WSJ: Americans are leaving the US in record numbers

[Anonymous]

Americans Are Leaving the U.S. in Record Numbers

“In its 250th year, is America, land of immigration, becoming a country of emigration?,” the Wall Street Journal reports.

“Last year the U.S. experienced something that hasn’t definitively occurred since the Great Depression: More people moved out than moved in. The Trump administration has hailed the exodus—negative net migration—as the fulfillment of its promise to ramp up deportations and restrict new visas. Beneath the stormy optics of that immigration crackdown, however, lies a less-noticed reversal: America’s own citizens are leaving in record numbers, replanting themselves and their families in lands they find more affordable and safe.”

[Anonymous]

Wait I thought that housing is so expensive because so many illegal immigrants are coming in that they’re taking up all the housing and if we fixed that housing costs would boom! Go down!

[Anonymous]

These are probably the financially comfortable and educated leaving. Chasing a middle class lifestyle somewhere else as it declines here.

[Anonymous]

I'd leave if I could. It's not that I hate the US nor current situation politically, although I do think current path of the US is on the way down.

It's more that in being educated in how life is lived in other countries, I think I'd be personally happier.

Culturally and economically, my ambitions of wanting to be rich and powerful are not aligned with the American necessity for success at all costs. It's a personal decision of course, and it doesn't mean I want to live in any other country in the world but maybe there are options offering me more fulfillment.

I've learned that the US is not the only country in the world that offers happiness, it's not exclusively the best country in the world to live for 100% of humans and that the US is about one thing and that is success, hard stop.

Without money, life in the US sucks. Without money, life in some other countries may be possible. When you compare their lifestyle to an average American one, it looks different. But when you see that they have community, a safety net of healthcare, infrastructure, public transportation, less choices in opportunity but more basic needs fulfilled, it's not horrible.

The economic pressures of living in the US will grow and unless you're willing to meet them, it is harder than simply enjoying a less opulent lifestyle but maybe one that is more content. For some, it aligns with their desires, for me, I can be happier with less. I just want to eat deliciously, have a place to rest, friends who are with me often and do something I'm good at and enjoy.

A small life but one that is enough for me. In the US, it's impossible without employer sponsored health insurance so right there, I'm done for! Lol

[Anonymous]

As soon as I retire I am leaving. Plan in hand already. The US just isn't fun or pleasant anymore.

[Anonymous]

America is the land where you make money. That's it.

We made our millions and will probably move to another country when the youngest finishes college in a few years. I have a friend who moved several years ago to Europe, and they *love* it. No shooter drills for their kids in school, reasonable healthcare costs, laid back lifestyle, so much traveling. I'm so jealous when I look at their social media.

Americans collectively are stressed out because of the gun violence and now, violence from our own government against our own citizens. We have very little work/life balance. Crap social safety nets.

America is only great if you have money, as a PP stated.

[Anonymous]

I started thinking about second citizenship as soon as the J6ers were pardoned and got serious about it after the ICE murders. It’s quite a process but it will be nice to have as a backup.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As soon as I retire I am leaving. Plan in hand already. The US just isn't fun or pleasant anymore.

I said the same thing. Then investigated more fully and changed my mind. If you have family & friends overseas it might make sense. But uprooting your entire social structure in older age and moving to a foreign country is a huge risk. If you don’t have family overseas you will never fit into the local culture, and will grow old as an outsider.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:America is the land where you make money. That's it.

We made our millions and will probably move to another country when the youngest finishes college in a few years. I have a friend who moved several years ago to Europe, and they *love* it. No shooter drills for their kids in school, reasonable healthcare costs, laid back lifestyle, so much traveling. I'm so jealous when I look at their social media.

Americans collectively are stressed out because of the gun violence and now, violence from our own government against our own citizens. We have very little work/life balance. Crap social safety nets.

America is only great if you have money, as a PP stated.

Honestly I think this is how the entire world sees us. We have a money hungry culture and everyone knows it. Our healthcare system exposes it in the worst way, we are willing to squeeze the last dime out of our sickest and our poorest.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As soon as I retire I am leaving. Plan in hand already. The US just isn't fun or pleasant anymore.

I said the same thing. Then investigated more fully and changed my mind. If you have family & friends overseas it might make sense. But uprooting your entire social structure in older age and moving to a foreign country is a huge risk. If you don’t have family overseas you will never fit into the local culture, and will grow old as an outsider.

I wonder if we are going to see this as a growing option since the amount of childless adults is growing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:America is the land where you make money. That's it.

We made our millions and will probably move to another country when the youngest finishes college in a few years. I have a friend who moved several years ago to Europe, and they *love* it. No shooter drills for their kids in school, reasonable healthcare costs, laid back lifestyle, so much traveling. I'm so jealous when I look at their social media.

Americans collectively are stressed out because of the gun violence and now, violence from our own government against our own citizens. We have very little work/life balance. Crap social safety nets.

America is only great if you have money, as a PP stated.

When the American voting idiots have finally had enough of living under the rule of the ultra-wealthy 2%, they'll stop supporting the corrupt GOP and Dem Parties and we can take our country back.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As soon as I retire I am leaving. Plan in hand already. The US just isn't fun or pleasant anymore.

I said the same thing. Then investigated more fully and changed my mind. If you have family & friends overseas it might make sense. But uprooting your entire social structure in older age and moving to a foreign country is a huge risk. If you don’t have family overseas you will never fit into the local culture, and will grow old as an outsider.

Wise words. But I am one a the lucky few who has already lived in the target country, I speak the language well enough to do graduate level course work and business there, a cohort of friends, both local and expat, and already know well the headaches of a new bureaucracy since I have been an expat on a number of occasions over the years. In that regard I am lucky.

No it isn't easy or romantic and for many impractical and lonely.

[Anonymous]

There is always movement, emigration or immigration, and in this country usually both simultaneously. Many people want to move here, some even legally, and some want to leave. Other 1st World countries experience the same thing. 3rd World countries usually experience emigration in far greater numbers than immigration, for obvious economic and political stability reasons. Nothing new under the sun. It's almost always motivated by economic opportunity if immigrating, and by a desire for a cheaper lifestyle if emigrating. Some people make noise about politics, but they're a tiny, if vocal, minority. Few people disrupt their lives to make a political point.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd leave if I could. It's not that I hate the US nor current situation politically, although I do think current path of the US is on the way down.

It's more that in being educated in how life is lived in other countries, I think I'd be personally happier.

Culturally and economically, my ambitions of wanting to be rich and powerful are not aligned with the American necessity for success at all costs. It's a personal decision of course, and it doesn't mean I want to live in any other country in the world but maybe there are options offering me more fulfillment.

I've learned that the US is not the only country in the world that offers happiness, it's not exclusively the best country in the world to live for 100% of humans and that the US is about one thing and that is success, hard stop.

Without money, life in the US sucks. Without money, life in some other countries may be possible. When you compare their lifestyle to an average American one, it looks different. But when you see that they have community, a safety net of healthcare, infrastructure, public transportation, less choices in opportunity but more basic needs fulfilled, it's not horrible.

The economic pressures of living in the US will grow and unless you're willing to meet them, it is harder than simply enjoying a less opulent lifestyle but maybe one that is more content. For some, it aligns with their desires, for me, I can be happier with less. I just want to eat deliciously, have a place to rest, friends who are with me often and do something I'm good at and enjoy.

A small life but one that is enough for me. In the US, it's impossible without employer sponsored health insurance so right there, I'm done for! Lol

If you've never lived abroad you don't really know how much of an outsider you are as a foreigner. Except perhaps in Canada after an adjustment period where we can fit in fairly well.

That said, I totally get leaving the US now. My family and job obligations don't allow me to even consider leaving, but it's miserable here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd leave if I could. It's not that I hate the US nor current situation politically, although I do think current path of the US is on the way down.

It's more that in being educated in how life is lived in other countries, I think I'd be personally happier.

Culturally and economically, my ambitions of wanting to be rich and powerful are not aligned with the American necessity for success at all costs. It's a personal decision of course, and it doesn't mean I want to live in any other country in the world but maybe there are options offering me more fulfillment.

I've learned that the US is not the only country in the world that offers happiness, it's not exclusively the best country in the world to live for 100% of humans and that the US is about one thing and that is success, hard stop.

Without money, life in the US sucks. Without money, life in some other countries may be possible. When you compare their lifestyle to an average American one, it looks different. But when you see that they have community, a safety net of healthcare, infrastructure, public transportation, less choices in opportunity but more basic needs fulfilled, it's not horrible.

The economic pressures of living in the US will grow and unless you're willing to meet them, it is harder than simply enjoying a less opulent lifestyle but maybe one that is more content. For some, it aligns with their desires, for me, I can be happier with less. I just want to eat deliciously, have a place to rest, friends who are with me often and do something I'm good at and enjoy.

A small life but one that is enough for me. In the US, it's impossible without employer sponsored health insurance so right there, I'm done for! Lol

Yes, I think many people want to be taken care of by their government.