IB program. They’re now better prepared for college.

Visa: Presumably work.

Category: Family, white

Many schools in the U.S. have the IB program – and many in the U.S. (see map below) also have AP college prep courses; she didn’t need to move to the UK for that – of course, the UK is better because …. She is a globalized elitist, having grown up in 9 countries (she wrote) and worked a dozen years in investment banking. Her husband is a managing director for McKinsey, so the visa is presumably work-based. Their 3 kids attend the private Engham school in England – which is not cheap. The student to teacher ratio (including part time instructors) is about 2! Anyone, including you, can move your family to the UK and attend an expensive private school!

Find an IB World School – International Baccalaureate® (ibo.org)

I’m a 30-year-old American living in Norway: 5 reasons ‘I’m so much happier’ here (msn.com)

Visa: Dual EU citizenship

Category: Single female, white (now married)

Typical story, young American woman moved abroad to study for a Masters degree, fell in love, married a foreigner. But she was already a dual citizen. America is an awful place, she implies, and Norway is Shangri-La! She is now basically a writer, of course. And like so many of these elite, she has lived in multiple countries and has native language proficiency in Polish – she is, in fact, a dual citizen with Poland, hence the EU, and didn’t need a residency visa for Norway.

A new life in the Netherlands? It’s not just for the young | DutchReview

Visa: Dual citizenship

Category: Family, white

They are from South Africa – but they already had dual citizenship in Greece and Ireland. So, even as an older couple, they could move from South Africa to the Netherlands. Additionally, they speak English, and Afrikaans, which has significant overlap with Dutch. 90% of the people in the Netherlands speak excellent English, often better than native American speakers.

I grew up in Connecticut and moved to Europe for college. I never intended for the move to be permanent.

Visa: Education, eventually marriage/citizenship visa

Category: Single female, white (now married)

America is awful, universities cost too much, so she went to a university in Czechia, and is now a social media influencer and runs a business helping others do the same. Now in Belgium, she has a boyfriend, and in a few years, expects to get Belgian citizenship, never to return to the awful U.S.

Moving to Thailand From the US Helped a Gen Zer Save Money, Travel – Business Insider (archive.org)

Visa: Education

Category: Single male, BIPOC

After experience in the U.S. military and living and working abroad, he decided for many reasons to move abroad. Neat guy, he plans to eventually return to the U.S.

How to move to Costa Rica from the U.S. | Fortune

(Another version of this story: A US Couple Moved to Costa Rica to Save Money, Start a Business – Business Insider)

Visa: Started with a tourist visa but now has permanent residency visa; let’s call it “work”?

Category: Family, white

They’d lived in Africa, traveled extensively around the world, she has international work experience, decided the U.S. was too expensive so ended up in Costa Rica. Their daughter is now a dual citizen of the U.S. and Costa Rica. Both had substantial international experience (his here including former Peace Corps experience).

She met a man on a rooftop bar on her first night in Paris. Her life changed forever | CNN

Visa: Marriage

Category: Single female, white (now married)

Another romance novel from CNN’s Francesca Street. Young attractive American woman meets a guy in France and you know the rest of the story.

I’m a Retired Widow Who Moved From Texas to Lake Como (archive.org)

Visa: Right of descent (assumed)

Category: Single female, white

Does not explain how she obtained her residency visa but notes her grandfather was from Czech, and per Czech’s right of descent rules, that would qualify her for citizenship in Czech, hence the EU, and could then live in Italy.

Starting Over: An American Woman’s Journey to a New Life in Italy (ilmessaggero.it)

Visa: Family connection / Right of descent

Category: Family, white

Her son obtained Italian citizenship (his Dad/her ex-husband was Italian), and Italy has a family visa which entitles her to a residency visa – this is a guess as the visa was not specified.

Moving Abroad: How to Move to Another Country (katiecouric.com)

Visa: Portugal’s D7 Visa

Category: Family, white

An elite writer who has lived all over the world – she can work anywhere – has moved her family abroad because America is awful. Her LinkedIn profile says she lives in Boise, so out of date.

American shares how his concept of freedom changed after moving abroad and it’s eye-opening – Scoop Upworthy

Visa: Work

Category: Single male (assumed), white

America he says is an awful country, so he moved to Germany where everything is wonderful; he has a lot of TikTok videos about how awful the U.S. is. He’s paid 20 Euros per hour. He has a BA in history and a BA in a second, not specified subject, and teaches English, abroad. He’s been to lots of countries all over the world and did two study abroads Which seems a bit expensive for a low paid career.

I Moved and Lived Abroad Using Credit-Card Points — US to Argentina – Business Insider

Visa: Tourist (90 day)

Category: Single female, might be classified as BIPOC

Her parents immigrated to the U.S. from the Dominican Republic, and regardless of where she was born, she was entitled to dual U.S./Dominican citizenship. She traveled in South American for 7 months, not staying in any one country for more than 90 days. She previously did an internship in Peru. Her travel blog is pretty cool, as is her graphic design work.

American woman living in Belgium reveals why she thinks everyone should pack up and move overseas | Daily Mail Online

Visa: marriage in Belgium? Article refers to her husband and a video has him speaking Dutch

Category: Single female, BIPOC (may now be married)

America is the worst country in the world (a vile country, with horrible food, high costs, terrible health care, a shitty hell hole) so she moved to Dubai, and then to Belgium. Everyone should move out of the U.S. She’s now a social media influencer and TikTok star who has pretty privilege. The story provides a first name only but this appears to be her. Does not have background available online – but from her TikTok videos she really hates America – yet her American privilege has given her much.

I’m an American studying in Belgium. My city is super walkable, my degree is way cheaper, and my healthcare is affordable.

Visa: Student

Category: Single male, white, Gay

He has a degree in philosophy and is studying an MA in philosophy in Belgium. Typical of this genre, the US is awful, education costs too much, health care costs too much and is awful in the U.S. “As a student in Belgium, I pay $8.90 monthly for a full health-insurance policy, which includes dental care. Typically, 75% of my medical expenses are fully reimbursable.” Belgians pay 13-20% of the income in tax specifically for social benefit programs. The amount he is paying is a discounted student-only rate and covers about 75% of the billed costs of health care. More here. He does say that he is grateful for his American background, however.

Debt is ‘just part of being American’: Why more U.S. expats like Paul Kurtzweil are fleeing to Mexico for a debt-free life

Visa: Unknown

Category: Family, white

Nothing new here – America is awful, too expensive, can’t afford to retire in the U.S., so they moved to Mexico, until they moved back. He appears to have retired from a law enforcement job while in his 40s. Thus, America is awful because you cannot retire in your 40s and live off your pension. Hmmm…

A boomer who couldn’t afford retirement in the US moved to Ecuador and said she’s living an ‘upscale life on a modest budget’ (yahoo.com)

Visa: Unknown

Category: Family, white

America is awful, can’t afford to retire in the U.S., health care is too expensive…

Reality check: “Between all those things, the result of that wonderful, exciting life was that I didn’t save for retirement,” Gretchen said. “It never even occurred to me. My dad never talked about it. I knew nothing about retirement, and that’s my own fault.”

They failed to plan for retirement, even though both had good careers, the article says.

But the U.S. is terrible … why do people volunteer to be featured in stories like this? Or are these fictionalized stories – as many commenters to the above note, this story does not add up.

33-year-old mom: I left the US for Jamaica and I’m so much happier (cnbc.com)

Visa: Right of descent

Category: Family, BIPOC

“My dad is from Jamaica, so I have always felt connected to the island. In 2021, when I was 31 and pregnant with my third child, I finally got the opportunity to visit.”

And of course, America is mostly awful and everything is better in Jamaica.

German Vs. American Parenting: Differences According to American Mom – Business Insider (archive.org)

Visa: Work (highly educated)

Category: Family, white

Her husband completed a Ph.D., took a research job in Germany and she works for the U.S. Embassy.

Retiring abroad? Why the best, happiest places to grow older and retire are not where you’d expect. (msn.com)

Visa: Marriage

Category: Female, white, married a Norwegian guy

And after vacationing in Norway where I talked with an old friend who is a semi-retired U.S. expat married to a retired Norwegian, I came away even more persuaded that you might want to consider the Nordic region if you’re thinking about retiring abroad.

Right – divorce your current spouse and marry someone in the Nordic countries so you can retire abroad! The above story discusses the great pension program in Norway – which will not be available to you as an American moving to Norway at age 65, even if you can. Norway is ranked #52 out of 53 countries for the most difficult to emigrate to.

The above article suggests you magically retire to Norway – you CANNOT unless you started this process decades earlier – via a work or marriage visa, or one of your parents had Norwegian citizenship. Thus, the author, wrote disinformation, falsely implying anyone can retire to Norway where life is wonderful. The author made no effort to understand what it takes to emigrate to Norway.

Two hikers encountered a rattlesnake. Then they fell in love | CNN (As of October 2024, this is behind a subscription paywall)

Visa: Multiple citizenships

Category: Single female, BIPOC

Another romance novel from Francesca Street: She’s from Austria, born to an Austrian mother and South Korean father, spent her childhood traveling, now lives in California and presumably has multiple citizenships. He’s from Mexico, in the U.S. under DACA (which means he cannot leave the U.S.) but owns and runs a restaurant in Los Angeles.

What Surprises My Spanish Son When We Visit the US – Business Insider (archive.org)

Visa: Marriage

Category: Family, white

American Mom lives in Spain – with her Spanish husband.

He told his mother there was ‘no way’ he’d meet someone in Australia. Then he fell in love at first sight | CNN

Visa: Marriage

Another romance novel from CNN, but told primarily from the guy’s perspective – an American, who eventually ends up in Australia, and then some years later, they relocated to the U.S.

‘Never a boring moment:’ The couple who left Canada to live in former Soviet Central Asia | CNN

Visa: Work

Not from the U.S., they left Canada, but in fact, she was an immigrant originally from Czechoslovakia (pre-split), says the story. They are both teachers of English in Uzbekistan.

These 3 struggles sent this retired couple back to the U.S. after a move overseas (msn.com)

Visa: D7 Visa

Things were not so easy or nice as presented due to language barriers and other issues. After 3 years, they returned to retire in the U.S.

My family moved from California to Germany. I expected we’d travel throughout Europe with the kids, but I realized no one was enjoying it.

Visa: Unspecified

Just an ordinary Mom moved to Germany with her 3 kids … actually, she’s lived in Beijing, Shanghai, London, the U.S. and Germany. She has a BA in International Political Economy and Asian Studies from Colorado College, studied Chinese at the National Taiwan University, and apparently at Fudan University in China, did an MS in public policy at The London School of Economics and Political Science and studied film writing at Duetsche Film und Fernseh Akademie Berlin. Surprisingly, she is a … writer. But just an ordinary blue collar American family moving to Germany ….

My partner and I moved to a coastal Portuguese town, sight unseen. We finally have the work-life balance we’ve dreamed of.

Visa: Dual citizen.

She was born in Paris, France but grew up in NYC and her “partner” is from France, both are French and Brazilian and both speak Portuguese. Just your typical “American” couple that left the gawd-awful U.S. shit hole (/satire) and moved to Portugal where everything is wonderful.

This US couple moved to Italy for a more affordable retirement | CNN

Visa: Elective Residency Visa but will likely qualify for right of descent ancestry citizenship

Due to currency arbitrage and the strong USD, everything is cheaper in Italy. Duh. Also, perhaps half of their cost savings came from no longer being a member of a golf club in the U.S. ($1,200/month apparently).

I couldn’t afford US retirement on $3,000 a month, so I moved abroad. I’ve since visited 43 countries and am happier.

Visa: Tourist visa (they don’t stay anywhere too long)

Worked in real estate but lost most everything in the 2008-2010 market collapse. Says he gets $1700/month in Social Security, which seems low. Now they travel and live all over the world (dozens of countries) where the strong USD keeps expenses low compared to the U.S. – with the usual bit about how America is awful. They dropped Medicare Part B and pay cash for health care in other countries (they have no health insurance).

‘On vacation every single day’: I left the U.S. to live in Vietnam and only need to work 15 hours a week

Visa: Dual citizenship

She and her family immigrated from Vietnam, where she was born, and she has returned to Vietnam, where the cost of living in USDs is very low, while she works remotely – as a content creator/writer – and earns USDs. By doing so, she works only 15 hours a week, compared to the awful, horrible U.S. where she says she worked 10 hours per day. She is literally profiting from currency arbitrage between the US and Vietnam – benefiting from the strong US dollar while bashing the U.S.

Former US Army soldier Sung Anh is now a Michelin-starred chef in South Korea and a Netflix ‘Culinary Class Wars’ judge | CNN

Visa: Dual citizen

He was born in Korea but his family came to the U.S. when he was 13. He then joined the US Army. Foreigners who serve in the U.S. military are eligible for U.S. citizenship.

I’m a Finnish mom in the US. I let my kids schedule their own playdates and allow them to skip homework to get playtime outside.

Visa: Marriage

She had immigrated to the U.S., and then at 10 years, married an American, even though, America is a truly awful country for raising a family. You’d never guess that she is a writer and social media content creator …

Northern Ireland Vs US: Differences Parenting According to American Mom

Visa: Marriage

Everything about Ireland is better than the U.S. As always. Her husband is from Belfast.

Moving to Amsterdam, paying off loans: 3 millennial moms on the major money moves they made to feel confident having kids

Visa: Marriage

“Alejandra Rojas, a financial educator who was born in Colombia and now splits time between the Netherlands and Maryland, didn’t think she wanted to have kids for much of her life….In addition to feeling emotionally ready, she felt comfortable living in her partner’s home country of the Netherlands.”

More women are leaving the US. Here’s why and how they did it.

Visa: DAFT Treaty (Netherlands), Right of descent ancestry in Italy, Spain’s accelerated citizenship for Ibero-Americans

Of the 3 anecdotal stories, the first used the DAFT treaty, the 2nd has a right of descent citizenship privilege in Italy, and the 3rd had a Spanish (Ibero) cultural background as her mother is from Columbia, and her father from Iran – so she qualified for accelerated citizenship in 2 years.

America is an awful country blah blah blah so they left to Europe where everything is wonderful. The subjects of these stories appear in other stories.

I Followed Through With My Plan to Leave the US If Trump Won in 2016 – Business Insider

Visa: unknown

Unlike the other stories, she says she likes the U.S. and is very grateful for the privileges that the U.S. has given her. She’s cute and met a French guy – the usual romance novel approach of Insider and CNN.

I chose Europe over the US for my startup. The Silicon Valley startup benchmark is unparalleled, but I still prefer Berlin.

Visa: EU residency via EU Blue Card

A global elitist, from Russia, educated in Russia and the U.S., he has worked in Germany, Switzerland, U.S. and Russia. Says he has traveled to over 77 countries. He was never an American.

She fell in ‘love at first sight’ with an Italian stranger. Within days they were talking about marriage | CNN

Visa: Marriage

Another romance story from Francesca Street of CNN – 25-year-old American model travels to Italy, falls for a sequence of cute Italian men, and eventually marries and moves to Italy. She is a social media influencer and content creator (writer) – didn’t see that coming, did you? These stores are always about attractive young American women with pretty privilege – and usually writers. Has Street ever written a story about an American guy, from the guy’s perspective, who traveled overseas, fell in love and got married to a foreigner? The misandry and bias from Francesca Street and CNN is intense.

I moved to France to earn my graduate degree because it was too expensive in the US. It’s been the best decision of my life.

Visa: Education, then marriage

Category: Single white woman

In her own words: “For me, it was the most reasonable way to pursue a professionally superfluous graduate degree without taking on tens of thousands of dollars of debt.” She came from money: “I grew up in a pretty well-to-do New England town and was lucky enough to go to a quality high school where I was a straight-A honors student, yearbook editor, junior varsity field hockey captain — the works.” And her parents paid for her college tuition. (I again note: I worked from age 10 onward, had to save most of my money for college, didn’t have option of high school sports or other activities because I was working – paid for 100% of my own college tuition. Not have any sympathy for the rich entitled brats kids.)

She fell in love and got married, earning a MRS visa and now lives in France and is never coming back to the awful United States. She majored in communications and French (she works as writer – imagine that).

I Was Forced to Travel to Paris Alone but Met My French Husband There – Business Insider

Visa: Marriage, obviously

They relocated to Spain six years ago. Now this couple say they’d be ‘very depressed’ if they ever had to move back to the United States | CNN

Visa: Non-lucrative visa, self-funded, retired in mid-50s.

Childless, global travelers, they moved to Spain. Never moving back because the U.S. is awful.

I’m an American who’s lived in Paris for 15 years. Taking these 5 notes from the French has really improved my life.

Visa: Dual citizen and marriage

“Fifteen years ago, I met with love on New York’s Prince Street. The stuff of fairy tales? Mais oui! He was a handsome Italian living in Paris.” She was also already a dual EU citizen as her mom was a Polish citizen “Thanks to my Polish mother, I had an EU passport and an open mind that I credit to my bicultural upbringing.” As a dual citizen, she has an open mind that you don’t have, so she is better than you! You’ll never guess what she does for a living – she’s a freelance writer and handbag designer.

Paris is wonderful, and the U.S. is sort of a crappy place, but if you had her multiple immigration privileges, you too could fly to Europe, fall in love, and enjoy your pre-existing dual citizenship!

The media writes endless aspirational nonsense stories suggesting you too will find a better life by moving to Europe – leaving out that 2/3ds of the subjects in the stories have prior dual citizenship, a right of descent ancestry, or are (90% of them) young women who married a foreign guy. Two out of three. What the media is peddling is nonsense, out of context and probably untrue (aka fake). It’s fiction writing all the way down.

They repeated this same story one year later a different form in 2025: I’m an American who moved to Paris for love. It took 5 years of hard work to make it really feel like home.

I Live in Italy and the US and Get Culture Shock Every Time I Leave – Business Insider

Visa: Marriage

Incredibly, you’d never guess she is a writer.

I Moved From NYC to Italy at 24 Without a Plan. I Don’t Regret It. – Business Insider

Visa: Marriage

What do you suppose she does for a living? Shocking.

Texas woman leaving the U.S. after Trump wins election | wfaa.com

Visa: Marriage.

She’s leaving because of Trump says the “Democratic Party activist”.

Now to the facts:

• Her husband is Dutch, hence she has a residency visa in the Netherlands
• She previously lived in the Netherlands and the UK.
• She’s lived in Europe for 18 years already.
• She was never much of an American and is moving because she has immigration privilege and a Dutch husband. Duh.

You can’t do this, but she can because she has immigration privilege.

33-year-old American living in Germany: ‘I don’t worry about not being able to pay my bills here’

Visa: Marriage

Category: White woman

She’s from the UK and moved to Germany – to live with her German husband.

They relocated to Spain six years ago. Now this couple say they’d be ‘very depressed’ if they ever had to move back to the United States | CNN

Visa: Non-lucrative (wealth) visa

Category: Married/family

Because America is a horrible place, this globe-trotting childless couple moved to Spain. This article may be a repeat from CNN – the news sites frequently run the same article multiple times over a year or more.

My husband and I knew retirement would be tight in NYC. We moved to Mexico in our 50s, built our dream home for $270,000, and no longer worry about retirement.

Visa: Unknown

Another gay couple moved to Mexico because … you know the story.

32-year-old American in Denmark: The No. 1 thing I’ve learned

Visa: Marriage to an EU citizen.

What do you suppose she does for a living? This story falls for the “Denmark is the happiest country” nonsense: Denmark Fairy Tales: Is Denmark the happiest country because of this? No. – Social Panic

I moved from New York to Portugal for graduate school. I fell in love, got engaged, and have no plans to move back to the US.

Visa: Marriage

Category: Single female, BIPOC (under US classification system)

Attractive young, educated, American woman traveled to Portugal for grad school studies (America is awful, she says) – where she fell in love with a guy from Portugal (what a surprise). For now she’s still on the grad school extended visa but will be marrying soon. She now works as a social media content manager – aka writer?

I was an overworked teacher in the US, so I moved to Portugal. I couldn’t be happier with my decision.

Visa: Unknown

Category: Single female, white

She was a drama/theater teacher in the U.S., but got fed up with everything, and moved to Portugal. She seems to dislike America. Today, she teaches English and works as a … writer (imagine that).

I’m an American expat living in Mexico. Here are the biggest cultural differences between the 2 countries.

Visa: Unknown

Category: Married, white

Left out of the story – her father worked in the U.S. Foreign Service and she grew up living and attending school in multiple countries (“She grew up in Hungary; Argentina; Ecuador; Bethesda, Maryland; and Pakistan.“). She had a tough life (seriously, not a joke). She returned to finish high school at a private program in the U.S. and eventually moved to British Columbia Canada; her husband is British. They have eventually settled in Mexico.

She went on vacation to Southern Italy and never returned to the United States | CNN

Visa: Unknown

Category: Single female, BIPOC

From 2003 until 2020, she traveled constantly between the U.S. and Florence, Italy, as part of her work, which included high end, southern California, Italy and France luxury real estate. She now runs a high-end relocation consulting service helping rich people move to Italy. Says she will never return to the United States.

A boomer moved to Panama so her retirement would be more affordable. Now she’s struggling to find a job and her dream is slipping away.

Visa: Unknown

Category: Single female, white

Sadly, she appears to have fallen for media myths about retiring in another country – and is struggling. She retired at age 55 – with a BA in communications (journalism/PR/writing, of course). This is a sad situation – and others are likely encountering this too, due to the media myths about Americans moving and retiring abroad. Also, based on her age, she is in the year that separates the baby boom from Generation X. She’s more Gen X than “boomer”.

I bought one of Sicily’s famous $1 homes and spent $446K renovating it—take a look inside

Visa: Right of descent ancestry

Category: Single white female

“Meredith Tabbone knew her dad Michael’s side of the family came from Sicily, but didn’t know any more until she began researching how to get an Italian citizenship in 2016.

She discovered his great-grandfather, Fillippo Tabbone, came from Sambuca di Sicilia, a small village in Sicily.”

She applied for right of descent citizenship in 2018. She is a wealthy financial advisor in Chicago so there’s that too. She spent US $475,000 (without loans) on her Sicilian real estate adventure but plans to spend just 4 months a year at the home – because she can. Just a typical American buying a house in Italy.

I quit my corporate job and moved to Europe to become a freelance copywriter. It’s been challenging, but I’m glad I stuck it out.

Visa: unknown

Category: Married, later divorced, identifies as BIPOC

(Might be a duplicate – I’m an American who went to college in Canada. I’m debt-free — and I have no plans to move back to the US.)

She is more global than most of us and speaks 4 languages: I Was Confused About My Jewish Identity. Then I Moved to Europe. – Hey Alma. She went to college in Canada (Quebec – and had been in France, when in high school), and then moved to Germany, traveled for 2 years, and later moved to Spain (visa situation not explained but possibly an entrepreneurial vias for self-employed). She appears to be a very hard working and successful freelance writer.

We Considered Buying a $1 Italy Home but Glad We Didn’t – Business Insider

Visa: Pre-existing visa via work or perhaps marriage

Category: Married white female

The author is American but already had residency in Germany (hence, the EU and can live in Italy). She originally earned her MA in sustainability project management, from a university in Germany, and has been working in Germany for 4 years.

33-year-old mom sold everything to move family from Texas to Greece

Visa: Digital Nomad (temporary) visa

Category: Family, BIPOC

America is awful, blah blah, so this family began traveling a few years ago and has now moved to Greece. She is a “travel content creator”, hence, writer, of course.

Her flight was delayed and she missed her train home for Christmas. Then she met her future husband on the platform | CNN

Visa: Dual citizenship

Category: Single white female

Another romance novel – she is from the U.S. but was born in the UK, it says. After serving in the US Peace Corps, she returned to Cambridge to visit family, met a PhD student from the Netherlands and they lived happily ever after. As usual, it’s a romance novel – told from the woman’s point of view. And of course, immigration privilege: “Fortunately, I have dual-citizenship with Ireland and the USA,” she says. “I was therefore spared any visa hardships, luckily.” They now live in the Netherlands (where the guy was from).

Moving to Europe for health care was the best decision I ever made | Salon.com

Visa: Assuming right of descent

Category: Single white female (widowed)

Says she had been traveling to Italy since she was a kid. Does not say what her visa is but with that track record of travel there, it is likely family connections and right of descent ancestry. Oh, the U.S. is a horrible country – her health care in Italy was so much better.

I Moved Back to Florida After Living Abroad, Left After 2 Months – Business Insider

Visa: Dual Uruguay/US citizenship, long term digital nomad visa in Thailand

Category: Queer female

Her Dad was a refugee from Uruguay. She had spent 9 years living outside the U.S., in Spain, Italy, Mexico, Uruguay and Thailand. Of course, she ends it with the U.S. is a hell hole of wrong think politics and gun violence. She is a freelance writer, surprise.

The ‘perverse’ reason we are fleeing from California to Spain

Visa: Digital Nomad Visa, initially, right of descent citizenship later

Category: Married couple

He’s a writer now and America is a shitty country, poor transportation options, costs too much, blah blah blah. He also has Italian ancestry and presumably qualifies for EU right of descent citizenship via Italy. He plans to take advantage of currency arbitrage, earning income in US dollars and spending it in low-cost Spain.

My Family Has Moved Between the US and Brazil Multiple Times – Business Insider

Visa: Marriage

Category: Family

They liked Brazil, but America was not totally awful either.

I Moved From the US to Spain; Life Is Slower and Kids Stay up Late – Business Insider

Visa: Marriage

Category: Female

“Emily San José met and married a Spanish man after college.” Surprisingly, America is not awful.

I left a 6-figure job in the US to go pick grapes for less than $500 in Europe. It completely transformed my life.

Visa: Tourist visa in Europe, then Working Holiday visas for Australia (young people only)

Category: Single, BIPOC

Legit case of an amazing career change and exploration. Wish her the best in her new endeavors.

I moved from the US to the UK and saw an immediate change in my health. I had less stress, my acne vanished, and I lost my sweet tooth.

Visa: Tourist, then unspecified (a romance with a Brit was involved)

Category: Single white female

Another Insider “The U.S. is a shithole” so I moved abroad. Did it ever occur to Insider that these stories suffer sample bias? Of course, the subject works as a writer … The author is a freelance health writer with a degree in writing and rhetoric and also does social media content creation.

I Raised My Kids Across 5 Countries Before Settling Down in Minnesota – Business Insider

Visa: Marriage

Category: Family

This one is in reverse, told by the woman’s perspective (as usual) of a woman from the UK, who moved with her husband, an American, to the U.S. – after having lived in 5 countries.

What is it like to move abroad? First-time expats share their tips.

Visas: (1) 90-day, so have not really moved, (2) digital nomad visa, then marriage

First anecdote: He was born in the Bahamas, she is American. They moved to Morocco which has a 90-days out of a 180 visa limit; the story implies they just leave every 90 days and return the next day but that does not appear to be a valid option. They plan to return to the U.S. for their upcoming baby’s birth, then back to Morocco.

Second anecdote: An older adult writer, now single male, kids grown up, moved to Portugal from WA DC. using a 2-year digital nomad visa. While there, met a Portuguese woman and married her.

The entire story is based on 2 anecdotes.

I found romance with a European man who showed me lots of PDA. It was refreshing compared to the guys I dated in the US.

Visa: Marriage

Category: Single white female

America is full of shitty guys so this attractive young American woman moved to Barcelona, married a local, and lived happily ever after. This story was a planted PR story – she sells migration services. The “America bashing” gets old…

Couple relocated from America to Switzerland and pay $2,883 a month for their 3-bedroom apartment: ‘The safety level is so different here’

Visa: Marriage

Category: Single white female

Attractive young American woman meets a guy from France in the U.S. After living in the U.S. for years, they moved to Switzerland.

I moved from New York City to London. The job hunt was a culture shock but it was worth it for the healthcare and work-life balance.

Visa: Marriage, she married a Brit

Category: Couple, BIPOC

As usual told from the woman’s perspective. She is an attorney, not a writer!

I moved from the US to South Africa 3 years ago. It’s easier to achieve the American dream here.

Visa: Marriage

Category: White couple

Unusually, this is about an American guy who ended up in South Africa. But as usual, America is a shitty country and South Africa is so much better.

‘We love it here’: Why this American couple swapped New York for Uruguay

Visa: Tourist visa, then unspecified residency visa

Category: Gay male couple

One runs an online digital marketing business; the other is unemployed. They started on a tourist visa and then applied for a residency visa. Not sure they understand why this is true: “We eat fresh fruit and vegetables all day, year round,” says Austin. “That’s something that was not common in New York… So that has been a big improvement.” (Hint – it has to do with growing seasons and our idea of having fresh fruits and vegetables year around in high latitudes requires a huge transportation and refrigeration infrastructure.)

I moved from the US to Scotland. My social life looks much different here.

Visa: Marriage

Category: Single white female

The usual – young attractive American woman travels to Scotland, falls in love, marries a Scot. What a surprise, she’s a writer.

She was a Swedish exchange student. He was a high school ‘nerd’ in 1990s Wyoming. Here’s their love story | CNN

Visa: Marriage

Category: Single white male

Refreshingly told, or much of it told, from the guy’s perspective. American guy meets Swedish foreign exchange student in high school in the U.S. They actually met on a high school trip to Washington DC, and ended up sitting next to each other. Three years later, they visit in Europe when he is doing a study abroad in the UK. Eventually, they decide they are a couple – and after college, he moves to Sweden where they raise their family. (Hah hah – they basically met sitting together on an airplane flight – that’s how my wife and I met too.) And amazing – she is a lawyer and he is an IT systems consultant – not writers!

How this American moved to Italy and became the country’s ‘first woman rabbi’ | CNN

Visa: Marriage (also has right of descent option)

Category: Single white female (older adult)

She moved to Italy, to the town where her father was born, and married her 2nd cousin. She had immigration privilege both by ancestry and marriage.

I Worked at Google and TikTok but Left It All and Moved to Italy – Business Insider

Visa: Already a citizen of the EU

Category: Single white female

Story implies she packed up and moved to Italy from the U.S., leaving out that she was from Turkey (EU), already had citizenship and had been working in Germany. Insider’s “reporting” is a joke.

I moved to Spain for a more relaxed life. I pay about $300 a month in rent and have never been happier.

Visa: Started as an education visa, then marriage visa (to European)

Category: Single white female

This is a planted public relations story. She runs a business helping people move abroad. Europe is so much better than the U.S. crap hole (typical claim of a Business Insider content mill story). She’s lived all over the world too. Just like you! Says she is unlikely to ever return to the U.S.

I grew up in California and moved to a small city in Spain at 30. I have no plans to return to my busy life in the US.

Visa: 2 year freelance work visa, renewable

Category: BIPOC

The usual. America is crap so she moved to Spain where everything is wonderful. She works as a writer, of course.

This woman left the US for Spain with her young son after a heartbreaking family tragedy | CNN

Visa: Spanish citizenship by birthright

Category: Single white female, with BIPOC son

Born in the UK, to a mother born in Spain, she grew up in Canada, went to college in the U.S. and previously spent much time living in Spain. They lived in Chicago prior to moving back to Spain. Left out of this typical bull shit story about moving abroad, she also has a BA, MA and Ph.D. in Spanish language and literature. Yes, you too can just pack up your bags and move to Spain as “This woman left the US for Spain with her young son”… what bull shit reporting by Tamara Hardingham-Gill of CNN. Imagine how many crucial details are left out of regular news stories?

Millennial Moved Family to Europe; Cost Is Similar but Life Is Better – Business Insider

Visa: Digital Nomad

Category: Family, BIPOC

America is too expensive, basically awful – you know the story. She is a social media content creator (food blogger) (basically writer?) and he’s now a stay-at-home Dad. They did their move abroad sensibly, testing out the idea with a temporary stay abroad in Portugal via Boundless Life. They are now in Greece. She makes her income in high value US dollars, which are worth more in local currency due to currency exchange.

Why fires, Trump and cost of living are driving Californians abroad – Los Angeles Times

Visa: Marriage, tourist visa, and right of descent (3 people)

Category: White female, white male, white male

This is a public relations planted story – likely put together by the relocation consultants described in the article.

• The first anecdote example – Linda Bernardi – is married to an Italian. Duh.
• The second person they mention is just a tourist visa and commutes between the US and Italy. Has not really moved.
• The third person’s family is from Italy.

Thus one does not have residency and the other two have family / ancestry /marriage connections for right of descent immigration privileges. Just like you!

Moving Abroad to Eastern Europe Changed My View of American Culture – Business Insider

Visa: Marriage

Category: White woman, married

Typical – American woman marries a European. Nothing new. She‘s yet another freelance writer living abroad.

‘It feels safe here’: Why this couple moved their family from the US to Switzerland | CNN

Visa: Temporary work visa

Category: White family.

They previously had lived in Switzerland (or Germany) for 11 years, had moved back to the U.S., but then decided to return to Switzerland. He is a very specialized, bicycling industrial designer, working for a Swiss bike manufacturer; he previously worked for Cannondale Europe (a bike maker) in Switzerland, and also worked in the cycling industry in the U.S. (and early in his career had worked in Asia). She also works in the same industry.

I Moved to Transylvania to Be Closer to My 97-Year-Old Grandfather – Business Insider

Visa: Right of descent immigration privilege

“Individuals who are the children or grandchildren of former Romanian citizens; Individuals with at least one Romanian citizen parent; Individuals who lost their Romanian citizenship and wish to regain it.”

Romanian Citizenship by Descent – Conditions and Application

Transylvania is a historic part of Romania.

I Moved From US to France; Took Me 4 Years to Adjust, One Thing Helped – Business Insider

Visa: Marriage

“He had thrived as an international student in the US, so I assumed I’d adapt just as easily as a young professional in Paris. However, after we got married, I struggled to adjust”. She does not hate the US and is grateful for what growing up in the US brought her. Refreshing! (Suspect this is her on LinkedIn. Like many privileged writers, she attended universities in the U.S., Australia and the Netherlands.)

Supermodel Tyra Banks moves to Australia after seeing ice cream business success | Fox News

Visa: Business investment visa

Her boyfriend/husband is Canadian (they are engaged but unknown if they are married.) Canadians, a former British Crown country, have multiple options to move to Australia. They are both heavily involved in businesses and Banks runs a company in Australia now, hence, almost certainly a visa via investment. He owns properties in several countries. Banks is 51 and there are only a few visas that can be used when over age 50: https://www.myaustraliaimmigration.com/can-you-immigrate-to-australia-if-you-are-over-50/ which implies their visa is via business investment.

‘The best decision I ever made’: Why this New Yorker ditched the United States for Germany | CNN‘The best decision I ever made’: Why this New Yorker ditched the United States for Germany | CNN

Visa: Work

Category: Single BIPOC female

Born in the Dominican Republic, she was already international and spoke English, French and Italian before she moved to Europe. Her grandmother is from Spain. She moved to Germany for a job, hence work visa. Lots of bashing of life in the United States, albeit milder than many of these articles. Like many of these “I moved abroad” stories, the subjects never had deep connections to the United States.

She relocated to Spain in 2022, but after struggling to adapt, this American woman has packed up and returned home | CNN

Visa: Non-lucrative (non working) visas

Category: Married

Moved from Florida to northern Spain, discovered northern Spain has cold winters, plus didn’t like the siesta culture of shops and diners closed in the afternoons, etc. – eventually moved back to the U.S. She has Cuban heritage and was already fluent in Spanish.

This couple dreamed of a quiet life in France, but things didn’t turn out how they expected when they relocated from the US | CNN

Visa: Marriage, prior EU citizenship

Category: Married couple

“We started coming to the south of France on vacation after we met,” Jennie tells CNN Travel, explaining that she and Ward, who is from Belgium, both had a lot of affection for the European country.” …. “As the wife of a European citizen, Jennie was able to enter on a Carte de Sejour, a French residence permit allowing foreign nationals to remain in the country.”

By the way, America is awful, but if you had immigration privilege like this privileged couple, then you too can move to France. Yet another bull shit article from CNN.

‘It really fits us’: They traded South Florida for the South of France | CNN

Visa: Long stay visa

Category: White married couple

Living in the U.S. is awful, but living in France everything is wonderful. The usual bash America story, this one from CNN. She was finance director of the town of Wilton Manors. According this story, she was implicated in “gross mismanagement” of Wilton Manor’s parking revenues (also see this). The full investigation report is here: https://www.broward.org/InspectorGeneral/Publications/20240718OIG20002MFinalReport.pdf

I Moved From LA to Paris to Live With My Boyfriend; Had Culture Shock – Business Insider

Visa: Her boyfriend is French, but she had to get a long stay visa

Category: White female

My Family of 5 Took an RV Trip in New Zealand for a Week – Business Insider

Visa: She is actually Australian. Which is not stated in the article. They did not move to NZ.

Category: White family

She has an extensive history of international travel, and lived in multiple countries: “My mom’s smart investment helped me buy my first home in my 20s. I want to give my kids the same financial head start.” and “I vacationed in Bali with 18 of my family members. It was supposed to be an epic family gathering but turned into a total catastrophe”. They spent almost NZD$800 per day on their trip. She’s a writer. And seems to write a lot of her own life.

We moved From the US to Spain: the Lack of Hustle Culture Was a Relief – Business Insider

Visa: De facto marriage equivalent

Category: Young white woman

Attractive “pretty privilege”, young, wealthy, globally experienced, educated at private college American woman goes to Spain to pursue her Master’s degree, falls in love with a Spaniard and lives happily ever after. “I now have an EU Residency. Miguel and I are “Pareja De Hecho,” which grants me residency as his legal partner in Spain. With this status, I can work and live in Spain.“

24-year-old American moved to Belgium and lives on $1,132 a month: ‘I fell in love with it’

Visa: Education

Category: Gay white male

He attended UC Santa Cruz and played on the tennis team, did a six month study abroad in Denmark, then another Semester-At-Sea study abroad – so two study abroad programs – likely with scholarship grants), did a BA in philosophy, followed by a Masters degree in philosophy in Belgium – now says life in Belgium is wonderful, so much better than the U.S. (I’m an American studying in Belgium. My city is super walkable, my degree is way cheaper, and my healthcare is affordable). Of course, he works as a writer. The poor kid has visited 23 countries and is considering a 2nd Masters degree in Portugal. Note – serious sympathy for him in that his Dad died a few years before he started college, and indications he was treated poorly because he is gay. Oddly, the story hints he came from poverty – but Grok notes his family operated a local business, had a private tennis court at their house, playing on a tennis team is not cheap, and the median household income in the community is $114k/year versus $80k/year for the U.S. average. For some reason, the media likes to portray college students as starving and poor, even when that may not be true.

Living abroad because of Trump: I moved before the election and am now staring down the downsides.

Visa: Dual citizenship

Category: Single white female

“With my German passport, I didn’t need to get a visa. As a freelancer, my work was both remote and flexible. And I wanted to experience something different. Save for college, I had lived in D.C. for my entire life.” Yet another writer with immigration privilege moving abroad. She appears to have come from wealth, attended the #1 best high school in Washington, DC and attended an elite private university with an un-subsidized cost of about $95,000/year in 2025 – but of course, America is awful. (She acknowledges that America saved her ancestors lives during WW 2.)

Our rent doubled after we got married, so we became digital nomads. It was challenging until I established a daily routine.

Visa: Multiple citizenships, digital nomad visas

Category: Couple (mixed)

She’s originally from Saudi Arabia and has worked in South Africa and UAE, actually six countries and has “2.5 passports”, meaning multiple citizenship (possibly Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Canada or the US). Her husband is apparently from South Africa.

I Graduated From UNC-Chapel Hill With No Job, Moving Abroad Helped – Business Insider

Visa: Digital nomad

Category: Gay white male

The usual story. Also a reminder that there are no single white males traveling abroad, if these stories are to be believed. Single white males do not exist.

I’m 44 and want to retire by the time I’m 50. I can’t do that in the US, so I moved my family to Thailand.

Visa: ” five-year Destination Thailand Visa”

Category: Married white couple

America is a horrible shit hole so this couple moved to Thailand where everything is cheaper (in US $s) and life is wonderful and they can retire very early. Blah blah blah. Their visa option was newly introduced in 2024 and is considered a “digital nomad visa”. “It is important to note that the DTV is a special kind of tourist visa in Thailand, which means that holders are prohibited from obtaining a Thai work permit and working for companies in Thailand or performing freelance work for Thai clients.”

I moved from the US to South Africa 3 years ago. It’s easier to achieve the American dream here.

Visa: Marriage

Category: White single guy, married his South African girlfriend

He’s from the U.S., and oddly enough, the story is told from his perspective. She’s from South Africa. As usual, America is awful and too expensive and life in South Africa (where the electricity goes out all the time, crime is horrendous but never mind) is so much better. He has advice for those wishing to move out of the U.S. – but leaves out the critical piece: marry a foreigner, have dual citizenship or right of descent ancestry.

‘Even here we are afraid’: Oregon family to leave U.S. to protect son, who is transgender – oregonlive.com

Visa: Presume right of descent or prior dual citizenship

Category: Family, gay

The family is anonymous, their destination country is anonymous – nothing can be verified. They are leaving one of the most liberal cities in America because of LGBTQIA2+ alleged issues, to an unknown location in Europe with a plan to possibly return in 2029 after a new US President is elected. What visa they are using is not specified but is likely a Right of Descent immigration privilege visa.

Goodbye America! (We’re Moving To Europe) • Expert Vagabond Travel Blog & Living Abroad

Visa: Dual citizenship via right of descent

Category: White family

Rather privileged elitists with Irish ancestry – hence, they have immigration privileges:

I’ve been to 70 countries now, my wife Anna is at 114. Our young kids Dylan & Holden have collectively seen 40 different nations.

Even our cat has been to 10 countries.

We are all very fortunate to have multiple citizenships & passports.

They moved because they hate America and the rise of “Authoritarian politics”. Same ‘ol story from all these elitists – America is the worst country in the history of the world. I am to the point of saying “good riddance”. As someone without immigration privilege, I’ve come to resent the “We hate America” proclamations from what are generally those who benefited immensely from their American background – and now with their immigration privilege, they bash those of us who don’t have their immense privileges. They are remarkably mean spirited people who have no self awareness of what they are doing.

After grad school, I moved in with my mother-in-law in Italy to save money while I job hunt. I’m learning it’s OK to ask for help.

Visa: Student visa, then marriage (her mother-in-law is Italian and her husband is Italian)

Category: Married couple

She and her partner have already lived in 25 countries and has worked in many of them. From the U.S., she attended university in the U.S., then a Masters in International Law and Human Rights, at the University of Peace (located in Costa Rica), then a Masters in Global Health at Ghent University in Belgium. She speaks English and French and is learning Italian. Seems to be a privileged global elite who now lives in Italy with her Italian husband. Her story is definitely applicable to us ordinary folks!

My husband and I moved from Hawaii and bought a house in Italy. We’re spending less on groceries and housing in Europe.

Visa: Applying for right of descent via her husband’s ancestry

Category: Married couple

They moved from the most expensive place to live in the U.S., to Italy, where things are cheaper. How surprising.

I moved from the US to Argentina for the lower cost of living. It helped me pay down student debt, but living abroad had its dark side.

Visa: Tourist or digital nomad

Category: Straight white male

He seems to be a nice guy who works as a freelance traver writer, which is a difficult field in which to make money. To keep costs low, he moved first to Argentina and now to Albania. He needs to pursue low cost living to subsidize his desire to make a living as a freelance travel writer.

(He graduated in to a difficult job market in 2008. I know about that. My daughter graduated with a humanities double degree in 2009, the worst job market since The Great Depression – ended up working retail to pay for a year long paralegal program, then worked as a paralegal for a while, then returned to university to earn a BSN and MSN and much of a DNP and now works as a nurse practitioner.)

An American couple sold their house in California and retired in Malaysia. They love ‘not owning anything.’

Visa: Malaysia’s My Second Home visa (ended in 2021 due to Covid, then re-instated)

Category: Married white couple

They had both been Peace Corps volunteers in Malaysia in the 1970s, and had vacationed there many times. From their past experience, they both speak Malay. Childless, they chose to retire to Malaysia.

I’m an American who moved to the Czech Republic 5 years ago. It’s completely changed my definition of work-life balance. | Business Insider Africa

Visa: Dual citizenship

Category: Married white female

Left out of the story: “Samantha Tatro was born in Alabama and raised across the globe.

She spent elementary school in Houston, TX, before moving to Rio De Janeiro, Brazil for middle school and Den Haag, The Netherlands for high school. She has attended American and International Schools for the majority of her life. Additionally, she was raised in a trilingual household – Czech, German and English – and learned English when she turned five and went to school. Throughout the years she has also become advanced in French, Portuguese and retained her Czech. She is a citizen of both the United States and European Union.” (Samantha Tatro | Journalist, Photographer, Expat)

Typical of stories on Business Insider, she is a global elitist, having lived and been educated in multiple countries, and having more than one citizenship. Yes, you too can pack up and move to Czech just like her! (Not). Having benefited from her US citizenship and global experience, she felt compelled to write about herself and how life in Czech is so much better than in the U.S. Of course.

She works as a writer (mostly travel).

We bought an apartment in Italy for less than what we’d spend on a down payment in the US. The renovations are a headache, but it’s still worth it.

Visa: EU citizenship, marriage (he has at least a Green Card visa)

Category: Married white couple

He is from Belgrade, Serbia, and has EU citizenship. This is where he attended high school.

This couple dreamed of leaving the United States for a new life in France, but things didn’t turn out how they expected

Visa: He is from Belgium has EU citizenship and likely a US Green card; she’s from Minnesota but her Mom is from Denmark which entitles her to Danish/EU citizenship.

Category: Married white couple

“As the wife of a European citizen, Jennie was able to enter on a Carte de Sejour, a French residence permit allowing foreign nationals to remain in the country.”

I’m an American Raising My Kids in Norway – Business Insider

Visa: Work

Category: Married, family

American global elite and petroleum engineer married a Saudi Arabian and now works in Norway. Has worked in Kuwait, Angola, got engaged in Paris, then took a corporate transfer to Norway, where everything is wonderful and better than the USA. Has traveled to 80 countries. Probably just like your life!

‘I’m considering giving up my U.S. citizenship’: I’m 39 and moving to the U.K. How should I invest my $30K savings? – MarketWatch

Visa: Already a dual US/UK citizen.

I left Los Angeles, closed my business, and moved to Albania. I pay under $500 a month in rent and have never been happier.

Visa: None. She lives in Albania for a year then must leave for 90 days.

Category: Single white female.

She owned multiple properties, ran multiple businesses in the U.S., had traveled the world extensively – in other words, she profited handsomely from being an American in America – but “I didn’t realize how stressed I was in America until I moved to Tirana.” A version of “the country that gave me my wealth and privilege is awful”. As usual.

American moved to Sweden, does software development

Visa: Marriage, presumed

Vanessa Wingårdh (BS psychology, MBA) is an American software engineer working for Scania in Sweden. She has not said anything about how she moved to Sweden but it appears she is married to (3) Robin W. | LinkedIn, a Swedish citizen who had lived in the US, and attended a university in the U.S. Vanessa does brilliant tech commentary videos on YouTube (whose content I agree with). This fits into the observation that about 1/3d of those who move abroad do so because of marriage and that is how they obtain residency; she might also have retained residency via her work skills.

Jimmy Kimmel, ‘Best wishes Italian Republic, proud to be part of it’ – News from Embassies – Ansa.it

Visa: Right of descent

Category: White male

Talk show host Jimmy Kimmel obtained Italian citizenship via right of descent (his grandmother was Italian). An extraordinarily privileged American – from where he gets his wealth – he says he does not like America because of Trump and because he is an elite, wealthy American who derived his privilege form America, he has obtained citizenship in another country. What a hypocrite.

My French-born husband taught me the real way to experience France — slow, immersive, and away from big cities

Visa: Marriage

Category: White female

They live with their kids in a one bedroom apartment somewhere in the U.S. (apparently) and travel to France often.

This American took 13-month sabbatical with his family in Taiwan

Visa: Taiwan Visa for Visiting Relatives (such as family or grandparents)

Because they have Taiwanese heritage (grandparents who are citizens of Taiwan), they may have obtained a long stay visa for the purpose of visiting relatives. They also gave birth to a daughter in Taiwan but I do not believe Taiwan has a birthright citizenship – but this says persons born in Taiwan to non-Taiwanese parent may apply for citizenship.

I Moved To Europe To Escape U.S. Politics. Four Years Later, I’ve Come To A Terrifying Realization.

Visa: Dual citizen: she has right of descent Italian citizenship via her Dad

Category: Single white female

The original is here: I Moved To Europe To Escape U.S. Politics. Four Years Later, I’ve Come To A Terrifying Realization. | HuffPost HuffPost Personal

Young American woman with pretty privilege, immigration privilege (she is an Italian dual citizen due to her Dad’s ancestry), who attended private school in the U.S., took a gap year between high school and college with a brief “pay to volunteer” program in Costa Rica, earned her BA in communications/film studies (entirely in France) and MS in international business (entirely in Spain), both from European universities, with thesis work in Africa – has moved to Spain because America is a shithole.

She is extraordinarily privileged from growing up in the U.S. but paints herself as an oppressed victim of America.

She expresses hate for America and bashes the U.S. and the people in it as awful – yet growing up in the U.S. gave her tremendous privileges. She is so angry she felt compelled to write an entire column in the HuffPost about her anger and hate.

This genre of “I moved abroad” because America is awful is quite something – I go into details here: I no longer read “I moved abroad” stories – Coldstreams Travel and Global Thinking

There is much content mill trash from freelance writers who hate America and can’t see the hypocrisy of hating the country that gave them immense privilege.

———————————————————————-

Rapper 42 Dugg Admits He’s Ready To Quit Rap & Move To France – theJasmineBRAND

He’s served time in prison for felonies which complicates getting a long term visa in many countries, and would even prevent tourist travel to Canada. More – 42 Dugg Vows To Be “Upright Citizen” After Avoiding Prison In Gun Case (allhiphop.com).

People Share Their “America Is A Scam” Stories (buzzfeed.com)

Because America is awful, the biggest scam country in the world, says BuzzFeed (a content mill). 18 stories sourced to 100% anonymous individuals who all appear to be globally elite young people. It is likely that 2/3ds or more of them had immigration privileges to live elsewhere, but since this is 100% anonymous, nothing can be verified.

Insider: We started homeschooling our kids to travel. We’ve bonded as a family, and they’re learning through unique experiences.

Not a move abroad story – but another writer traveling the world, and oblivious that most people cannot do that because they have traditional jobs. And she has money.

WOW! Why Single Men Should Consider Moving Overseas (forbes.com)

Finally, after a year, someone wrote an article on single male travelers! Wow. I searched for information on solo traveling and except for one page, all I found was stories about solo women travelers. (My wife suggested I might want to consider some solo travel as she might not wish to stay as long in some places, as I might. She also did an extensive trip with her mother in 2022, which I was not on.)

Related:

• Why Do Women Like To Travel More Than Men? *A LOT MORE* – Coldstreams Travel and Global Thinking
• Old news: “More women embracing independence of solo travel” – Coldstreams Travel and Global Thinking
• Age discrimination in travel – Coldstreams Travel and Global Thinking

The Narcissism of Writers

Summarizing these articles exposed that writers write about themselves, or sometimes about other writers. And often little else! Here’s another example in a different publication and not about travel or emigration: ‘I was on the brink of burnout – but I didn’t see it coming. (About that author – LinkedIn)

The subject is always a writer, writing about their own life. Upon visiting Instagram pages, we often see the majority of photos feature themself. They expect to be the center of attention.

This creates a bias in media presentations that are provided to media consumers. Most of these writers come from privileged backgrounds, attended elite university programs, have studied or traveled abroad, an overwhelming majority are young, attractive women in their 20s (sometimes 30s), and feature themselves extensively in their writing and on their Instagram pages.

An oddity is most (not all, but most) of the young people who have moved abroad, proclaim America is awful – yet they came from privileged U.S. backgrounds, attended elite or expensive U.S. universities, often earning MA degrees in writing or journalism at elite schools (very expensive), have immigration and often pretty privilege, and then say America is awful. They don’t seem to notice the hypocrisy.

May Stop Recording These

At this point, the articles are all the same – a (usually) young white woman who is a writer, often from a world of privilege but paradoxically finds America awful, has moved abroad, found happiness and lived life happily ever after.

It has been an eye-opener as to how bad our media is – and what a monoculture it is of privileged snobbish elitists, out of touch with regular folks, and oblivious to their own privilege (often an immigration privilege that others do not have). I was surprised to see how many writers seem to be narcissists – just visit their Instagram page and see endless photos of themselves. Wild stuff!

The End 🙂