A Guide to Living Abroad – Carswellfamilyfoundation

Zach Cerny and his partner of many years had long wondered what it would be like to live abroad, but they felt tied to their home in Indianapolis, always unsure whether to take the plunge. 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 anywhere they wanted to live in the U.S.—have forced them feel like they’ve hit a tipping point,” Cerny said.

With their dachshund, Schnitzel, the couple moved to Ireland, then zigzagged across the European continent before settling in Germany. They are now in the process of obtaining German citizenship. Cerny calls it “the best decision we’ve ever made.”

“Since we moved to Europe, we’ve learned to be surprised by things again, and I think we’ve kind of stopped doing that in our daily lives in Indianapolis,” he said. They had “magical moments” in a park in Dublin, espresso bars in Sicily and opera houses in Vienna. They also have excellent health care and a car-free lifestyle, which Cerny says is not possible in the Midwest.

Deciding to move abroad—essentially, becoming an immigrant—is a big decision, fraught with logistical obstacles and existential questions. But every four years, as the U.S. election cycle reaches its peak, moving experts say more and more Americans are getting the itch. If this is your dream, Cerny says, it may be time to seriously think about leaving the country.

“I think you just have to take advantage of the moment when it comes,” he said.

How do you choose where to move?

Cerny and his partner Austin began their European odyssey in Ireland, where they knew the language to reduce culture shock. They decided to settle in Germany because Czerny had attended college there and was fascinated 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 moving abroad, say Kathleen Peddicord and Leaf Simon, the husband and wife team who run the consulting and media company Live and Invest Overseas. The couple divides their time between Paris and Panama.

Do you have children? If this is the case, then a country with a strong education system should be a priority, they advise. Will you continue to work for a particular company? In this case, the company can be of great importance in the decision.

However, if you are self-employed or retired, the world becomes a much more open place. There are considerations that can be “put into a spreadsheet,” Pedicord said, such as the cost of living, the exchange rate, the quality and cost of the health care system, how easy it is to obtain residency, and so on.

“But I think the more important part of it all is your gut reaction to the place and just your idea of what you really want your life to look like,” she said. “If you could see any view from your bedroom window when you wake up in the morning, what would you most like? Want to see a Caribbean beach? Do you want to see the sound of the surf in the Pacific Ocean? Want to see the paved courtyard? Do you want to see the Mediterranean Sea?

“Once you narrow it down, be sure to visit the country first,” said Joe Cronin, president of International Citizens Group. And decide what kind of “culture shock” you are ready for. If you’re not ready to learn a new language, consider a country where English is widely spoken, Cronin added.

What destinations are most popular among American expats?

Among the experts USA TODAY surveyed, Portugal appeared on the overall list of the most popular destinations, as well as the places they most often advise Americans to visit. However, it’s important to note that the country has recently enacted some measures that make immigration policies a bit tougher, Cronin said. For example, some of the programs currently offered require more income and short-term rentals are discouraged.

“These changes aim to balance Portugal’s hospitality with the need to ensure housing affordability and social stability for its 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 offers great real estate deals – although many demand justice. Ireland also makes it easy for foreigners to shop. real estate, often at prices much lower than in the United States.

Residence permit or citizenship?

Cerney’s experience aside, many relocation experts say Americans are more interested in becoming residents of a foreign country than citizens. There are so many accommodation 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 investment, while others depend on having a source of income. In some cases, “investment” can mean a company that you run yourself from your laptop, Peddicord says.

Czerny and his partner were barely 30 when they decided to move, and both had computer jobs they could do while they settled in. Americans approaching 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 themselves in a different tax jurisdiction.

It’s entirely possible to start exploring different options on your own—and moving experts encourage it. However, once you’ve narrowed it down a bit, it might make sense to consider paying 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 determine the best residency program, including those that may lead to citizenship at some point, but also all the various logistics 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 hosts conferences, both in-person and virtual, targeting many of the countries of greatest interest. This can be a cheaper way to dive into the details of one country before paying for customized consulting services. Even cheaper, but experts still strongly recommend: Look on Facebook or other social media for groups of American expats in the places you’re considering.

Finally, one good way to get your feet wet before leaving everything behind and heading to a new country is to “Digital Nomad Visa” Dozens of countries around the world allow foreigners to stay in the country for long periods of time—say, six months to a year—with short-term permits, as long as they work remotely.

The best way to escape to the border

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

According to Casaburi, in just six to eight months you can become a citizen of one of the five Caribbean countries that provide citizenship by investment: Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis and St. Lucia. . This may be more expensive than more traditional routes to citizenship abroad, but it is an option.

Additionally, Peddicord notes that there are several countries, including Belize, Panama, Colombia and Mexico, that you can visit and apply for residency while you’re there. “Honestly, I would say it’s not a crazy idea,” she said. “The residency process is a big headache. This is a lot of documents. It’s a process. This is a lot of bureaucracy and costs. Why go through all this if you’re not sure?”