As the 2024 presidential election approaches, many Americans are contemplating a drastic decision: leaving the country for good. For some, the prospect of another Trump presidency is the final straw, and they're seeking a safer haven elsewhere. I'm one of them.
I've been living part-time in France for 44 years, and my wife and I are now seriously considering making the move permanent. We're not alone. A growing number of Americans are seeking a way out, and it's not just the usual suspects – retirees and digital nomads. Young families and professionals are also looking for a new home, driven by a desire for stability, security, and a sense of community.
According to Adrian Leeds, a real estate agent who's been advising Americans on moving to France for over 25 years, the trend is accelerating. "It's the first thing they say: 'Get me out of America!'" she reports. Her agency has seen a 100% increase in business in the first quarter of 2024 compared to the same period last year.
It's not just France that's seeing an influx of American expats. Patricia Casaburi, CEO of London-based Global Citizen Solutions, a migration consultancy firm, says that Americans now make up 70% of their clients, up from 5% just a few years ago. "Definitely, the political agenda is influencing people," she notes.
For some, the decision to leave is driven by a sense of unease and fear. Tony Kahn, a veteran producer for PBS and NPR, is considering a move to Mexico, where he spent part of his childhood. "There's a feeling of safety that you have in Mexico, and a feeling of belonging," he says. "I'm not afraid of a stranger going berserk because I'm Jewish."
Others are drawn by the promise of a better quality of life. Skyler Schmanski, who moved to France eight years ago to study business, has no regrets. "I began to experience the quality of life that's over here – the education, the healthcare... When I started entering that next chapter of life in my 30s, those things started to ring more true," he says.
As for me and my wife, the decision to leave America would not be a radical change. We already spend part of the year in France, and we've grown to love the country and its people. But the prospect of another Trump presidency has made us rethink our priorities. As my wife says, "It depends how safe we feel in the type of country he's promising – one that's no longer a democracy."
The irony is that America, once a beacon of freedom and democracy, is now driving its own citizens to seek refuge elsewhere. As Casaburi notes, "Americans suddenly found themselves in a position where they feel they don't know who their neighbors or family members are."
As the election approaches, many Americans are re-evaluating their priorities and seeking a sense of community and stability elsewhere. It's a trend that's likely to continue, regardless of the outcome. As Casaburi says, "So, at some point, there's a cost for the country when you're losing out on income taxpayers, but also talented young professionals."
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