The new American Dream is to leave America, expats say

As more Americans look to move abroad, experts and those who have actually left share their top tips and insights about how to do it

By Quartz Staff7 min readUpdated March 17, 2026

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The new American Dream is to leave America, expats say

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A year ago, Kelly McCoy left Buffalo, New York, with just two suitcases and sold her belongings to start fresh in Albania, a place she had never seen before. Nicole and Jordan Tarver, entrepreneurs from Seattle, also chose a new life in Majorca, Spain, selling most of what they owned at a garage sale before moving last fall. Elizabeth and Brian Lee, with their 10-year-old son, left their coastal New Jersey town to live in Playa del Coco, Costa Rica, finally realizing their dream of experiencing a different culture.

Even though their reasons are different, these people are part of a bigger trend: More Americans now see living outside the United States as the new American dream. Higher living costs, political worries, and the desire for a better work-life balance are pushing more people to think about moving abroad. The Association of Americans Resident Overseas (AARO) reports that about 5.5 million Americans now live outside the U.S., and that number keeps growing. In the first quarter of 2025 alone, 1,285 U.S. citizens left the country, which is 102% more than the same period last year. Many who have already moved say they don’t regret it, and some plan to stay for good.

Post-election surge

Interest in moving out of the U.S. jumped after the 2024 presidential election. Brett Andrews, who co-founded the relocation company Expatsi, said almost 30,000 people visited their website in the hours after President Donald Trump was reelected. That was more than their total visitors for all of 2022. Andrews and his partner, Jen Barnett, who moved to Mérida, Mexico, a year ago, now help other expats by connecting them with experts in immigration, taxes, financial planning, and moving advice. Expatsi’s data shows that two-thirds of their test-takers want to leave the U.S. by 2026, and 12% hope to move within six months.

The financial reality check

Money plays a big role in the decision to move abroad. In 2023, the average U.S. household spent $6,440 a month, or $77,280 a year, on living expenses, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That was a 5.9% increase from the year before, and inflation has likely made things even pricier since then. For McCoy, her finances made it impossible to stay in the U.S. She paid $1,200 a month for rent in Buffalo, but only $250 in Albania. Now living in Bucharest, Romania, her rent is $450, still much less than in the U.S. When she broke her arm in Albania, she received fast medical care, including specialist visits, X $TWTR-rays, and an MRI, all for free. The same care in the U.S. would have cost her thousands.

The Tarvers also found big savings in Spain, cutting $2,000 a month from their fixed costs after leaving Seattle. Their rent dropped by $600, groceries cost half as much, and private health insurance for both of them is just $190 a month, much less than before. For entrepreneurs like them, who no longer get company benefits, these savings really matter.

If you’re thinking about moving abroad, here are seven tips to help you get started.

Ready to be an expat? 7 tips for moving abroad

1. Narrow your options with discovery trips.

To kick off the process, Andrews recommends that Americans first travel to the places they might want to live to see if they’re a good fit. The Tarvers and the Lees both visited their respective homes abroad before settling down there.

McCoy bucked this traditional wisdom, seeing Albania as a temporary stepping stone. Discovery trips might be helpful, but until you live in a place, you won’t fully know whether or not it’s the right fit, she said. Plan on giving it at least a year.

2. Research available visas.

Before setting your heart on a specific country, you need to understand the immigration process to see if a move there is even possible for your situation.

“A very common mistake that people make is they tend to get fixated on the country before they determine whether they could even have a path to go there," Andrews said. “See what visas are available.”

Different visas serve different purposes:

Digital nomad visas: Growing rapidly since COVID, typically lasting one to three years for remote workers. More than 66 countries offer these visas, according to Global Citizen Solutions.
Skilled worker visas: For those with in-demand job skills in their new country.
Golden visas/investor visas: For those with significant assets to fully support themselves abroad, offering them some legal rights and access to public services.
Retirement visas: For those with steady retirement income that will support them abroad.

Andrews notes that some expats have gotten dual citizenship abroad based on ancestry ties to other countries. However, the popularity of these programs has prompted some countries like Ireland and Spain to restrict citizenship by ancestry to having a native-born parent or grandparent versus allowing for more generations. Double-check the country’s rules and find out what paperwork is required to prove ancestral citizenship ties.

3. Figure out how you’ll earn an income.

Before getting a visa or applying for citizenship, most countries require you to prove you have stable work or a means of supporting yourself with other income, such as retirement savings, pension, or investment income, Andrews said. Some countries also allow skilled workers to apply for work visas in certain job sectors, such as tech, teaching or health care.

While some U.S. companies (like Brian Lee’s) allow remote work from anywhere in the world, not all are as flexible due to tax implications. Before assuming you can pick up and work abroad, check with your human resources department first. And if you’re self-employed, you may need to provide proof of clients and regular income.

4. Don’t forget about tax planning.

As long as you maintain your U.S. citizenship, you’ll still have to file taxes every year and report income from all sources — no matter where you live.

The IRS allows certain tax breaks for American citizens with a tax home in a foreign country. Take your federal tax documents with you when you relocate and consult a tax professional to learn what your tax burdens — in the U.S. and abroad — might look like, Andrews said.

“Don’t try and go it alone because you might miss something that costs you thousands of dollars or even your residency somewhere down the line,” Andrews advised.

5. Downsize your living expectations.

Americans are accustomed to super-sized living — from their homes to their cars and belongings. But in other countries, homes tend to be smaller, meaning you won’t have as much space or need as much stuff.

“I find that people have a problem with letting go of their personal belongings … of the material things. It’s an extremely American thing,” McCoy said.

In Europe and parts of Asia, public transportation is more widely available and cities are more walkable than much of the U.S., so you likely won’t need a car.

6. Make the right connections.

All of the expats said that moving abroad is made easier and less daunting when you have a trusted contact or community where you’re going. The Tarvers used a relocation assistant already based in Spain to help them set up their new home base, and the Lees worked with a real estate agent in Costa Rica to find housing, and were introduced to others in the community who helped them learn the ropes.

Expatsi and other online communities provide these types of connections. InterNations, GoExpat, Expatica, and American Citizens Abroad are other organizations worth checking into, and you can always look for expat groups online through Facebook $META and Meetup.

7. Be prepared for culture shock.

Vacationing abroad isn’t the same as actually living overseas, Jordan Tarver said.
“I don’t think you could really grasp the reality of culture shock until you’re in shock," he said. But if you keep an open mind and accept a slower pace of living, it’s worth it, Nicole Tarver said.

“There's a richness that will forever be in our lives now from experiencing a new culture, a new language, a new style of living, new people, and just getting out of the bubble that is the States,” said Nicole. “I think anytime you go somewhere that is totally different than what you're used to … it adds value to your life.”

McCoy admits there’s short-term discomfort when you move abroad, but what you gain in return stays with you for life.

“I dove head first, and I am thriving,” she said, adding that she doesn’t plan to come back to the U.S. “I'm doing really well. Six months before I moved to Albania, I didn't even know where it was. I knew nothing about it, and now I'm living in my second country in 11 months. I’m healthier than I’ve ever been.”

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