Summary

The article discusses the challenges and misconceptions of expat life, suggesting that the romanticized idea of moving abroad may not always align with the reality of legal uncertainties, lack of long-term visas, daily stress, social instability, and different legal norms.

Abstract

The piece critically examines the trend of Americans moving overseas in search of a better quality of life, highlighting that while the U.S. faces issues like high housing costs, gun violence, and inadequate healthcare, relocating abroad does not necessarily solve these problems and can introduce new ones. The author, drawing on personal experience, points out that expat life can lack a solid legal foundation, often involves precarious visa situations, and can lead to significant stress due to cultural and language barriers. Additionally, the social circle of expats is typically transient, and the freedoms enjoyed in the U.S., such as freedom of speech, may be severely limited in other countries. The article advises those considering a permanent move abroad to thoroughly understand the implications and to consider fighting for change within America instead.

Opinions

The author agrees with the reasons Americans cite for wanting to leave the U.S. but argues that moving abroad may not be the solution to these issues.
Previous generations of expats were motivated by financial gain and adventure, often returning home after a short period, whereas current expats are looking to live abroad permanently for lifestyle reasons.
Expat life lacks the legal protections and stability found in the U.S., with expats often living on uncertain legal footing and facing the prospect of being forced to leave if visa conditions change.
The absence of long-term visas for expats means frequent "visa runs" are necessary, which are costly and stressful, with no guarantee of re-entry.
Daily life as an expat can be stressful due to language barriers and unfamiliarity with local customs, potentially leading to social isolation or reliance on a transient community of other expats.
The social circles of expats are often unstable, with friends constantly moving in and out of the country, which can be unsettling as one ages and values stability more.
The author suggests that the freedoms taken for granted in the U.S., such as free speech and political engagement, may not be available in other countries, which could lead to a sense of loss or suppression of one's identity.
The article concludes that while living abroad can be exciting, it's important to weigh the full implications of such a move and consider working towards positive change within the U.S. instead of seeking an escape overseas.

Expat Life Is Not Better Than Living In The USA

Thinking about moving overseas? Read this first.

Everyone in America is moving overseas.

At least, that’s how it looks on Medium. Every day a new story appears about an American moving away from the USA to seek greener pastures abroad.

These people are fed up with life in the States. It just isn’t working for them any more: The ridiculously high cost of housing. The gun violence. The political animosity. And last (but definitely not least) the unavailability of affordable health care.

These people wish to escape the USA. They want to live overseas- to become an expatriate, or “expat” for short.

Some of these Americans are moving to Europe, where countries have well-known social safety nets of healthcare and other services. Some are moving to Central America, to take advantage of a lower cost of living. Some are moving to Australia or New Zealand, where a Western quality of life exists without the shadow of gun violence or political rancor.

Unfortunately, life as an expat is not all it’s cracked up to be.

Living overseas can be nice. But it also has serious problems. I know because I have done it. I have lived in multiple countries for extended periods of time.

Americans seeking a better life abroad would be wise to understand the shortfalls of living in a country that is not your own.

First, a disclaimer: I am completely in agreement with the problems that these Americans cite as reasons for wishing to move overseas. On those issues, they are absolutely correct.

America’s problems with gun violence, the unaffordability of housing, and unavailability of medical care are nothing short of a national disgrace. As a nation, we can do better- and we must.

But moving away doesn’t solve any of those issues. And it can bring a host of new, unexpected problems.

Two things are different about the current crop of expats than those who went abroad in earlier generations. First, they are planning to move overseas solely for lifestyle reasons. And secondly, they are planning to live abroad for a long period of time- perhaps permanently.

These are fundamental differences from the reasons that have driven most expat life in prior decades. Previously, expat life was driven by two factors: the potential for higher earnings, and the desire for adventure.

Expat jobs were a way to see the world and also to get paid more than what one might earn at home. This is because many expat jobs were in “hardship locations” — places with fewer resources and a lower standard of living than Americans were accustomed to. In order to entice these potential workers to live abroad, the employer had to offer a higher salary.

In those days, expat life was also a short-term thing. A contract for overseas employment was typically about two years long. People would sign up for a contract or two, living abroad for a handful of years. During that time they would fatten their bank accounts and see the world.

But it was never intended to be a permanent thing, nor did most expats wish it to be. They were content to return home after a few years with a wad of money and a lifetime’s worth of tales to tell their neighbors about those colorful years spent abroad.

Today’s expats are different. They are not moving overseas for money. And they don’t plan on returning any time soon.

While their intentions are noble, this plan may backfire on them in unexpected ways. Let’s look at some of the things that can go wrong with expat living:

Uncertain Legal Footing

If you are an expat, you are never living on solid legal ground. The rules for visas, for property ownership, and a host of other things vital to your daily existence are always changing.

You are just one rule change away from being booted out of the country that you built your new life in.

America offers a solid legal foundation that applies to everyone- native born and immigrant alike. Everyone has Constitutional rights, the right to own property, and so forth. That’s not the case in other countries.

In other countries, expats are tolerated as long as they bring economic good. But if they begin to crowd out the locals- from the job market, or the housing market- the rules governing expats can change quickly.

No Long Term Visa

Almost no country offers a long term visa for expats.

In most countries the only long-term visa you can obtain is tied to employment. Your employer will secure a work visa for you. But when your job ends- so does your visa.

In every other situation, you will have to master the art of the “visa run.” Visas are given for a limited period such as three months or six months. When your visa is about to expire you make a “visa run” to a neighboring country.

Visa runs can be expensive. It involves airfare, a hotel stay, taxi fare, and so on. A visa run might cost you $1,000 all told. That’s an expensive thing to do every few months.

There is always the mental stress of not knowing if you will be permitted back in your country of expat residence. When you make a visa run, your return is not guaranteed. You can’t be 100% certain, because you are dealing with officialdom- and officials can be capricious.

In most countries, multiple visa runs with the intention of living in your expat country are forbidden. Tourist visas are given for tourism. If you are permanently residing in a country under the guise of multiple tourist visas obtained through repeat visa runs, the authorities may find out- and they may block you from returning.

Daily Stress

Living abroad can be stressful. Not speaking the language and unfamiliarity with local customs can take a toll on you in invisible ways.

This stress can build up without you realizing it. It can lead to people being short-tempered and irritable. (Anyone who has seen the “expat freakout” abroad knows what this is!)

Life in a foreign country has been compared to living on a submarine. When the submarine descends, the mounting water pressure will find any hidden cracks. If you have any weaknesses, living abroad will find them just as surely as the water pressing in on the submarine.

Expats Can Be Strange

If you are an expat, chances are you will spend most of your time with other expats. They will make up much of your social circle.

And expats can be strange.

The people who are attracted to life overseas may have personality issues. They might not have fit in back home, so they are seeking alternatives abroad.

They may have a messiah complex (particularly common in foreign aid workers). They may be adventure-seekers who quickly get bored. They might be antisocial, or just plain weird.

Like Jim Morrison of The Doors said, “People are strange, when you’re a stranger.” This certainly applies to expat life.

No Stability In Friends

If you are an expat, your circle of friends will likely be other expats. And this circle of friends will always be coming and going.

Expats are a mobile bunch. People you know will always be dropping out, and new arrivals will be dropping in.

As you age, you are likely to value stability and more than excitement. When we grow older we value the continuity of neighbors, friends, and others in the community.

This familiarity is missing from expat life. It’s something to think about as you grow older.

Different Legal Norms

Americans are used to freedom. We take our Constitutional rights for granted.

If we want to speak up about a social injustice, or criticize a politician, we are free to do so.

These freedoms don’t exist in many countries overseas. You will have to watch what you say, both in person and on Facebook.

The idea of getting involved in social causes or attending political demonstrations is out. You wouldn’t dare, because you might run afoul of the local authorities. You would find yourself seated on the next plane out- or worse.

Speech that is considered perfectly normal and harmless in the USA may not be tolerated elsewhere. Even countries like the UK and Australia have vastly different norms for what constitutes protected speech.

Speaking your mind and participating in causes that matter to you are important parts of what it means to be a whole person. Are you ready to give all that up? If you do, you may find a strange emptiness inside of you- like part of you has been shut off.

To summarize, living abroad can be an exciting time in a person’s life. But the idea of living abroad permanently is an entirely different thing.

Make sure you understand the full implications of moving overseas before you take the plunge. Instead of searching for greener pastures abroad, in the long run it may be better to stay here in America- to stand and fight for what’s important to your values and your life.