my wife asked if we should leave the country

[moonshinegnomie]

we've talked about it occasionally in passing were starting to look at it more seriously. we live in texas and while leaving texas for a friendlier state is a possibility its still under the rule of taco don and his fascists.

considering europe,france,spain and portugal.

Just the fact we have to consider it pisses us off to no end. I really wish he would just drop dead and take his allies with him

[Tom Dyer]

1. I did it.

It’s such a relief.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

3. Wish I could.

[58Sunliner]

76. Where did you land?

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

2. Have you looked into Costa Rica??

Last edited Sat Jul 19, 2025, 10:02 PM - Edit history (1)

[BonnieJW]

17. I've heard its dangerous,

which is ironic since here is dangerous. I'd love to go to Canada, but it's too expensive

[Deep State Witch]

18. It's Not

I have friends there. (I have friends everywhere.) They live in an expat community. They absolutely love it. We're thinking of going to visit them this winter and see how we like it.

There are many expat communities in Mexico, Belize, and Panama that look interesting.

I follow Skerry Harry on YT, among others. youtube.com/skerryharry

[RazorbackExpat]

71. I've heard that expat communities in Mexico

are coming under a lot of flak from locals. Even La Presidenta has spoken out about that.

[Fiendish Thingy]

36. Cost of living is too expensive or of immigrating?

We moved to BC from California and found the cost of living comparable, even cheaper is some aspects, like gas and electric bills.

Housing can be crazy expensive unless you have proceeds from the sale of a home or know where the inexpensive places are (and there a decent amount of affordable communities, if you know where to look, and depending on your job and income)

[58Sunliner]

77. It was my understanding Canada doesn't have a visa for retirees. One of you Canadian?

[COL Mustard]

24. Ireland would be a good option

Friendly people, good culture, only a plane ride back to the States when you need it, affordable outside the major cities.

I sound like I've thought about it.

[sinkingfeeling]

51. Cold winters.

[WestMichRad]

65. Depends on where in Ireland.

City Cork, near the southeast end, has palm trees.

[SCantiGOP]

91. Right

London is as far north as Ottawa, yet has a climate more like VA and MD because of the Gulf Stream pushing warm tropical waters up to the area.

[COL Mustard]

70. I've been there in the winter.

The Gulf Stream keeps the climate temperate. But there is a lot of darkness that far north.

[róisín_dubh]

127. Good luck getting a visa

They’re not exactly chomping at the bit to let in foreigners

[COL Mustard]

132. Good point.

And they don't want people who would be a burden on their society.

[cadoman]

4. leaving Texas for a non-fascist state is a sensible starting point

Have you researched what it would take to apply for refugee status overseas? My understanding is we would not yet qualify.

Do you have any overseas ancestry? Israeli? Irish?

Hope things are better for you soon. I can barely imagine what a hostile hellscape Texas must be.

[stollen]

39. For Ireland you need at least a grandparent

[cadoman]

55. if my local schoolyard was any indication...

...that shouldn't be hard to find for many folks.

Rosie has settled in nicely over there and says the people are very friendly and affirming.

[whathehell]

97. That would be for citizenship, I believe

not just to reside there as a 'resident alien', or some similar status.

[CountAllVotes]

101. Ireland wants you to have an income of 50,000EU a year!

So, even though I am a citizen, I cannot afford to live there!

[Old Crank]

111. No surprise there.

They like Germany don't want you to be a ward of the state.
€50k isn't that high unless you are retired. It is a bit below median salary.

[CountAllVotes]

116. Cead Mile Failte

Was dealing w/their MS Society. How many people w/MS have an income of $50,000EU?

Answer: Very very few!

Its a good way to pick and choose IMO.

SHAME ON THEM!

[Old Crank]

117. Ireland, like most EU countries

Need more immigration as the country's workers age. They also are beginning to have issues with immigration from the natavist side. Don't expect things to loosen up.

[timvrip]

118. Have lived in France since 2018

You only need to prove 800 or so euros per month income to get a residence permit. Most Social Security beneficiaries get at least that amount.
Prices in rural France are quite reasonable. We bought a 120 sq. meter house for 72,000 euros.
People are very friendly. The health care is one of the best in the world.
Language can be a barrier, though.

[CountAllVotes]

120. thanks for the info.

I appreciate that. I am a citizen of the EU already!

I can live in any of those countries.

As for health insurance, the policy I have is good worldwide. I used in while in Hungary when I needed to see a physician (room service mind you! ) due to the lymphodema that curses me now when traveling via air.

I don't know much French but maybe I can learn!

Thanks again and yes, my income is more than 800EU a month!

[Mariana]

137. Ireland wants you have that income for what?

Normally, citizens have the *right* to live in any country they're citizens of, regardless of income or assets.

[CountAllVotes]

139. that was what I was sent

I wrote them back and told them I do not have an income that big, maybe half at best.

Not even a reply.

I have a valid EU/Eire passport and the citizenship paper.

The problem is I'm not rich enough to be taken seriously it seems.

I have my own insurance btw. It happens to be good worldwide.

[Mariana]

140. Sounds like they sent you the requirements for non-citizens.

If you're a citizen and you have a valid passport, you have the right to live there, period. That's literally what citizenship means. You don't need permission, and you don't need to jump through any hoops to qualify. Ireland is *your* country. You can just go.

[wcmagumba]

5. I would, if I had the means...I'm old and broke, so stuck in this shithole country which is going to get much shitier...

I will endeavor to persevere...

[mucholderthandirt]

79. Yeah, I'm old and broke as well, plus my kids would never leave, so I can't go.

[CountAllVotes]

122. FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT

[shelshaw]

6. Maybe wait until the midterms

Texas democrats can use your vote

[Joinfortmill]

7. Amen... I began thinking about it in 2016.

I even had a spreadsheet of all the pertinent info I could think of. Banks, phones, visas, rents, safety, language vs English, healthcare, on and on. In the end I decided to stay. And, now here we are again.

This time I decided, f*ck it, I'm staying. I'm too old, too tired, and too pissed off to leave. But, I do have a get-away bag packed with all my pertinent papers, passport and some cash, just in case I need to hop into the car and take a drive over the border to Canada for a 'vacation'. Hope they let me in, if it comes to that.

Stay safe and best of luck with whatever decision you make.

[usonian]

45. Living in the mountains, a go bag is a necessity.

In case of wildfire. Not quite this one.



YET

I seriously wonder, with walls and such, if they aren't there to keep people IN.

Read your history. That's what dictators do.

Good luck, everyone.

[BOSSHOG]

8. A sad reflection on Conservative values

Make America Great again by making all the good people want to leave. The gop is a cancer. My first choice would be Scotland. Lived there back in the 60s (and England.). Beautiful country, friendly people. Countryside is magnificent.

[Skittles]

38. I will never abandon my country to fascism

NOPE

[BOSSHOG]

41. We ain't going nowhere

But we’d head to Scotland if we went anywhere for any reason.

[Skittles]

50. my mum was never an American citizen

but no, I served once and I will "serve" again

[OldBaldy1701E]

85. BINGO! (n/t)

[Wifes husband]

92. I agree. I will never leave.

[stollen]

46. We're making our way to Scotland now

Last edited Mon Jul 21, 2025, 06:34 PM - Edit history (1)

Almost finished with 5 mo of travels...we have the $$. If you have to worry about that, I'd wait until midterms or Trump's ill health does him in. But then there's Vance.

[BOSSHOG]

48. Yes indeed. Then theres Vance

[kkmarie]

95. Then there's Vance

and Project 2025 and Peter Thiel

[soldierant]

110. And

Miller and Patel and Bondi and Judge Bove (and I wouldn't put it past them to murder someone to put him on the Supreme Court) and the rest of the gang, too many ro remeber and some not even known by name.

[Upthevibe]

119. kkmarie.................

Peter Thiel, a gay man, who's part of Project 2025??????????? WTF?!?!?

[kkmarie]

131. Yes both together

The regime needs Thiel, gay or not. He's Uber rich and provides Palantir for the regime's control of the masses.
Besides the regime can overlook anything if they can benefit from it. And Palantir is key to removing brown people.
Thiel is assisting in implementing parts of project 2025.

[evilhime]

134. Been thinking about VAnce

And while he is a tool of Thiel, he is also an opportunist and the same way Pence turned on TSF after being his loyal spokesperson for 4 years, I suspect Vance may do the same. A lot of his posts and comments before his annointment for VP were VERY anti TSF. He concerns me but less so because he doesn’t have the “charisma” and following… i think the movement will fracture even more under him and he’ll have to start getting some mainstream support even from the other side of the aisle...

[Grim Chieftain]

9. Yes, save yourselves and leave

About fifteen years ago, my husband was offered a terrific position in Heidelberg, but our parents were elderly and not in great health, so we decided to pass.

Things have changed. This is not the same country it was just fifteen years ago. I don't know what your family situation is, but if it is practical for you to relocate, go for it.

[Metaphorical]

67. We lived in Victoria, BC for several years

We keep thinking about moving back there. Keep in mind that there were some significant requirements that were in force when we were there 20 years ago, but given everything else, we may be seeing a shift in attitudes.

I live in Washington State. There's a growing sentiment here that maybe it's time to raise the Cascadian flag and announce alliances with Canada and the Asian Far East. There are red parts of the state, yes, but even there, the number of rational human beings outweigh the number of MAGATs. I think we'll wait to see if he survives to the mid-terms, but the whole state has its go-bag packed.

[Fiendish Thingy]

10. Vancouver Island in BC is marvellous

Been in BC since 2012 and love it here.

Good luck in your quest for expatriation and peace of mind.

[BonnieJW]

19. But isn't it expensive?

Vancouver is my dream, but I think it's more expensive then here in northern Virginia

[Fiendish Thingy]

28. The city of Vancouver is indeed expensive

Especially compared to Virginia (we came from California, so not much different)

But we live on Vancouver Island, (the city of Vancouver is on the mainland), which, except for the Victoria area on the southern tip, is much more affordable than the mainland, less crowded, less traffic, and still plenty of urban/rural living options available.

We live in Nanaimo, mid-island.

[Fiendish Thingy]

98. As I said, I live on Vancouver ISLAND, not the city of Vancouver

The city of Vancouver is on the mainland, and is indeed expensive, housing especially.

On the other hand, Vancouver Island, with the exception of Victoria on the southern tip, is much more affordable.

I don’t know what the average house costs in Northern Virginia, so can’t give you a clear comparison. We bought our 2300sqft home in Nanaimo with an ocean view (water is about 1km away) in 2019 for the equivalent of $495,000USD. Same house in city of Vancouver would be $2 millionUSD+ (and it’s not a fancy house) Prices went up during COVID due to low interest rates and fewer listings, but are coming back down. Homes without ocean views are more affordable, especially up island in smaller rural communities.

Taxes are comparable to those in California, although property taxes are much lower. Utility bills for gas, water and electric are significantly lower than in California, as is home insurance.

[KPN]

93. Just wondering, are you an expat or do you have Canadian cirtizenship? My wife and I looked at possibly retiring to

Vancouver Island fifteen or so years ago, but found access to medical care prohibitively expensive as residential expats.

[Fiendish Thingy]

99. We are dual citizens

You wouldn’t be able to live in Canada unless you had PR status (no such thing as “residential expats”, unless you only planned to spend six months of the year in Canada), in which case you would be eligible for MSP, which is free (fifteen years ago there was a monthly premium of $100/mo, but the NDP eliminated that).

[Ken Dayenu]

11. Cyprus

Cyprus will give. Permanent residency if you buy home for 300k Euros. Beautiful country less developed than Europe, but still part of EU.

[Susan Calvin]

22. Thanks.

Replying so I can find this again.

[Ken Dayenu]

87. Cyprus is horrible, don't move there

My wife has instructed me to stop touting Cyprus until we have successfully moved there and settled in.

So, Cyprus is awful. You don't want to move there. Yuck.

[tmars505]

12. I've thought about it

I have thought about it, but my answer is no. 1. I have always been an in-your-face type of activist; humiliation is my goal and 2. I refuse to allow these MAGA assholes drive me out of my own country. and 3. I consider their families fair game for humiliation and harassment just as they are doing to their "enemies". Some people tell me to not get in the gutter with them, but when the fighting goes into the trenches, you gotta jump in with "fixed bayonets"

[markodochartaigh]

13. There is a certain feeling of liberation

when you are able to flee a place where you are not wanted. In 1986 I was able to escape Amarillo and move to Dallas. Dallas wasn't paradise, but it was incredibly more gay friendly than Amarillo.

Good luck wherever you land!

[wcmagumba]

16. I lived and worked in Dallas for about a year in the late 70s and though I am straight I lived in the Oak Lawn area...

I did work with several gay folks at a theatre supply company and they were great people and coworkers. So much fun...

Edit: The Oak Lawn area was known as being lgbtq friendly in those days...

[markodochartaigh]

26. I was just dumbfounded

seeing police outside clubs on Cedar Springs in Oaklawn, and the police were not there to hassle us.

[Skittles]

44. it's why I detest hearing people talk about "small town values"

yeah, try being a bit different and see how those "values" actually work

[markodochartaigh]

59. Growing up

I always used to hear that "in the West you are free to be who you want to be". Ha Ha. As long as you want to be exactly the same as everyone else in town, and you weren't born the wrong color, or different in any way.

[DFW]

35. My best friend's wife runs a modern dance company in Dallas.

He basically finances it. Dallas, at least in their circles, is completely gay friendly. No one gives it a second thought there.

[CTyankee]

84. I grew up in Dallas and lived at the Melrose Hotel where my father was the hotel's manager back in the late 50s.

I am so glad that the area is so gay friendly now!

I am a third generation Texan who left Texas to live in a more Democratic-friendly area of the country and wound up in New Haven, CT, which is pretty left wing. But growing up I thought I could never leave Texas, oh my god NO!

Now my granddaughter, born and raised in MA, is grown and working in Austin (where I had relatives and my uncle served in the state Senate back in the early 1950s). A rather weird turn of events.

[LogDog75]

14. There's a lot of things to consider before moving out of country

Do you frequently speak any foreign languages?
Do you know the culture of the country?
Do you know the history of the country?
Do you know anyone in that country?
What is the healthcare system like?
What additional or less expenses can you expect?
Do you have enough money/income to live there?

I've lived in Germany and England and I wouldn't mind living in either place again. The problem for me is at age 74, it would be too great of an upheaval in my life to do it now. Finding a place to live, getting a car, making new friends, figuring out what I'd do there, etc...

No matter how bad things get under the Orange Turd I don't see the need to move out of the country.

[Ken Dayenu]

29. Don't forget about Taxes if you are a US Citizen

The US charges taxes regardless of where you live in the world. There seem to be some treaties about this, but it is complicated. You can take your social security with you, but not your medicare, so you will need to figure out the new countries healthcare system.

[DFW]

66. Figuring out Germany's health care system if your employer is American is easy

You get none. You have to apply from one of the “private” insurance companies. I did in 2011. I was quoted about $35,000 a year for health insurance. No clue what it would cost today.

The double-taxation treaty between the USA and Germany was written decades ago. Many new things have been enacted since then. Because of holes in the treaty, between the two countries, I am being asked to fork over 73% in income taxes. Heil Honecker! Be careful if you make the move while employed by a US-based entity.

[Ken Dayenu]

68. Yikes

[Old Crank]

112. We came over to Germany the year before Trump 1

My wife worked for a Swiss company in Munich.
Health insurance was easy and quite inexpensive. The tax treaty works reasonably well for us. Germany gets the first bite then, if it is lower than what the US tax would be we don't pay US tax. Your mileage will vary. Our tax lawyer here does excellent work at minimizing German tax.

My health insurance, government plan, is about 250 per month.

[FakeNoose]

32. I'm 74 also, and I'm planning to outlive Chump by several years

Rooting for the Grim Reaper to take him quickly ...

[Joinfortmill]

74. Amen

[Retrograde]

40. Also: Are you young enough to work there?

Do you have the education or skills the country wants - other nations are getting more picky about who they accept. Do you have a lot of money - many countries don't want older Americans who haven't contributed to their health and welfare systems suddenly showing up and wanting a free ride. Do you have any ancestral ties to the country - some, Ireland for example, are willing to extend citizenship and residency to grandchildren of people born there. What do you know about the current political and social situations in the country - things can be as rough as in the US in some places, especially for minorities.

I'm in the same situation - I'd love to live in France or the Netherlands, but at my age I'm not sure they'd want me. And even if they greeted me with open arms, the countries my great-grandparents were from (maybe - countries changed borders frequently in their neck of the woods) are some of the more regressive in Europe.

And my fleeing the US does nothing to help the people of non-European origin who are being targeted here. I'll stay, and do what I can do in the years I have left even if it's just bombarding my representatives with emails and showing up at town halls.

[cadoman]

58. you forgot the most important thing: you will die if you stay here and Krasnov is in power

That seems more important than those other factors, aye?

[DFW]

69. Very good summation. Nothing you listed is optional.

I was lucky.

I speak nine European languages and live in Europe
I know the various cultures of Germany, it is not unitary. It has only been one country for a century and a half.
I know much of the history of the country, but German history is vast.
After many years, working contacts and a German wife who I’ve been with for 51 years, yeah, I’ve more than a few friends here.
The health care system is a vast patchwork of agencies and companies. If you don’t get active on your own behalf, even German citizens can fall through the cracks and find themselves without any health insurance. It’s only a few hundred thousand here, compared with tens of millions in the USA, but they exist. To get German legal residence and a work permit, I had to present health insurance. I presented my Blue Cross and they accepted it, not realizing that it was in reality practically worthless. But my only alternative was German “private” insurance at $35,000 a year. I certainly haven’t had $500,000 in EU medical bills (or even a tenth of that) in the years since I got my permit, so I am, so far, well ahead of that game.
Do I have enough money to live here? Despite my rather exorbitant overall tax rate, due to a few minor well-timed investments many years ago, I do have enough to live on here. I have told numerous members of Congress, including my mouthy, supposedly anti-tax Republican, Beth Van Duyne, of the unfair double taxation, but the only answer I get is to “rush $25” to their campaign.

Living expenses are comparable except for gasoline (over double) and income taxes.

[EllieBC]

94. Thank you for the wake up call.

Americans have this funny idea that all countries will welcome them in and have little to no requirements for permanent residency or citizenship.

Countries with large social safety nets tend to have stricter policies because guess what? They can’t or don’t want to pay for everyone.

[Maru Kitteh]

15. That's where we are as well. Told my oldest if she lands a job in Canada

we will follow. The other options you mentioned are in our consideration as well.

[Gimble]

47. Me too

Daughter is a ski instructor. I’ve been trying to convince her to transfer to Whistler so we can follow her. I think that might be the only way retirees can live in Canada

[cstanleytech]

20. Do it if you can!! I know I sure as hell would if it was an option but unfortunately its impossible 😭😟

[fujiyamasan]

21. It's worth considering if your finances allow it

Keep in mind it’s not so easy as just flying there and deciding to live there. Immigration is tightening everywhere. It’s also tougher to get golden visas. Locals are frustrated because they feel these policies are driving up the cost of living.

You’d have to check the latest policies because they’re changing very quickly. A lot of what you would have read may already be outdated.

[Jarqui]

23. This is incredibly sad ... ...nt

[sdfernando]

25. My partner and I are working on this now.

VISA application appointment is on August 15. If all goes well it will be very early October for us to leave!

[vapor2]

27. destination?

[sdfernando]

52. We are going to

Valencia Spain. While not fluent in Spanish I am pretty functional....was one of the deciding factors for Spain. For Valencia its because it is rated one of the top 3 healthiest cities in the world.

[Celerity]

61. watch out for the crazy weather

Flood and Hail Storm hit cars and homes in Valencia 10 May 2025

Spain flood kills at least 158 with bodies likely still trapped in cars

The Associated Press
Posted October 31, 2024

https://globalnews.ca/news/10840719/spain-flood-death-toll-october-31/



Crews searched for bodies in stranded cars and sodden buildings Thursday as people tried to salvage what they could from their ruined homes following monstrous flash floods in Spain that claimed at least 158 lives, with 155 deaths confirmed in one region alone.

More horrors emerged from the debris and ubiquitous layers of mud left by the walls of water that produced Spain’s most deadly natural disaster in living memory. Officials said Thursday that 155 people were killed by the floods in the hardest-hit region of Valencia.



Cars were piled on one another like fallen dominoes, uprooted trees, downed power lines and household items all mired in mud that covered streets in dozens of communities in Valencia.

An unknown number of people are still missing and more victims could be found. “Unfortunately, there are dead people inside some vehicles,” said Spain’s Transport Minister Óscar Puente.

[sdfernando]

62. This was mostly in the provence of Valencia

and not the city itself. The city has major flooding and damage when the Turia river flooded due to heavy rain in 1957….. their solution???? Reroute the river around the city. The old riverbed is now a 7km long park and open space

[Celerity]

63. good to hear (for the city) be safe!

[druidity33]

72. That first image still...

seems manipulated. There is nothing in the video that shows basketball sized hail like that. I was curious to see what hail that size looks like falling from the sky. Maybe photoshopped? Not sure why there is a need to do that but...

[DFW]

78. I've never heard of basketball sized hail

I was astounded enough to hear of a brief storm of softball-sized hail in Dallas. I think the local auto insurance companies must have been driven to the brink of bankruptcy, and anyone outside who caught one of those things with a direct hit on their head, if they survived at all, probably suffered brain damage serious enough to bring them down to Tommy Tuberville’s level.

[druidity33]

83. look at the link for the first youtube video...

the still image for the link shows a man walking in a carlot being inundated by a raging flood. He appears to be walking on top of basketball or larger sized hail (round ice). That particular scene appears nowhere in the 8 minute video. I suspect it was either a manipulation (Photoshop) or AI generated. Look at the ball behind the yellow car.

[moonshinegnomie]

82. the world record for a hailstone is 8" in diameter

[Celerity]

60. Unknown

Missing Persons - Destination Unknown (Magnums Mix) - A Myleslandia Video Mix

[Escape]

30. We are considering a move as well..

My wife has dual citizenship with the UK. But, who knows what Trump/Putin/etc have planned for Russian expansion in Europe.

Moonshine, meanwhile, consider a move to neighboring New Mexico. We live near Santa Fe. We have a great Democratic governor and all of our Congressmen are Democrats. Voting in Northern New Mexico is about 70% D , 20% R and 10% ?????.

Bienvenidos!

[SARose]

88. Texan here looking at New Mexico

Yep. ‘Bout had enough!

Some thoughts about living overseas

Rent an apartment/house there first and live there for at least a month, preferably three.

Remember you don’t have the rights you are accustomed to in the US.

Stay away from expat communities. You will never assimilate and you will hear constant complaining about how this isn’t Texas, New York, etc. I already know that life sucks in X country - I don’t need you telling me everyday.

If you are going to live there immerse yourself in the language and culture first.

Watch how much you drink. Ahem! Most of these folks drink - a lot!

Never, ever, ever, ever do drugs overseas. Never, ever, ever, ever attempt to bring drugs back to the US.

Taxes - hire a good accountant and be prepared for a huge US tax return. Ours ran about 30 pages many years ago. You will register as a foreign agent and must submit forms for a foreign bank account.

Be prepared to wait - for everything.

Please don’t be an Ugly American. Speaking Texan loudly will not help you when there is a language difficulty.

And finally - please ditch the American uniform - cargo shorts, tee shirt, white socks and sneakers. You will pay twice as much money for everything! 😉

These are some things I wish I had known as a young bride in Venezuela.

Most importantly - have fun!

[Oeditpus Rex]

31. Who would you have to celebrate with

when he drops dead?

[calimary]

43. Oh there'll be plenty of folks celebrating that one!

All over. From coast-to-coast. All those folks shown in the coverage of all those protests? Yep. And I daresay not only here in the U.S., but the world over!

The coverage of THAT will be EPIC!

There will be those who will somehow feel sad, mournful, and abandoned by their “dear leader”, but they will be outnumbered, maybe drastically.

[fierywoman]

33. I lived abroad for 12 years (Mexico and Italy.) How do you feel about dealing with

daily life in another language?

[The Blue Flower]

34. When I think of how my grandparents struggled to get here in 1918

I can't consider leaving. I will be here when the worm turns and will do what I can to put the pieces back together.

[FakeNoose]

37. Depends on a lot things ... your ages, jobs, financial assets, health, other family members

You might be better off visiting a nice place in Europe and getting a 6-month visa. They treat you differently when they know you aren't going to stay forever. Meanwhile you'll have time to look around and see what suits you there before you've made a permanent commitment.

Consider the language aspects: if you speak only English, it's a handicap. You'll need to rely on the patience of other people to translate for you, etc.

[stollen]

49. SS is $ already saved out of one's pay

He'd hardly have a rationale. On the other hand, pumpkin boy is not a rational person.

Just file taxes like you're stateside.

[58Sunliner]

81. Depends on where you go.

To get a resident visa many countries require a "local" bank acct and that gets reported to the IRS. That is how they know you are abroad. You also, usually, have to file in your new country.

[Mike Nelson]

53. Remember...

... he is not permanent, despite his wishes. It's a good reason to consider moving, but I would not make it the main reason. (One exception would be... someone with great wealth can move, then move back when the country changes.) Another thing to consider: the "populist" movement is worldwide. Your new country could elect their own Donald.

... within the US, I would consider moving from Texas. It's a great state and has large "blue" patches, but the change is slow and they keep making "red" seats safer. I'd look at CA, WA, and OR... but check the areas for fire and flood concerns. Good luck!

[dcmfox]

54. 2022

I did it..Colombia..Cheap healthcare, hell I don't even buy Insurance..if you have a decent income why bother..

Food, people, climate, healthcare..6 hour flight from Texas I think..cheaper rent or buying ops..

[Grammy23]

56. Sadly, even if Trump dropped dead this instant,

This disaster is not just about him. There are many others behind this. Trump is mainly the front guy. The real scary people are behind the throne. So even if he’s dead and gone, the takeover goes on. The fight will continue.

If I was a younger person I’d have already left for another place outside of the USA. My spouse hates what is going on but is reluctant to leave at our age. I think the thought of moving a way is too much for two old geezers. (We are 76.) But if we were younger, we’d already be gone. If you can leave and have the money to sustain you, go. Read up on the rules because some places are easier (or harder) than others. YouTube has tons of information if you are serious about leaving. And get crackalacking. Things are happening fast here. Too fast. Get out while you still can.

[hunter]

135. The Trump cultist are not going to rally around Vance...

... unless he rapes a few girls, divorces his wife, and marries a "barely legal" blond with big silicone breasts.

[Grammy23]

138. Vance is not the guy to ride in on a white horse.

He won’t win a congeniality contest. But there are others waiting in the wings who are worse. You know they’ve thought this through. They’ll try to maintain control by hook or by crook. It’s the crook part that scares me. It won’t be pretty once tRump is gone. We think things are bad now? I don’t even want to imagine what the next stage will bring.

[sinkingfeeling]

57. My last flight out of the USA is next Friday, July 25. Then I will reside in Costa Rica.

[bdamomma]

64. Good luck

to you, All the best. Try to check in with us.

[Evolve Dammit]

115. Best wishes for a wonderful life!

[GoneOffShore]

73. Here are some thoughts -

In 2017 just after #Felon45 was ‘elected’, we came to France for a long holiday. Our plan was to stay in the south of France for just under 90 days and then return to the US. And that is what we did. We had always thought about buying a place here and going back and forth - renting out the French property for short term in order to finance it. After the ‘Inauguration’ we looked for and found a flat that we could buy and that would be suitable for our purposes. Flash forward to January 2018, and we realized that we just did not like living in the US any more. We also were feeling very distinct 1933 Germany vibes. So, we sold our house, got rid of 37 years worth of accumulated possessions, applied for long stay visas for France and by September we were here in France.

What do we miss? Our long time friends in the US. Our books, our records, our very large gas stove. Really good ethnic restaurants - though we can always go to England for those.

What don’t we miss? The health insurance swindle. Prescription drug prices. Cable/Internet/Telephone prices - SFR at 29€/month versus very basic Comcast at 98$/month. Mobile telephone - 92$/month T-Mobile versus 15€/month Free. Car insurance - 700€ per year vs 2200$ per year. And the list goes on.

[Joinfortmill]

75. Love this! You were very smart in how you did this.

[Abstractartist]

80. Not me

I’m not going to be forced out of my country. I worked to long and hard, saved and saved to buy my place and retirement. At 67, on pension, SS, and 403b, I’d rather become a fighting citizen before leaving.

To all thinking of leaving, good luck with your decision and new life. Just check your destination carefully. There is crazy shit everywhere.

[flying_wahini]

86. Yea, I look as real estate abroad every week. My biggest worry is when the stock market crashes and

We all lose our Investments and/or or 401k’s.

We have family in Canada and trying to get ahead of the curve now.
If they don’t figure out how to rid us all of TSF they will lose theirs, too.

I think it will take a moment on live TV for TSF to blurt out something about Putin ❤️ that
Will do it. They will pull him off stage so quick…..

[popsdenver]

89. I have been saying

all along, that after the Republicans trash our country, they will pull a coup de gras and crash the market far worse than Reagan did......
Wiping out everyone's investments, and retirement funds.

The Republicans, the 2025 crowd, and the top 1% will stop at nothing to put the U.S. into a complete depression by crushing the lower 99%.....

Every day, they are chipping away at countless things that will move them forward to that being reality......

The 99% will be reduced to serfs and peasants.

The sending in of the U.S. Military to the Southern Border, and sending them into Los Angeles is a move towards that goal, ignoring the Posse Comatatus Act.................

[NGeorgian]

90. I have a granddaughter living in Spain and the

Spanish don't want you.

[Delphinus]

133. When I started

looking, November 2024, I wasn't seeing a whole lot of first world countries that *DID* want us.

[edbermac]

96. If I had the money, I would seriously consider it

But I have immediate family here so that’s out.

[V850i]

100. 'The lesson of 1933 is - you get out'

A group of professors from Yale who studied fascism moved to Canada and say the lesson of 1933 was to get out. You are not going to be some underground warrior hero, there was no stopping it, they have the military.

[NJCher]

123. I recall that story

I think your version of it is inaccurate. First, Timothy Snyder is a very prominent trump critic and all he is doing is stepping aside to another university until trump is out of the picture, which probably won't be long now.

Snyder's position at Yale is far more prominent than the university to which he went, so he will most likely be returning once the hassle of a vindictive trump is over. Trump is petty like that, so it wasn't worth the bother. Snyder had the contacts and the ability to one up trump, so that's what he did. It's what I'd have done, too.

Pretty much the same situation for the others who left, although they were less visible than Snyder.

[underpants]

102. We've bandied it about house money and the boy

The boy is our dog and it would probably be hard to move with him.

We love our house. There are rooms I haven’t even been in in months. I’ve got a pension. I’d get everything I’ve paid in (Cha’ching) but I’d prefer the professional management.

Look, I took the Oath January 2, 1990 (Cav Scout) and I think I should see it out.

[et tu]

103. i have thought about it but

i have animals- lots of animals so....
also for those who receive ss- krasnov
might repeal benefits as he thinks all
us dollars are his

[bif]

104. We live across the river from Canada and

Have been thinking of moving to Windsor, Ontario. I'd love to move to the UK but we have kids and grandkids here. So Windsor would make more sense.

[misanthrope]

105. If you have that luxury

Then it might be wise to do so.

[edhopper]

106. A question

if you move to another country and you are on Soc Sec and Medicare. Do they still take out th Medicare if you don't live here?

[Old Crank]

113. When you hit 65 you have to sign up for Medicare

I didn't sign up for part B or D. No use in Germany. So I don't pay. If I go to the US I have hospitalization, that's it. I do not know if you can stop your monthly payments once they have started. You would have to contact Social Security.

[Magoo48]

107. I'm an old man.

I love this LAND here in the California Republic. I think flags, politicians, other symbols, agendas, ideals, cultures, and societies within this republic, just like the Republic itself, are not this LAND. Perhaps, I could leave these temporary fixtures, but I am use to it all, so probably not. But nothing other than my own demise will drive away from the LAND I love.

[PennRalphie]

108. When you're that unhappy living somewhere

It’s time to move. If your wife is asking about it and wants to move, it’s just time to go.

Europe can be expensive, but you’ll feel better living there, even with decreased funds. Look at Rosie. She’s very happy in Ireland.

Central America seems more affordable, that’s why so many move there.

If you have family in a country and you speak the language, the move will be much easier. Real estate is doing very well right now (at least here in PA). The profits from your home sale would help with your living expenses.

If my wife hated where we lived, I would do everything to move. Although, she’s often stated that the older buildings in most of Europe don’t have screens. She hates bugs.

Good luck!

[Martin68]

109. Right wing fascist insanity is happening everywhere. We're going to stick it out here and take our country back.

[Old Crank]

114. We moved to Germany in 2015.

My wife got a job as a programmer. That made visa stuff pretty easy. Much easier for high value people. My daughter just got a work permit. Took 3 years. She still needs to pass the B1 German test. That is basic standard German.
That being said, research first. Being retired can be hard unless you have a big pot of funds or a large pension.
Do look at information from expat groups. They have seen the issues you will face. You don't have live with them. Belize is English speaking and uses dollars and has lower requirements. Ireland can grant citizenship through grandparents. Italy also with some differences. Germany will grant citizenship if your parents or grandparents were forced out, you know why. Citizenship ship in an EU country allows you to live anywhere in the EU. Remember that you would be advised to work on your new country's language.

We jumped fast. We made mistakes that cost us some money. The learning curve was steep. We are staying and will have our own flat very soon and our daughter will be able to stay it looks like.
So we are pretty happy.

Should any one be interested in discussing moving message me.

[moondust]

121. Ellen did it.

BBC: Ellen DeGeneres: I moved to the UK because of Trump

Also: Martina Navratilova wouldn't move to the U.S. now.

Fifty years ago, Martina Navratilova left everything she knew in communist Czechoslovakia to start a new life in the US.

Then an 18-year-old high school pupil, she was one of the Cold War's most high-profile defectors - and she would go on to become one of tennis's most iconic players.
~
"If I were now still in that same position [as in 1975] and I had to go live somewhere, it would not be America, because it's not a democracy at the moment," she says.
~
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ce9xzgg91lpo

I've looked into emigrating several times over the years but it wasn't a realistic option for me.

[róisín_dubh]

128. Hah! Ellen is loaded

Moving to the UK is expensive as hell and they’re as anti-immigrant as the US. Ask me how I know.

[moondust]

129. Did you try it?

It probably makes a difference if you're "loaded" and half the world recognizes you.

[róisín_dubh]

130. Yes I live in the UK

I’ve paid nearly £10k in visa fees and cannot change jobs with any sort of ease, so I’m wildly overqualified and severely underpaid in a very expensive country that is increasingly unfriendly to immigrants.
I also have a PhD and a research law degree, so I’m not exactly a run of the mill job seeker

[NJCher]

124. Happiness comes from within

My happiness does not depend on externalities, and I don't think trump can do anything to make me unhappy. I'm happy now and have never once let him affect my overall world view and sense of well being.

I think it's unwarranted to upend one's life over a nothing of a person like trump. He'll be gone soon, and then all that work, time, and trouble will be for nothing.

If you've always wanted to live in a foreign country, that's a different story. But to do it over trump? I think that's an extreme response.

I live in a blue state, and that makes a huge difference. I will grant you that.

[Xolodno]

125. I have friends and relatives in Australia...

...I could easily get sponsorship to move there. As well as Uruguay. In a jam, I could probably pull a favor and go to Mexico. I also know people in Russia and China, but obviously don't want to go there. But yes, I have considered getting out given the job market. But I just got emailed today by one company looking to hire. Half of what I was making, prior to being laid off, but beggars can't be choosers.

Particularly when Linkedin is telling me over a 100 people have applied for the job and that doesn't even include the listing on Indeed. Amazingly, I still get interviews, just can't seem to seal the deal.

[viva la]

126. Portugal has a lot of Brits,

so there would be other English speakers around!