See Part 1: Immigration: The media myth that Americans can just move abroad for a better life – Coldstreams Travel and Global Thinking
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.
In almost all stories:
- The subjects of the stories have not really moved; many commute back and forth because they can’t get a residency visa (see Part 1 for many examples of this)
- 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” may have dual citizenship to start with and were not your traditional “American”; they have moved back to their ancestral country but have retained American citizenship.
- Or they married someone in the destination country
- The subjects of these stories are usually writers – because writers write stories about themselves or about other writers (the people they know). You do not find people who make or fix stuff for a living – just writers and occasional white collar paper pushers.
- Almost all start with “America is awful so we moved to … some other country”. For many of these writers, they were born had lived abroad or traveled extensively abroad before – they were never “that American” by virtue of their unique upbringing. Now living abroad they seem to look down upon, even disdain, those of us living in America. It’s not a very positive look.
A commenter to one of these fluffy stories referred to these as “aspirational nonsense” noting most people are not able to move another country, because many, probably most, cannot get a residency or extended stay visa in most countries.
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 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.
But 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. 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 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, however, but would help to make a residency visa available to me if we wished to live in 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 make it straightforward for older Americans to move there. But in many countries, it is very difficult or impossible for older Americans to emigrate. In a few countries, an “investment visa” (typically about $50k to $10M investment) enables the wealthy to buy their way into a residency visa.
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 immigation 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 actively discriminate against older adults – for fear of acquiring elder care expenses in their economy. In Canada, you lose 100 points for being age 40 or older and in some countries that starts by age 35. Unless you are young with an advanced degree in the right subject, you cannot emigrate to Canada – which these “aspirational nonsense” stories leave out.
The original list of “aspirational nonsense” stories in Part 1 has grown long, so new ones are added to Part 2.
CAUTION – Many of these nonsense stories come from Insider.com / Business Insider – a publication of disgraced financial industry executive Henry Blodgett, but now owned by Axel Springer Many of their stories, and especially the travel/emigration stories, are written by a 20-something female writers building a track record of work. While Business Insider does run some real news article, much of their content is content mill trash that pumps out huge numbers of stories to syndicate through Yahoo News, MSN Start and Google News. It caters to the “news scroller” – and just enough of their stories go “viral” (usually with hooks to emotions, outrage, and fear) to generate ad clicks to pay the bills.
Insider is one of the least trusted news sources yet accounts for the majority of these “aspirational nonsense” stories that you too could move abroad and live a better life.
CNBC: The top 10 countries where young Americans want to move abroad (cnbc.com)
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.
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.)
Many young have bought into this myth of moving abroad, promoted not by media outlets like Insider, and by 20-something influencers with social media cute privilege (and thoroughly 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 Deal With Homesickness, Loneliness While Living Abroad
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. In fact, she is a writer, and writes the same story over and over again – she’s also listed in Part 1 of this series.
Insider: Retired Couple Moved From US to Philippines to Build $140K Dream House
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.
He’s engaged to a woman from the Philippines (thus, future 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 well 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
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. So unless you plan to marry someone in the country, this is yet another aspirational story that doesn’t actually work for most people.
Insider: We spent decades exploring the world. Having a kid in our 40s entirely changed how we travel, but it’s not all bad.
Another writer … She’s lived all over the world and her residency in Switzerland is likely via marriage. She speaks six languages.
Insider: I moved from the US to the Netherlands. Here are 10 things that surprised me the most.
Both of her parents were Dutch, and while born in the U.S., she already spoke Dutch, so she could apply for Dutch citizenship as a child of Dutch parents. She had immigration privilege unlike you! (Hey, I’ve stood on the wall she is pictured standing on, in Leiden.) 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
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 privilege). She attended St Louis University with a year long 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.
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.
Her husband has dual EU/US citizenship. Duh. ” I got residency through my husband because he’s an Irish EU citizen.” Anyone can do this – provided you have immigration privilege. Yet another B.S. article from Business Insider.
CNN: They moved from the US to cook American food in deepest Italy. Here’s what happened
She already had dual citizenship in the U.S. and Italy (via Italian ancestry), had attended college in Rome, and her husband had Brazilian citizenship. So much international privilege, just like you of course! 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%’
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. Oh, and 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
Another writer, of course. Says he moved to the Netherlands for love of a guy; 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.
She was shocked by the health insurance marketplace but eventually ended up with free health care on a Medicaid type 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
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
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.
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
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 extends a residency visa to those from Spanish speaking countries of Latin America.
4 Tips on Buying a Home in Italy From an American Who’s Done It
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?
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.
Insider: Surprising Things After Moving From US to South Africa
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
She moved to Paris but is now living in London. What do you think she does for a living? Sigh. 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
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)
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
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
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
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
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
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.
They eventually moved back to the United States. You’ll never guess what she did to earn money while living in Ecuador!
Insider: How Much I Spend Living in Buenos Aires, Argentina and Why I Love It
Big surprise – what do you think she does for a living? 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.
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.
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
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 specifically 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 form Brazil, which is of Portuguese heritage, is labeled “Hispanic” even though they do not speak Spanish. 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 – the point that it is total 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” (many of whom are now a majority) 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 Argentia, 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
Another gay couple (straight guys don’t move to Europe, obviously). 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”.
Insider: American Who Relocated to Germany Details Disappointing Experience, Regret (archive.org)
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 has also 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.
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
She already 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!
Insider: Americans in Europe Share Culture Shock of Feeling Safe, Free Healthcare (businessinsider.com)
The first on their list was already 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
Perhaps also because of immigration privilege: “As Luban has dual US-German citizenship, he didn’t need a visa to live in Spain. However, Medlen was required to obtain a residence permit.” (This might be another story duplicate they are re-running in 2024.)
Insider: I Moved My Family of 6 From Milwaukee to New Zealand
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
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
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
Another writer – moved to England with her family. No info on visas.
Insider: Working Mom Found Her Passion After Quitting Her Job and Moving Abroad.
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
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
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
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 🙂 She also tells the same story of her move, repeatedly.
Insider: Boomer Moved to Canada for Love; Got a Good Retirement, Nice Weather
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
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. 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 is a trash publication that publishes nonsense and bullshit articles like this.
Insider: I Moved to Norway for Work. Being an American Has Helped Me Get Ahead.
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.
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
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
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
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.
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
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
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
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. “
I moved to Europe thinking living and working there would be a dream come true. I wasn’t prepared for the loneliness.
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
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
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.
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
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…
Insider: I’ve been moving back and forth between Japan and the US for years. The quality of life in Japan is much better.
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.
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
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)
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
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
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
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
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
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. Once again, 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
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.
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)
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.
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
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
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)
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
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
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.
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
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
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.
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)
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
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.
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
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
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.
Insider: Gen Zer Left NYC for Italy, Where the Wine Is $4 and the Pace Is Slow (businessinsider.com)
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)
This is a fake news story, 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 – 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).
Insider: I Moved From US to Ireland, Realized American Work Culture Is Flawed
She 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 is Dutch and they plan to eventually move back Europe. 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.
Well+Good: How the ‘French Approach’ to Health Changed My Wellness Routine and Lowered My Stress Levels
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)
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’
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
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.
Insider: I moved to Europe thinking I would thrive. But I felt misunderstood and homesick, so I returned to the US.
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.
All women who moved abroad for romance. In fact, pretty much all of these “I moved abroad” stories are pseudo romance novellettes. 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?’
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
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
An 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.
The American who bought a home in Italy and found ‘big surprises’ inside | CNN
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
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.
Insider: What Luxembourg Does Better Than US, According to American Living There (businessinsider.com)
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 Gen Xer moved from California to Colombia after overcoming a rare disease. The cost of living is much cheaper, and life is more peaceful.
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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 me to the surprise 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 backgrounds, attended elite or expensive 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 🙂