What would have to occur for you to start considering leaving the USA?

[Quixote1818]

This isn't something I have ever considered in my life but tonight it occurred to me that if I see clear signs that MAGA is going to take over the US Gov. and democracy starts to crumble, I won't think twice about it. I'm still doubting it will get that far but I am on guard and that is a very creepy feeling. I don't think we will know if this is occurring until 2024, regardless of who controls both houses after this election. I'm just hoping things hold through 2024 and if they do we can probably breath a bit easier at that point but maybe not, as the GOP is just going to get more and more crazy. Hopefully many just tune out and fade away if Trump loses again and it holds.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

1. Becoming independently wealthy.

[Island Blue]

15. Same.

I have no skills that any other country would care about, so I would need to have lots of money.

[SharonAnn]

22. Same here, too.

[area51]

24. +1

And it'd be the only way people would get access to a country with universal healthcare.

[RockRaven]

25. +1

[mountain grammy]

82. Typical American privilege..

refugees flee with just the shirts on their backs, but not Americans, obsessed with money and possesions.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

84. I'm not sure what you're saying, but many countries have income and health requirements to

immigrate. I don't expect things getting bad enough for me to become a refugee (but then, who does?), so for me to leave the country voluntarily, I would need a lot of money before countries I would want to go to would consider me. And my point is that doesn't look likely for me, so I'll stay where I am.

[carpetbagger]

95. I would take refugee status in the EU or UK or ANZ in a minute.

But what's my claim? I'm better off than most, so there's always a few Latin American places, and if needed I'm still young enough to work for a while, but I suspect I'm luckier than those older or less educated or skilled.

My only birthright immigration is Israel, and they're not better than the U.S.

[mountain grammy]

97. Israel would be my birthright also..

Universal health care and it's very good from the reports I've read.

[carpetbagger]

100. The healthcare is great. The democracy...

not so much. Netanyahu's win is analogous to Trump winning in 2024, in my opinion.

[Ocelot II]

2. I'd have to find a place that would take me.

Most countries want immigrants who have jobs or useful skills; I'm old and retired. I'm stuck here.

[wcmagumba]

5. Me too but I have thought of trying to relocate close to the Canadian border....nt

[Ocelot II]

11. I'm already in Minnesota so I guess I could crash through the woods

or canoe across the Rainy River to Canada if I had to, but what then? If I'm not eaten by bears the Canadians would just throw me back across the border.

[Deuxcents]

17. That's the boat I'm in so I'll stay n fight.

[treestar]

96. +1

People think it's so easy to leave and live somewhere else.

Some countries have retirement visas but likely some requirement about how much money the person has.

[carpetbagger]

101. Ecuador is relatively easy for a pensioner's visa.

[Ocelot II]

102. Too hot and humid! I couldn't manage the climate.

If Norway would have me I'd go there in a heartbeat, but the only way they'd take me is if I married a citizen, got a job, or started a college degree program. But I'm old and hate hot climates, so I guess I'll just stay here.

[carpetbagger]

106. Cuenca and Quito are cool.

A bit cloudy, but average high temp is in the 60s.

[pwb]

3. Death?

.

[Fullduplexxx]

4. My paternal grandparents were smuggled here fro Poland when hitler

Was on the way . It would be ironic leaving for what is basically the same thing

[delisen]

6. Imminent arrest by Fascists, known for disappearing arrestees. nt

[Glorfindel]

7. Becoming 20 years younger...

and much better off financially.

[Mister Ed]

8. This is my country. I will stay and fight. n/t

[GenThePerservering]

48. This right here

Not running.

[panader0]

103. I'm not leaving either. Fuck 'em. I can handle what may happen.

[montanacowboy]

9. We are already making plans

If Magats win this midterm and they hold the house and impeach Biden, and forbid they get the Senate. That can only be a what's coming in 2024. We can't live under Maga rule. We have dual citizenship and can live anywhere in the EU, but it still takes a lot to leave your country. It means selling your home and leaving friends and family. It's a terrible decision and one we don't want to have to make.

[dwayneb]

39. It is terrible

It's mainly about your children, assuming you are "older". I am too old to make the move but they are not.

[panader0]

104. A montana cowboy may sell his house and leave his family and friends?

Resist! This old bricklayer is staying on my land, in the house I built. My 4 kids all live here in the states.
They won't leave, and can't be away too far from them.

[PlutosHeart]

10. Somehow becoming a multimillionaire

since no country will take me, my 5 pets and husband unless we were filthy rich.
I would right now leave in a heartbeat.

[Initech]

12. The Christian right winning the house and senate.

No doubt they will go full Nazi if they come back into power and they will go after all of Trump's opponents and anyone who doesn't kowtow to the Murdoch cult. They already have SCOTUS. If they gained anything more, we're fucked.

[dwayneb]

35. It is coming

And the average American has no clue what it will mean.

Faux rigged elections, the crushing of dissent and mass disinformation, the gutting of our system of justice, the turning of Federal police forces against the people. Mark my words, this and more is coming our way if/when they take power.

We will see come January 2025.

[newdayneeded]

72. we'll be ruled by the buybull.

[2naSalit]

13. Wouldn't be...

Last edited Thu Nov 3, 2022, 11:57 PM - Edit history (1)

The first time I've considered it but I have been lately, I just don't know where I'd go.

ETA: I'd have to come in to a lot of cash to be able to do anything other than stay put. If this election ends the wrong way, I will have to see what my options are, again.

[Samrob]

14. I have already considered it but can't afford it right now AND people seem to be racist and bigoted

everywhere you go these days.

[roamer65]

16. Michigan should leave the US and join Canada.

We are more like Ontario, than Alabama.

It just makes sense.

[dwayneb]

29. Good idea. nt

[SoBlueInFL]

77. Would Canada want all those militia types? I doubt it. You'd have to arrest them first.

[karynnj]

88. Vermont is more like Canada too

and not just because maple syrup is a big thing in both places.

[ColinC]

18. Gilead.

And that’s assuming I lived fighting them.

[SergeStorms]

19. Donald Trump as president.

I think I've answered your question. 😉

[sprinkleeninow]

23. This plus the rest of the degeneration.

My step dad's family in England would be who I'd reach out to. Or an acquaintance who has a home in Costa Rica.

I could get employment in the hair salon industry. Good thing I keep my license up.

But this move would have to be green lights from start to finish.

[SoCalDavidS]

20. My Parents Passing Away

They're in their mid-late 80's, and I wouldn't leave so long as they're alive. Otherwise, I'd be seriously considering it right now. I am not happy with America. That started in 2000, but has gotten much worse over the past 3 years.

[Bobstandard]

21. The first time I'm stopped at a 'Militia' checkpoint

I won’t leave the first time my Biden/Harris gets stolen. That’s already happened. It won’t be the first time my Biden/Harris bumper sticker gets defaced. That’s already happened. It won’t be the first time I get hassled at the US/Canada border because I have a Resist bumper sticker. That’s already happened.

I’m going to leave the first time I’m confronted by armed right wing thugs as I’m driving or walking around who ask me who I voted for or what I think about Donald Trump. In my neighborhood, that might not be that long from now. (Google Siskiyou County CA politics).

[SoCalDavidS]

46. That Might Be Too Late nt

[Freddie]

26. I'm stuck here

I’d go to Canada in a heartbeat but they don’t want retired people. If things get really bad possibly my daughter would go - she’s a nurse, they’d love to have her - and I’ll visit a lot.

[Tikki]

27. We have already picked a place, but feel like we should actually visit the place

and learn about the lifestyle and living.

The Tikkis

[MarineCombatEngineer]

28. I was born and raised here,

I spent 35 years of my life in the service of our country, I will die in America. I will not abandon my country because of the MAGAt's and cowardly repukes who refuse to confront them and encourage open rebellion, I will fight to the death defending this country if that's what it comes down to, but I will not leave.

[dwayneb]

31. Thank you for your service

But while I understand you would fight to your death - what about your children and grandchildren?

That is the question. Do you really want them to live under the boot of an authoritarian government?

[MarineCombatEngineer]

41. Thank you, greatly appreciated.

I do not want that for them, but it would be their decision to do what they feel they must do, if they chose to leave the country, that's fine with me, if they chose to stay and fight, that's fine with me also, but for me, I just cannot in good conscious, leave my country to the MAGAt's, nor could I leave behind the millions of Americans who will take up the fight against them.

I have no problem with those that want to leave, it's their decision and I would respect that.
I hope you can understand where I'm coming from, I hope it doesn't come down to that though.

Peace out.

[Joinfortmill]

42. 👍

[GenThePerservering]

50. Yes! We are in the majority

People having this conversation may feel alone, but we are NOT! We are in the majority - why should we let ourselves be pushed around? I'd rather fight than wring my hands over this.

[MarineCombatEngineer]

54. +100. nt

[Doc Sportello]

56. Well said sir

Would that this country had 100 million like you we wouldn't be in this shape. The MAGAts are cowards and wilt in the face of real fighters.

[MarineCombatEngineer]

78. +100.

Thank you.
We are the silent majority, the ones the MAGAt's think won't fight, that we're cowards who won't pick up a weapon and go defend our country against the likes of them, they couldn't be more wrong.

I truly hope it doesn't come down to that.

[carpetbagger]

30. Minimum agency retirement age.

A few months after the 2026 midterms. Alternatively, my son and his partner fleeing to Ireland or the UK where the partner has birthright immigration (sadly, only have Israel which is going downhill just as quickly). Ecuador looks good.

[sanatanadharma]

76. If considering Ecuador, research the Guayaquil narco wars

Mexican and Albanian narcos are fighting over ownership of the port for international smuggling. Google search

On the other hand, my wife reports several Hare Krishna vegetarian restaurants in Quito.

[carpetbagger]

94. Thanks.

I'm thinking Cuenca. I am aware of the Guayaquil violence, but if I weren't this would be Very Important Stuff, so thanks. I like Quito a lot, and I'll probably spend tune there and possibly in Mindo before settling into Cuenca. Seems for now the cartels are more interested in the coast, and specifically the port for now.

[sarisataka]

32. Nothing

Like MCE above, I will not let anyone force me out of MY country.

[Blaukraut]

33. Being in MA, it'll take a bit for hubby and me to leave

But once our state succumbs to the madness, or once the madness spreads nationwide in terms of laws and daily living, we have options - sort of. I'm still a German citizen and own a house over there, so that would be where we'd be able to go without problems. Hubby is retired military, and (hopefully) eligible for SS in 7 years, which usually is no problem for US expats. Health insurance would also be no issue. (Tricare, usable on any US military installation, or German universal health care, but that would be pretty expensive.)
The only problem would be if any retirement income or SS were eliminated, but that would screw us here in the States, too.

[Joinfortmill]

34. Yes, after Trump was elected. I built a spreadsheet...

with a few alternatives and made a plan. My family didn't take me seriously. Now they get it. But, it's 6 years later and I am 6 years older, so even though I still have the spreadsheet, now I'm more inclined to stay and fight against the bastards. I'm not afraid like I was 6 years ago. Now I'm pissed.

[MarineCombatEngineer]

80. +100.

[phylny]

36. My children, their husbands, and my granddaughter would all have to come with us

to Italy, where my great-grandparents immigrated from.

But it's not happening, so here we are, voting.

[albacore]

37. With my wife and I, it was Dubya getting a second term.

Yes... that long ago. My father came from Canada.... I think. (He had a US birth certificate AND a Canadian birth certificate) so I had the possibility. We contacted the Canadian consul, and he said... politely, of course.... that we were too old and poor, and would suck off their health care system.

Now we're too old to leave. Medicare and our supplement keeps us here.

But a second trump term would change that, I believe. I dunno how we'd do it, but we'd GTFO of here.

[usedtobedemgurl]

38. Having dual citizenship with Canada....

Means I can leave at any point. Problem is, my partner hates snow and moved to the south, so he could avoid it.

What would need to happen? I am waiting to see what happens with the next presidential election. If a ratpublican gets elected, it will be downhill for our country. It will never recover in my lifetime.

If that happens, I have been researching cities in Mexico. also, keeping an eye on the housing market down there. I do not intend becoming a second class citizen, just because of my gender. I have a friend who will also leave the states, with us.

[slightlv]

40. I began thinking about it when Trump was elected.

Unfortunately, I'm too old for any country to take me... and too poor. I guess that means I'm worthless anywhere and everywhere (sigh).

[Joinfortmill]

43. No you're not.

[slightlv]

44. Thank you...

Sure have been feeling that way, with the way things are going these days...

[Karma13612]

45. If more countries would allow us to live abroad with less visa hassles.

As a 68 year old, with limited income from social security and a bit of savings, I can’t offer money or skills. I just want a country that will allow me to live a quiet simple life without the fear of MAGA and GOP extremists taking over.

I envy young people who are telecommuting while living in foreign counties of their choice. I have to sit here in the US and fear the Republicans will turn the country into a violent, fascist theocracy.

[VGNonly]

47. Depends

How much money would I need?

[ForgedCrank]

49. This is

my country.
No one is going to make me give up on it, ever.

[KentuckyWoman]

51. I am over 80

A bit late to be leaving. I'll stick it out, come what may.

[Raine]

52. There isn't anything that would cause me to leave. nt

[Genki Hikari]

53. My mother and I have already started the process

To move to Mexico. My mother has a house down there, that I pushed her to get after that...thing conspired with the Russkies to become POTUS in 2016.

The Mexican government is lax about enforcing any extended stay laws. To put it mildly. As long as you don't cause any trouble and buy local, they're happy to have your money.

I'd rather take my chances with the drug cartels than the far more murderous MAGA scum. If you're not not involved in drugs, mind your own business and don't act like a jerk to people (never know who's related to whom), then cartels tend to leave ex-pat Americans alone.

Good enough for me.

[LakeArenal]

55. We didn't retire to Costa Rica for political reasons.

It was a thirteen year plan.

But now that we are here, have applied for and received legal residency, we are prepared for an influx of new ex-pats.

I’m thrilled we avoided the rush.

From here, US is the 3rd world country. Still I hope our votes save Democracy.

[sanatanadharma]

79. Planning is important

Planning, execution and surrender.
Expats who grouch about their host-country ways ought to stay home.

My partner and I planned before Trump, left during Trump, and (gracias a Dios) succeeded.
Life now is not significantly less expensive than it was, but we get more for our money.

[LakeArenal]

91. I find patience is a huge virtue.

Also Tico’s will help nice people faster than ugly people.

Im lucky. Mr Lake had always been on the same page. If half the couple doesn’t want to be there, it takes a lot of enjoyment out of it. Especially for those of us who have to listen to them.

[róisín_dubh]

57. Already done.

I just happened to be born in the USA. I have never felt a patriotic love for my birthplace. As a woman, I have more freedom in just about anywhere in Western Europe. I fled as soon as I found a job and a visa (made easier by the fact that I studied in the UK for a post-graduate degree and entered their new visa scheme as a 45 year old). It's hard, and it's expensive and I wish I'd done it when I was 22 and not 45, but I'm very, very happy here.

[sanatanadharma]

81. I moved at 72, age is a benefit

Good for you.
Throughout history people have relocated successfully with little more than they can carry. It is hard, but few reading this are as impoverished as most arriving from the south.

[vercetti2021]

58. No never

This is my home. I'll die defending it before I flee. I'm protecting my family and my love first before I run. Live free or die

[Nictuku]

59. May 2023 Real ID Deadline

I think that when I finally go get a Real ID, I should also get a Passport.

How scary.

[AKwannabe]

60. It occurred

In 2016, Nov The real stolen election.

[DFW]

61. A woman like this would have to tell me, "if you want me, you will have to move to my country."

She did, so I did.

[Dorian Gray]

62. I've been letting

the idea burn in the back of my brain. I've done some research into golden passports, and thinking about where I would like to end up with my family.

My husband isn't quite on board, so there would have to be a TON of convincing.

But it's there.... percolating.... brewing.... and we've started discussions.

Leaving our families behind would be hard, though. And we both have aging parents whose health is deteriorating, so I feel like it couldn't truly happen until they pass on.

[DFW]

63. I should probably clarify a few things

Although I moved here to be with my wife on a more steady basis, most of my work was already overseas, 95% of it in Europe. So I was here a lot for decades before I made the official move. Except for one daughter who settled in Frankfurt (actually, Königstein in the Taunus hills), all of my family is still back in the USA, so I return several times a year. My dad was a Washington journalist for 50 years, and due to people he introduced me to, as well as people I have met through them, and at Renaissance Weekend in South Carolina, I stay as well connected to Washington as I can. It's not "Bill" and Barack" to Clinton and Obama, but it is "Howard," "Jon," "Jerry" and "Mark" to guys named Dean, Ossoff, Nadler and Kelly. You can stay in close touch with people from afar easily these days without living across the street.

[Shanti Shanti Shanti]

64. I would have to be fluent in at least 7 languages and be stinking rich. I've lived in Greece

For work for a year. Unless U can hookup with an interpreter, life will be challenging. I was assigned one.

Americans, for the most part, are seen as rich and spoiled by the rest of the world, they will gladly rip you off, lol

[Jedi Guy]

65. I left ten years ago.

I can't claim it was for political reasons, though. My wife is Canadian and after we got married it just made more sense for me to move here than for her to move to the States. The US also doesn't recognize "chef" as a profession for the purposes of immigration, for some bizarre reason.

Canada has been far kinder to me than the US ever was. I've built a life and career here, and while we're not wealthy we are comfortable. The only thing tying me to the States these days is my parents, who are in their mid-70s. Once they're no longer with us, there will be no reason for me to go back.

Needless to say, I've watched the political situation back home with mounting horror and dread since 2015. It's hard to believe just how bad things have gotten in the last seven years.

[Coventina]

66. Once they start actually jailing parents for supporting trans kids OR abortion doctors

that will be my cue that professors are probably next.

That's when I'll have to really beg my husband to leave. He's not going to want to.
Mostly, because we don't know any place that would take us.

My only surviving elder at this point is my dad, and he'll be just fine under MAGA rule.
So will my brother.

My sister and her partner can go to Mexico, as he has family there.

[maxrandb]

67. This country elected Donny Dipshit Trump

I just don't see how we ever fucking recover from that fucking fact.

For a long as I live, and for all millennia, when anyone in the entire fucking universe sees the American flag, there will be a giant orange shitstain smeared right down the middle of it.

We would bet better served to start planning for a post-America world, and working to create what will replace it, because the simple fact that the American people turned the keys over to this evil, devoid of humanity circus clown fucking killed it.

We might as well have put a gun to the United States of America's temple and pulled the fucking trigger.

Sure, we may win a few elections here and there, and convince ourselves that "we are curing what ailed us", but the festering, putrid flesh-eating parasitic tumor that fucking dipshit infested in America will be with us forever.

The simple fact that the party opposed to insurrectionists isn't leading by 40 points in the first nationwide election since the Retrumplicans attempted to murder America in her sleep proves me right.

It's like if my neighbor on the right tried to murder my family, and my neighbor across the street is OK with voting the attempted murderer into power.

[JI7]

68. I would like to travel the world. And If I got a really good job

offer that required me being in another country .

The fact is most people are not going to leave the US. THe realistic options for most who did want to leave over politics would be going to less well wealthy nations where their savings or maybe some other income can go a long way.

But if one wants similar or better living standards which would mean some place like Canada, Western Europe, Japan etc they would need a lot of money or a good job offer in those places.

[GreenWave]

69. Yellowstone going supervolcano.

[Luciferous]

70. My husband is a dual citizen and we have

already discussed the possibility of moving but my youngest is in high school and that would be a really hard adjustment. But if the Republicans take over we will start making plans.

[Victor_c3]

71. We'd basically have to be firing shots in a major civil war before I'd leave

I’d certainly leave Ohio (where I’ve lived for the last 4 years) and head back to where I grew up in New York if things started to look sour. Leaving the country would depend on a lot of other factors, mainly what would be best overall for my two daughters.

I’m fortunate in that I have the means and ability to live anywhere I want - either domestically or abroad. I’m planning on leaving the country when my youngest graduates high school in about 6 years regardless of what’s going on politically. That’s been a dream of mine since I my divorce roughly 5 years ago.

[BeerBarrelPolka]

73. Liz

Elizabeth Hurley finally coming to her senses and marrying me would definitely do it!

[Emile]

74. Winning the powerball lotto. I would move to Northern Ontario Canada

with a winter home in Belize.

[Kaleva]

75. There is no place to hide from the effects of catastrophic climate change

[bluedigger]

83. Too old and poor to relocate.

Somebody has to stay and fight the good fight.

[Roisin Ni Fiachra]

85. Fascists being able to hunt down and imprison, or kill, anyone they want,

with relative impunity.

[Sympthsical]

86. No one's going anywhere

The conversation always comes up around election time, and it never doesn't sound like a seven year old stamping his foot and threatening mom and dad that he's going to run away and never ever coming back.

I know many people who have left the country, and all of them did it quietly without the grand internet announcement.

Because adults don't flounce out of the room.

[karynnj]

87. A very hard question

The first general thing is that life would have to significantly change in Vermont where I live to a degree it was intolerable. Second, there would have to be no viable way to restore our government.

Third, there would have to be some place reasonable to go. I don't think we could just immigrate a few hours north to Canada. If there were a path to do that for us as retirees, I would go. One question is whether social security would continue to be given to people outside the US. That assumes it still exists in the US.

My bigger concern would be for my children, who would be more impacted. I could see going with them if they left to help them.

[lark]

89. I'm already there.

We've applied to both New Zealand and Canada and been rejected for our ages (we were 58 and 66 at the time). Our friends in NZ said they could get us in, but they broke up and that fell through. We've read a lot about Portugal and want to go visit for a few weeks and see if it's something doable for us.

As far as actually leaving, I don't know. My kids are here and I'd hate to leave them. If the pugs take over and my daughter moves far away and Portugal is doable, we'd probably move there rather than live in the Confederacy Part Deux. We live in Fl. now.

[GoneOffShore]

90. I chose my screen name in June of 2002 and in 2018 it became reality.

Left the US behind in September of 2018.

We don't even want to go back to visit.

[milestogo]

92. Martial Law.

[bif]

93. Been considering it for several years now.

[Amishman]

98. I won't leave no matter what

This little corner of PA is my home. I will never move away from here.

This is where my friends and family live. This is where my roots are.

I moved away when I way younger, and the experience made me realize that this would always be home for me.

I'm not going anywhere, no matter what happens.

[slater71]

99. When I run out of bullets.

[panader0]

105. I'm amazed at how many DUers are anxious to leave their country.

Join the resistance! Don't ever let the fuckers get you down. This place looks like the Russians retreating
from the brave Ukrainians that fought back, because it was their HOMELAND.

[Genki Hikari]

107. My health makes it well nigh impossible to fight anything

I'm too tired and old and my health too frail to deal with being part of a resistance.

And as an atheist, I'm doomed here if these fascist take over.

I've had my route out planned since the 90s, and I have a destination ready and waiting for me. I will go and not look back.

I have too many bad memories of living here as it is. I won't die here in terror.

[sakabatou]

108. Losing my health insurance.

Then again, I don't have a way to leave.

[pnwmom]

109. If our children all left, yes, we would follow them. nt