Impressive writing. I think you captured well the complexity of our American way and the role that others perceive or exult in. And the struggles many people feel about our imperfect union.
Fleeing to Paris in the footsteps of Baldwin, Baker and Simone resonated so much to me when I escaped in 2017 and it pains me to see that the US is once again entering another dark chapter where marginalised citizens are leaving to ensure they can continue to live in the body they occupy. Thank you for making space to honour these experiences and to share them with the world. I can't wait to hear them.
"The dream" of a better way has been simmering in me since the pandemic also. Feeling as though the values I believe in were on the decline, juxtaposed against what I have been learning about the French / euro lifestyle, has been knowing away. But I held out hope for the past four years. Hope that there were enough good people who wanted to create a community that embraced all its citizens. Hope that we could move forward, not backward. That the people would overwhelmingly ruse up and say "We reject your hatred and cynicism. We reject your fear and selfishness". Maybe I really am that naive, even at the ripe old age of 53. I wanted to believe that we could do right by my daughters and granddaughters. I believed we could. I had hope. Until last Tuesday. Regardless if the why, my hope for this country has been shattered. I don't recognize it any more.
I feel this. The means are there, the intelligence is there, but the hunger for power and money stops U.S. leadership from progressing the country into the nation it really could/should be. It has *never* been close to perfect but this authoritarian turn is forever damaging.
Ok first of all damn you are such a good writer and second of all I am very excited about this series. I find it endlessly fascinating why people leave and then choose to stay far away from their home country. It’s interesting to read what historical figures have to say but equally important to hear from modern day people. Great idea and looking forward to reading more.
I appreciate your podcast and writing so much! This hits wrong right now to me. "Let's find a place to live the good life while our country burns" is not what I want to read or listen to right now. The people who have and will consider this option are already privileged. Many people who really need to leave for their health and/or safety can't or won't. I say this as someone who voted for Kamala who has spent time overseas and understands that there are lots of good places to live.
Hi Caroline, thanks very much for reading and commenting! I can see why you might feel that way. My goal here, however, was to suggest that while this moment might spark an interest in leaving, the reasons people have historically left the U.S. (and they have been doing so for many generations!) are far more complex and layered--and valid. I know several individuals, among them people of color, who have moved to Paris in the last handful of years who were scared for their safety every single day living in major cities in America and saved money to be able to extract themselves. It wasn't a decision taken lightly, either. So no, not everyone who needs to leave will or can and I do wish that were different. But I think having this conversation at a time when the desire to try an alternative resurfaces is an important one.
You speak about moving to another country is easy. I have been researching because I would really like to leave the US. Especially now. Whatever is going to happen in the next 4 years is going to be horrific. How did you do it? Do you know of any good resources to help figure out visas, etc?
Hi Christine, it is definitely NOT easy! And as I explained in the piece, I didn't leave for political reasons-- I came 18 years ago as a French literature and linguistics student. But among the many many many reasons I stay in France involves quality of life, healthcare, values that are resonant, access to culture. And whereas my husband (who is French) and I may have once entertained the idea of living in the U.S. for a time at some point, that consideration is completely dead. It has been since 2016. As for others do it, it can be via an academic program, getting transferred with a company, applying for an entrepreneur visa, or some other artistic visa that would allow someone to spend time in the country pursuing a project. But all of this varies by country. More on that here: https://fortune.com/2024/11/06/americans-move-abroad-2024-presidential-election/
I’m glad you’re pursuing this project and will follow it with interest. If you do eventually want a more global perspective, I’d love to participate. I’m an Italian American immigrant living in Italy, here for six years now in my forever home.
I’m disappointed that I thoroughly agree with this essay. I wish that my country could be what we say we’re striving to be. Thank you for expressing so eloquently the crushing accumulation of our decades of both inaction and misguided action.
Look forward to reading intelligent, nuanced takes on why and how Americans settle abroad. So much of the discussion (since 2016 especially) on this topic lacks nuance (“F America, I’m out of here”) and a lot of it frankly drips with privilege. I know that that’s not all there is to it. I lived overseas for 4 years, returned home for 4 years, left for another 22+, and returned to the USA last spring (great timing, huh). As I tell anyone who asks how I could ever ‘give up all that’ to return to the USA: it’s complicated. Regardless of which direction you’re moving - it’s complicated! Congratulations on kicking off this project.
Great article Lindsey! When we announced we were relocating to Normandy at the end of this year many people thought it was because of the political climate. When actually we just want a better quality of life. We've always enjoyed each visit to our cottage there and knew it was were we wanted to be eventually. 💙🤍♥️
Excellent beginning and opening for discussion of what is a life changing decision for many more Americans. Taught English in Thailand and Burma as an economic refugee, now retired in Thailand.
Impressive writing. I think you captured well the complexity of our American way and the role that others perceive or exult in. And the struggles many people feel about our imperfect union.
Thank you, Robert! It took a long time for these feelings and observations to come together but Covid was, as we know, a clarifying moment for many.
Proud of you for starting this initiative on your own terms and I look forward to reading the questionnaires of people's varied experiences!
Thank you 🥹🥰 Time to stop waiting for someone else to give me approval and just do the thing !
Fleeing to Paris in the footsteps of Baldwin, Baker and Simone resonated so much to me when I escaped in 2017 and it pains me to see that the US is once again entering another dark chapter where marginalised citizens are leaving to ensure they can continue to live in the body they occupy. Thank you for making space to honour these experiences and to share them with the world. I can't wait to hear them.
"The dream" of a better way has been simmering in me since the pandemic also. Feeling as though the values I believe in were on the decline, juxtaposed against what I have been learning about the French / euro lifestyle, has been knowing away. But I held out hope for the past four years. Hope that there were enough good people who wanted to create a community that embraced all its citizens. Hope that we could move forward, not backward. That the people would overwhelmingly ruse up and say "We reject your hatred and cynicism. We reject your fear and selfishness". Maybe I really am that naive, even at the ripe old age of 53. I wanted to believe that we could do right by my daughters and granddaughters. I believed we could. I had hope. Until last Tuesday. Regardless if the why, my hope for this country has been shattered. I don't recognize it any more.
I feel this. The means are there, the intelligence is there, but the hunger for power and money stops U.S. leadership from progressing the country into the nation it really could/should be. It has *never* been close to perfect but this authoritarian turn is forever damaging.
Ok first of all damn you are such a good writer and second of all I am very excited about this series. I find it endlessly fascinating why people leave and then choose to stay far away from their home country. It’s interesting to read what historical figures have to say but equally important to hear from modern day people. Great idea and looking forward to reading more.
Thank you, Aj! Is it pure rejection? Disappointment? Guilt? I suppose we'll find out!
Thrilled to see this out in the world and eager to follow along. Your seriousness and sensitivity shine through in everything you do!
Thank you for your constant support through all my ruminating !!!
I appreciate your podcast and writing so much! This hits wrong right now to me. "Let's find a place to live the good life while our country burns" is not what I want to read or listen to right now. The people who have and will consider this option are already privileged. Many people who really need to leave for their health and/or safety can't or won't. I say this as someone who voted for Kamala who has spent time overseas and understands that there are lots of good places to live.
Hi Caroline, thanks very much for reading and commenting! I can see why you might feel that way. My goal here, however, was to suggest that while this moment might spark an interest in leaving, the reasons people have historically left the U.S. (and they have been doing so for many generations!) are far more complex and layered--and valid. I know several individuals, among them people of color, who have moved to Paris in the last handful of years who were scared for their safety every single day living in major cities in America and saved money to be able to extract themselves. It wasn't a decision taken lightly, either. So no, not everyone who needs to leave will or can and I do wish that were different. But I think having this conversation at a time when the desire to try an alternative resurfaces is an important one.
You speak about moving to another country is easy. I have been researching because I would really like to leave the US. Especially now. Whatever is going to happen in the next 4 years is going to be horrific. How did you do it? Do you know of any good resources to help figure out visas, etc?
Hi Christine, it is definitely NOT easy! And as I explained in the piece, I didn't leave for political reasons-- I came 18 years ago as a French literature and linguistics student. But among the many many many reasons I stay in France involves quality of life, healthcare, values that are resonant, access to culture. And whereas my husband (who is French) and I may have once entertained the idea of living in the U.S. for a time at some point, that consideration is completely dead. It has been since 2016. As for others do it, it can be via an academic program, getting transferred with a company, applying for an entrepreneur visa, or some other artistic visa that would allow someone to spend time in the country pursuing a project. But all of this varies by country. More on that here: https://fortune.com/2024/11/06/americans-move-abroad-2024-presidential-election/
I’m glad you’re pursuing this project and will follow it with interest. If you do eventually want a more global perspective, I’d love to participate. I’m an Italian American immigrant living in Italy, here for six years now in my forever home.
Baby steps but I'm definitely keeping my eye on anyone who has settled around the world! Thank you for reading!
I’m disappointed that I thoroughly agree with this essay. I wish that my country could be what we say we’re striving to be. Thank you for expressing so eloquently the crushing accumulation of our decades of both inaction and misguided action.
As a whole, we need to learn from years of mistakes but we haven’t managed to do so. Will it work this time?
I am looking forward to this new series!
Look forward to reading intelligent, nuanced takes on why and how Americans settle abroad. So much of the discussion (since 2016 especially) on this topic lacks nuance (“F America, I’m out of here”) and a lot of it frankly drips with privilege. I know that that’s not all there is to it. I lived overseas for 4 years, returned home for 4 years, left for another 22+, and returned to the USA last spring (great timing, huh). As I tell anyone who asks how I could ever ‘give up all that’ to return to the USA: it’s complicated. Regardless of which direction you’re moving - it’s complicated! Congratulations on kicking off this project.
Great article Lindsey! When we announced we were relocating to Normandy at the end of this year many people thought it was because of the political climate. When actually we just want a better quality of life. We've always enjoyed each visit to our cottage there and knew it was were we wanted to be eventually. 💙🤍♥️
Quality of life changes are MAJOR ! Good for you!
As someone who’s followed your work for years (over a dozen years now) I’m so excited for this new project of yours!
I so appreciate that, Thibault!
Great article and I am looking forward to reading this series.
Thank you for a very thoughtful, serious, and well-reasoned commentary.
Excellent beginning and opening for discussion of what is a life changing decision for many more Americans. Taught English in Thailand and Burma as an economic refugee, now retired in Thailand.