What a lot of (real) fears you described. I am offering another option for escape. Many of those circumstances do not apply or not to the same extent if you move to Canada. As a country with barely 34 million over an enormous landmass (but mostly living in the strip adjacent to the USA) we always need more trained and educated people, as well as trades people and agricultural labourers. Our society is not completely non-racist but our claim to fame is being multiculturall. The government of Canada is fast-tracking immigrants from the USA and has a list of people for which it makes an exception to speed up the process. People in the USA cannot imagine how much easier life is when you are getting medical care before first checking if your insurance company will pay for the costs. It also is a hell-of-a-lot easier if you know that your rights are inalienable, even when you are a newcomer, and when your kids can go to school without the anti-gay BS etc. and no training sessions to crawl under your desk because of a shooter. And we have no president! I am an immigrant.
. . . and most other countries, thanks to Mr. President. I think Canada will deal with the demented American president and his wrecking ball in smart ways, such as influencing European leaders and instigating the bond market retreat. Watch how it works. Carney and his party is slated to get a majority in the next election in 2 weeks, which Canada hasn't had in a long time.
Hi, as someone who's worked in federal immigration programs, I'm curious where you got this information from: "The government of Canada is fast-tracking immigrants from the USA and has a list of people for which it makes an exception to speed up the process." This doesn't sound like anything I've heard of. Would appreciate more details.
I don't wish to court conflicts with my work by offering advice. I was simply struck by your statement that Canada is fast-tracking Americans and has identified specific people for expedited processing. I'd be interested in your substantiation for this, if you are willing to share.
Just did, and I linked to the specific media reports and the Immigration website. The specific people are mentioned in BC, the minister who said that, and also other provinces are busy taking action to attract USA professionals.Read those.
Except it’s nearly impossible to get a job in Canada as a foreigner, especially when there are Canadians who are also qualified for the jobs foreigners apply to.
I have applied to dozens of jobs in Canada and the question they ask are you a legal resident or do you have the right to work here. **Canadians** have explained to me that the reason I’m not getting even interviews is that if there is one person in the country qualified to do a job that a foreigner applies for, Canada is required to hire a citizen or resident over the foreigner.
Unless that has recently changed, that is what I have been told by Canadians.
Yes, that is the rule for jobs that are not in need of filling and you do not fall within other categories of immigration. Howver, recently things have changed since Trump is changing the global picture. Read the sites again and see if you might fall within a specified caregory for expedited processing. The Global article named the provinces that are at this moment processes in place to expedite the American applications, for certain sectors. In BC is if for medical staff. You need to investigate yourself. I am just a reader and consumer of news, like you.
I have more confidence in the solvency of my QPP annuity than my U.S. Social Security. The latter’s “reserves” have long ago been spent by Congress. Québec’s are invested in Québec Hydro and other real assets. But hey, I speak French and Québec manages its own immigration.
What you say is very encouraging. My daughter is an engineer, PhD and licensed with both contact and government experience. Problem is she will be 50 next month and has 2 twelve year old … smart no health problems. She wants to move for various reasons and I am trying to be supportive without pushing.
Can you tell me more about the expedited visas or any other info you think pertinent? You can direct message me or respond here if you want to respond. Thanks
I suggest you read the links and then the government immigration site, call or whatever means is suitable, as I am just a reader and consumer of the news who lives in Canada. You will have to do your own investigation whether it works for you and your family. I am just saying that Canada has seen the opportunity to attract the best of Americans, who want to leave. The brain drain from the USA is real.
Haha, no, I am a writer and can extract the essential message from the news. I am just a consumer in Canada and watch Canadian news daily. I am interested in immigration, having gone through the process myself as an immigrant.
I’m an American but go to British Columbia for summers. In BC there is a severe housing shortage and only legal Canadian residents can buy homes. There is also a severe shortage of doctors and wait times are terrible. Canada would be the easiest move but for these reasons I am looking at Portugal and Spain.
Same. Canada, the U.K., and Australia are some of the most difficult places to immigrate to, which is unfortunate for many Americans as they are also the most culturally similar (plus, no language barrier).
I want to leave, but, to my knowledge, I can’t get a passport for my child w/out the other parents’ consent (haven’t seen or heard from him in 6 years). Will Canada take U.S. citizens without passports? I am an English teacher here & have heard Canada takes many teachers in.
We left in 2022. Both our grown children remained in the U.S. Spent a year living in Italy. Lovely! Except for the language barrier which is no small thing at age 65. Also please consider the tax burden. We went knowing the tax implications. To retain our U.S. citizenship, taxes were higher and required filing 2 sets of tax returns (one in Italian). It was doable but burdensome. Cheaper if you give up U.S. citizenship which I would never do. The Italians and Italian culture were so warm and welcoming. But I realized I could not stay forever. I actually felt homesick for the U.S. and felt a patriotism I had taken for granted. Living as a stranger in a strange land was clarifying: the entire western world order revolves around the U.S. economic, legal, and political engine. There will be a time for rebuilding. I think of Zelensky whenever I have the luxury of feeling afraid.
So you really did not "leave", you took an extended vacation to test the waters. I think an important precedent of this article is recognizing that the world no longer revolves around US institutions and systems of control and our nation is just flailing to deal with it, committing a slow suicide that our disastrous political system cannot overcome and in the end will unleash a feast by our leaders on whatever assets they can easily steal, meaning ours. In this environment, extended vacations to charming countries will no longer be an option.
Hard decisions. Unfortunately due to circumstances outside of my immediate control [health, mental health, people] I lost everything. There is no escape for people like me. So, I'm forced to work through my fears about HAVING to stay - how to survive, how to navigate with wisdom. Not fun either way really. Good luck to you!
Please do. I harbor great fears about staying, but on the other hand this is my country, my homeland. As a fairly privileged, white, female, straight -passing person, I'm not one of the first to persecuted. I feel like I have to stay to fight.
Yes. Your take on that would be interesting. I tend toward building pro-social communities and favor moving back into our normal tendencies for our species [that's my bag of interest] but I enjoy various perspectives and angles. I think your insight would be helpful. Thank you so much for offering!
I’m of the staying mindset. It’s all quite personal & one must take into account a variety of factors. At the moment, moving abroad is untenable for me. I’ve lived & worked in Morocco & France, so I’m clear-eyed about the realities of living abroad. I know that the fears of staying must be stronger & closer to home for certain people. I’m listening carefully to my intuition as I navigate these uncharted waters. At the moment, it’s guiding me to stay & to keep my eyes & ears open.
Well, now that you mention it ..... I started my reply when there were only three. And went on a long drive with my wife. And we determined that staying is likely our only reasonable option. A guide for staying would be awesome, because many of us will, whether that's the right decision or not.
Oh, and as long as I scribbled this earlier .....
If I'm not mistaken, my location near where 94 bends to the west places me nearer to Canada then the esteemed (at least by me) Billy Finnegan. However, a quick glance at my financial picture tells me that I am much further away from getting to the Great White North than he would be. What about 'the rest of us'? Fearful, angry, informed, undermanned and outgunned. Maybe not "impoverished" but close enough to remember. Is our best hope to go out in such a way that the Apache or Sioux would have approved? Or do I just need to dig a little deeper, read a little more, find the clues to escaping? Besides, how many cats will they let you bring into Canada, anyway?
Sure, many people will not have the resources to leave the states. Those who stay should begin building networks, finding resources, and strengthening their communities.
Other thoughts....things are definitely not great in the US & it's important to do what one needs to do for oneself & family - total respect for that.
That said, I think it's worth mentioning that living constantly in a state of fear is actually what the autocrats want us to do. I consciously choose not to do that.
I embrace self-care as an act of resistance. I'm grateful that I embraced a minimalist lifestyle years ago. I quietly get caught up with having all of my affairs in order. Purging what's unnecessary, preparing myself to be nimble. I live with AFib, so I need to keep stress low.
I refuse to live in fear. If it flares, I channel it into contacting my Members of Congress. I regularly call & write them. Fortunate to live in CA & have decent ones. Lately I just tell them I need to cut to the chase and ask that they use all mechanisms to remove that person & the regime from power. That way I've done what I can control.
And then I head out on my daily walk in the woods near my home. Seek joy. Live my life. Listen to my intuition.
Also listened to my former client who moved to Portugal a few years ago. I reached out yesterday after reading another Substack about moving abroad. She said that it's challenging and complex to live there. That most American retirees who move there return after 2 years. That it works if you really love the place -- not so much if you're running away from something. Of course, for folks truly in the crosshairs, that's a whole different calculus.
But for those not...it's easy to underestimate how challenging it can be to navigate the systems & stuff of daily life in another country when you're used to things working relatively well in the US. Which, though stuff is changing quickly, they still basically do.
Of course, anything can change. But being calm & peaceful is a vastly better way to navigate quick change than living in fear. Much harder to get intuitive guidance when fearful.
You're absolutely right. Everything you said resonates with me.
It is challenging. And nothing about this will be easy. Uprooting your life—especially to another country—isn’t just a logistical ordeal; it’s an emotional and psychological transformation. I’ve done it three times within the U.S., and that was draining enough. The idea of doing it abroad is something else entirely.
That’s why I believe mindset is everything. If you go into this running from something, the obstacles feel ten times larger. But if you're moving toward something—toward a life that aligns with your values—it gives the struggle more meaning. That’s not to dismiss the gravity of what some of us are facing. For those truly in the crosshairs, it’s not about lifestyle—it’s about survival. And that’s a different calculus altogether.
I also deeply agree with your point about fear. Autocracy wants us overwhelmed. It wants us emotionally bankrupt. For me, the only way through fear is action. Agency is my antidote. If I’m taking steps, if I’m gathering information, if I’m making plans—even small ones—my anxiety drops. I may not control the storm, but I can build the boat.
That’s a big part of why I started Borderless Living. Not because I have it all figured out, but because I knew others were navigating the same terrain—and that sharing knowledge, experience, and even the hard truths could help build a network of agency and support. That’s also why I’ve been highlighting other Substack authors who write about life abroad—the good, the bad, the real. People need to know what it’s actually like. No illusions. No Instagram filters.
This is a reinvention. Reinvention is never easy, but it’s not impossible either—not if we approach it with eyes wide open, tools in hand, and people we trust nearby.
Our ancestors came to America seeking what many of us will now seek: opportunity, freedom, and a new world.
That would be helpful. I live with a fragile elder who cannot be moved. I don’t have a lot of money but I have some… and am frozen deciding, do I pull some out to have cash on hand? What happens if the dollar truly crashes? I own a house too (mortgage) etc etc.
I’m with you. I have Rheumatoid Arthritis, I’m mentally ill, I’m old (74), and I’m lgbtq. As a retired public school Special Education teacher, sure I have pensions and Social Security but not the type of funds that would enable me to leave the country. I lived in Athens, Greece for 18 months when I was 19/20 and I loved it. For anyone who has the resources to leave, I say go for it. However, like you, I will stay. I will navigate as best I can but I will not keep my head down and stay silent. Who knows, I may become an early casualty of this administration…I do believe they have a hidden mindset of “let’s cull the herd” which would include folks like me. What helps me get thru is knowing I have had a pretty amazing ride on this planet with very few regrets. Que sera, sera.
Married, in early 60's, and can't retire ever- lost it all 2021. Can't meet income thresholds overseas. Filing taxes would.be an issue as well. And how to build a network among foreigners- not impossible but not a slam dunk either. So yea, please, let's have a guide for those who must stay and hope to.remain as rural and grey-man as possible. No smart cities and no camps.
From years of studying what the world is headed into, I don't think there is anywhere to run to that will provide safety for anyone. This isn't like pre-WWII and neither is the world.
You are in the same boat as myself and in many ways it's an advantage. You've already gone through the trauma of loss and understand it in ways the majority of people have yet to experience. Learning this will be a major upheaval in a foreign country and expats will not be embraced but the first to be targeted in those foreign lands.
Because what's happening here in America is happening everywhere.
It's a global takedown. To the studs and then a complete totalitarian remodel.
The smart cities are already in place with 5G Geofencing. Camps will be used but not for everyone.
"Fear not he who can kill the body but He who can kill both body and soul."
If you know where this quote is from, you know who I trust and none other. I can see it all coming and my heart and mind are at peace. I have love in my heart.
There is a very good reason "Do not be afraid." is the most used phrase in the book I quoted from above.
There are options for older Americans who are retired. What exactly are you thinking about? DM me if you want, I'll give you some ideas.
Canada probably isn't the best idea for most Americans... quite frankly. I love the idea of Canada. I think it could work for me and my family. That said, I also think people can't have a Pollyanna view of Canada. It has unemployment, housing affordability, and some deep structural crises just like the U.S. That said, Trump has galvanized Canada in a way that I would have otherwise imagined to be difficult if not impossible. lol.
But I think Andrew Henderson got it right when he said, "Go where you are treated best."
That's the play... that's why Borderless Living exists. This isn't about running away. Hence at the end of this piece, once you get over your fears, and your "new fears" are about settling into wherever you're going... those are much better fears to have.
But many countries around the world are welcoming to retirees of Americans... and you don't need a kabillion dollars to do it. Just need to meet the passive income thresholds and that you'll be contributing to the consumption/activity/commerce of the country.
In my view the cultural issues in Canada are not nearly the size and impact on one's life as those in the USA where you have to be afraid for your life. The specific sectors need to be examined, and no, it is not paradise, but a whole lot easier to live there in peace. Housing is an issue like in the USA, and we do have strict rules for immigrants, so one need to not just assume any American is welcome, and do the research on the Canada immigration website.
Anyone thinking of escaping by migrating , for whatever reasons, best go now. The earlier the better. You can always return when conditions have improved. I speak from experience as a South African migrant to Australia 25 years ago.
This is interesting, but from a non US perspective a little naive. Europe and the UK are obsessed with migrant control and there are very few legal routes to staying over 90 days without citizenship, or a work or valid study visa. Asylum is one, but seekers can’t work and are often detained in government accommodation. Families of foreigners do not get an automatic visa. You really need to consider getting a visa sponsor before moving.
2 options: stay and fight or stay and keep your head down and don’t make any sudden moves. At 72 don’t like either option but honestly I don’t want to leave my country. My dad served in the Army for 20 years WWII and Korean Conflict, Bronze and Silver Star, etc. He also recruited for the Army after active duty until he retired. My mom born and raised in Edinburgh was a GI bride, coming to the US in 1946. She held down “the fort” while my dad spent time serving active duty in Korea. In a sense she was a veteran as well. She became a citizen before I was born and loved this country as well as her own. I grew up in a patriotic household. I would truly feel like I disrespected my Dad’s service, all the men he served alongside as well as all the women who were by their sides. This is our country, we took our Democracy for granted and now we have to get it back.
This is a cartography of exile in real time. Thank you for naming what so many only dare to whisper because they know, deep down, that history never warns them. It lulls them. Then it locks them in.
What struck me most is your reframing of wealth, not as sanctuary, but as liability. That’s a bitter pill, especially for those who have spent decades believing security could be purchased, invested, or hedged. When the rule of law becomes selective, assets don’t make you sovereign… they make you visible.
To build on your insight: what most people miss is that authoritarianism rarely arrives in jackboots. It comes draped in bureaucracy. It’s the paperwork that doesn’t go through. The passport “under review.” The bank transfer “pending compliance.” Kafka, not Stalin, is the prophet of our age.
And there’s something else: exile is no longer a physical act. It’s existential. You can be exiled in place, geographically present but morally and ideologically evicted. Many of my American friends are already there. They just haven’t packed yet.
This is not about catastrophising. It’s about cultivating what Havel called “the power of the powerless”: the refusal to live within the lie. Leaving is one form of that refusal. But so is naming the truth in a system gaslit by denial.
You are offering a guide, and creating a lifeline for those who are trying to make decisions under conditions of ambient dread. For that, your American readers have to thank you. Some will stay and resist. Some will leave and rebuild. Both paths require courage. But only one requires permission…
Yes, of course there are some barrriers as Canada has a rather well-organized immigration system with many categories of applicants. If you visit the immigration website you can see for yourself if you may fall into one of those categories. A greater share of economic admissions are allocated under “Federal Economic Priorities” to skilled workers with a focus on critical sectors, such as health care and skilled trades, in recognition of the importance of supporting these sectors. If you have a fear of persecution you might want to look at refugee status, but so far the USA was seen as a safe country. https://www.canada.ca/en/services/immigration-citizenship.html
Thanks for this. We left in 2022, and I began helping others emigrate in 2024. I work specifically with marginalized people in the US who care about their impacts abroad. The anxiety and stasis that you describe is the biggest barrier for many. I think you'll appreciate how this client testimonial touches on several of your points; this is why I love working with clients one on one. Thank you for the resources you're compiling for folks. https://open.substack.com/pub/theconscientiousemigrant/p/the-proof-hear-directly-from-real?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=1h269a
From the website Immigration Canada. "A greater share of economic admissions are allocated under “Federal Economic Priorities” to skilled workers with a focus on critical sectors, such as health care and skilled trades, in recognition of the importance of supporting these sectors." The USA was mentioned in CBC TV broadcast. There were recently three well-known professors from an ivyleague university in USA hired at Toronto university (one of then a regular Substack poster). Physicians, nurses, scientist, etc, were mentioned in broadcasts. In BC, "Doctors and nurses in the United States: British Columbia wants to hire you. That’s the “clear message” B.C. Health Minister Josie Osborne delivered Tuesday, as she said the province will fast-track the recognition of American health-care workers’ credentials." Global News (https://globalnews.ca/news/11076683/doctor-recruitng-b-c-u-s/#:~:text=Doctors%20and%20nurses%20in%20the,health%2Dcare%20workers'%20credentials.)
There has got to be a better way. Washington's power & authority is not absolute. While a President represents one party, the other branches ensure that the rights of all citizens count. If these branches fail or are prevented from operating as designed, then is there not a mechanism, or something as straightforward as a tax revolt? (I'm Canadian so not sure but I ran it by my AI guy who said it might work). POTUS needs to be reminded that the treasury does not belong to them, that they can't cut off funding to punish states for non-compliance with what are clear violations of the constitution. I can only imagine that blue states are now bluer than before, more outraged than not. It is your home. Don't let Mr. Foulman chase you out. You have something brilliant & beautiful. You've worked your lives to help build it. Foulman's power comes from the people. The broligarchy gets its power from the people.
But take care my beautiful neighbours. Hope is light and where there is light, there the darkness is not. You will prevail. Remember your country is the home of the brave and the land if the free.
Is it possible to keep funds in a U.S. institution (I use a Credit Union) and have Retirement and Social Security checks deposited there, and pay US bills with the institution’s bill pay system and use ATM withdrawals when cash is needed in the new country? Just wondering.
It's possible now, but check with your bank or credit union to see if there are fees for international transactions (such as withdrawing from a foreign ATM). Whether or not access to financial accounts could be restricted in the future is an open question.
I became paid just to thank you for this piece. I’ve ranged between terror and sobbing since he entered politics because I knew of him from entertainment. No one can or will hear me. They are so deeply ingrained by place. I’ve always been the type who enters a room and checks for exits. I just realized that I started this in childhood. Dear crap. Evil Orange Jesus is simply a horrific parent. To all of us. And the unpredictability of what a terrible parent can do to a child - no way to expand and grow. We can only hope today is not our day for punishment. I’d love if you checked out my stuff because I’ve been on this for a while. I use too much shallow analogies but just trying to explain that none of us want to be an elderly person on a train to a concentration camp. Keep helping us; not to put pressure on you or anything.
What a lot of (real) fears you described. I am offering another option for escape. Many of those circumstances do not apply or not to the same extent if you move to Canada. As a country with barely 34 million over an enormous landmass (but mostly living in the strip adjacent to the USA) we always need more trained and educated people, as well as trades people and agricultural labourers. Our society is not completely non-racist but our claim to fame is being multiculturall. The government of Canada is fast-tracking immigrants from the USA and has a list of people for which it makes an exception to speed up the process. People in the USA cannot imagine how much easier life is when you are getting medical care before first checking if your insurance company will pay for the costs. It also is a hell-of-a-lot easier if you know that your rights are inalienable, even when you are a newcomer, and when your kids can go to school without the anti-gay BS etc. and no training sessions to crawl under your desk because of a shooter. And we have no president! I am an immigrant.
Canada is on our list. I have spent time there… opened a bank account there. I think now is a critical time For Canada.
. . . and most other countries, thanks to Mr. President. I think Canada will deal with the demented American president and his wrecking ball in smart ways, such as influencing European leaders and instigating the bond market retreat. Watch how it works. Carney and his party is slated to get a majority in the next election in 2 weeks, which Canada hasn't had in a long time.
Hi, as someone who's worked in federal immigration programs, I'm curious where you got this information from: "The government of Canada is fast-tracking immigrants from the USA and has a list of people for which it makes an exception to speed up the process." This doesn't sound like anything I've heard of. Would appreciate more details.
I guess: "worked", are you still working there? Is so, maybe you can guide the way?
I don't wish to court conflicts with my work by offering advice. I was simply struck by your statement that Canada is fast-tracking Americans and has identified specific people for expedited processing. I'd be interested in your substantiation for this, if you are willing to share.
Just did, and I linked to the specific media reports and the Immigration website. The specific people are mentioned in BC, the minister who said that, and also other provinces are busy taking action to attract USA professionals.Read those.
https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2025HLTH0013-000194#:~:text=The%20Province%20is%20taking%20new,care%20provider%20than%20ever%20before.
Where are the links you posted?
https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2025HLTH0013-000194#:~:text=The%20Province%20is%20taking%20new,care%20provider%20than%20ever%20before.
Except it’s nearly impossible to get a job in Canada as a foreigner, especially when there are Canadians who are also qualified for the jobs foreigners apply to.
I suggest to read, and to get informed.
I have applied to dozens of jobs in Canada and the question they ask are you a legal resident or do you have the right to work here. **Canadians** have explained to me that the reason I’m not getting even interviews is that if there is one person in the country qualified to do a job that a foreigner applies for, Canada is required to hire a citizen or resident over the foreigner.
Unless that has recently changed, that is what I have been told by Canadians.
Yes, that is the rule for jobs that are not in need of filling and you do not fall within other categories of immigration. Howver, recently things have changed since Trump is changing the global picture. Read the sites again and see if you might fall within a specified caregory for expedited processing. The Global article named the provinces that are at this moment processes in place to expedite the American applications, for certain sectors. In BC is if for medical staff. You need to investigate yourself. I am just a reader and consumer of news, like you.
OK, I’ll look again. Thanks.
I have more confidence in the solvency of my QPP annuity than my U.S. Social Security. The latter’s “reserves” have long ago been spent by Congress. Québec’s are invested in Québec Hydro and other real assets. But hey, I speak French and Québec manages its own immigration.
What you say is very encouraging. My daughter is an engineer, PhD and licensed with both contact and government experience. Problem is she will be 50 next month and has 2 twelve year old … smart no health problems. She wants to move for various reasons and I am trying to be supportive without pushing.
Can you tell me more about the expedited visas or any other info you think pertinent? You can direct message me or respond here if you want to respond. Thanks
I suggest you read the links and then the government immigration site, call or whatever means is suitable, as I am just a reader and consumer of the news who lives in Canada. You will have to do your own investigation whether it works for you and your family. I am just saying that Canada has seen the opportunity to attract the best of Americans, who want to leave. The brain drain from the USA is real.
Okey dokey. Thanks Your statement sounded as if you had more knowledge than found on the web sites so I was hopeful you had more. My bad.
Haha, no, I am a writer and can extract the essential message from the news. I am just a consumer in Canada and watch Canadian news daily. I am interested in immigration, having gone through the process myself as an immigrant.
How feasible is moving to Canada for a US citizen? My understanding is that there are some barriers.
I’m an American but go to British Columbia for summers. In BC there is a severe housing shortage and only legal Canadian residents can buy homes. There is also a severe shortage of doctors and wait times are terrible. Canada would be the easiest move but for these reasons I am looking at Portugal and Spain.
Same. Canada, the U.K., and Australia are some of the most difficult places to immigrate to, which is unfortunate for many Americans as they are also the most culturally similar (plus, no language barrier).
You'll have to ask Immigration Canada.
I want to leave, but, to my knowledge, I can’t get a passport for my child w/out the other parents’ consent (haven’t seen or heard from him in 6 years). Will Canada take U.S. citizens without passports? I am an English teacher here & have heard Canada takes many teachers in.
We left in 2022. Both our grown children remained in the U.S. Spent a year living in Italy. Lovely! Except for the language barrier which is no small thing at age 65. Also please consider the tax burden. We went knowing the tax implications. To retain our U.S. citizenship, taxes were higher and required filing 2 sets of tax returns (one in Italian). It was doable but burdensome. Cheaper if you give up U.S. citizenship which I would never do. The Italians and Italian culture were so warm and welcoming. But I realized I could not stay forever. I actually felt homesick for the U.S. and felt a patriotism I had taken for granted. Living as a stranger in a strange land was clarifying: the entire western world order revolves around the U.S. economic, legal, and political engine. There will be a time for rebuilding. I think of Zelensky whenever I have the luxury of feeling afraid.
So you really did not "leave", you took an extended vacation to test the waters. I think an important precedent of this article is recognizing that the world no longer revolves around US institutions and systems of control and our nation is just flailing to deal with it, committing a slow suicide that our disastrous political system cannot overcome and in the end will unleash a feast by our leaders on whatever assets they can easily steal, meaning ours. In this environment, extended vacations to charming countries will no longer be an option.
Our intention was to leave the country. We sold our home and personal belongings. We had hoped to make it permanent.
Where are you now?
Southern California.
Hard decisions. Unfortunately due to circumstances outside of my immediate control [health, mental health, people] I lost everything. There is no escape for people like me. So, I'm forced to work through my fears about HAVING to stay - how to survive, how to navigate with wisdom. Not fun either way really. Good luck to you!
I have been considering a guide for staying… thoughts?
Please do. I harbor great fears about staying, but on the other hand this is my country, my homeland. As a fairly privileged, white, female, straight -passing person, I'm not one of the first to persecuted. I feel like I have to stay to fight.
Yes. Your take on that would be interesting. I tend toward building pro-social communities and favor moving back into our normal tendencies for our species [that's my bag of interest] but I enjoy various perspectives and angles. I think your insight would be helpful. Thank you so much for offering!
I’m of the staying mindset. It’s all quite personal & one must take into account a variety of factors. At the moment, moving abroad is untenable for me. I’ve lived & worked in Morocco & France, so I’m clear-eyed about the realities of living abroad. I know that the fears of staying must be stronger & closer to home for certain people. I’m listening carefully to my intuition as I navigate these uncharted waters. At the moment, it’s guiding me to stay & to keep my eyes & ears open.
Well, now that you mention it ..... I started my reply when there were only three. And went on a long drive with my wife. And we determined that staying is likely our only reasonable option. A guide for staying would be awesome, because many of us will, whether that's the right decision or not.
Oh, and as long as I scribbled this earlier .....
If I'm not mistaken, my location near where 94 bends to the west places me nearer to Canada then the esteemed (at least by me) Billy Finnegan. However, a quick glance at my financial picture tells me that I am much further away from getting to the Great White North than he would be. What about 'the rest of us'? Fearful, angry, informed, undermanned and outgunned. Maybe not "impoverished" but close enough to remember. Is our best hope to go out in such a way that the Apache or Sioux would have approved? Or do I just need to dig a little deeper, read a little more, find the clues to escaping? Besides, how many cats will they let you bring into Canada, anyway?
That would be good, too! Yes, please.
Sure, many people will not have the resources to leave the states. Those who stay should begin building networks, finding resources, and strengthening their communities.
Other thoughts....things are definitely not great in the US & it's important to do what one needs to do for oneself & family - total respect for that.
That said, I think it's worth mentioning that living constantly in a state of fear is actually what the autocrats want us to do. I consciously choose not to do that.
I embrace self-care as an act of resistance. I'm grateful that I embraced a minimalist lifestyle years ago. I quietly get caught up with having all of my affairs in order. Purging what's unnecessary, preparing myself to be nimble. I live with AFib, so I need to keep stress low.
I refuse to live in fear. If it flares, I channel it into contacting my Members of Congress. I regularly call & write them. Fortunate to live in CA & have decent ones. Lately I just tell them I need to cut to the chase and ask that they use all mechanisms to remove that person & the regime from power. That way I've done what I can control.
And then I head out on my daily walk in the woods near my home. Seek joy. Live my life. Listen to my intuition.
Also listened to my former client who moved to Portugal a few years ago. I reached out yesterday after reading another Substack about moving abroad. She said that it's challenging and complex to live there. That most American retirees who move there return after 2 years. That it works if you really love the place -- not so much if you're running away from something. Of course, for folks truly in the crosshairs, that's a whole different calculus.
But for those not...it's easy to underestimate how challenging it can be to navigate the systems & stuff of daily life in another country when you're used to things working relatively well in the US. Which, though stuff is changing quickly, they still basically do.
Of course, anything can change. But being calm & peaceful is a vastly better way to navigate quick change than living in fear. Much harder to get intuitive guidance when fearful.
You're absolutely right. Everything you said resonates with me.
It is challenging. And nothing about this will be easy. Uprooting your life—especially to another country—isn’t just a logistical ordeal; it’s an emotional and psychological transformation. I’ve done it three times within the U.S., and that was draining enough. The idea of doing it abroad is something else entirely.
That’s why I believe mindset is everything. If you go into this running from something, the obstacles feel ten times larger. But if you're moving toward something—toward a life that aligns with your values—it gives the struggle more meaning. That’s not to dismiss the gravity of what some of us are facing. For those truly in the crosshairs, it’s not about lifestyle—it’s about survival. And that’s a different calculus altogether.
I also deeply agree with your point about fear. Autocracy wants us overwhelmed. It wants us emotionally bankrupt. For me, the only way through fear is action. Agency is my antidote. If I’m taking steps, if I’m gathering information, if I’m making plans—even small ones—my anxiety drops. I may not control the storm, but I can build the boat.
That’s a big part of why I started Borderless Living. Not because I have it all figured out, but because I knew others were navigating the same terrain—and that sharing knowledge, experience, and even the hard truths could help build a network of agency and support. That’s also why I’ve been highlighting other Substack authors who write about life abroad—the good, the bad, the real. People need to know what it’s actually like. No illusions. No Instagram filters.
This is a reinvention. Reinvention is never easy, but it’s not impossible either—not if we approach it with eyes wide open, tools in hand, and people we trust nearby.
Our ancestors came to America seeking what many of us will now seek: opportunity, freedom, and a new world.
That would be helpful. I live with a fragile elder who cannot be moved. I don’t have a lot of money but I have some… and am frozen deciding, do I pull some out to have cash on hand? What happens if the dollar truly crashes? I own a house too (mortgage) etc etc.
It starts with having sellable knowledge.
Dear friend please do!!!
I’m with you. I have Rheumatoid Arthritis, I’m mentally ill, I’m old (74), and I’m lgbtq. As a retired public school Special Education teacher, sure I have pensions and Social Security but not the type of funds that would enable me to leave the country. I lived in Athens, Greece for 18 months when I was 19/20 and I loved it. For anyone who has the resources to leave, I say go for it. However, like you, I will stay. I will navigate as best I can but I will not keep my head down and stay silent. Who knows, I may become an early casualty of this administration…I do believe they have a hidden mindset of “let’s cull the herd” which would include folks like me. What helps me get thru is knowing I have had a pretty amazing ride on this planet with very few regrets. Que sera, sera.
same 🫂
Married, in early 60's, and can't retire ever- lost it all 2021. Can't meet income thresholds overseas. Filing taxes would.be an issue as well. And how to build a network among foreigners- not impossible but not a slam dunk either. So yea, please, let's have a guide for those who must stay and hope to.remain as rural and grey-man as possible. No smart cities and no camps.
From years of studying what the world is headed into, I don't think there is anywhere to run to that will provide safety for anyone. This isn't like pre-WWII and neither is the world.
You are in the same boat as myself and in many ways it's an advantage. You've already gone through the trauma of loss and understand it in ways the majority of people have yet to experience. Learning this will be a major upheaval in a foreign country and expats will not be embraced but the first to be targeted in those foreign lands.
Because what's happening here in America is happening everywhere.
It's a global takedown. To the studs and then a complete totalitarian remodel.
The smart cities are already in place with 5G Geofencing. Camps will be used but not for everyone.
"Fear not he who can kill the body but He who can kill both body and soul."
If you know where this quote is from, you know who I trust and none other. I can see it all coming and my heart and mind are at peace. I have love in my heart.
There is a very good reason "Do not be afraid." is the most used phrase in the book I quoted from above.
God Bless.
What options do seniors have? Canada didn't want me during his first term and now, of course, I'm older.
There are options for older Americans who are retired. What exactly are you thinking about? DM me if you want, I'll give you some ideas.
Canada probably isn't the best idea for most Americans... quite frankly. I love the idea of Canada. I think it could work for me and my family. That said, I also think people can't have a Pollyanna view of Canada. It has unemployment, housing affordability, and some deep structural crises just like the U.S. That said, Trump has galvanized Canada in a way that I would have otherwise imagined to be difficult if not impossible. lol.
But I think Andrew Henderson got it right when he said, "Go where you are treated best."
That's the play... that's why Borderless Living exists. This isn't about running away. Hence at the end of this piece, once you get over your fears, and your "new fears" are about settling into wherever you're going... those are much better fears to have.
But many countries around the world are welcoming to retirees of Americans... and you don't need a kabillion dollars to do it. Just need to meet the passive income thresholds and that you'll be contributing to the consumption/activity/commerce of the country.
https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2025HLTH0013-000194#:~:text=The%20Province%20is%20taking%20new,care%20provider%20than%20ever%20before.
In my view the cultural issues in Canada are not nearly the size and impact on one's life as those in the USA where you have to be afraid for your life. The specific sectors need to be examined, and no, it is not paradise, but a whole lot easier to live there in peace. Housing is an issue like in the USA, and we do have strict rules for immigrants, so one need to not just assume any American is welcome, and do the research on the Canada immigration website.
What if you're retired, have a disability, and need healthcare?
I'm in the same boat
Anyone thinking of escaping by migrating , for whatever reasons, best go now. The earlier the better. You can always return when conditions have improved. I speak from experience as a South African migrant to Australia 25 years ago.
This is interesting, but from a non US perspective a little naive. Europe and the UK are obsessed with migrant control and there are very few legal routes to staying over 90 days without citizenship, or a work or valid study visa. Asylum is one, but seekers can’t work and are often detained in government accommodation. Families of foreigners do not get an automatic visa. You really need to consider getting a visa sponsor before moving.
Are "Monica" and "Daniel" real cases?
Interested to hear about this too. Are they scenarios that have happened already? Or are future possibilities?
This is an important question.
Right. So why no answer🤔
If I was a paid subscriber I could start a chat about it.
I just can't afford another subscription
2 options: stay and fight or stay and keep your head down and don’t make any sudden moves. At 72 don’t like either option but honestly I don’t want to leave my country. My dad served in the Army for 20 years WWII and Korean Conflict, Bronze and Silver Star, etc. He also recruited for the Army after active duty until he retired. My mom born and raised in Edinburgh was a GI bride, coming to the US in 1946. She held down “the fort” while my dad spent time serving active duty in Korea. In a sense she was a veteran as well. She became a citizen before I was born and loved this country as well as her own. I grew up in a patriotic household. I would truly feel like I disrespected my Dad’s service, all the men he served alongside as well as all the women who were by their sides. This is our country, we took our Democracy for granted and now we have to get it back.
This is a cartography of exile in real time. Thank you for naming what so many only dare to whisper because they know, deep down, that history never warns them. It lulls them. Then it locks them in.
What struck me most is your reframing of wealth, not as sanctuary, but as liability. That’s a bitter pill, especially for those who have spent decades believing security could be purchased, invested, or hedged. When the rule of law becomes selective, assets don’t make you sovereign… they make you visible.
To build on your insight: what most people miss is that authoritarianism rarely arrives in jackboots. It comes draped in bureaucracy. It’s the paperwork that doesn’t go through. The passport “under review.” The bank transfer “pending compliance.” Kafka, not Stalin, is the prophet of our age.
And there’s something else: exile is no longer a physical act. It’s existential. You can be exiled in place, geographically present but morally and ideologically evicted. Many of my American friends are already there. They just haven’t packed yet.
This is not about catastrophising. It’s about cultivating what Havel called “the power of the powerless”: the refusal to live within the lie. Leaving is one form of that refusal. But so is naming the truth in a system gaslit by denial.
You are offering a guide, and creating a lifeline for those who are trying to make decisions under conditions of ambient dread. For that, your American readers have to thank you. Some will stay and resist. Some will leave and rebuild. Both paths require courage. But only one requires permission…
And you’re running out of time to ask for it.
Yes, of course there are some barrriers as Canada has a rather well-organized immigration system with many categories of applicants. If you visit the immigration website you can see for yourself if you may fall into one of those categories. A greater share of economic admissions are allocated under “Federal Economic Priorities” to skilled workers with a focus on critical sectors, such as health care and skilled trades, in recognition of the importance of supporting these sectors. If you have a fear of persecution you might want to look at refugee status, but so far the USA was seen as a safe country. https://www.canada.ca/en/services/immigration-citizenship.html
Thanks for this. We left in 2022, and I began helping others emigrate in 2024. I work specifically with marginalized people in the US who care about their impacts abroad. The anxiety and stasis that you describe is the biggest barrier for many. I think you'll appreciate how this client testimonial touches on several of your points; this is why I love working with clients one on one. Thank you for the resources you're compiling for folks. https://open.substack.com/pub/theconscientiousemigrant/p/the-proof-hear-directly-from-real?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=1h269a
From the website Immigration Canada. "A greater share of economic admissions are allocated under “Federal Economic Priorities” to skilled workers with a focus on critical sectors, such as health care and skilled trades, in recognition of the importance of supporting these sectors." The USA was mentioned in CBC TV broadcast. There were recently three well-known professors from an ivyleague university in USA hired at Toronto university (one of then a regular Substack poster). Physicians, nurses, scientist, etc, were mentioned in broadcasts. In BC, "Doctors and nurses in the United States: British Columbia wants to hire you. That’s the “clear message” B.C. Health Minister Josie Osborne delivered Tuesday, as she said the province will fast-track the recognition of American health-care workers’ credentials." Global News (https://globalnews.ca/news/11076683/doctor-recruitng-b-c-u-s/#:~:text=Doctors%20and%20nurses%20in%20the,health%2Dcare%20workers'%20credentials.)
There has got to be a better way. Washington's power & authority is not absolute. While a President represents one party, the other branches ensure that the rights of all citizens count. If these branches fail or are prevented from operating as designed, then is there not a mechanism, or something as straightforward as a tax revolt? (I'm Canadian so not sure but I ran it by my AI guy who said it might work). POTUS needs to be reminded that the treasury does not belong to them, that they can't cut off funding to punish states for non-compliance with what are clear violations of the constitution. I can only imagine that blue states are now bluer than before, more outraged than not. It is your home. Don't let Mr. Foulman chase you out. You have something brilliant & beautiful. You've worked your lives to help build it. Foulman's power comes from the people. The broligarchy gets its power from the people.
But take care my beautiful neighbours. Hope is light and where there is light, there the darkness is not. You will prevail. Remember your country is the home of the brave and the land if the free.
Is it possible to keep funds in a U.S. institution (I use a Credit Union) and have Retirement and Social Security checks deposited there, and pay US bills with the institution’s bill pay system and use ATM withdrawals when cash is needed in the new country? Just wondering.
It's possible now, but check with your bank or credit union to see if there are fees for international transactions (such as withdrawing from a foreign ATM). Whether or not access to financial accounts could be restricted in the future is an open question.
I became paid just to thank you for this piece. I’ve ranged between terror and sobbing since he entered politics because I knew of him from entertainment. No one can or will hear me. They are so deeply ingrained by place. I’ve always been the type who enters a room and checks for exits. I just realized that I started this in childhood. Dear crap. Evil Orange Jesus is simply a horrific parent. To all of us. And the unpredictability of what a terrible parent can do to a child - no way to expand and grow. We can only hope today is not our day for punishment. I’d love if you checked out my stuff because I’ve been on this for a while. I use too much shallow analogies but just trying to explain that none of us want to be an elderly person on a train to a concentration camp. Keep helping us; not to put pressure on you or anything.