A guide to living abroad - Burningcatlyon

Zack Churney and his partner had wondered for years what it would be like to live abroad, but they felt tied to their home in Indianapolis, always unsure about making the leap. The events of 2020 — the pandemic, watching a friend lose a family member to gun violence, and realizing they had been largely priced out of the housing market wherever they chose to live in the U.S. — left them feeling like they were in a “ breaking point,” Churney said.

With their dachshund Schnitzel, the couple moved to Ireland and then zigzagged across the European continent before settling in Germany. They are now in the process of becoming German citizens. Churney calls it “the best decision we ever made.”

“Since we moved to Europe, we’ve learned to wonder about things again and I think we’ve kind of stopped doing that in our daily lives in Indianapolis,” he said. They’ve had ‘magical moments’ in a Dublin park, espresso bars in Sicily, Italy and the opera houses of Vienna. They also have excellent health care and a car-free lifestyle that Churney says is impossible in the Midwest.

The decision to move abroad – to essentially become an immigrant – is a big decision, full of logistical hurdles and existential questions. But every four years, as the U.S. election cycle reaches its peak, relocation experts say more Americans get the jitters. If that’s your dream, Churney says, it might be time to think seriously about leaving the country.

“I think you just have to seize the moment when the time comes,” he said.

How do you choose where to move to?

Churney and his partner Austin began their European odyssey in Ireland, where they knew the language, to ease the culture shock. They decided to settle in Germany because Churney had attended college there and was enchanted by the culture.

But many Americans don’t even know where to start. To some extent, all the familiar priorities that can guide a domestic move also apply to a move abroad, say Kathleen Peddicord and Lief Simon, a couple who run Live and Invest Overseas, a consulting and media company. The couple divides their time between Paris and Panama.

Do you have children? If so, a country with a strong education system should be a priority, they advise. Will you continue to work at a particular company? If that’s the case, the company can have a lot of say in the decision.

However, if you work for yourself or are retired, the world becomes a lot more open. Some considerations can be “put into a spreadsheet,” Peddicord said, such as the cost of living, the exchange rate, the quality and cost of the health care system, how easy it is to establish residency, and so on.

“But I think the most important part of it is just your instinctive reaction to a place and just your idea of what you really want your life to be like,” she said. “If you could have any view from your bedroom window when you woke up in the morning, what would you most like? Do you want to see a Caribbean beach? Want to see crashing Pacific surf? Would you like to see a paved courtyard? Do you want to see the Mediterranean?”

Once you’ve narrowed it down, be sure to visit the country first, says Joe Cronin, president of International Citizens Group. And decide how much “culture shock” awaits you. If you’re not up for the challenge of learning a new language, consider a country where English is widely spoken, Cronin added.

What are the most popular destinations for expat Americans?

Among experts USA TODAY interviewed, Portugal is on everyone’s list of most popular destinations, as well as places Americans would most often recommend exploring. That said, it is important to note that the country recently implemented some measures that have somewhat tightened immigration policies, Cronin said. For example, some programs now offered require more income and short-term rentals are discouraged.

“These changes are intended to balance Portugal’s message of welcome with the need for housing affordability and social stability for their citizens,” he said.

Spain is equally popular, followed by Mexico, Canada, Thailand, the Philippines, Italy, Panama, Colombia, Malta and Greece.

Although Italy may be a relatively expensive country to visit as a tourist, it is offers some great real estate deals – although many need sweat equity. Ireland also makes it very easy for foreigners to buy real estate, often at prices much lower than in the United States.

Residency or citizenship?

Churney’s experience aside, many relocation experts say more Americans are interested in becoming residents of a foreign country than citizens. There are so many residency options in dozens of countries that can make sense for different people that it can be difficult to know where to start. Some depend on making an investment, and some depend on having a source of income. In some cases, an “investment” can mean the business you run yourself from your laptop, Peddicord said.

Churney and his partner were barely 30 when they decided to make the move, and both had computer jobs that they could do while they got settled. Americans closer to retirement age will have to consider whether they will have enough income to stop working, or whether they will be able to work for a company or for themselves in a different tax area.

It’s entirely possible to research the different options yourself – and moving experts encourage it. However, once you’ve narrowed it down a bit, it may make sense to consider paying for a professional to help you navigate the process.

Patricia Casaburi, CEO of Global Citizens Solutions, says working with a consultant can help Americans not only identify the best residency program — including those that could lead to citizenship at some point — but also all the different logistical aspects, from healthcare to driver’s licenses and taxes. . Americans abroad will also have to decide whether to buy real estate or rent a home, Casaburi noted.

Live and Invest Overseas organizes conferences, both in-person and virtual, focusing on many of the countries attracting the most interest. That can be a cheaper way to delve into the details of one country before paying for individual advisor services. Even cheaper, but still highly recommended by experts: look on Facebook or other social networks for groups of American expats in the places you are considering.

Finally, there is a good way to get your feet wet before leaving everything behind for a new country “Digital nomad visa.” Dozens of countries around the world allow foreigners to stay for longer periods of time – say six months to a year – on a short-term permit, as long as they work remotely.

The best way to run to the border

What happens if you wake up on Wednesday morning and decide you just can’t handle the United States anymore?

In just six to eight months, you may be able to become a citizen of one of five Caribbean countries that provide citizenship through investment, Casaburi said: Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis and St. Lucia. That may be more expensive than the more traditional paths to citizenship abroad, but it is an option.

Peddicord also notes that there are several countries, including Belize, Panama, Colombia, and Mexico, that you can go to and decide to apply for residency once you get there. “Honestly, I would say that’s not a crazy idea,” she said. “The residency process is a big pain in the neck. It’s a lot of paperwork. It’s a process. It’s a lot of bureaucracy and it’s an expense. Why go through all that if you’re not sure?”