Done with Trump? 9 Great Reasons to Move Abroad

It’s official—Donald Trump is headed back to the White House. For some, that’s a reason to hang U.S. flags and blast patriotic anthems. For others, it’s a sign.

A sign that now’s the time to dust off that passport, take the plunge, and test the waters of international living. Here at Escape Artist we prefer to be a political Switzerland, maintaining our neutrality and an openness to all variety of expat, traveler, and nomad points of view (this Instagram post explains our position well).

But we haven’t had our heads buried in the sand. We’ve seen the reports of hundreds of thousands of people—including many wealthier Americans, as well as liberals and progressives—expressing their desire to leave. “For some, the primary thing is ‘I don’t want to live in a MAGA America,’” top immigration lawyer David Lesperance told NBC News.  

So, if the thought of four more years of Trump chills you to the bone, we’re here to help. Below you’ll find EA’s top nine reasons living abroad could be just the financial and sanity-preserving move you need. (Also, check out our recent article on Trump’s likely impact on expats.)

1. The Dollar’s Set to Stay Strong

Trump has made big, bold claims about bringing money back to America, with new trade deals and a focus on “winning.” Love him or hate him, the dollar has historically stayed strong when he’s in office, and that’s great news for anyone converting their savings abroad.

So go ahead, start spending those dollars in euros or pesos, and make it rain while you can. A strong dollar means better exchange rates, at least for now.

2. Taxes Abroad Are Actually Simpler

Yes, you still have to file U.S. taxes as an expat, but here’s the perk: the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (FEIE) and Foreign Tax Credit (FTC) are still in place, meaning you can exclude a sizable chunk of your income from U.S. taxes (for 2024, it’s $120,000).

Meanwhile, back home, get ready for likely tax cuts aimed at “job creators” and hefty tax bills on the middle class. So, enjoy the benefits of working abroad—file your taxes and skip the financial stress, all while watching Trump’s tax policies from a safe distance.

3. Escape Rising Healthcare Costs

One of the things Trump has flirted with is the idea of a rebranded healthcare system, with little detail on what that actually means. If history repeats itself, those changes could mean bigger insurance premiums for folks back home.

Expat life in countries with national health systems, though, could mean excellent, affordable—or even free!—healthcare. From Canada to Germany to Thailand, most expats enjoy a whole new world of much lower health insurance premiums.

Instead of worrying about co-pays and out-of-pocket costs, worry about picking the best doctor.

4. “America First” and the Price of Avocados

Trump’s “America First” stance means imports from places like Mexico could face new tariffs. You know what that means: your guac’s about to get even more extra, and not in a good way.

For expats, on the other hand, the world’s avocados, bananas, guavas, mangos, and countless other goodies are often stunningly cheap. Picture yourself in Spain, eating ripe avocados grown in the south, or in Mexico, where you’ll never again pay $5 for an avocado toast topping.

Read more on Electing to Move

5. Foreign Real Estate Looks GOOD

Trump has a knack for fueling real estate booms (also busts). If he reignites the American property frenzy, that could mean rising prices that make owning a home a major commitment.

As an expat, though, you’ll be able to rent or even buy lovely, affordable property in some beautiful places without bidding against a line of investors. Maybe a beach bungalow in Bali? A pied-à-terre in Portugal? Or a luxury waterfront residence in Belize? 

You’ll get more bang for your buck abroad, and avoid the American real estate rollercoaster.

6. Escape the Debt Ceiling Drama

When Trump gets creative with government funding, expect more debt ceiling debates, shutdowns, and headline-grabbing gridlocks. For those living stateside, these standoffs can have ripple effects that range from higher loan interest rates to stock market instability.

But as an expat, you’ll be sipping your cappuccino by the Seine, blissfully detached from every twist and turn in Capitol Hill’s endless drama. Plus, if you diversify some savings in foreign currencies, you might shield yourself from a few economic headaches.

For more detailed guidance, enjoy these expert Escape Artist insights on customizing your wealth management and leveraging the advantages of offshore banking.

7. Work From Anywhere—Even if Trump Brings Back Office Jobs

Trump and his good friend Elon Musk are no fans of remote work. And the next U.S. president has talked regularly about bringing back traditional office jobs.

But if you’re able to work remotely, the world can be your oyster. Europe, Southeast Asia, Latin America and beyond have embraced remote work with open arms, co-working spaces, and simple digital nomad visas that allow you to stay for a year or two, or even longer.

So, if office life brings you down, you’ll find countless like-minded folk abroad who appreciate the freedom of remote work. Plus, nobody will be able to tell you to “get back to work in the building!”

8. No More Culture Wars

Living abroad might come with a bit of culture shock, but you’ll be far away from the troubling depths of the U.S.’ endless cultural battles. Trump’s second term could see increased polarization, with red-hot debates on education, the media, the environment, and personal freedoms.

Moving abroad is usually a welcome escape from America’s culture wars, so you won’t have to worry about getting dragged into angry discussions when you’re enjoying life abroad, where the news is more likely to be about the weather or a local festival, rather than the latest book ban.

9. Join the Cool Crowd

Who doesn’t want to be a little adventurous? Leaving the U.S. after the re-election of Trump is not “running away.” Instead, you’re adding “international citizen” to your list of accomplishments.

Plus, when friends back home are dealing with higher prices, taxes, and debates, you’ll be sipping a cappuccino next to the Colosseum or enjoying a seaside mojito in Costa Rica.

You’ll swap Black Friday for local market finds, Fourth of July fireworks for Bastille Day parades, and football tailgates for fútbol fiestas. And who knows? Maybe your exploits will inspire a few friends to come join you, creating a movable feast.

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Our Guidance

Anybody feeling queasy about a return to Trump’s America and looking to explore should know that life abroad can offer the best of both worlds: American income with local advantages and endless new experiences.

If you’re ready to test the waters of expat life, rest assured that it will probably be easier than you think. Still, to help you get on the right path, here are the best first steps to take.

Where to Go—and Visas

Think about whether you like cities or nature, beaches or mountains, and what level of creature comforts you’ll need. Also consider the type of climate you prefer and places where you have friends. Finally, look at your finances and determine the cost of living that’s the best fit.

Once that’s done and you’ve chosen a country, figure out what sort of visa you can qualify for. More than 60 countries now offer digital nomad visas, and some countries, such as Portugal, offer temporary visas that can lead to permanent residency.

Some countries offer permanent residency by investment, under which foreign nationals are able to gain a passport or citizenship by making a sizable financial investment, usually property or bonds.

The Philippines’ is among the world’s fastest options, with approval coming as quickly as one week. 

Scout Your Next Home

Rather than blindly moving abroad, it’s wise to first pay a visit to your potential future home country. Take a couple weeks to visit Panama, Spain, Thailand, or your preferred option. Taste the local cuisine, meet the people, and experience the place in real life—it’s the best way to know whether your dream destination is likely to be a good fit.

If your recon trip goes well, take a couple hours before you leave to review apartment or real estate listings, depending on your preference. You’ll be able to get an idea for what’s available at what prices in which areas, and, if you have time, maybe even go check out a couple of them. 

That should be enough to get you started down the right path. Just take your time, remain patient and be sure to make the choices that work for best for you. Keep watching this space, and our twice-weekly newsletter, for more guidance and insight on embracing international living.

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