Overview of Americans Are Leaving the U.S. in Record Numbers
This episode of The Journal investigates a growing trend: more Americans are choosing to leave the U.S. and build lives abroad, and many more say they want to. Reporters Drew Hinshaw and Joe Parkinson found that this is not just a political reaction to the Trump era, but a broader structural shift driven by remote work, affordability pressures, lifestyle changes, and the growing ease of living globally. The story centers on the changing meaning of America as a destination country—and what it means when Americans increasingly become emigrants themselves.
Main Findings
- At least 180,000 Americans moved out of the U.S. last year, according to the reporters’ best estimate, though they believe that number is likely a significant undercount.
- This is a fast-growing trend, not limited to retirees or corporate expatriates.
- Gallup data shows rising desire to leave:
- In 2008, about 1 in 10 Americans said they wanted to move abroad.
- Last year, that number had climbed to 1 in 5.
- The trend reflects a shift in America’s self-image:
- The U.S. has long seen itself as a country people move to.
- Now, more Americans are moving out.
Why Americans Are Leaving
Cost of Living and Financial Pressure
The episode emphasizes that many Americans are leaving because life in the U.S. has become harder to afford.
- Housing costs are a major pressure point.
- Health care costs are a recurring reason people cite for moving.
- For families, the cost of child care, schools, and college savings makes U.S. life feel financially exhausting.
Burnout and Lifestyle
Beyond money, many expats are seeking a different pace of life.
- People want to escape the “hustle” of working long hours and commuting.
- Many are looking for:
- more family time
- walkable neighborhoods
- less stress
- a better work-life balance
Remote Work Changed Everything
The pandemic accelerated the trend.
- Remote work decoupled where people live from where they work.
- That made it much easier for Americans to move abroad while keeping U.S.-based income.
- The traditional profile of the expat—wealthy, credentialed, or posted overseas—has expanded to include:
- young families
- freelancers
- middle-income professionals
- people from the Midwest and South, not just the coasts
Case Study: The LeBlanc Family in Portugal
A major part of the episode follows Michael and Stephanie LeBlanc, who moved from Los Angeles to Lisbon.
What Pushed Them Out
- High housing and child care costs in L.A.
- Expensive health insurance
- A $5,000 ambulance bill for their son, despite having insurance
- Burnout from long work hours and commuting
- Anxiety about school safety after two active shooter lockdowns at their child’s school
How They Made It Work
- They spent years preparing financially.
- They bought two U.S. rental properties to generate income.
- They qualified for Portugal’s passive income visa.
- Their move was gradual and deliberate, not impulsive.
What Life Is Like Now
- Their expenses were cut roughly in half
- They no longer need two cars
- They rely on walking and public transit
- Their kids attend a private school in Lisbon for roughly what they paid for after-school care in L.A.
- They say the move gave them:
- more family time
- less stress
- a lower financial burden
- a richer day-to-day life
Why Countries Want Americans
The episode also shows that many countries are actively trying to attract Americans.
Examples Mentioned
- Albania: tax breaks for U.S. citizens for a year
- Spain and the Netherlands: digital nomad-friendly tax rules
- Mexico: easy six-month entry for Americans crossing the border
Why Americans Are Attractive
- U.S. workers often bring stable income
- Many can earn American wages while living in lower-cost countries
- That makes them appealing to countries with aging populations or labor shortages
Backlash and Tensions Abroad
The influx of Americans is not universally welcomed.
- In places like Portugal, rising demand from foreigners has contributed to housing price increases
- Local residents sometimes see expats as helping drive up rents
- The episode notes that the trend has become politically and socially controversial in some cities
Bigger Implications
The reporters frame this as more than a migration story—it’s a challenge to a foundational American myth.
What It Suggests About the U.S.
- America is still a place people want to come to, but it is also increasingly a place people want to leave.
- The reasons are not purely ideological:
- affordability
- safety
- quality of life
- flexibility
- The next few years will determine whether this is:
- a temporary post-pandemic shift, or
- a lasting historic change in how Americans think about home
Notable Takeaway
One of the episode’s central insights is that the classic American dream is being redefined—not by rejection of the U.S. alone, but by the fact that many Americans now believe they can build a better life somewhere else.
Bottom Line
The Journal argues that the rise in Americans moving abroad is a real and underreported trend driven by structural changes in work, cost of living, and lifestyle expectations. The LeBlanc family’s story illustrates the appeal: lower costs, more time, and a calmer life. But the episode also raises a bigger question: if more Americans choose to leave, what does that say about America’s future identity?