As the dust settles from the recent U.S. presidential election, a notable trend is emerging: a growing number of Americans are exploring the possibility of relocating abroad. For many, political discontent has spurred action, with France, Portugal, Spain, and Italy becoming top destinations.
Dana McMahan, a 50-year-old writer from Louisville, Kentucky, is among those making bold moves. A longtime admirer of France, McMahan expedited her plans to relocate after the election, citing deep dissatisfaction with the political climate in the U.S. “I knew that if this is the way the election went, then this had to happen,” she said.
McMahan is pursuing a four-year talent visa in France, which will allow her to work as a writer in Paris. She has already rented a small apartment in the city’s 20th arrondissement for €1,100 per month, using her savings to finance the move. Although she acknowledges the challenges of leaving her family and life in Kentucky, she believes Paris could be her true home.
“I’m 50 years old. It’s scary to do this,” McMahan said. “But this is important. I need to find out if Paris is where I truly belong.”
Increased Interest in Leaving the U.S.
McMahan’s story reflects a broader sentiment among many Americans. Immigration services have reported a significant uptick in inquiries and consultations following the election. Google Trends data shows a spike in searches for terms like “move to Canada” immediately after the results.
Firms assisting with European relocation, such as Welcome to Portugal and Bureaucracy.es, reported surges in traffic and consultations. Bureaucracy.es, which helps Americans navigate Spain’s visa process, noted a 300% increase in interest after the election. Similarly, Italian Citizenship Assistance saw double the number of inquiries compared to the 2016 election.
Marco Permunian, a representative of the firm, said calls began pouring in the morning after the election. “People are looking for options,” he noted, adding that while some were driven by political dissatisfaction, others expressed a desire for a fresh start.
Political and Social Drivers
For some, the decision to leave the U.S. feels urgent. One Black mother in a red state described living in America as akin to “being a crab in a pot of water where the heat is being turned up to boil.” The Supreme Court’s affirmative action ruling and the current political climate solidified her family’s plans to relocate.
The woman, who requested anonymity for security reasons, has started exploring visa options in France, with the Netherlands, Portugal, and Spain as alternatives. Her goal is to leave the U.S. by summer 2024. “We’re going to figure it out,” she said. “If it doesn’t work out, we’ll come back. At least we’ll know we tried.”
She added, “Staying here feels untenable. It’s like being in a place you know is heading in the wrong direction, and you have the chance to leave before it’s too late.”
The Realities of Moving Abroad
Relocating to another country is no small feat. It involves navigating complex visa processes, adapting to new cultures, learning languages, and building a support network. Jen Barnett, founder of Expatsi, a platform helping Americans move abroad, said interest has soared. More than 48,000 people completed a country-matching test on her site in the weeks following the election.
However, Barnett noted that only a fraction of those exploring the option will follow through. Challenges such as family ties, financial constraints, and cultural adjustments often deter people from leaping.
For Mai Nguyen, a Florida resident, even moving to a different state feels complicated due to shared custody of her child. “It doesn’t feel safe to raise a girl here anymore,” she said, expressing concerns about the state’s education and women’s rights.
A New Chapter
For those like McMahan, the journey abroad represents more than just a change in scenery—it’s a chance to seek alignment with their values and aspirations. Whether spurred by political frustrations or a desire for personal growth, the trend of Americans looking to start fresh abroad underscores the evolving priorities of a politically and socially divided nation.
While the process of moving is fraught with challenges, for many, it offers hope for a brighter future, wherever in the world that might be.
Source: Swifteradio.com
