Ready to ESCAPE the TOXIC POLITICS?! Here’s how to LEAVE the United States (or Canada)!

We ditched the U.S. in 2017, and honestly, our only regret is that we didn't leave sooner.

The thought of moving abroad was daunting for us at first. It seemed like a logistical nightmare, but after we broke it down into small chunks, it was much more manageable.

So, if you're ready to start planning your move abroad, we're here to help! We’ve broken down the process into a simple 7-step process to help you get focused and avoid feeling overwhelmed.

Links to Things We Mentioned in the Video:

Other Helpful Resources:

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DISCLAIMER: This video is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute consulting or advice including, but not limited to, visas, tax, medical, or financial advice. Please consult immigration attorneys, tax professionals, medical professionals and financial advisors for current information.

We are not responsible or liable for your use of the information contained in our videos, articles or linked from our web pages. We do our best to provide timely and accurate information. However, news, laws, guidelines, rules, regulations, etc. are often open to interpretation, change frequently, and sometimes we make mistakes. You must do your own research and consult professionals who familiar with your unique situation before making any travel or moving plans.

#ameliaandjp #ecuador #expats

[rivers]

So long america. You've got all your getting from us.

[marytica]

TO ALL WOULD-BE EXPATS: do your "homework" before making a "leap of faith", selling everything, and moving abroad !
We lived in Costa Rica for 5 years (2004-2009), and LOVED it. Home prices were reasonable, the cost of living was low, and crime was negligible outside the capital. NOW, everything has changed - and NOT for the better ! Home prices are equal to or higher than USA; living expenses have soared; and crime has spread even to the smallest towns. LOOK BEFORE YOU LEAP !

[TheTGRproductions]

My fiance and I are heavily considering moving out of the States. We're in our mid 20's, about to get married, and want to start a family soon after. But with the U.S. the way it is, especially now with the Politics, toxicity of some of the people, inflation, Horrendous Healthcare, and just being stuck in the rat race, etc. Seeing people our age and older moving out and having a better life in other Countries, and having an overall lower cost of living.

This is helpful enough, thank you for the info! The only hard part is deciding where to move. We're between Denmark, Spain, Austria, Italy, Norway, or Iceland. And considering others depending on what's all there.

The American Dream feels like a Nightmare ☹️

[scottturner]

Great info. Been living the dream in Santa Marta Colombia for 1.5 years. The smart ones are getting out of US.

[GreenEnvy.]

I left in my 20's and it was the best thing I ever did. When you see the light, you don't go back to the dark. Greetings from Morocco!

[paulsteinberg]

Excellent advice. We moved to Spain 4 years ago, the best decision we made.

[scottlevine]

I literally just paid a lawyer 50% of the visa application fee to relo to Ecuador. THANK YOU, JP and Amelia; I’d probably not have gotten this far (or even known of Cuenca) without you. ❤❤

[ddavidson]

Great tips! One other thing I would add is don't jump into buying a house right away in your new location, rent for a good long while first (at least a year or two). Real estate abroad is not necessarily as easy or quick to sell as real estate in the US if you should decide that you want to be a different neighborhood, city, or even a different country. I have seen many many times people come for a 2 week visit, buy a house, sell up back home, move lock stock and barrel only to find a year or two later that the new location isn't for them. Remember, a 2 week vacation somewhere isn't like living there. Take your time before putting down roots, there's no rush.

[michaelsix]

so many people are leaving CA now, the state govt. wants to impose an exit tax, this tax would follow you for several years possibly a decade! this is nuts, many people are learning from you to leave the USA, you can live better overseas now

[MacMorningwood]

At first I got out of my hometown Los Angeles almost 5 years ago to Nevada. But lately I’ve been thinking I want out of the US. You guys the last couple of days discovering your videos has me seriously considering Ecuador. I’m going to be following you and your resources for a long time I think.

[manoffire]

im 37 disable on ssdi. i would love to live in equador or guatamala. in the mountains where its cool.

[philipransbottom]

I would like to add:
For those currently living in Canada or the USA... a good way to "keep" your phone number is purchasing VOIP, like Google Voice. It's easy to setup and uses internet to operate and can be used on the pc. It's quite convenient. WhatsApp is a DEFINITE MUST when traveling outside the USA. There is a growing number of people who use Signal also.

A couple of other things that makes Ecuador convenient is the
+ 120 VAC with same electrical plugs (A, B) in North America and
+ the use dollars

Great video as usual :)

[annetteb.]

I feel like my native country is so toxic, especially talking about the political scene, that I'd love to move in the future. Thanks for this video!

[w_w_whitey]

Good video, as always. I will always be very thankful for you both, for giving me the courage to take our first nomad trip to Mexico for 6 months in 2020. You were the first couple that showed me we could do it and looked like us (Amelia working remotely at a "normal" job) - not rich, not retired, and not 20-something influencers. Thank you!

[markmobley]

Amilia and JP, You guys are doing a great job!!! I was a little worried about you. I had not seen a new video from you for a while. I feel confident your course is going well but keep putting out beginning stuff like this. They help people find you. And THEY NEED TO FIND YOU! You are one of if not THE best.

[QuinnPrice]

Agree. I wish I would have moved sooner. And I got lucky in selecting Ecuador, later Cuenca. For me, it's all worked out well.

[martypoll]

All good advice. I moved to Thailand in 2017. I recommend you prepare for the possibility that your international move may not work out and you may want to move back home. This may include continuing to pay taxes. Not selling your house. Keeping bank and phone and mail service. I only stopped paying California taxes 2 years after moving away.

Also, about selecting a country. Many Americans expect to go to a foreign country and buy land and have a path to citizenship. I wouldn't put this too high on your list. In low cost of living countries, home/land, ownership seems, to me, to not have so much importance. As a retiree, citizenship isn't important to me either. I don't know the country well enough to want to participate in voting and some other things.

If you are single then, as recommended, go ahead and get rid of all your stuff. Some people have strong attachments to some stuff such as vintage cars, guns, tools, audio equipment, hobby materials. Now is the time to let that stuff go. Shipping stuff to foreign countries is expensive and all that stuff will weigh you down in the early years when you are trying to get settled. I finally got a chance, a couple of weeks ago, to ship to myself, some of my dad's artwork which included 2 painting and a sculpture. It cost $1, 500 to ship. I've now got a house to put it in and it has sentimental value but this was a one time indulgence.

[allanbacon]

More awesome information overload. This channel is incredible.

[MekongRick]

I have lived in Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. Best advice? Slowly, slowly. My first visit to Thailand was in 2004, then on my 4th vacation trip in 2007, it was then I thought I could retire here, which happened in 2010. A year later, due to horrendous floods and declining store supplies (Bangkok was surrounded by flood waters), I moved to Cambodia. You just never know. So only carry stuff you don't care if you lose or leave behind. Spend a couple of vacation periods in your final selection nation. Then follow Amelia and JP's guide. Hardest part leaving home? Parting with books and some furniture. Be tough. I only have a tiny storage unit back in Canada. After 13 years, I still maintain official connections.

[chnnwfr]

I've been watching your videos for the past 8 months, and you guys are awesome! I've learned so much from you. My wife and I recently spent a week in Merida, MX as that is one of our potential retirement destinations. We're in our early 50's so we have time to visit a number of destinations including Valencia, Spain and Cuenca, Ecuador. We lived like the locals in Merida and learned a lot during that time. We especially learned how hot it is. We're from Texas so we thought we knew what hot was. haha! But we were wrong. I guess it didn't help that we walked around for 6 hours in 103 degree weather...with my wife suffering a mild case of heat exhaustion on day 1. Anywho, thank you so much for providing us with the inspiration to get out of our comfort zone. You are both very inspiring. BTW...I love my wife, but Amelia is smokin' hot and smart. Way to go JP! You and I both won the lottery with our wives. hehe!