The concept of the “American Dream” has long been a global beacon, drawing millions with the promise of opportunity and prosperity. Yet, a nuanced and significant shift is underway: a growing number of Americans are actively redefining this dream, and for some, it now involves looking beyond U.S. borders. This isn’t merely an economic trend; it’s a profound psychological and socio-cultural transformation, underscored by recent events in major American cities.
The Turning Point: What Happened in Los Angeles?
The widespread social unrest in Los Angeles in June 2025, sparked by federal immigration raids, served as a potent catalyst for this re-evaluation. Aggressive interventions, the deployment of National Guard and Marine forces, and the ensuing chaos – curfews, detentions, injured journalists, looting, and arson – cast a stark shadow over the city. These events not only fueled security concerns but also ignited constitutional debates about federal authority. For many affluent individuals, these moments became a pivotal turning point, prompting a serious reassessment of their long-term life strategies and a deeper exploration of alternatives outside the U.S.
The immediate fallout was palpable: tourism took a significant hit, with widespread cancellations and disruptions to local businesses. Sales plunged by as much as 80% in some Downtown Los Angeles areas, and fear within undocumented immigrant communities led to workforce dropouts, further slowing economic activity. This stark reality highlighted the vulnerability of even a globally beloved and dynamic city to internal pressures.
Beyond the Headlines: The Deeper Motivations
While the events in Los Angeles provided a stark visual, the interest in overseas living is part of a longer, deeper shift. Our research shows a significant increase in inquiries, with a 55% spike between 2023 and 2024 in Americans identifying migration as their “Plan A.” This isn’t just speculation; it’s a fundamental shift in mindset driven by several interwoven factors:
- Rising Living Costs and Healthcare: The financial burden of life in the U.S. has become unsustainable for many. With the cost of living rising 3.1% in 2024 (housing up 5.7%, transportation up 9.4%) and healthcare spending increasing 7.5% in 2023 to nearly $5 trillion, the U.S. often ranks lower in healthcare outcomes and accessibility compared to other developed nations.
- Political and Social Unrest: Beyond singular events, a pervasive sense of political instability and social discord is a significant motivator. Concerns about upcoming elections, policy uncertainty, and a desire for greater social alignment are pushing individuals to seek more stable and predictable environments. The 2024 election results, for instance, reportedly spurred a staggering 1,514% increase in online searches related to emigration.
- Quality of Life and Work-Life Balance: Many are seeking a more relaxed pace of life and a stronger emphasis on family and leisure time, often found in countries with more accessible healthcare systems and lower housing costs.
- Limited Economic Opportunities or Job Dissatisfaction: Some are exploring international opportunities due to stagnant wages, limited career growth, or a desire for better prospects abroad.
- Tax Efficiency and Affordable Education: The allure of more favorable tax structures and the ability for children to access publicly funded university systems in EU countries are compelling incentives for family-focused investors.
This trend is also evidenced by search engine trends, with keywords like “How to move abroad from the US,” “second citizenship,” and “Golden Visa” growing by 30-45% between 2023 and 2024. High-net-worth individuals are increasingly diversifying not just their financial portfolios but also their geographic exposure through real estate investments in Europe, seeing it as a strategic move for stability and freedom.
“Plan B” Becomes “Plan A”: The Rise of Investment Migration
The traditional U.S. passport, once considered the ultimate tool for global mobility, is increasingly seen as insufficient on its own. Investment migration programs, like the Golden Visas offered by Portugal, Greece, and Malta, are emerging not simply as vehicles for financial gain but as strategic tools for safeguarding quality of life and providing a sense of psychological security. These programs offer advantages beyond travel, including tax planning, estate management, alternative residency rights, and legal protection. For many Americans, a Golden Visa is no longer just a “backup passport”; it’s a pathway to a new life, minimizing risk and unlocking global access.
Popular destinations attracting American emigrants include:
- Europe: Portugal, Greece, Italy, France, Spain, and Malta offer various investor visa or citizenship by ancestry programs, leading to residency and potentially citizenship.
- United Kingdom: The UK has seen a record number of U.S. citizens applying for residency or nationality, leveraging pathways like the Global Talent and Skilled Worker visas.
- New Zealand: Its Active Investor Plus Visa program, coupled with high quality of life rankings, makes it an attractive option for those seeking political stability, excellent healthcare, and a straightforward business environment.
- Canada: The Startup Visa program offers a pathway to permanent residency for entrepreneurs looking to launch innovative businesses.
- Caribbean Islands: Countries with citizenship by investment programs are drawing Americans, stimulating economic growth and fostering a more globalized community.
Need to Know:
- The “American Exodus” is more about increased interest than mass departure. While 25% of Americans are considering relocating internationally and searches for moving abroad are surging, the actual number of those actively leaving is much smaller (estimated at 1-2% of the population, or 3-6 million, with 5.5 million Americans already living overseas).
- Motivations are complex. It’s not just political dissatisfaction; factors like cost of living, healthcare, quality of life, and economic opportunities play significant roles.
- Investment migration is a growing trend. Programs offering residency or citizenship through investment are becoming a popular “Plan B” (and increasingly “Plan A”) for those seeking greater security and flexibility.
- Renouncing citizenship is still rare. While increasing, it’s primarily linked to complex international tax laws and typically done by long-term expats with dual citizenship.
Take-Aways:
- The American Dream is evolving: It’s no longer a monolithic concept tied to a single geography.
- Global mobility is the new currency of security: For many, the ability to live and invest across multiple regions is paramount.
- The U.S. is at a crossroads: The internal challenges are prompting a critical re-evaluation of its attractiveness as a place to live and thrive for some of its citizens.
Implications for American Culture and Society:
This outward migration, even if it represents a small percentage of the population, carries profound implications for American culture and society. It signals a growing disquiet and a search for stability and quality of life that some feel is increasingly elusive at home. The departure of high-net-worth individuals, skilled workers, and families seeking better educational opportunities could lead to a brain drain and a loss of economic vitality in certain sectors. It also underscores a deepening fragmentation of the American identity, where national allegiance is increasingly intertwined with individual well-being and a global perspective.
However, this phenomenon also presents an opportunity for introspection and renewal. It challenges America to address the underlying issues that are driving its citizens to look elsewhere: the rising costs, the healthcare crisis, the political polarization, and the struggle for a balanced quality of life. The very act of some Americans seeking new horizons can serve as a potent call to action for those who remain, and for the nation as a whole.
This moment invites us to recall the words of Langston Hughes, who, in “Let America Be America Again,” envisioned “The land that never has been yet – And yet must be.” His poem is a powerful plea for an America that lives up to its promise of freedom and opportunity for all, not just a select few. The current reassessment by some Americans, while cautionary, is ultimately a testament to the enduring American spirit – one that strives for a better life, even if that means looking beyond familiar shores.
The “America yet to be” is not solely built within its borders, but forged by the aspirations and resilience of its people, wherever they may roam. It calls upon us to double down on the commitment to building a nation where security, affordability, and a high quality of life are not privileges to be sought elsewhere, but fundamental realities to be built here, together, for all. The story of Americans leaving America is not an ending despite the rogue Trump administration, but a new chapter in the ongoing, complex, and vital narrative of the American dream – a narrative that we, the people, continue to write, committed to the ideals of “the America yet to be.”