With the recent election results putting Trump into office once again, the fear of his second term bringing even worse consequences this time around is widely shared. Many Americans have been heavily considering leaving the country to try and counteract the effect his presidency will have on them.

Though, with every big decision comes its positives and negatives. Here are a few pros and cons to leaving America that you should consider before making your decision.

Pros

The United States could improve upon many of its aspects, some things are being executed in a more appealing way abroad.

Political and Social Climate

The political and social climate is the entire reason people have been considering moving abroad more so now than in the more recent past.

With the mass polarization and tensions between parties being so high, people want to live somewhere that is perceived as more politically stable. The disagreement between people over politics on such a widespread level has made residing in the United States a less enjoyable experience. Canada, Australia, Denmark, and New Zealand are some countries perceived as more politically stable.

Cost & Quality of Living

To add to the less enjoyable experience, the cost of living in the United States is continuously rising making housing, healthcare, and necessities like groceries less affordable to citizens. Quality of life and work-life balance are also known for being better abroad. When things are cheaper and more affordable, there can also be less stress which leads to more enjoyable living.

Though life satisfaction is entirely subjective, it is true that places abroad, for example Europe, Canada, Columbia, Mexico, and Panama, all present cheaper lifestyle options, more affordable housing, and better quality of living. Some countries are more known for their immersive cultures and sights while others are known more for their balance between work and personal time. Be sure to know what you want and research your specific countries of interest, their average cost of living, and what they offer in particular compared to other countries before picking a place to relocate.

Healthcare

Healthcare in the US is expensive and more inaccessible than other places abroad. Countries outside of the United States can offer better access and affordability to healthcare. Universal healthcare is one way other countries have helped make healthcare more accessible and with no financial barrier.

Universal healthcare is implemented in a number of countries including Canada, Portugal, Germany, and most other countries in Europe. These are just a few examples, there are currently over 30 countries in the world that offer universal healthcare. Most countries like Canada, Portugal, the UK, and other European countries, fund universal healthcare through taxation, though in places like Germany, universal healthcare is implemented through a multi-payer hybrid system. Citizens can choose to contribute to either the statutory health insurance (SHI) or decide to opt for a private provider.

Safety

With Trump in office, minority groups are in danger and will be the target of discriminatory policies and government actions. People with different racial and ethnic backgrounds, immigrants, and those identifying with the LGBTQ+ community, especially transgender individuals, have taken on and will continue to take on the brunt of the discrimination led by the trump administration. In the end, it might be safer for those identifying with minority groups to move abroad for at least the duration of Trump’s presidency.

Cons

Moving to a new country brings all kinds of challenges along with it that are important to consider.

Visas, Jobs, & Money

You are not able to move abroad without a valid visa and the process can be lengthy. One of the easier visas to obtain is a work visa. Some countries have even been offering Americans visas if they have a remote job or are wanting to create a startup business.

This brings me to my next point, needing a job. If you cannot secure a job abroad, especially one who will sponsor your visa, it will make the process of getting a visa to live abroad even more challenging. It will also make affording the move that much harder unless you have a large amount of disposable income to spend, though not many Americans have that type of money just sitting around.

Securing a job abroad is also not an easy task. Companies will normally only hire someone coming from outside of the country if they possess a special skill or draw-in that more local individuals might not have. If you currently have a job, try looking to see if the company you work for has branches overseas and if you are able to transfer to one. If you are on the hunt for a job, it's best to remember that the larger the company the better the chances you have of them being able to support a work visa. When applying, make sure to highlight anything that may make you highly unique when being compared to those applying from in the country.

US Government Decisions Don't Only Affect the US

While domestic policies might only affect those residing in the United States, they can also influence foreign policy which does affect countries outside of the United States. So while you may be wanting to move abroad to escape US policies, you cannot escape the effect US foreign policies will have on the countries you may be interested in moving to.

Take some time to research how foreign policies from the United States will affect countries you are interested in moving to, what the countries relationships with the United States looks like, and where those relationships seem like they will be headed in the future.

What Are You Leaving Behind

When you choose to move abroad you are not just leaving a country and its government, you might also be leaving behind friends, family, and familiarity. Choosing to move can be an emotionally taxing decision even if it seems like the right decision.

Before making your choice, think about the consequences it will have on your relationships and if you are willing to sacrifice the closeness and familiarity of the important people and things in your life.

We NeEd to Stick Together

Leaving America will not change the fact that the Trump administration is currently in power. If everyone who voted against him during the election leaves the country, there will be no change. Right now we need fighters. We need to be able to come together and rally for a better future for the United States and its people. We need community. We will make our voices heard.

In the end the decision is all yours to make, but once again note you should not make a decision before taking the time to research the government and important policies of the place you are looking to move to.

Is Leaving America Worth It?