From wanderlust to real plans: why Americans consider expat life—and the library resources to help you take the next step, PLUS a special HCPL Podcast episode featuring interviews with people who have chosen to live abroad.
Stand Pat or Expat?
Who hasn't waited in line at the DMV and idly considered starting anew in some island paradise whose chief export is exotically named cocktails, or stared down the 26 barrels of the Katy Freeway on a Monday morning and not think how different life would look in Paris or Rio de Janeiro? Who among us, no matter where we fit on the political spectrum, hasn't at one time or another contemplated the state of the country and wondered where it's headed and whether or not it's wise to be around when it gets there?
Well, according to many media outlets, many Americans are doing more than just fantasizing about it. According to the Miami Herald, the first quarter of 2025 saw a 102% increase in emigration from the previous quarter. Even so, we are far from a 'last one out, turn off the lights' situation. The total number of Americans leaving the U.S. permanently is very small; however, the numbers have been steadily increasing since 2009, and the number of Americans contemplating leaving the country, particularly young women, is eye-opening. According to Gallup, 2 out of 5 women aged 15 to 44 said they would move abroad if given the opportunity.
Part-Time Expatriates
The numbers above reflect only those Americans who renounced their US citizenship. The number of people living abroad temporarily for work opportunities or the sheer adventure of it, as well as Americans living abroad for parts of each year, is no doubt much higher.
Reasons for Emigration
Whether it is retirees whose 401(k)s took a hit in the 2008 global economic crisis that they never recovered from, or twenty- and thirty-somethings seeking new experiences and adventure, thousands of Americans are moving abroad each year, and here are the most common reasons they give.
- Cost of Living and Financial Security
- Affordable Healthcare
- Quality of Life & Work-Life Balance
- Adventure, Travel, and Cultural Experience
- Political Climate and Social Tensions
- Work and Career Opportunities
- Retirement Lifestyle
- Family or Relationships
Whatever the motivation—cheaper healthcare, cheaper wine, or simply the dream of waking up somewhere your ex can’t reach you—Americans are packing their bags for all kinds of perfectly sensible reasons. But daydreams alone won’t get you a visa, a job, or the ability to order coffee without accidentally asking for a small goat. That’s where a little preparation comes in, and fortunately, there are plenty of resources to help you prepare for life abroad.
Resources for Would-be Expats
HCPL Passport Services
Harris County Public Library offers passport services by appointment at eight branches across the county. Learn more>>
General
Culture Smart! Series: HCPL has many books in this series that dive deeper into the cultures, beliefs and everyday living in specific countries
IRS.gov: U.S. Citizens and Resident Aliens Abroad
MyTravel.state.gov: Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) is a free service that allows U.S. citizens and nationals to enroll their trip abroad so the Department of State can contact them quickly in case of an emergency.
Language Resources
Transparent Language
HCPL's free language learning database. With Transparent Language, you can choose from 110 languages and learn all the vocabulary and listening, speaking and reading skills to make yourself at home almost anywhere in the world. Learn more & get started>>
Books, DVDs & CDs
Learn Spanish. |. Learn French. | Learn Chinese. |. Learn Korean. | Learn Portuguese. |. Learn German | Learn Japanese. |. Learn Italian. | Learn Hindi
Employment Overseas
Books
The International Living Guide to Retiring Overseas on A Budget
PressReader
PressReader offers free access to many overseas newspapers for the most timely and focused employment and housing research. Learn more>>
Cultural Adjustment
Inspiration
Memoirs and other works about the expat life
Add a comment to: Considering Life Abroad: Resources & Podcast for the Aspiring Expat