Making the Move Out of America: An Object Lesson on How NOT To Do It

Dear Reader: this continues my research, discovery and discussion about the potential for moving overseas. May I please reiterate: I am an experienced world traveler, lived as an expat in my early thirties, and am no stranger to discomfort. As I explore Ecuador and consider moving my aging backside to another country, I’m sharing what I’ve learned, what I see and what I read. If this potential is on your radar, I really hope this free series provides solid, actionable and important advice and insight.

First, let’s clarify terminology. I saw a good explanation on the Ecuador Expats page. One man wrote: you are an expat if you’re temporary. You’re an immigrant if you make the move permanent. A good way to understand the difference.

Let’s talk.

There’s a lovely young woman writing about becoming an expat over on Substack. I read some of her work. While it’s helpful and she has a plethora of resources, what troubled me was the dearth of serious investigation into the serious downsides of such a move.

It is NOT all blooms and bunnies. For anyone to imply otherwise, most particularly for those of us who are in our final third, is misleading.

I’m not saying she does this. However as fellow writers have pointed out, those pushing these…