We left the U.S. five years ago when we decided to retire. We both had high paying jobs, but the kids were grown and left, and there was nothing but work where we lived. Plus we didn’t care for the state any longer, having grown up there. It was way too hot much of the year. So instead of getting new jobs in a place in which we preferred to retire, we just retired early and immigrated (we prefer lifestyle migration) at ages 59 and 60. But we researched and went to a country that has a very affordable cost of living, high quality of life, no taxes unless we work, and an easy path to permanent residency, which we have. After five years, Cuenca, Ecuador checks almost all of the boxes, but it’s been a roller coaster of things from learning the language, the culture, its own political issues, and living at 8400’ elevation. But we love it, we sing have cars, we eat very healthy, have established fantastic low cost medical care, have a lot of friends, and have bountiful cultural activities available. We made back pretty much everything we spent before both drawing Social Security, and live on 2/3 of that and save the rest. This year we paid zero U.S. income tax because we live so economically, and only took out about $7K from our retirement savings to supplement our travel. And we take 2-3 month long trips a year. Meanwhile we have learned that we prefer living here with our real adopted kitties, see our grown children every other year, sometimes when we are traveling, and avoiding all of the “unpleasantness” of the U.S. We did our work in the healthcare sector for 30+ years each, and now someone else can stay there and solve the problems.
I think a lot of these folks only have an abstract vision of “Europe” as some magical place where they can sip wine all day with charming locals who will gush and marvel at their sophistication. In their self-absorption, it may not occur to them that José or Jacques Six-Pack may not appreciate them showing up, driving up the prices of things, and exporting their neurotic misery to all around them.
They will automatically think you have an IQ of 22 if you are American. That said, they will ask things like, "Who will win the presidential election?" (Dunno man, polling is at 50/50.) or "Doesn't French have more words than English? (No, bro, not by like 400,000.)
I mean the fear might be sincere. And who knows, could be correct.
But I also wouldn’t discount the fact that liberal neurology just doesn’t care about family that much, and wouldn’t be especially pained by leaving family behind.
I’d like to see some statistics on the number of people who move to Europe vs the number who say they are going to, perhaps in frustration, on social media.
I agree. Other ways to "resist". Start a meal train for someone in your community who needs it. Donate your time to your local library. Write one sentence cheerful postcards to people in nursing homes. Say hello to your neighbors. Let hotrod Harry who zoomed up ahead of you in the merge lane in without throwing him the finger - it's not gonna kill you and you might even feel better about yourself. If you're super passionate, call your rep or email them with specific complaints about issues, along with specific ideas for addressing them. All dull, all better community making than huffing off to "anywhere in Europe" for asylum (gah).
I do wonder how many of these people were already thinking of retiring to Europe. At any rate, with anti-immigrant feeling increasing across Europe, this may not be the best time for them to become spurious "asylum seekers."
The "resistance" rhetoric has bothered me since Trump's first term. The resistance movements in wartime Europe risked their lives and the lives of their loved ones to fight Fascism. The anti-Trump "resistance" risk losing social media followers. Tasteless in the extreme.
My wife is an American in the UK. It a tough decision when we got married as to whether she should move here or I should move there. In the end, it came down to stuff about our lives that aren't applicable to most/all people, but it isn't a decision to take lightly. She misses her parents a lot. Also, I don't know how it works in Europe, but in the UK there are complicated rules about accessing healthcare for non-citizens and it isn't always free. Likewise, there are restrictions on claiming social security.
Now, if you see yourself in this piece, don’t come for it’s author. Instead, breathe, consider your immense privilege, and ask yourself if you think America is in danger, then how does emigrating help your neighbors and the nation? Thoughts?
I didn’t intend for it to come off as personal, so the feedback is most welcome.
It is the immense privilege part that, as the kids say, sends me. Sure, the US has problems. But most of us, especially us Substack types are doing a-ok. ;)
Bien dit.
It truly underlines the selfishness of financially wealthy Americans, and I’m sure it reinforces a negative stereotype maintained by the far right.
We left the U.S. five years ago when we decided to retire. We both had high paying jobs, but the kids were grown and left, and there was nothing but work where we lived. Plus we didn’t care for the state any longer, having grown up there. It was way too hot much of the year. So instead of getting new jobs in a place in which we preferred to retire, we just retired early and immigrated (we prefer lifestyle migration) at ages 59 and 60. But we researched and went to a country that has a very affordable cost of living, high quality of life, no taxes unless we work, and an easy path to permanent residency, which we have. After five years, Cuenca, Ecuador checks almost all of the boxes, but it’s been a roller coaster of things from learning the language, the culture, its own political issues, and living at 8400’ elevation. But we love it, we sing have cars, we eat very healthy, have established fantastic low cost medical care, have a lot of friends, and have bountiful cultural activities available. We made back pretty much everything we spent before both drawing Social Security, and live on 2/3 of that and save the rest. This year we paid zero U.S. income tax because we live so economically, and only took out about $7K from our retirement savings to supplement our travel. And we take 2-3 month long trips a year. Meanwhile we have learned that we prefer living here with our real adopted kitties, see our grown children every other year, sometimes when we are traveling, and avoiding all of the “unpleasantness” of the U.S. We did our work in the healthcare sector for 30+ years each, and now someone else can stay there and solve the problems.
What a story! Thanks for sharing, Marshall.
I think a lot of these folks only have an abstract vision of “Europe” as some magical place where they can sip wine all day with charming locals who will gush and marvel at their sophistication. In their self-absorption, it may not occur to them that José or Jacques Six-Pack may not appreciate them showing up, driving up the prices of things, and exporting their neurotic misery to all around them.
Haha they are deluded if they think Americans strike the average European as sophisticated.
They will automatically think you have an IQ of 22 if you are American. That said, they will ask things like, "Who will win the presidential election?" (Dunno man, polling is at 50/50.) or "Doesn't French have more words than English? (No, bro, not by like 400,000.)
I mean the fear might be sincere. And who knows, could be correct.
But I also wouldn’t discount the fact that liberal neurology just doesn’t care about family that much, and wouldn’t be especially pained by leaving family behind.
A divorce by another name
Very true! It takes a lot of courage but that doesn't make it noble. It needs to be the right move for YOU, not your country.
“Another woman said she moved and misses her family dearly but just couldn’t handle Trump anymore. So… you hate Trump more than you love your family?”
Right? It’s all a bit much, isn’t it?
I’d like to see some statistics on the number of people who move to Europe vs the number who say they are going to, perhaps in frustration, on social media.
It’s a good question.
In my experience, the most vocal pro Europe/anti-America people are those who do not live in Europe.
But,the anecdotes I shared are based on relatively popular Substack article articles and reporting in The Local.
I agree. Other ways to "resist". Start a meal train for someone in your community who needs it. Donate your time to your local library. Write one sentence cheerful postcards to people in nursing homes. Say hello to your neighbors. Let hotrod Harry who zoomed up ahead of you in the merge lane in without throwing him the finger - it's not gonna kill you and you might even feel better about yourself. If you're super passionate, call your rep or email them with specific complaints about issues, along with specific ideas for addressing them. All dull, all better community making than huffing off to "anywhere in Europe" for asylum (gah).
Great ideas. They just might make a positive impact too. ;)
I do wonder how many of these people were already thinking of retiring to Europe. At any rate, with anti-immigrant feeling increasing across Europe, this may not be the best time for them to become spurious "asylum seekers."
The "resistance" rhetoric has bothered me since Trump's first term. The resistance movements in wartime Europe risked their lives and the lives of their loved ones to fight Fascism. The anti-Trump "resistance" risk losing social media followers. Tasteless in the extreme.
My wife is an American in the UK. It a tough decision when we got married as to whether she should move here or I should move there. In the end, it came down to stuff about our lives that aren't applicable to most/all people, but it isn't a decision to take lightly. She misses her parents a lot. Also, I don't know how it works in Europe, but in the UK there are complicated rules about accessing healthcare for non-citizens and it isn't always free. Likewise, there are restrictions on claiming social security.
All very good points, Daniel.
Yeah the healthcare stuff gets sticky. I was too tired to get into visas and social security and such!
Ouch! This one is going to hurt.
Now, if you see yourself in this piece, don’t come for it’s author. Instead, breathe, consider your immense privilege, and ask yourself if you think America is in danger, then how does emigrating help your neighbors and the nation? Thoughts?
Let the feedback come! You’ve made some great points, and I hope readers respond in kind.
I didn’t intend for it to come off as personal, so the feedback is most welcome.
It is the immense privilege part that, as the kids say, sends me. Sure, the US has problems. But most of us, especially us Substack types are doing a-ok. ;)