Author Topic: Experience emigrating from US?  (Read 8345 times)

mrb3030

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 2
Experience emigrating from US?
« on: March 12, 2016, 05:57:37 PM »
Hey Everyone,

Long-time poster using dummy account here.

So in an effort of preparedness, I was wondering if people could share any experience they have with emigrating from the US. With the Donald Trump presidential freight train out there (though I think the chances of him actually winning the presidency are small), I would like to think about what steps would need to be taken to consider leaving the US by hearing from anyone who has done it. Just trying to wrap my brain around things like US based retirement accounts (pension, 401k, 403b, etc), what documents/paperwork need to be in order, etc.

Also, any experience with teachers outside the US about the qualifications of your country would be good to hear about as well (DW and I are teachers in the US) to understand about credential requirements and such.

Thanks!

SwordGuy

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 8963
  • Location: Fayetteville, NC
Re: Experience emigrating from US?
« Reply #1 on: March 12, 2016, 06:12:42 PM »
I think your fears are overblown.  Big time.


mrb3030

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 2
Re: Experience emigrating from US?
« Reply #2 on: March 12, 2016, 06:18:26 PM »
I think your fears are overblown.  Big time.

You're probably right, but as DW and I are dark-skinned Jews with nonstandard American names, I think I'd rather have a plan and not need it than need a plan and not have it.

protostache

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 903
Re: Experience emigrating from US?
« Reply #3 on: March 12, 2016, 06:52:40 PM »
I think your fears are overblown.  Big time.

You're probably right, but as DW and I are dark-skinned Jews with nonstandard American names, I think I'd rather have a plan and not need it than need a plan and not have it.

Immigrating to any country is a very long process that you probably aren't going to be able to accomplish by next January. You'll definitely need a valid US passport in order to travel anywhere. In most countries you'll need a work permit and the appropriate visa. I don't know how hard putting Israel's law of return into practice is, nor if that's somewhere you'd want to go, but it would probably be something to look into as it would likely be your easiest option.

As far as retirement accounts, you probably won't have to cash anything out but future contributions might be difficult or impossible without US taxed income.

expatartist

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 2270
  • Location: Hong Kong/Paris
Re: Experience emigrating from US?
« Reply #4 on: March 12, 2016, 07:34:30 PM »
Depends where you want to go. No need to immigrate yet. As a certified teaching couple, you could be ideally suited for work at international schools anywhere in the world. A good place to start would be http://internationalschoolsreview.com. After perusing the forum, one year's membership to access the mostly candid reviews of schools can be a good intro to what conditions are like around the world. Given your background, I'd recommend teaching at international schools rather than local ones. It's not a bad route to FI.  "Millionaire Teacher" Andrew Hallam did it https://andrewhallam.com/ Generally, Asia and the Middle East will offer the best opportunities to save.

If you are interested, joining Search Associates or similar agencies would be a good next step. They'll start recruiting autumn 2016. You could be on target for starting in a new country in late summer 2017. I'd recommend trying it, regardless of who becomes president next :)

Venturing

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 70
Re: Experience emigrating from US?
« Reply #5 on: March 12, 2016, 08:43:36 PM »
https://educationcouncil.org.nz/content/overseas-teachers

As an English speaking skilled migrant you are off to a good start. How easily you would find work would depend a lot on exactly what you teach. High school maths and science teachers in particular are often recruited to nz from overseas.

FIRE me

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1097
  • Location: Louisville, KY
  • So much technology, so little talent.
Re: Experience emigrating from US?
« Reply #6 on: March 12, 2016, 08:48:57 PM »
I think your fears are overblown.  Big time.

I agree 100%.

The thought of a Trump presidency is pretty much a nightmare for me. But if he is elected, there is still Congress and the Constitution.

How much damage could a Trump Presidency be expected to do?

Unless he starts a real war (the nuclear kind) with China or Russia, I think we would just get more of the current unfortunate trends. More income inequality, more rights for corporations to invade our privacy and dictate new laws, less taxes for the very rich, more burden on the working poor, and less safety net for the poor.

Shane

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1665
  • Location: Midtown
Re: Experience emigrating from US?
« Reply #7 on: March 13, 2016, 06:35:03 PM »
Hey Everyone,

Long-time poster using dummy account here.

Why use a dummy account? Why not just post under your normal username? You're not the only one on these forums who wants to leave the U.S. if Donald Trump becomes president.

bobechs

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1065
Re: Experience emigrating from US?
« Reply #8 on: March 13, 2016, 07:37:33 PM »
You think The Donald can't find you wherever you go?  You think using a dup. accont here is going to keep him from knowing your IP, MAC and street address?

You can run, but you can't hide.

wepner

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 197
  • Age: 40
  • Location: Yokohama, Japan
Re: Experience emigrating from US?
« Reply #9 on: March 14, 2016, 11:46:29 PM »
Every post after mine should be trying to guess which poster this is.

I'm guessing arebelspy.

StetsTerhune

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 462
Re: Experience emigrating from US?
« Reply #10 on: March 15, 2016, 09:34:53 AM »
My guess is that fully 'emigrating' will become significantly easier if there is a genuine reason to (because of a president trump or anything else). I would focus on physically being out of the US with some amount of money also physically out of the country. Getting residence in a lot of countries will hopefully be much easier if "dark-skinned Jews" are being persecuted in the US. Holy shit, actually typing that phrase makes it both seem ridiculous and unfounded, and absolutely terrifying.

expatartist

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 2270
  • Location: Hong Kong/Paris
Re: Experience emigrating from US?
« Reply #11 on: March 15, 2016, 07:03:54 PM »
It's generally not advised to settle in a place until you've tried it out for a year or two first. Bounce around the world for a decade, get some international work experience. By the time ten years are up, you'll have more adventures under your belt and a better idea of where/if you want to live overseas long-term, there'll be a new prez in office, and you can reevaluate.

If you're not FI or in high-demand positions (secondary STEM, special needs) start by teaching in places more likely to hire you without international experience, and where you can save: Asia or the Middle East (if China's not your thing, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok or Jakarta have some good schools that pay quite well after you've done a contract overseas). Or even the Outback -- one of the few regions I've considered worth getting teaching certification for.

After some time working internationally, if interested, you'll be more marketable for Europe, which is more competitive, and many countries in which pay a good deal less, esp. after the 2-year tax-free salary treaty with the US is up.  Switzerland is considered an ideal 'retirement job': they require high levels of training and experience but provide great savings and benefits, good environment, relatively low taxes, etc.

Shane

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1665
  • Location: Midtown
Re: Experience emigrating from US?
« Reply #12 on: March 19, 2016, 08:22:02 PM »
Adventurous Kate has a recent post suggesting various ways to emigrate from the U.S. in the event of a Trump presidency:

15 Ways to Leave the Country if Donald Trump Gets Elected

Al1961

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 225
  • Age: 62
  • Location: Alberta - B.C.
  • Dad of a husky Husky

geekette

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 2555
Re: Experience emigrating from US?
« Reply #14 on: March 19, 2016, 08:48:13 PM »
If you have $400k to buy some real estate (or a cool quarter million to donate), you can actually buy citizenship for you, your family, and your descendants in St. Kitts and Nevis.

AlexK

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 345
  • Age: 50
  • Location: Sparks, NV
Re: Experience emigrating from US?
« Reply #15 on: March 19, 2016, 08:52:43 PM »
Seems like there is a lot of empty housing in Syria lately. The persecution of Jews there will be nothing compared to the horrors of Trump.

seattlecyclone

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 7262
  • Age: 39
  • Location: Seattle, WA
    • My blog
Re: Experience emigrating from US?
« Reply #16 on: March 19, 2016, 09:06:54 PM »
How much money do you have? Several EU countries have programs available where they will grant you residency permission if you are willing to invest a certain amount in real estate or other investments within that country. After a few years living there, you'll be eligible for citizenship.

nobodyspecial

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1464
  • Location: Land above the land of the free
Re: Experience emigrating from US?
« Reply #17 on: March 19, 2016, 09:41:42 PM »
if "dark-skinned Jews" are being persecuted in the US. Holy shit, actually typing that phrase makes it both seem ridiculous and unfounded, and absolutely terrifying.
It doesn't have to be official. If the police stand aside and watch while Muslims and Muslim businesses are attacked (or are too busy rounding up 11 Million Mexicans) it might be time to get out - whatever the supreme court says.

Remember it wasn't too long ago that the police and politicians were happily lynching dark-skinned Christians in half of the country.
 

expatartist

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 2270
  • Location: Hong Kong/Paris
Re: Experience emigrating from US?
« Reply #18 on: March 20, 2016, 01:52:42 AM »
If you have $400k to buy some real estate (or a cool quarter million to donate), you can actually buy citizenship for you, your family, and your descendants in St. Kitts and Nevis.

That's one good option. You could also buy a place in Greece for 250,000 Euro and gain EU residency (later, citizenship) for your family http://www.greeklawdigest.gr/all-news/110-buy-big-house-become-a-citizen#.Vu5XDsujZdg

Shane

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1665
  • Location: Midtown
Re: Experience emigrating from US?
« Reply #19 on: March 20, 2016, 12:16:50 PM »
If you have $400k to buy some real estate (or a cool quarter million to donate), you can actually buy citizenship for you, your family, and your descendants in St. Kitts and Nevis.

That's one good option. You could also buy a place in Greece for 250,000 Euro and gain EU residency (later, citizenship) for your family http://www.greeklawdigest.gr/all-news/110-buy-big-house-become-a-citizen#.Vu5XDsujZdg

That's interesting. Thanks for the link @expatartist. Here's a place on Mykonos that looks pretty nice for just over €250K...