Practical, no-hype guidance for competent people who want a better pace of life, lower costs, and more freedom.
Americans are leaving the U.S. in record numbers.
As the Wall Street Journal (paywall) reported in February 2026, it’s a trend not seen since the Great Depression — more people moved out than in during 2025.
At least 180,000 citizens (not deportees) relocated abroad in 2025, driven by soaring costs, burnout, and a search for affordability and balance.
Canada is no longer paradise either.
It’s slipped to 25th in global happiness rankings — behind the U.S. — for the first time since the rankings began in 2012 (and from 5th in 2014).
Emigration from Canada is higher than in 50 years. In 2025, 120,000 Canadians moved to a foreign country the majority classified as ‘mid-career professionals.’
If you’ve ever eyed Argentina (or somewhere like it) to slash overhead, reclaim time, and ditch the exhaustion, you aren’t alone.
The real hurdles aren’t desire or guts — it’s the unknowns: visas, costs, safety nets, daily life.
For many, getting to the point where one is ready to ‘self exile’ starts with a simple truth: working harder every year now buys less — less financial security, less free time, less margin for error. If you look around and wonder if it’s all worth running around on empty, and just want to opt out, then you’re win the right place.
Life in the U.S. and Canada has become financially, emotionally and spiritually exhausting for many competent, hard-working reasonable people.
With the AI race well underway, life for ‘regular people’ is going to change in profound way.
It isn’t just about losing jobs — it’s about losing autonomy over how you live, work, and even access information.
That’s why strategies like relocation, building self-reliant income streams, and diversifying skills aren’t just lifestyle choices — they’re preemptive survival measures.
Who I Help
• People priced out of their home cities, looking for the freedom to work remotely
• Retirees looking to stretch pensions
• Digital nomads looking something more permanent
• The weary workers, ready to reinvent themselves due to market realities
My Story
I’ve experienced the pros and cons of lots of places firsthand, having lived on five continents.
Argentina is where I’ve truly cracked the code for a better balance, pace, easier immigration and great weather. And thanks to its latitudinal span you have humid subtropical climates to subantarctic conditions and everything in between.
I’ve been based here for over 20 years, run two websites on Argentine travel, culture, and lifestyle.
I escaped the same cycle in the U.S. over two decades ago — non-stop work, endless driving, sleep deprivation, questionable ‘healthy’ food, and burnout.
My industry (newspapers/magazines) starting to wane when the internet began to dominate, pushing me to look beyond borders before most.
I also have spent a lot of time in the Great White north (I’m a citizen), almost moved to Montreal and have been tempted to move to Vancouver, but as I saw on a recent visited; job scarcity and rising expenses there make it maybe even harder in Canada terms of job opportunities and cost of living.
I also love the USA and aim to return but the cost of living, especially in housing and medicine, growing homelessness, the drug epidemic and episodes of mass violence always make me reconsider. There are trade offs in either direction.
Your Crazy Idea to Move Abroad is Genius
Suffice to say that since I left,, the hamster wheel is moving even faster.
Surveillance tech and electronic leashes have taken over our lives and social media has cannibalized young minds.
Maybe you have moments where you question what the hell you are even doing with your life?
That nagging thought about packing up?
It doesn’t have to be reckless — it’s strategic.
In a February 2025 internal memo, Google co-founder Sergey Brin called 60-hour weeks the ‘sweet spot’ for productivity — that’s five 12-hour days.
Don’t forget the 5-10 hours commuting time.
But DO forget your kids, your spouse, your pets, your guitar, your garden and be ready to embrace your widening bum. (Sitting is the new smoking don’t forget!)
And Google is considered one of the best places to work. 😳
Not to knock the corporate life. Anyone who gets out of bed with an alarm clock before the light of day, and conquers a never-ending set of tasks and keeps their family’s head above water in North America these days, deserves every cent and a pat on the back.
To all the grinders — you’re rockstars. But do you ever wonder if you’re playing the right song, on the right stage, for the right audience?
If you opted out of corporate serfdom — or never considered it in the first place you may experience less chronic work stress but still contend with a high cost of living. Forty percent of Americans can’t cover a $1000 emergency expense, meaning one mishap could bring the house of cards down.
In the U.S. Healthcare costs are up roughly 190% since 2005, while wages rose just 35%.
One of the most effective and immediate ways to find financial breathing room from this kind of squeeze is geoarbitrage.
People in South America and much of Europe work up to a third fewer hours and enjoy a full month (or two) of paid vacation each year.
When you earn in strong currencies like USD or euros but live somewhere with a lower cost of living, you gain real flexibility in how you live and work.
Things that once felt impossible are ordinary: same‑day doctor or vet house calls, taking a pottery class, and rent under $900 a month in one of the world’s greatest cities.
You don’t have to be a billionaire like Brin to enjoy a better lifestyle — you need a latitude adjustment, a longing intrinsic goals and self-determination instead of external rewards.
Caveat: Most foreigners aren’t landing local jobs here aside from those who work for multinational corporations and English teachers.
Most are working remotely or running small businesses.
I just want to illustrate how Argentina and other more laid back countries different priorities: family and free time over constantly running on empty.
Free Resources to Explore
Dive into my sites for real-life insights on Argentine daily life, culture, and travel.
The book Getting Out: Your Guide to Leaving America (now out of print after the publisher/editor passed) tackled the exact questions I help clients answer today: how to leave, where to land, what it really takes.
You’ll also find me interviewed in outlets like CNN and others on why more people are reconsidering life in North America.
Ironically, I’ve been thinking about moving back to North America to be closer to family and friends for some time.
But every time I visit the U.S. or Canada, I’m hit with reverse culture shock.
There are tent encampments under highway overpasses, violent incidents that rattle communities, costs that make even solid incomes feel fragile and the engineered divisiveness is tangible.
Sometimes it’s nice to get away from it all for years at a time rather than weeks.
Ready to Start Strategizing Your Move Abroad?
If reflection has turned into resolve, and you want practical help planning a move — have six-month relocation plan in place and offer straightforward, one-on-one guidance via WhatsApp or Zoom.
I’ll be happy to help you explore the ‘why’ and walk you through the ‘how.’
Not ready to book yet? Use the form below to tell me a bit about your situation or ask a quick question.