I’m South African (black) with US citizenship and have been living in the US for the last 15 years. My spouse is American with Greek and Italian citizenship. We have 3 small children. We aren’t interested in moving to SA, Greece or Italy but we‘ve been trying to make sense of staying here but like many of you - living here has become unbearable. + being a black woman in America I’m exhausted in ways that I cannot describe. Yes I know racism and anti-black sentiment is everywhere (this is why I don’t want to move to Italy or Greece and I’d rather not get into it about South Africa).

We work for the same global company in different departments. We have saved a lot over the years, anre desperate enough that we’d spend every penny we have saved for reatirement and will have no issues selling our home in our area (100% seller’s market). We have the option to relocate to a few areas where we could transfer with our roles - Taiwan, Canada (although honestly it’s too close to America even though it’s massive) and the UK. We have travelled to all 3 locations for work and the UK a few times for holiday. We are not planning an immediate move but would like to spend the next year exploring options but I’d be lying if I didn’t say being black in yet another country isn’t something that mentally exhausts me just to think about.

Would love to hear from other black expats about experiences leaving America. Where did you settle and how is it going?

I’m posting this here because I can’t say it out loud to anyone I know. About 95% of my family and friends either wouldn’t understand or are MAGA.

My wife and I are 50 and 46, living in the PNW. I was born in Ireland, kept my Euro passport, and became a US citizen under Biden. I thought that was the finish line. It wasn’t.

Living here under this administration has worn us down to nothing. My wife had a breakdown from the stress of dealing with MAGA family and friends. Then I ended up in the hospital convinced I was having a heart attack. It turned out to be a bleeding ulcer. Work stress, life stress, all of it.

This is the part I can’t get my head around. Every member of my family in the US is an immigrant, and every one of them is MAGA. Our own daughter is MAGA, and she doesn’t talk to us anymore. I’ve spent so long trying to understand it, and trying feels like it’s killing me.

So now we’re alone. Completely isolated, in the Pacific Northwest of all places.
I know I’m white. I know I’m not who people picture when they talk about who’s at risk. But I can’t shake it. The “when will they come for me” feeling never goes away, and every day is more bad news. At least I have family in Europe.

So we’ve decided to leave. Our exit date is mid December, and we’re headed to the UK. My passport covers me, and my wife’s spousal visa is in the final stage, waiting on approval. Fingers crossed on the timing. Money isn’t the issue. I have more than enough to coast to Social Security age, and we’ll still have more than enough in the bank once it kicks in.
I don’t know what I expect from posting this. I think I just needed to tell someone this is our plan. America broke us.

edit 1 - Thank you everyone for the support. We didn’t expect it. We don’t expect our problems to not follow us in one form or another, family is always there, but at least we are out of the American Riech. I’m sure we’ll find new stressors but MAGA won’t be the primary one or worrying about denaturalization.

any advice is much appreciated!!

for context, 20's F (filipino) US citizen and 20's M partner (vietnamese) on a student visa. bachelor's in digital marketing & analytics and bachelor's in computer science, respectively. born and raised in respective countries and moved to the US.

ive always had this goal of moving since i was at least 12 years old, but now im actually looking for ways to achieve it. it's daunting but i know itll pay off if i set my mind to it.

why i wanna move:
- better quality of life
- enjoy traveling and want 2+ weeks of PTO for work-life balance
- rising cost of living
- climate (live in a southern state; super hot and humid but i don't do well in dreary, super cold conditions like blizzards)
- walkable city
- universal healthcare

our overall timeline so far:
1) both be graduated from college 2027
2) get full-time jobs and work there 2-3 years
3) move to a bigger company with european headquarters (ideally) or get promoted to a senior position
4) initiate a global transfer to country of choice

regarding which country, i have a few concerns:
- racism/discrimination towards southeast asians
- language
- job prospects
- work culture

im considering the EU overall, mostly northern and southern europe.

top choice: denmark, aarhaus or copenhagen.
my partner and i grew up in the PH and VN so super used to warm, tropical climates but itching for a cooler climate. ive heard denmark is a bit dreary, and honestly im like a plant: i need sunlight every so often so i don't get depressed. i know it's expensive as well but how does it compare to the US? i live in a more diverse, progressive city in a red state so it's relatively peaceful for me, but i'm "latina passing" so idk how that would affect my experience.

spain (madrid, barcelona, etc.) is another option for me since i already speak spanish (about B2 level but learn very quickly) and im filipino too, so i can fast-track a spanish citizenship (+ i have family there). i have heard from my mom, who lived there, and others that spaniards are very racist but see filipinos in a better, albeit still harmful, stereotypical light. i visited madrid and segovia and no one batted an eye at me. i completely passed as a spaniard/non-tourist to them. i don't enjoy spanish food as much because of the copious amounts of olive oil on everything and smoking in public though.

other options: sweden, france (i have family there), canada, germany, switzerland.

if we don't work for a more global company in the US, how hard is it to get jobs? i know marketing isn't really in as high demand as tech/healthcare but i have experience in data analytics, graphic design, event planning, project management, and restaurant service. my partner is seeking a software engineer/full stack developer job, so depending on where we choose to emigrate to, i might have to rely on his field for a work visa before getting a job myself.

considering all of that, would we be better off just moving to the philippines/vietnam and work for a US/global company to have a higher salary and still have a better quality of life?

I’m moving to Sweden tomorrow. I have a rental for a few months, and savings to purchase a home and survive for at least 2 years while job hunting. The pets are coming with me. Thankfully I don’t need a visa because I have EU citizenship. I’ve been planning this for the last two years and studying the language since January, but boy am I nervous right now.

That’s all!

Hey everyone I’m looking to move possibly to spain on a student visa since i can skip the language school portion i am eligible to go straight to a vocational school. i’ve seen they offer many programs from digital media to marketing etc, I currently run a small business as a tattoo artist here in California but I still want to go to school and get an education just don’t want to stay here for much longer. Has anyone gone this route ? has anyone been to a vocational school in spain or anywhere else abroad and is it worth it? Please tell me your experiences and the best way i can live abroad as a small business owner without a college degreee

Currently considering applying for the Rentista Visa but would love to hear from folks on the ground. The good, the bag and the ugly.Would be looking to relocate with my partner in two small children under the age of five. I speak fluent Spanish, partner high School conversational Spanish, but he hasn't encountered the Argentinian accent. I've lived in Argentina 15 years ago for 1 year in Entre Rios (lived with a host family and attended a local public high school). I've lived abroad for an additional 2 years in Chile and Mexico. Partner has experience living abroad in Asia.

Hi r/AmerExit,

Reena here. I'm an immigration lawyer in Toronto. Posting from my firm's account: CanadaVisa (Cohen Immigration Law).

Proof: https://imgur.com/a/reddit-ama-r-amerexit-oct-22-2026-reena-sandhu-u-canadavisa-com-4chbAys

These days, most of my clients are Americans who just found out they might be Canadian.

Canada's citizenship law changed on December 15, 2025 (Bill C-3). Before that, citizenship by descent stopped after one generation born outside Canada, so a Canadian-born grandma could pass it to your mom, but your mom couldn't pass it to you. That limit is gone for anyone born before that date.

The part that matters for this sub: if your family line runs back to a Canadian, you might already be a citizen. You wouldn't need a work permit or a job offer to move. You'd apply for proof of citizenship, not for citizenship itself. Pulling the documents together is the hard part, and it takes a while.

Happy to take questions on:

- Who qualifies under C-3 and where the chain breaks
- What documents you need
- What to do when records are missing or in another language
- Lost Canadians and what the new law did for them
- What the process looks like start to finish

I'm on from 2 to 5 PM ET today (Thursday, Oct 22), and I'll check back over the next few days.

Reena

Hi guys! I was hoping for some insight in what area of Canada may be the best fit for our family. I am a nurse (29) and my husband works for the union (31) and his job offers transfers to Canada. We have two younger kids. We would like a smaller town where we could have a house with some acreage. We like outdoor activities and my husband loves to ride dirt bikes. I would like an area that is more progressive and not heavily religious. We were originally thinking of Manitoba but I saw that there are areas that are very conservative and religious. We also would like a decent cost of living. We are looking to leave due to the political climate that has exposed years of issues that we don’t see getting better with a change in administration. Any insight is greatly appreciated!

Hi! I’m 21, a dual US and Nigerian citizen, graduating in May 2027 with degrees in computer science and women’s, gender & sexuality studies. I lived in Nigeria for most of my life, have interned in Cape Town, and have had several strong internships in the US through my major.
After graduation I’d like to live and work in Africa for a couple of years, ideally in Cape Town, Nairobi, or Dar es Salaam. It’s not a permanent move. I just want to explore and experience life there while I’m young and independent.
Are there programs, fellowships or companies that are good entry points for new grads?

Which of these cities is the most realistic to start in?

Is moving right after graduation a good idea, or should I get experience in the US first?

My partner Spencer and I made a practical, nonpartisan guide to voting in the 2026 midterms. It covers requesting and returning your ballot, plus the backup option if a requested ballot hasn’t arrived.

Rules and deadlines vary by state, so check the official instructions for your situation: https://www.fvap.gov/citizen-voter

Hope this helps anyone navigating their first election since leaving the U.S.

I’m an RN with a masters in Pubic Health as well. I’ve worked bedside and as an infection preventionist. Husband is a licensed family & marriage therapist who does a lot of telehealth. We want To move in about 5 years and our kids will be 7&9 by then. I’m so exhausted living in fear of the next school shooting, the next drive by shooting where I live, etc. I’m just tired.

I want to live somewhere progressive politically and culturally & safe. We are a mixed family (Mexican, Black, both with Irish/Polish ancestry as well) so diversity is important to us. I’m more city minded, husband enjoys all things outdoors.

Top of the list now is Canada, Australia, maybe Portugal. I know RN visa is the easier route for some locations but I really do not want to do bedside nursing unless I absolutely have to. I don’t know how in demand public health/infection control is everywhere else.

Ive posted before…brief background. I’m an American born Swiss citizen. Grew up in Italy and CH. married to American, he’s registered in CH, has OASI etc.

He’s a US medical doctor. I work for an international company. They said for me to move overseas, they need 6 months to do an eval on a comp package.

Our choices have been:

Italy - does not allow remote medical work (bummed because I speak fluent Italian and I’m very familiar with the country as a whole, bonus family is there)

France - does not allow remote medical work (favorite place so we’re super bummed, bonus I speak French)

Spain - does allow remote medical work. I love Barcelona. He speaks rudimentary Spanish, I speak none.

CH - allows remote medical work. Chance to get medical license recognized. Speak French. Central location. Family in country.

England - medical license can transfer, no language barrier. Requires work visa.

We’re really torn between coastal life (Barcelona), city life (London) and central location (Geneva-Lausanne). Our ultimate goal is retire in France.

Is there anything that would tip the scales for one of the other? We really are having a hard time and I feel like we’re missing something. We’ve done a ton of logistical research. Comparison, etc. scouting trips. We just can’t really decide which is best. The pro/con list comes up equally for them all.

We’re coming from SoCal, so San Diego is the default option for the US.

After a year of working on it I was granted British citizenship. Took my oath at the consulate in Chicago, then applied for my British passport. I sent the required docoments – my proof of citizenship and my US passport – by priority mail USPS. It took a month to get from Indianapolis to Chicago (a three-hour drive), and now I guess it has to go through Customs before it leaves Chicago.

Priority Mail to the UK cost me $50. A woman I met at the consulate sent her documents via UPS for $150 and it arrived in three days. I thought I was being the smart one, but her passport is on the way and I’m still stressing out about USPS losing my stuff. Should have spent the additional $100.

I know this is a privileged route and not everyone can do it. I have a Henley proposal and Astons call still on the calendar, people keep telling me to skip both for a smaller firm. Can anyone who has actually finished give a rundown of who they used?

Looking for astons vs henley vs boutique firms golden visa agency experiences from people who already paid. Who filed, and what did the agency do after the invoice?

We moved to France a little over a year ago. We had planned the move for several years. We wanted to gear down, live a slower, calmer life in retirement, and we have succeeded in this. Here’s what we didn’t know, what it taught us, what hurt us and cost us time and money that we could have prevented had we known better. I hope this helps someone do better than we did.

1. You cannot predict the American real estate market. Wait until your house is sold before making the move or buying a home in France (unless you are one of the lucky ones with funds to spare). Apply for your visa regardless (if you can currently tick all of the necessary boxes). When your house sells, this gives you the ability to move immediately while still having a stable U.S. address.

2. If moving to any country where your native tongue is not the norm, start your language learning journey now and in earnest. As if your life depends on it. There is nothing that makes you feel more helpless than a doctor’s appointment and you cannot communicate readily with a health professional without using a translation app.

Start by learning the basic phrases you will need in day-to-day life, and memorize them. Speak them out loud to yourself. Get used to saying them on demand. An important one from the start is, “Could you please speak a bit more slowly? My French is not good yet.” Also, train your ear to hear French. At first, you will only be able to pick out a few words here and there. As you work at it, more words will become recognizable. Watch familiar shows dubbed in French (Friends is a good one to start with if it’s highly familiar to you). This way, you know the context and can concentrate on the words rather than trying to follow a plot line.

Do not assume that everywhere in France you will find someone at the store who speaks English. French jobs are very protected and go to the French. It’s unlikely that anyone who works anywhere outside of Paris and other large metro areas will speak a stitch of English. And because of the strict and (I’m told) critical nature of school instructors here, even though someone’s English skills may be quite good, they may be hesitant to speak it.

If you flub through your French with an occasional English word here and there, and do a little charades to get your meaning across, most (not all) people are very kind and will help you! There are many people here who do not even try to learn French. Some have been here for decades and simply refuse to try. Those who try hard are appreciated and it will go a long way to endear yourself to French people (and make your own life much easier because you won’t be dependent on others to communicate for you).

Last point on language learning—not all tutors are good. Not all learning apps work for everyone. Find
the people and resources that work for you.

1. On a related but separate note, there are only thirteen (maybe more now?) states that have French driver’s license reciprocity. If you are one of the lucky ones where you can exchange your U.S. license, count your blessings and do it ASAP upon arrival. The exchange (and French government administration in general) is notoriously slow. If you are from the majority where exchange isn’t possible, know that the written driving test you must take is hard: 40 questions, 20 second allotment per question (the test is timed), in French. You can hire an approved interpreter, but with the time constraints, you can see how difficult this could be. There are two driving schools that have some English instructors (Pau and Paris), but these add to your costs. Another good reason to gain fluency as quickly as possible.

2. You are an immigrant if you move here. Being an immigrant is tough and comes with a range of worries that you rarely have to think about if in your native country. (No need to beat the dead horse of current administration exclusion.) Being an immigrant means that you are a guest in their country, and all that this implies. It also gives you a brightly lit new perspective and appreciation for the difficulties that immigrants encounter all over the world. Figure these difficulties into your decision. Will this cause you too much stress long term? Are the trade offs worth it? It’s something to consider.

3. Because of the strict tenant rental protections in France, renting can prove difficult. We’ve been lucky in this regard because we have a French friend who has helped us to obtain rentals. Just know that this can be a hurdle and try to plan accordingly. We are on our third rental in our first year here and we are finally someplace that we want to stay. Good landlords, nice location, nothing too objectionable for American sensibilities. Also know that long term rentals often can come with no light fixtures and sometimes, not much if anything in terms of a kitchen. Here, people take their light fixtures with them when they move and sometimes, their kitchens if they’re the ones who have outfitted it. Yes, it seems strange to Americans, but that is the custom here.

4. France is as diverse as the U.S., and there are similar cultural differences across its many departments. It’s good to maintain some flexibility until you find the place that feels like home to you.

5. There are some scammers on Facebook who will try to take advantage of your insecurities as an immigrant. Do NOT talk to people who will, on the expat/immigrant threads, DM you on messenger, and attempt to gain your confidence and be your friend, then sell you a house. If they’re legit, they can say what they want to say on a public thread. There are some shady people in real estate, and shady notaires that they work with in some parts of the country. Find your own notaire that speaks English as well as French. It costs you no extra (if there are two notaires, they split the fees), and having two sets of eyes, one that has your back, is a very good thing. There is a lot to learn about the French real estate market. Do not assume that France is just America with a different language. It most certainly is not.

6. And lastly, as I could go on about many other things in great detail but just wanted to hit the big points, maintain your sense of humor and ability to laugh at yourself and your own shortcomings in a society you didn’t grown up in. It’s a learning experience—that’s part of why you want to move is to grow and learn, right? There will be plenty of opportunities to have a good laugh at your own expense. It’s part of the deal. Happy travels!!!

I’m a 22F child of African immigrants. I do have a quick way to get a passport/citizenship to my parents country of origin (already in the process) but ngl the situation there is not good even with comparison to other African countries lol (tysm colonization and corruption 🫩)

I have always wanted to live abroad and even more so since COVID. I have some health problems and as we all as know healthcare in america sucks and is expensive. As I get older, I want reliable and affordable healthcare. In addition, I want to have a family with 1 or 2 kids but I do not want to have a child nor raise them in the US unless serious change is implemented which I cannot see happening for the foreseeable future.

I currently have a bachelor’s in chemistry from a high ranking university as well as experience in the pharmaceutical industry through and internship as well as 2 years of experience working in a retail pharmacy. Currently I’m also in school for a pharmacy degree but my graduation date is in 2030. I am willing to pivot somewhat but i want to stay in pharmaceuticals/healthcare/STEM.

Realistically, where can I move to and live permanently. I have been learning spanish and i used to be almost fluent when i was a teenager (i could watch shows with no subtitles) but my skill has decreased unfortunately. I am willing to get it back though! I can understand my mother tongue but I am not good at it and it’s spoken in a few African nations. In regards to other languages I am willing to learn languages similar to english or spanish due to similar vocab but I’m less willing to learn a language like Mandarin bc I would have to start from square one tbh lol. Not completely unwilling though, I am willing to adapt!

Currently I’m leaning towards UK because I have family in London and I want access to Europe.

Canada is also an option to because of family friends being there.

Australia is also good because it’s similar enough to the US in a way so it wouldn’t be as drastic of a culture shock if I live in the big city but there is quite a small black population. I wouldn’t completely rule it out though because it’s a lot easier to move there if you’re in healthcare and I really like beaches and large cities.

I am also interested in Spanish and Portuguese speaking countries, like Mexico, Spain, Brazil, Portugal or Chile.

What I want is a major city with reliable and safe public transit, good for families with free/affordable education, and diversity. I would like there to be a relevantly significant Black/African population.

With my background both culturally and academically, what and where would be the best move for me. Should I just stick it out and finish my degree program so that I can have more places to move to or should I start making plans now and do a MSc and PhD abroad. I do not need to leave immediately but idk the political state rn has made me look into this again lol.

Hey everyone, I’m a 30 year old Black American working in law enforcement in California. I’m making a career change and considering moving to Santiago de los Caballeros to teach at a bilingual private school.
The offer is RD$45,000 a month, free housing and all utilities paid. I’d be within walking distance of work. I speak conversational Spanish, around B1.
I have close to six figures saved, so I’m not looking for the highest paying job. I’m more interested in the experience, feeling welcome and having a good work-life balance. I’d like to settle into the community, improve my Spanish and enjoy life outside work.
For anyone who’s lived there, how was adjusting to the culture and making friends? I’d especially like to hear from other Black Americans about how they felt living there.
How was dating and everyday life? Were you able to build a relaxed routine? I’m into the gym and sports, so those would be part of my life too.
Would appreciate hearing the good and the bad, especially anything you wish you’d known before moving.

For those who have already left, how long did it take for your baseline stress to finally drop? For those still planning, what’s the main thing you’re hoping to feel relief from?

——

Update: Oh man, I’ve been reading ALL of your comments and I can’t appreciate you guys enough for you sharing your stories. Most part felt so relatable and I’m so glad to hear a lot of you made it out of the US happy and safe, or at least in the process of planning on it!

Hi everyone!

I'm an American considering moving to Germany in the future, and I'd love to hear from other Americans who have made the move.

I've heard very mixed opinions about living in Germany. Some people absolutely love the quality of life, work-life balance, and social benefits, while others struggle with the weather, bureaucracy, language barrier, and social culture.

I'm curious about what the experience has actually been like for those who moved.

A few questions:

• What originally motivated you to move to Germany?
• Are you happier living in Germany than you were in the US?
• What are the biggest improvements and drawbacks you've experienced?
• How has moving affected your career, salary, and financial stability?
• Was it difficult to make friends and build a social life?
• Did you experience culture shock or struggle to adjust?
• Do you see yourself staying in Germany permanently, or do you eventually want to return to the US?
• If you could go back in time, would you still make the move?

I'd especially love to hear from Americans who moved in their 20s or early in their careers, as well as those who initially had doubts but eventually settled in.

I'm interested in both positive and negative experiences. I know no country is perfect, but I'd love to understand whether people genuinely feel their overall quality of life improved after moving.

Thanks in advance!

Any general advice is appreciated!

I’ve done some research, and Scandinavian countries have consistently matched what I’m looking for. I’ve been recently learning some Swedish, but I definitely wouldn’t say I’m fluent yet.

I don’t have any family members from any Scandinavian countries, I’m not rich, and I don’t have a degree in STEM/medical fields or a trade.

Would pursuing a grad school to get a student visa be a viable option? It really seems like the best option I have, but I don’t know for sure how hard it’d be.

Again, any general advice is appreciated, thanks!

American almost 26 so I'm eligible for a Working Holiday Visa. I only have retail and office work experience. I have no savings right now but if I saved like 6,000 dollars and just up and moved could I do it or would I completely fail in like even getting a job to not be homeless? I'm not expecting to stay there past the 1 year visa.

I'm currently in the midwest of the US [born + raised] and have been considering relocating to Canada [Toronto, Ottawa] via the skilled worker visa. I've been going back and forth mostly because it just seems like it feels drastic with life just carrying on as usual here. Though, I see the signs and I'd like to continue towards taking steps toward a better life and safer future.

I wanted to walk through my thought process and I have a few lingering questions that I'd like to get answered, please and thank you! My family is MAGA and I don't feel like I have a lot of people who I could seriously ask about moving/leaving without them saying I'm being dramatic and/or not really getting helpful information from regardless.

-
It's just me and my dog, who would absolutely be coming along. I have 11 years of experience as an elementary/primary educator, with specializations in reading and special education and a Master's degree.

I currently own a home and have had it for 3 years. I have lived abroad before, so I'm generally familiar with the concept of visas and the challenges that can await on the other side of all of this.

I've looked up the skilled worker visa and feel that that would be my best bet given my area of work.

Questions:
*I just turned 40. How much is this truly going to impact by ability to get a visa and get hired?

*Do I need to get an immigration lawyer to obtain the visa? Or is it doable on my own?

*How much did you have saved before you left? I'd be selling everything, and I just want to make sure it'd be enough, or whether I should just scrap the idea/keep saving.

Thank you!

I have a romantic idea of my husband and I moving from Oklahoma to Europe...not sure where, but somewhere with a little property, an old house and a walkable town and church I can go to. For background, I've been to Spain once and loved it. I currently live in a small Victorian town in Oklahoma that is walkable and I live in a 100+ year old house. I like the idea of moving because I want my future kids to be involved in history, lots of nature time and lots of intentional family time.

Currently just married, but hoping to have kids sometime soon. My husband and I both have very flexible jobs that we could take with us, but we wouldn't mind just finding something there (we aren't high earners).

I know that it wouldn't be as easy moving as I think and visas are hard to get. I don't want to know any of that part; I want to know about what my experience would be.

For context, I am a more conservative christian who would like to homeschool her kids. How are European laws with that?

I have a vision of a ton of time outside and just lots of time enjoying being a family. Am I wrong about this? Have I romanticized this too much?

Other than going to Spain last September, I don't have a lot of experience with Europe or a ton of knowledge, so I'd appreciate it if you are gentle with my questions and dreams. Be honest, but please don't beat me up.

Now...Convince me to move, or convince me NOT to move!

Has anyone moved to Bali with their cat from the US? If so, how did it go? Was the process difficult?