Don’t Think You’ll Like the Election Results? 5 Countries to Move to Post-Election
Every time election season rears its head, I’m glad to be based abroad. All it took was a recent visit to the U.S. to remind me of how cutthroat and repetitive political ad campaigns are.
With polls showing such a tight race between Harris and Trump, the election results are anyone’s guess. And that just might have you dreaming about moving abroad if your political candidate doesn’t win.
Alternatively, if you’re like me, it doesn’t matter who wins; you just want a change of pace in another country. Luckily for you, International Living has hand-selected the top five countries they believe are the best countries to move to if you’re not a fan of the election results.
1: Mexico
America’s southern neighbor is InternationalLiving.com’s top pick for the best country to move to if you want to escape American politics. A comfortable life in Mexico comes at a low cost of $1,500 – $3,000 per month for a couple.
An equally big perk? You can easily snag a Temporary Resident Visa, making long-term stays in Mexico a breeze. The temporary visa also opens the door for longer-term residency, provided you meet the income requirements.
Puerto Vallarta, Mérida, and San Miguel de Allende are the Mexican cities International Living recommends expats live in. Based on my experience, I recommend Mérida if you’re looking to escape large expat crowds; Mérida has a notably more local feel than seaside Puerto Vallarta and mountainous San Miguel de Allende.
2. Panama
Panama is near and dear to my heart—I’m writing this from my Panamanian jungle home beside my 11 rescue dogs and cats. And so, I can 100% vouch for International Living’s choice to include Panama as a good country to move to if you want to escape the election results.
Although I’m still a ways off from retiring, the Pensionado Program makes it a breeze for American retirees to spend their golden years here. Although much of the country is hot (ahem, sweltering in the case of my non-air-conditioned house), cooler climates exist in mountain regions. The Chiriqui province is arguably the most beloved among expats.
Relatively speaking, Panama is a lot more expensive than Mexico; a couple can expect to spend $2,000 – $4,000 per month on living expenses. However, that price comes with access to excellent infrastructure and health care in major cities (not that parts of Mexico don’t have this, too).
3. Uruguay
It’s been a hot minute since I visited Uruguay, but I remember my twenty-something self being super impressed by all the trendy cafes in Montevideo and oceanfront high rises along Punta del Este. I also felt super safe traveling around the country as a solo female traveler.
Having traveled from Argentina, Uruguay felt ridiculously expensive. But compared to life in the U.S. (and the touchy political climate you’ll be leaving behind), you’ll be able to upgrade your life in Uruguay for a lot less than you spend living in the States.
Couples can live comfortably in Uruguay with $2,500 – $3,500 per month. Another cool perk? Some areas of Uruguay have a European vibe and appearance.
4. Costa Rica
As much as I love living in Panama, I’ve gotta give Costa Rica this—from my experience, it’s way easier to spot wildlife like monkeys and sloths in Costa Rica than it is in Panama. And their gallo pinto dish is amazing.
If you’re a retiree, all it takes is $1,000 of monthly income to qualify for Costa Rica’s pensionado residency program. But trust me—you don’t want to live in Costa Rica on $1,000 per month. Sure, you can squeeze by, just like a couple can do so with a budget of $2,000 per month. But if you’re seeking a higher standard of living along with your U.S. politics exit, you’re better off budgeting $2,500 – $3,000 per month.
As for where you should stay? Avoid San José at all costs. That’s my opinion, of course, but San José doesn’t have the best track record for safety. You’ll find many expats living their best lives in the Central Valley as well as Tamarindo and Nosara, both of which are beachside towns.
5. Belize
Unlike the other four countries that International Living deems best for escaping the U.S. election results, Belize is still on my bucket list of places to visit. But this much I can tell you—if you’re hesitant to move to the aforementioned nations because of the language barrier, English is Belize’s official language.
Yet again, Belize is a great choice for retirees who want an easy-as-possible transition to living abroad. They offer a Qualified Retirement Program, making it easy to stay in the country long-term.
A couple only needs about $2,000 per month to live well in Belize, making it a strong economic contender with Mexico.
Word From the Wise Traveler
I’m not always wise. But based on my 10+ years traveling abroad, I can tell you this much—regardless of the country you move to, don’t expect a totally political-free environment.
No, I’m not referring to local politics you’ll hear about; I’m talking about good ‘ole American politics.
Unlike most Americans who don’t know much, if anything, about politics in other countries, from my experience, people abroad are well-educated about the happenings of American politics.
That means you can expect curious locals in your new country of residence to ask whether you voted for Trump or Harris. And, yes, they probably know both candidates’ names. Only you know how you’ll respond to political questions; I’m just here to be the messenger.
With that caveat under our international belt, I’ll let you get to it. Which country on this list would you want to move to?
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