Generation Exodus
Plus: "Let's Retire Retirement" with Derek Coburn on the podcast.
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What happens when a country fundamentally disappoints a large number of its citizens?
When a founding narrative of economic opportunity and prosperity devolves into an unattainable farce, what’s the result?
Throughout human history, the answer has been the same.
When opportunity dries up, whether on the savannah or Main Street, you migrate somewhere else.
In March of 2024, a survey by the Monmouth University Polling Institute indicated that 34% of Americans would like to settle in another country, which was up from 10 percent of Americans asked by Gallup back in 1974.
A year later in 2025, a Harris Poll reveals that the number has surged to a staggering 42% of Americans who are considering or actively planning to leave.
I think we all know what changed in the time between the two surveys, but it’s remarkable that so many people wanted to leave before Trump II became a reality.
The answer is simple: even though political dissatisfaction is one of the top three motivations to go, it’s sandwiched between two other reasons:
Lower cost of living abroad, and
Desire for a higher quality of life
“It’s the economy, stupid” is as true today as it was during Bill Clinton’s 1992 presidential campaign. And now both young and old alike find that living in the United States isn’t worth the cost.
Even more interesting is who has already left. Despite the popular narrative of young people traipsing across the globe with backpacks, the data reveals a different story.
Take a look at the chart below based on the latest United Nations estimates of the numbers and characteristics of international migrants around the world:
The kids are actually the smallest demographic group currently abroad. People over the age of 65 are well represented, given that retiring overseas has shifted from a dream to a practical necessity for many older Americans.
What stands out to me, though, is the number of American expats aged 45 to 64 at 39%. That’s Generation X and our older siblings, Generation Jones. Those who identify as “digital nomads” trend younger at an average age of 36, which suggests that many Gen X migrants have found a new permanent home abroad.
The reason for the decimation of the American Dream is not Trump — he’s merely a late-stage symptom. It’s been happening since the 1980s, just as we were buying into the “Get an education, work hard, have a successful career, and retire comfortably” narrative that was being concurrently dismantled even as we pursued it.
At least we got to play the game with the illusion that it was winnable for the majority of us. Our kids know the game is hopelessly rigged, which is why Gen Z and Millennials lead in wanting to move abroad, with nearly one in five seriously considering it.
This new reality has been coming at us for decades. And now you can consider Trump.
The man campaigned on lowering the price of eggs “on day one,” but instead brought about both increased inflation and a devalued dollar in the 100 days he’s been in office. This dismantling of the U.S. economy, along with our remaining good standing in the world, is not what anyone voted for.
Don't get me wrong, a little economic austerity to achieve better conditions down the road can be acceptable with the right approach. But Trump's stated goals are nonsensical, just as his tactics are delusional. That’s why business leaders and Wall Street started pushing back after initial support.
What about bringing back manufacturing jobs to the United States? Even if it were possible, it would take a minimum of a decade to achieve.
But the Chinese are clearly showing: 1) why it won’t happen, and 2) what it would look like even if it did. There won’t be the imagined masses of well-paid, unionized factory workers, but instead an army of robots, powered by artificial intelligence.
It’s all a lie, and as they say, wishful thinking is not a strategy. No matter what happens post-Trump, this country is not fixable for the 99% within our lifetimes, and may not even survive in its current form.
Someone whose unique background allows a clear view of that reality is the author of The Long Memo newsletter, who writes under the pen name William A. Finnegan.
“Finnegan” has a background in economics, but discontinued his pursuit of a PhD after 9/11 to join a special operations team at the Pentagon. That led to a political appointment during the George W. Bush administration, a fact that prompts him to now say, “I used to be a Republican, but now I’m not.”
Finnegan’s writing is illuminating and often alarming. But seeking a feel-good narrative at this point in history is the height of foolishness.
Here’s an excerpt from his recent article, Am I Financially Screwed Forever?:
That sense of dread you’ve been carrying? That pit in your stomach when you read the news, look at your bank account, or think about the next ten years?
It’s not anxiety. It’s recognition.
You’re not imagining this. You’re not overreacting. You’re just seeing it clearly, maybe for the first time.
And that clarity, painful as it is, is a gift.
Because once you know the game is broken, you can stop blaming yourself for losing. And you can start asking a better question:
If the old system is dead, how do I survive the new one?
Now, finally, we’re asking the right questions.
Finnegan already knows the answer: He and his family are leaving. And he’s started a second newsletter to help others who want to do the same, called Borderless Living.
On top of that commonality, my Finnegan fandom came with a twist. He reached out to tell me his real name, and that we know each other in real life. Thanks to his current career as the owner of a digital agency, he was a customer of my former company.
So, you’ll likely see Finnegan over here in Further Premium, and me in the member area at Borderless Living. We both agree this may be the most important work of our lives, even as we both walk the talk by departing for more optimistic shores.
Don’t worry, Further is not turning into another vehicle for doom and gloom. The original reason for leaving the U.S. is because my wife and I want a life of adventure where we can experience more of the world, and that still stands.
A life with your own business that allows you to live and travel anywhere is much better than a substandard retirement spent staring blankly at the bad news on television.
But we can’t ignore the reality that if we don’t take action and start preparing, things will likely end up way worse than simply missing out on “living the dream.”
Keep going-
P.S. You can get a jump start on building your own location-independent income as a Further Premium member, AND discover how to pay zero in taxes on a six-figure income as an American expat in our first premium webinar happening tomorrow, Wednesday, April 30, at noon Pacific / 3pm Eastern.
further: podcast
"Let's Retire Retirement" with Derek Coburn
In a conversation that challenges everything you thought you knew about your financial future, I sit down with Derek Coburn, a “recovering” financial advisor who's turning retirement planning on its head.
Coburn doesn't just question traditional retirement models. He presents a unique vision where fulfillment today doesn't come at the expense of tomorrow's security.
Drawing from deeply personal experiences that transformed his own outlook, Derek's forthcoming book "Let's Retire Retirement" makes a compelling case for extending our productive years — not out of sheer necessity, but as a pathway to greater freedom and happiness.
The conversation explores the drawbacks of conventional retirement savings strategies, the concept of life satisfaction over fleeting happiness, and the need for a purposeful life that doesn't hinge on cutting yourself short at traditional retirement age.
Through relatable anecdotes and compelling arguments, Coburn offers a much-needed fresh perspective on the “retirement crisis” that Gen Xers allegedly face. You’ll discover a fresh blueprint for crafting a meaningful life where purpose and financial security walk hand in hand.
Listen on the web or choose your favorite podcast player.
further: flashback
🎶 Naked Eyes - Always Something There To Remind Me, Burning Bridges, 1983 🎶
Who knew back in the 80s that Always Something There To Remind Me was written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David, and originally recorded in 1963? Not me, until the song played over the credits at the end of a Mad Men episode... and it was clearly not the Naked Eyes version. (YouTube)
further: sharing
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