If you’re thinking of fleeing America to avoid the next four years, it’s worth considering HOW you’ll leave. In this article, I’ll delve into the two most common paths to exit – as an expat or as a full-time traveler. 

There are important differences between the two lifestyles. I’ve been fortunate to do both. So before you pack your bags, consider what kind of lifestyle you want.

There are many things to consider, so to keep this article shorter than a novel, I’m  going to focus on the highlights to make a decision. Stay tuned for some of the pros and cons to consider with each lifestyle.

Definitions – Expat vs Full-Time Traveler

First, let’s talk definitions. What’s the difference between an expat and a full-time traveler?

Expat

An expat is typically working for a company and being relocated to one destination. Whether the relocation is paid for by the company, or, whether you move for the job, you’re buying or renting a property where you’ll live for the duration of your job, be it months or years. You’ll bring most or all of your “stuff” with you to your new place

Full-Time Traveler

A full-time traveler is typically traveling on their own dime. They may have a job, or do freelance work or use savings and not work. While they may rent a lodging, it’s more typical they are using a blend of strategies for short-term accommodation, and moving around within the allowed timeframes permitted with a tourist visa. (Check out my free guide on finding remote work.) You’ll travel as light as possible, usually downsizing, or storing items that you want to keep for “some day when I’m done traveling.”

A full-time traveler is more migratory than an expat.

Speed Of Transition

Everyone wants to move abroad these days, but moving abroad is not as easy as traveling abroad.

Both types of lifestyles require you to pack up your old life before you go. However, a full-time traveler can, if budget and laws permit, keep or rent their property as a source of income and come back to it “some day”.

If speed is on your mind, setting aside the packing up (and also the budgeting) it’s a lot quicker to travel full-time, than it is to become an expat. This is because all you have to do to become a full-time traveler is pack a bag, book a plane, and go. Becoming an expat usually requires lots of bureaucratic hurdles and can take months or even a year to clear, depending where you’re going.

Budget

The next big topic on your mind when thinking about fleeing the country is typically, “how much will all this cost?”

If you’re an expat, you’ll likely have a job with a reliable income. So, budgeting is much easier.  

If you’re a full-time traveler, you’ll need to create a budget before you leave, and a means to stick to your budget as you travel. Unless, of course, if you’re traveling either with a job or using rent as income. In either case, this would give you more disposable income than those without these assets.

Health Insurance

This is a big question for everyone! And, yes, you can get health insurance whether you’re an expat or whether you’re a full-time traveler. This does not have to stifle your plan to get out of the country quickly.

As an expat, your company is more likely to pay for your health insurance coverage. As a full-time traveler, you’ll have to pay for your own insurance. Confusingly, it’s called an “expat insurance plan” if you get a better policy. Or, you can pay very low premiums for less coverage and just get a travel insurance plan – it’s up to you. (For more information, check out my YouTube video on this topic.)

Passport Advice

Either way, you’re going to need to make sure your passport is current. If it expires within 6 months, make sure you get it renewed now as many countries won’t let you enter if your passport expires in less than 6 months. Also, with rumors about reducing government headcount in the new administration, you may want to renew your passport even if you have a year or more left on it, as processing times will probably increase.

Making The Decision

So, how do you decide which lifestyle is better for you? That takes some deeper contemplation. However, if we just talk surface level;

• if your priority is speed of exit, full-time travel will be faster.
• If you prefer having a job that pays for everything and don’t mind waiting months or years (first you have to secure that job, of course) then being an expat may be best.