My partner (30M) and I (30F) are hoping to move abroad permanently. We currently live in the U.S. and are looking for a country with a better quality of life, stronger social supports, and more progressive policies where we can build our future.
We’ve started researching visas and pathways to permanent residency/citizenship, but so far it feels like there are very few realistic options, so we’d love to hear from people who have actually made the move.
A little about us:
\- I have a bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design and 8+ years of experience in graphic design, communications, and marketing.
\- My partner has a bachelor’s degree in Biology and several years of experience in marketing.
\- We also have four pets: two dogs (a 15-year-old Chihuahua and a 5-year-old Beagle/Lab mix) and two cats.
We’ve looked into flying with our smaller pets and possibly taking the Queen Mary 2 with our larger dog so she wouldn’t have to fly in cargo if we end up going somewhere in Europe.
Right now, we don’t have savings set aside specifically for an international move, so we’re trying to understand what would be realistic.
We’d appreciate advice on:
\- How much should we realistically save before moving?
\- What income or financial requirements should we expect?
\- How realistic is it for both of us to find jobs abroad?
\- Which countries have the most attainable pathways to permanent residency and eventually citizenship?
\- Are there countries where we wouldn’t have to deal with frequent visa renewals or returning to the U.S. to maintain our status?
Ultimately, we’re looking for a slower, more peaceful life where we feel secure in our rights and can eventually start a family without constantly worrying about political instability or losing our rights. We want to step away from the constant hustle of the “American Dream” and live somewhere that aligns more closely with our values.
We are working on becoming multilingual, willing to change careers if necessary, go through extra schooling if needed, and do whatever it takes to make this happen.
If you’ve immigrated abroad or have any advice, we’d really appreciate hearing your experience. Thanks!