WSJ: Americans are leaving the US in record numbers

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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!

It was only a net decrease of a 150,000 people. When it gets to negative 10-15 million you'll see some results. Especially if all the people talking about moving upthread actually follow through.

US birth rates will also decline.

[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 don't think we're at a point yet where American neighborhoods or districts will form in other countries, like creating sizable "little Americas" outside of European or Australian cities where people would land and find others with common backgrounds as well as resettlement services the way refugees here have orgs that take them in and offer assistance. That's why it will be harder for an older couple in their 60s+ to pull this off unless they have a lot of money and little to no fear of having few friends and feeling like an outsider. Portugal and Italy are touted as retirement hotspots for Americans, but how happy are the people after a year? Do most of them move back here? Are they all culturally connected to these countries?

[Anonymous]

So here's the deal. Other countries like Europe appear to have free services etc but the reality is they are subsidized by the us and don't have to pay for the military etc even we pay more for healthcare drugs and products because we are subdizing other countries. When the us stops this those countries will get invaded and fall apart and no longer have cheaper services

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

That"s what a government is for. That's why we pay taxes.

Yes thats communism

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So here's the deal. Other countries like Europe appear to have free services etc but the reality is they are subsidized by the us and don't have to pay for the military etc even we pay more for healthcare drugs and products because we are subdizing other countries. When the us stops this those countries will get invaded and fall apart and no longer have cheaper services

Do you actually believe this nonsensical propaganda? You actually believe that Europeans have a social safety net because we are keeping them safe? We don’t have a social safety net because that’s what Americans vote for. Do you love kool aid that much? Think about things for at least 3 minutes before you bother typing it out please.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So here's the deal. Other countries like Europe appear to have free services etc but the reality is they are subsidized by the us and don't have to pay for the military etc even we pay more for healthcare drugs and products because we are subdizing other countries. When the us stops this those countries will get invaded and fall apart and no longer have cheaper services

Actually no.
It’s a different value system.

But here’s a fact for you to mull.
The per capita GDP of Mississippi (the poorest state in the U.S.) is about equal to Germany’s.

Mississippi’s per capita GDP is higher than that of the UK, France and most EU countries.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t think moving abroad is for everyone, but I’m not surprised that people are becoming more expat curious. Healthcare and a better education system and potentially lower costs of living may become more attractive as the economy declines. The birth rates are declining across the west so other countries might start to be more welcoming to Americans since we have money and are low risk.

Why do Americans call themselves expats and not immigrants?

Because no human is illegal.

[Anonymous]

Well at least ICE won’t murder them in foreign countries.

[Anonymous]

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

Count me in that group. I’ve narrowed it down to two countries.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Well at least ICE won’t murder them in foreign countries.

There's that.

I'm also tired of all that money going to the military that could be helping actual Americans who paid taxes.

Between US citizens and wealthy immigrants leaving, and the birth rate that's just going to keep decreasing, I guess the Heritage Foundation is really going to accomplish their desire to decrease the US population.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So here's the deal. Other countries like Europe appear to have free services etc but the reality is they are subsidized by the us and don't have to pay for the military etc even we pay more for healthcare drugs and products because we are subdizing other countries. When the us stops this those countries will get invaded and fall apart and no longer have cheaper services

Do you actually believe this nonsensical propaganda? You actually believe that Europeans have a social safety net because we are keeping them safe? We don’t have a social safety net because that’s what Americans vote for. Do you love kool aid that much? Think about things for at least 3 minutes before you bother typing it out please.

DP.

Listen. We pay and pay in this country and don't get anything except half the country working and the other half enjoying the fruits of that labor. ENOUGH.

You let us know when we have high-speed rail, which has been sucking up money for thirty GD years. Nothing to show for except environmental impact statements, studies, committees to discuss things to death, and a bunch of rich politicians and lawyers.

[Anonymous]

Anyone have facts to share about migration, or only opinions

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So here's the deal. Other countries like Europe appear to have free services etc but the reality is they are subsidized by the us and don't have to pay for the military etc even we pay more for healthcare drugs and products because we are subdizing other countries. When the us stops this those countries will get invaded and fall apart and no longer have cheaper services

Do you actually believe this nonsensical propaganda? You actually believe that Europeans have a social safety net because we are keeping them safe? We don’t have a social safety net because that’s what Americans vote for. Do you love kool aid that much? Think about things for at least 3 minutes before you bother typing it out please.

DP.

Listen. We pay and pay in this country and don't get anything except half the country working and the other half enjoying the fruits of that labor. ENOUGH.

You let us know when we have high-speed rail, which has been sucking up money for thirty GD years. Nothing to show for except environmental impact statements, studies, committees to discuss things to death, and a bunch of rich politicians and lawyers.

You seriously think you don’t have a social safety net because we keep Europe safe and high speed rail? What are you even talking about? Listen—- you don’t have the same things as Europeans because you keep voting for REPUBLICANS

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Another thing is that 50% of the income tax people are paying today is going to just interest on the debt. No republican or democrat wants to touch that. The light at the end of the tunnel is a train.

An underrated statement. Bumping you up
Trump and billionaires use debt to make their billions.
Trump loves debt!
Debt Per Household: Approximately $286,108.
Current U.S. debt $38.79 trillion
(2017-2021) Trump $7.8 trillion debt increase
(January 20, 2025 – Present) Trump $3 trillion debt increase

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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!

It was only a net decrease of a 150,000 people. When it gets to negative 10-15 million you'll see some results. Especially if all the people talking about moving upthread actually follow through.

They won't leave. The greener grass is an abstraction, not the reality for most people unless they are unsuccessful financially and need a socialist-style government to support them on the backs of taxpayers.