Don't like the view? Change it. An increasing number of Americans are doing just that by choosing to move abroad to escape the high cost of living, political division, and safety concerns.
The Wall Street Journal reported more people moved out than moved into the United States last year, something that hadn't happened since the Great Depression.
This is how they described it: "The Trump administration has hailed the exodus—negative net migration—as the fulfillment of its promise to ramp up deportations and restrict new visas. Beneath the stormy optics of that immigration crackdown, however, lies a less-noticed reversal: America’s own citizens are leaving in record numbers, replanting themselves and their families in lands they find more affordable and safe."
The number of Americans living abroad ranged from 3.3 million to 5.5 million in 2024, reflecting a 15% increase from 2010, per The Independent.
Why? Affordability is a key factor in the decision to move abroad, as the high cost of living in the U.S. is becoming increasingly burdensome, especially with children. Specifically, Joseph Reagan, 44, told The Independent about moving his wife and two kids from Maine to Italy, "It was just like the cost of living was definitely… getting scary expensive with kids,” he added, pointing to the high cost of childcare, formula, diapers and other necessities.
His family bought a house in Abruzzo, Italy for $27,000. By comparison, the average cost of a house in the U.S. is $514,600, per The Motley Fool, while the median home price is $403,200. Real estate values vary significantly by region; for instance, typical home values range from $173,639 in West Virginia to $775,000 in California.
While gas prices surge and house prices and mortgage rates stay high, polls show many Americans are disillusioned with the U.S. economy, the cost of living, and the country's leadership. Polls show disapproval rates of 63% for President Donald Trump's handling of the economy and 70% for the cost of living.
Younger Americans, including families, also say they're choosing to move abroad for safety concerns. Europe recorded two school shootings in 2025, compared to 233 to 235 in the U.S., according to the K-12 School Shooting Database.
There's also access to affordable healthcare and daycare, and a desire for a more relaxed and less job-focused lifestyle, with countries like Spain and Portugal being popular destinations.
And speaking of Spain and Portugal, and Italy and France, one has to take into account the social media effect. Lavish photo spreads of idyllic settings has to be playing a role in dreams of relocating.
While there's no data, social media and online resources are inspiring more Americans to make the move, with companies offering relocation services to assist in the transition.
"I can pick you up from the airport, set you up with a phone, a bank account, and get you settled in an apartment in under a week," ex-pat Chad Dunn told NPR about his new role. He went from selling cars in Savannah, to setting up tourists to move to Thailand. "It's becoming very popular."
