Moving Abroad Should Be About More Than Politics

Moving abroad should be about much more than fleeing American politics. In this opinion piece, we look at why election results make poor motivation for international relocation.

This is something I’ve been meaning to put together for a while, but I figured I would wait until after the general election in the United States. Reason being, of course, that after every single US election, half the country freaks out and starts talking about leaving. 2024 was my seventh (seventh!) American election as an expat in Costa Rica. And in the aftermath of every single one of them people have been like “OMG I gotta leave I gotta move to [insert name of country]!!!!!!”

Seven Elections of Exodus Threats

In 2000 and 2004 we didn’t have social media, but we had online forums and liberals were panicking back then about Bush/Cheney (funnily enough the same liberals who now accept and support the Cheneys but go figure). 2008 was the first real social media election and good lord didn’t the tables turn and we now had tons of conservatives bleating on about needing to move abroad. One highlight of those years was the late professional crybaby Rush Limbaugh threatening to move to Costa Rica if Obamacare happened (it did and he didn’t). Then back again to liberals throwing insane fits about Trump in 2016, conservatives screaming “Get me outta here” yet again in 2020, and here we are in 2024 with the US more divided and less understanding of the other side than ever.

If Harris had won yesterday, there would be a full on MAGA meltdown of terrified souls needing to get out of dodge before a full-on communist takeover happened. Instead, we have a full on liberal meltdown of people thinking that fascism and concentration camps and shiny uniforms and Gilead is coming. Next time or the time after it will swing again because guess what? It always does. The sheer drama and panic is exhausting and ridiculous. And I guess the point of this article is that your presidential candidate not winning isn’t — or shouldn’t be — a reason to move abroad.

Real Refugees vs. Political Frustration

There is, of course, a long and noble history of refugees seeking safe harbor elsewhere, going back centuries. Portugal, France, and the Ottoman Empire accepted thousands of Jews expelled from Spain in the 15th century. The story of the Pilgrim Fathers is part of the fabric of the United States. On the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor it says “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore”… and Europe gave.

In recent years, here in Central America, Costa Rica alone has accepted hundreds of thousands of refugees fleeing real political persecution in countries like Nicaragua and Colombia. But if you’re upset about Trump winning or would have been upset about Harris winning, you’re not a refugee. Not even close. So don’t pretend you are and use that as a reason because it’s insulting to real refugees who have lost everything.

Many Americans are considering #movingabroad due to the election. Henley & Partners reported a 504% increase in inquiries from Americans, and a survey by International Living found that 65% of respondents cite the election as a major reason for wanting to leave the U.S.… pic.twitter.com/WNUtcxb0JC

— Remote Tribe (@RemoteTribeLife) November 7, 2024

Better Reasons for Moving Abroad

If you’re looking to move abroad, make sure you’re doing it for the right reasons, otherwise you won’t be happy wherever you end up. Real reasons to relocate can be economic – Central America is, for the most part, much cheaper and so easier to build a comfortable life in, especially if you’re retired. Or move abroad for the weather. There’s something to be said for year-round warmth and no snow. Perhaps you’ve visited before and just want to surf immaculate beaches every morning. That’s another great reason. Or you feel comfortable with the culture and the people and know you’ve found your “space” in the world.

These are all great reasons to move abroad and they’re all positive reasons, based on where you’re going and not where you’re coming from. Moving abroad should be an exercise in looking forward, not backward. In my experience, most expats who spend their lives commenting and concentrating on politics in their home countries are looking back, and in doing so not living in the here and now or focusing on the future.

Of course, potential expats who have been thinking of moving abroad for a long time for any of the reasons mentioned above can certainly use events in their home countries as a reason to finally do it. But I guess my point is, make sure it’s ONE reason out of many and not THE one and only reason. Otherwise it’s probably not going to work. I realize this is just my opinion, but it’s an opinion based on years of expat observation in this part of the world.

The Reality Check: Central America Isn’t Your Political Haven

Here in Central America, there’s plenty to upset so-called “American political refugees“ of both flavors. Conservative refugees escaping the communist tyranny of Obama and Biden in recent years would have found heavy gun control throughout Central America and might have balked at institutions like universal healthcare (and being forced to pay into it) and rampant bureaucracy everywhere.

On the flip side, Liberals escaping the oncoming second fascist regime of Trump will find the region far more socially conservative than they think, where same sex couples generally keep a lower public profile than where they’re from. They’ll see that photo ID is essential for voting everywhere – in fact, you need a form of photo ID on you at all times by law in most countries (heck, you need photo ID to set up a cell phone number in Costa Rica yet alone vote!) and abortion is not a legal right. So — left or right — if you’re “fleeing” for these political “reasons” then don’t bother.

Put all that crap aside, however, and both sides will find friendly people, great weather, beautiful nature, amazing beaches, and a laid back lifestyle. Come for these reasons instead.

Making Forward-Looking Decisions

Bottom line is that American presidents come and go. The pendulum swings and swings back again. Right now one side is crying and soon enough the other side will cry. Nothing is ever as bad as you think it is and nothing is ever as good as you think it is. Know this and make your crucial life decisions based on reality and positivity and you should be good to go when moving abroad.

James Dyde is the editor of centralamerica.com. He lives in Escazu, Costa Rica