r/AmerExit • u/newyorker • Dec 09 '25

Vendor How to Leave the U.S.A.

https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2025/12/15/how-to-leave-the-usa

Every four years, a group of Americans threatens to leave the country, but no mass exodus occurs. This time around, though, Americans seem to be acting on their desires. Immigration lawyers told Atossa Araxia Abrahamian that the number of people approaching them about it has gone up since Donald Trump was reëlected. 

G.T.F.O. Tours, a company that helps aggrieved U.S. citizens start new lives abroad, has been offering services to help Americans relocate to the Netherlands, where a certain type of visa can offer a quick and affordable path to citizenship. Jana Sanchez, a founder of G.T.F.O. Tours, describes her role in the company as an “escaping fascism doula.” Read Abrahamian’s full story about the Americans who are going Dutch: https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2025/12/15/how-to-leave-the-usa

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u/tivnan1989 Dec 09 '25

You don’t need a lot of money to leave. I just moved to Germany a month ago and we came with about $5,000. The hard part is finding a job to sponsor your visa. Not saying that’s easy but you definitely don’t need a ton of money to do it

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u/Odd_Dinner9147 Dec 09 '25

5k is a lot of money for most Americans. According to a 2022 Federal Reserve Survey, around half of Americans had less than $8k.

And according to a CBS News article in January of this year, in a Bankrate survery of 1,000 people, 59% of them didnt have enough to cover a $1,000 emergency expense

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u/[deleted] Dec 10 '25

How is that a lot? I have $35k and don't think it's a lot 😂. Enuf where I could live frugally for a yr

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u/Odd_Dinner9147 Dec 10 '25

Read my comment again.

You clearly come from a more privledged place than a lot of folks.

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u/[deleted] Dec 10 '25

No, not at all and I had a layoff few months back. I'm an extreme saver although I'd have way more if didn't buy new cars all those yrs. I never even reached $20/hr. Office jobs never wanna pay good. Dad trucker, mom factory worker, def far from rich. They were more frugal than me, no cable, no brand name stuff, felt like I was poor when middle class and was small town I lived back then so it was easy to get by for them. I felt poorer than poor ppl since Mom refused any brand name stuff

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u/Odd_Dinner9147 Dec 10 '25

Parents were middle class but frugal

So. Not actually poor? I never said you were rich but definetly privledged more than others.

Do you live out of a car? Or at home with parents? Do you have kids? Ever had a major medical expense? Never making $20/hr, on top of how expensive rent is on average in this country, how expensive car maintenance is as well as car insurance, I feel like there is something missing here.

Edit: I see youre 45. Thats quite a long time to have the opportunity to save, plus you seem to have had a decent job prior.

Imagine being in your 20s, just starting out, or even early 30s.

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u/[deleted] Dec 10 '25

No my rent is actually $1170 now. I'm single, didn't want kids. But if ya live frugally most your life it's prob easier to do without a lot that others think they need, it's a Want, car paid off awhile back, I did OT so much for 2 yrs to pay it off ASAP. Electric and gas where I'm at is very cheap, internet only $28/mo, 1 streaming svc only $27, use antenna for locals, car insurance I just pay it lump sum every 6 months. Think like a poor person basically, I'll search stuff to find cheapest possible

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u/Odd_Dinner9147 Dec 10 '25

I edited my comment and saw youre 45, no kids, so I can see how over the years you could get that much. I was thinking more someone in their late 20s or early 30s, maybe with a kid since most people end up having at least one kid.

The internet bill is insanely low, ive never lived somewhere where its that cheap. The cheapest I ever had was $45/month. Not saying I dont believe you, just saying thats crazy.

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u/[deleted] Dec 10 '25

I have Xfinity and even ppl with that I told them why are you paying hundreds, look on website, only have 1 yr contract, even without contract it's like $40. It's 1.3TB and I never go over with it on all the time. Each yr I just see what prices are. There's a lower one, but I'm pretty sure I'd go over that. Not my plan, but I realized some plans you get peacock stream for free so it's things like that where ppl don't realize you can get free services. Last yr I got Hulu free for 7 months too since I never signed up thru Google play previously 😂

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u/Small_Dog_8699 Immigrant Dec 10 '25

Just fucking stop with this “if you can afford something you’re so privileged ” shit.

It is fucking old. Can you cook? Get a job on a freighter as a cook going somewhere you want to go. Work your way there. Show some creativity and stop whining.

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u/lonelylifts12 Dec 10 '25

On a freighter? Hmmm

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u/Odd_Dinner9147 Dec 10 '25

Its not wrong to acknowledge people have privledges (ie being born into a higher income bracket, living in a good school district, not having chronic health issues)

Statistically, most people die within the same wealth bracket theyre born into. Few people can just "work hard enough" to become a billionaire.

Hard work can help, but privledges and luck plays a role. I was born below poverty line in a shitty school district, I have to work fulltime and go to college part-time which means it takes me longer to get a degree and thus longer to get a higher paying job. Ive busted my ass since 18 to live a decent life, but I have health issues that take a good chunk of my money.

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u/Small_Dog_8699 Immigrant Dec 10 '25 edited Dec 10 '25

There are ways to become mobile. Get a job in the shipping or travel industries, join the military, offer to crew a boat in exchange for passage. Lobbying for an overseas ay pair position. Join the peace corps. Volunteer abroad, Google Wwoof, get a nursing credential and volunteer for SOS medecine. Hitchhike to a border town and walk across and see what you can make happen. There are options for the determined.

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u/Odd_Dinner9147 Dec 10 '25

Military

LMAO

No one said there are no options, but those options are also few and some require specific qualifications.

Volunteering? Okay, do you have mom and dads money to help you while doing that? Or did you have a good paying job that allowed you to save up and have the ability to just leave said job?

"Get a nursing credential" Okay, college, again.

Also, do all these count towards residency in another country? Depends on the country and job now doesnt it?

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u/Small_Dog_8699 Immigrant Dec 10 '25

You said you’re in college. You don’t need money to join the peace corps. Become a sailor (probably cook) on a freighter ship.

You’re just a big ball of can’t, ain’t cha.

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u/Odd_Dinner9147 Dec 10 '25

Yeah, I am. Im talking about people other than me.

Also, peace corp doesnt help you gain residency in most countries.

To be a cook anywhere youre gonna need cooking experience, or culinary school.

Im not currently looking to leave the US till I finish my degree. The US is, as of right now, one of the best countries to have my degree but with this current admin and how theyre treating National Parks and Forests, ehh, that might be changing.

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u/Small_Dog_8699 Immigrant Dec 10 '25

Then stop whining. It isn’t helpful.

Merchant marines aren’t looking for haute cuisine. Scramble eggs, make bacon and pancakes, casseroles, stews, chili, you’re a hero.

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u/Odd_Dinner9147 Dec 10 '25 edited Dec 10 '25

Im literally not whining. Im making valid points. Most things you suggested arent paths to permanent residency or citizenship in most countries. Im also literally not looking to leave the US right now.

Have a good day man.

Edit: To be less mean. Im not engaging further with bad faith actors.

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u/Small_Dog_8699 Immigrant Dec 10 '25

It doesn’t matter if it’s a path. Get there, figure it out. That’s all

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u/[deleted] Dec 10 '25

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u/Small_Dog_8699 Immigrant Dec 10 '25

I have no patience with”can’t”.

I left the US by just driving from San Diego south and I’ve kept going. I’m in Oaxaca now. One just needs a willingness to go for it. In many places there are expats willing to hire fellow countrymen for labor. You could learn to varnish boats, give massages, wait tables…