Americans moving abroad squeezing out local populations

Americans and others moving to many countries are having an adverse impact on the locals: Gentrifying beyond borders: How Americans displace locals abroad (prismreports.org)

In some cases, Americans with privilege are driving up prices in the destination geography – where local wages are low, causing harm to the local citizens.

Social media is filled with “influencers” boasting of moving abroad to where life is wonderful, everything is cheap, and by the way, America is awful and it is so much better in their new country.

Media, which often takes its story ideas from social media, runs with these stories – every day brings stories of “This individual/couple/family moved to country X where everything is wonderful” (See the Myth series, Part 1 and 2, in the right column of this page).

Americans are dripping with privileges – including visa free travel, access to the strong U.S. dollar, including income from the U.S., where wages are high – while living in countries that are cheap because local wages are low and many people live in poverty. Writers have location independent work options that few others have – only about 20% of U.S. workers, as of summer 2024, are doing remote work now. Most people need to do in-person work, for access to equipment, facilities, customers and people – most people have to work in person to do the work that makes it possible for privileged elite writers to work remotely – but writers do not get that.

The media promotes this idea that you can just move abroad: Retiring abroad could lower your cost of living, experts say (cnbc.com)

As the original article, above, 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 move abroad, often as writers, content creators and social media influencers, are oblivious to their privilege – and simultaneously bash the United States which makes their privilege possible.

“Living abroad is often cited as a life-changing experience by Americans who’ve enjoyed the privilege, and according to the DACA recipients who spoke to Prism, those with the means to travel should. But they should be cognizant of their privileges, mindful of their impact, and make sincere efforts to build community.”

Gentrifying beyond borders: How Americans displace locals abroad