Americans are leaving in record numbers.

[WeyounDS9]

My retirement isnt large.
But it would be considered high level income in most other countries.
Plus I speak a couple of foreign languages.
Plus I am divorced.
And I am currently contracting aborad right now.

So I might be one of those guys when the time comes.

On the other hand I love shooting and my firearms and I love being able to just jump into my car and drive 800 miles to a beach or mountain range.
I also love to have a large selection of fast food at 9 pm and to be able to shop for well, just about everything at 10pm.
Also love the selection of new and used vehicles in the US.

So I already miss the US; there is that.

 

[4wd]

"Strikingly, the new American migrant is more likely than ever to bring children in tow, relocation companies and realtors say, laying down roots and raising a set of Americans feeding into foreign colleges.

“You don’t face the prospect of your 5-year-old going into a kindergarten and doing an active shooter drill,” said Chris Ford, 41, who works for a Dallas real-estate investment firm

Our shooter drills are a bit different - when you pull in there is a black & white SUV parked next to the Principal - he works the critical areas while another unit runs radar outside. He also trained the teachers - and as noted on big signs - we can/will protect our students …
Unlike one famous school - we never/ever had a “visitors welcome” sign - never will.

 

[rszappa1]

I wish that all of the Hollywood people that said they would leave....would.............

 

[4wd]

I wish that all of the Hollywood people that said they would leave....would.............

Or those who did wouldn’t be in the media nonstop from - I don’t know -

 

[4wd]

It has been a wonderful, entertaining and enlightening ~23 years on BITOG, but I must bid you all adieu for the time being. I will be relocating to somewhere that probably has minimal and unreliable connectivity and unsure of my return date.

Signed
W&W, now known as "a 10 somewhere"

I’m thinking that place will have clocks stuck on 5 PM

 

[Vercingetorix]

Yep! The dictator/military coup got thrown out of power years ago. You can't criticize the King/Royal Family because that is in their constitution. But the new King and family don't get involved in politics now. Even less than King Charles in the UK. If you're a citizen you can speak out and criticize any politician or policy you don't like. They just had another election and get this; one of the political parties main planks was eliminate the military and defunding police. One of their slogans was "buy milk, not guns". Sound familiar? Gosh, sure sounds like you can't criticize the government.
Of course, if you're not a citizen, you shouldn't be criticizing their government or be involved in their politics. Isn't that controversial in the US right now?

"Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."

 

[mrsilv04]

When I am able to, I will gladly leave Illinois and not look back.

 

[4wd]

When I am able to, I will gladly leave Illinois and not look back.

Think they are 4th on the departures list - but little separation between the next two highest …

 

[BobsArmory]

Think they are 4th on the departures list - but little separation between the next two highest …

Even the Bears are leaving Chicago. The Bangkok Bears, it kinda rolls off your tongue.

 

[4wd]

Even the Bears are leaving Chicago. The Bangkok Bears, it kinda rolls off your tongue.

Biggest fans will be the Bears of Bangkok previously mentioned

 

[4wd]

I've never understood why any retiree would consider moving abroad assuming they have kids and grandkids in the US. You'd rather waste away on a beach instead of enjoy the riches of spending time with those you love? I'm not opposed to vacations, even extended vacations, but permanent relocation? No thanks.

Same. That discussion would definitely include a divorce …

 

[ATex7239]

I've never understood why any retiree would consider moving abroad assuming they have kids and grandkids in the US. You'd rather waste away on a beach instead of enjoy the riches of spending time with those you love? I'm not opposed to vacations, even extended vacations, but permanent relocation? No thanks.

Some people are extremely self centered. Maybe the kids don’t want much to do with the parents. Or vice versa. Or maybe even mutually. When people say they are going to permanently move abroad away from family in retirement I usually assume they are materialistic people or have no one. I’d rather be poor around the people I love than rich with strangers.

 

[BMWTurboDzl]

I've never understood why any retiree would consider moving abroad assuming they have kids and grandkids in the US. You'd rather waste away on a beach instead of enjoy the riches of spending time with those you love? I'm not opposed to vacations, even extended vacations, but permanent relocation? No thanks.

My in-laws moved to Panama in the late 2000's. They bought a unit in a brand new high-rise condo (Pacific).. The USD went s lot further down there. They were not beach people. Made a few friends with other ex-pats from the US and Canada as well as local Panamanians. It was a simpler life. They stayed ~3-4 yrs before health issues forced them to S. central Florida

 

[Pew]

There are massive communities in Mexico, Costa Rica, and other desirable locations in Latin America that are all US Expats. Its a thing. Whether enough to swing the needle not sure.

I talk with a few 'illegal' immigrants at my gym and barbers who travel back during the winters. They all say the same thing too, that there's a lot of immigrants and retirees that move the Latin America because it's way cheaper, weather is nicer, and most locations are just as safe as the USA. Just don't be "that guy" and flaunt your money around; because any attention can turn into bad attention.

I'm considering it but I still have some decades to go before I get there and I need to learn Spanish and Portuguese. I'd probably have like a bajillion illegitimate kids running around.

I've never understood why any retiree would consider moving abroad assuming they have kids and grandkids in the US. You'd rather waste away on a beach instead of enjoy the riches of spending time with those you love? I'm not opposed to vacations, even extended vacations, but permanent relocation? No thanks.

They may not see it as a waste. There's no reason why anybody should be beholden to stay in one place because of someone else. IMO, the kids should be independent well before the parent's retirement age; the parent's have done their job and should let enjoy the rest of their life how they want to.

 

[ATex7239]

I talk with a few 'illegal' immigrants at my gym and barbers who travel back during the winters. They all say the same thing too, that there's a lot of immigrants and retirees that move the Latin America because it's way cheaper, weather is nicer, and most locations are just as safe as the USA. Just don't be "that guy" and flaunt your money around; because any attention can turn into bad attention.

I'm considering it but I still have some decades to go before I get there and I need to learn Spanish and Portuguese. I'd probably have like a bajillion illegitimate kids running around.



They may not see it as a waste. There's no reason why anybody should be beholden to stay in one place because of someone else. IMO, the kids should be independent well before the parent's retirement age; the parent's have done their job and should let enjoy the rest of their life how they want to.

Anyone who has small kids understands that gifts and experiences just hit differently when it’s from or with grandpa and grandma. I don’t know why but it just does. Having actively engaged grandparents is a positive experience that every kid should be allowed to have. Family is not like paying off a mortgage or something where you pay your dues and move on. What is the point of creating a family and legacy if you’re just going to abandon it in the end.

 

[buster]

A counter to all those that think it's bad (I'm agnostic to this just pointing this out) you will often hear that Americans have it 80-90% better than the rest of the world. That's what some of the data suggests. Even those in the bottom 5%–10% of the U.S. income distribution often have higher living standards, access to services, and purchasing power than the median or top earners in developing nations.

I remember hearing this figure via Greg Mankiw with Bill Kristol on an interview.

It's possible a lot of this has to do with the level of "tension" in the country right now. Some just don't want to deal or be around this type of environment.

 

[SC Maintenance]

A counter to all those that think it's bad (I'm agnostic to this just pointing this out) you will often hear that Americans have it 80-90% better than the rest of the world. That's what some of the data suggests. Even those in the bottom 5%–10% of the U.S. income distribution often have higher living standards, access to services, and purchasing power than the median or top earners in developing nations.

I remember hearing this figure via Greg Mankiw with Bill Kristol on an interview.

This is often cited but not applicable. Your taking your US dollars and living somewhere with a lower cost of living. Not the same.

Even in developing nations you can have access to mostly the same services if you can afford to pay, and at a fraction of the cost of here.

Also to say that living somewhere in Western Europe the standard is lower simply means you have never been to Western Europe. Different, yes. Lower, not really.

 

[Pew]

Anyone who has small kids understands that gifts and experiences just hit differently when it’s from or with grandpa and grandma. I don’t know why but it just does. Having actively engaged grandparents is a positive experience that every kid should be allowed to have. Family is not like paying off a mortgage or something where you pay your dues and move on. What is the point of creating a family and legacy if you’re just going to abandon it in the end.

I don't think they're abandoning their family, just living what's left of their life how they want too and can go back/forth to visit. However, I do see your view and understand my situation of not married/no kids/family-was-never-super-close skews my view of certain feelings (for the lack of a better word) about this.

 

[pbm]

After watching the 'snow ball fight' with the police in NYC I can understand wanting to leave America...'law and order' seems to be a thing of the past.

 

[ATex7239]

I don't think they're abandoning their family, just living what's left of their life how they want too and can go back/forth to visit. However, I do see your view and understand my situation of not married/no kids/family-was-never-super-close skews my view of certain feelings (for the lack of a better word) about this.

If the kids are grown and off doing their own things, and there are no grandchildren, then yeah, I completely understand. I just don’t think that is the norm though. Most retirees have grandkids.

Speaking as a parent who had active grandparents growing up, but now somewhat disengaged parents, I can tell you that I am not happy that my kids are missing out on the grandparent experiences. I personally feel like my parents (who are both off doing their own things) did not pay it forward to my kids. I will not do that to my children and grandchildren. My wife and I are going to be present and engaged grandparents.