Although it is difficult to say whether there is a trend of Americans on the move outside the country, rough estimates show that around 8 million Currently they live in other countries, twice as many 4.1 million live abroad in 1999.
He most popular countries The destinations Americans can move to are Mexico, Canada, and the United Kingdom, in that order.
A big reason why some are leaving the united states is that an increasing number of employers allow people to work abroad. Others are choosing to leave due to the rising cost of living and “Golden visa” programs. Golden visas offer the possibility of obtaining a residence permit abroad by buying a house or making a significant investment or donation.
A couple is going viral on TikTok because they have decided to leave America and move to Spain. Luna Ashley Santel had wanted to move for a long time, but her husband wasn’t okay with the move until he had a lightbulb moment while visiting a Spanish cafe. The couple are parents to a 4-year-old daughter and one of the main reasons for their decision to leave is her safety.
This is what changed for him. I’m sure this will piss off the right people. No pun intended. #movingforeign #spanadigitalnomadvisa #movingforeignwithpets #movingespanawithchildren
While spending time in Spain, the couple went to a crowded cafe, which would have made them uncomfortable at their home in St. Louis, Missouri.
“There are a lot of people walking. Being from St. Louis, it’s not a very comfortable place for me,” her husband said. “And you turn to me and say, ‘Have you seen all these people?’” He said his wife told him.
“And you say, ‘None of them have guns,’” he continued.
At that moment, he realized that living in the United States made him on alert whenever he was in public. A sensation that he never had in Spain. “And I realized that this weight I had been carrying my entire life was not necessary. As if what we think is normal is not normal,” he said.
When it comes to gun policy, Spain and Missouri couldn’t be more different. In SpainPossessing a gun for self-defense is permitted when in verifiable danger. In MissouriNo permit is required to carry a firearm, whether concealed or open.
In Spain, the Rate of deaths from firearms per 100,000 people. in 2019 it was 0.64. While in Missouri the possibility of being killed by gun It is more than 36 times higher: 23.2 people per 100,000 will die from firearms in 2021.
The video resonated with many Americans who feel uncomfortable living in a country that has become accustomed to mass shootings.
“There is so much mental energy we devote to simply existing in America,” Mintmage wrote.
“As a father of two young children, your husband’s explanation touches me because I cannot disagree,” Astrolo-G added.
“That is literally my biggest motivator for leaving the country. I am terrified for my son,” Doula Faye wrote.
Luna’s husband is not the only one in the family concerned about school safety in the U.S. Luna, a former teacher of 7 years, believes that sending her daughter to a school where they do “terrifying” intrusion drills is unacceptable.
“It’s nothing I want my 5-year-old to have to accept or learn normally,” she says in another TikTok post.
Replying to @CholeraMeBadd is a big reason we’re leaving. #gettingoutoftheusa #movingabroad #alicedrill #alicedrills #iquiteaching #ididntsignupforthishit #movingtospainwithkids
This article originally appeared on 07/14/23.
