Leaving America for Greener Pastures: How Moving Abroad Became Easier Than Ever
Stressed by rising prices and uneasy about shrinking rights? You are not alone. Many Americans are discovering that life can feel freer and more affordable overseas, and the path to get there is more accessible than it used to be.
The Squeeze at Home: High Costs and Fading Freedoms
Life in the United States has become markedly more expensive. Even though inflation cooled from its 2022 peak, prices remain well above where they were a few years ago, which strains household budgets. On paper the economy looks healthy with low unemployment, growing GDP, and solid market performance. In daily life many families still feel behind. Real wages only recently began to outpace inflation, and mortgage or rent payments have climbed faster than paychecks. A typical mortgage on a modest home now consumes much more of the monthly budget than it did a few years back. Groceries, childcare, and car insurance add to the pressure.
Rights have also shifted. Since the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision in 2022, abortion is now fully banned in a number of states. Statehouses have advanced bills that target LGBTQ+ people, including restrictions on gender affirming care for minors and limits on classroom speech. Book challenges in schools and libraries have spiked. For many, the combination of higher costs and narrowed freedoms has led to a sense that the country is moving in the wrong direction.
Globally, major democracy trackers show a long slide in civic health. The United States has been rated a flawed democracy for years in those indices. That context feeds a very personal question for many people. Is the American Dream still working for my family, and if not, do we have options elsewhere?
The Allure of Abroad: More Value and More Breathing Room
Overseas you may find that your dollar goes further and your stress level drops. Many countries pair lower living costs with strong public services. Healthcare is often high quality and far less expensive, with clear pricing and universal coverage in many places. Public transit is reliable, neighborhoods are walkable, and violent crime can be lower than what you are used to. The daily rhythm can feel calmer.
There is also an emotional benefit. Stepping out of U.S. political trench warfare can feel like a weight off your shoulders. You will still care about home, and no country is perfect, yet day to day life can be simpler when the basics are covered and public systems work as expected.
New Doors Open: Digital Nomad Visas and Ancestry Passports
Digital nomad visas. Since 2020, many countries have launched visas that welcome remote workers for six to twelve months or longer. These programs usually ask for proof of income, health insurance, and a clean record, and they let you keep your U.S. employer or clients while living abroad. Examples include Spain and Portugal in Europe, Costa Rica and Panama in Latin America, and Thailand and the United Arab Emirates in Asia. Some programs are renewable and can lead to longer term residency.
Citizenship or residency by ancestry. If you have a parent or grandparent from certain countries, you may qualify for citizenship or a special residence category. Popular routes include Ireland for people with an Irish grandparent, and Italy where eligibility can extend through multiple generations if citizenship was passed down without interruption. Poland, Hungary, Germany, and others have options too. An ancestry passport can unlock the right to live and work across an entire region such as the European Union.
My Path: From Anxiety to Opportunity
My turning point arrived after one too many late nights with bills and bad news. A friend in Portugal described lower rent, good healthcare, and a slower pace. I shifted my job to remote work and applied for a digital nomad visa in Albania. Costs dropped, stress eased, and I found a mix of local and expat friends who valued connection more than grind. That experience led me to build a service that helps others navigate visas, housing, and the early months abroad. I have watched families claim Irish or Italian citizenship through grandparents, and couples move to Spain or Croatia on remote work visas. The relief on their faces a few months in says everything.
How to Start, Step by Step
- Pick a short list. Choose two or three countries that match your climate, cost, and culture goals.
- Check eligibility. Look up each country’s digital nomad or remote work visa. In parallel, research ancestry options through parents or grandparents.
- Budget and taxes. Estimate rent, utilities, food, healthcare, and transport. Learn about U.S. rules like the foreign earned income exclusion and tax credits, and speak with a tax professional.
- Scout first if possible. Spend a few weeks in your top choice. Many visas allow you to apply while you are in the country.
- Find community early. Join local and expat groups, consider coworking spaces, and take language classes to meet people.
- Keep an exit plan. Maintain good standing in the U.S. and avoid burning bridges while you test a new life abroad.
About Soft Landings by Elsewhere Co.
Soft Landings by Elsewhere Co. helps people move abroad with confidence. We offer free guides for those who need them, and we donate consulting hours to families in difficult situations. If you are exploring visas, ancestry pathways, or housing abroad, we can help you map a plan that fits your life and budget.