American Expats - Political Identity & Views Of US After Moving

Politics had nothing to do with my own decision to move to Mexico in 2023. I was attracted to Mexican culture, personal relationships and, yes, a lower cost of living. But hearing how some other expats talk about America made me curious enough to see whether anyone had actually studied this. It turns out they have. Research suggests that Americans with weaker attachment to national identity are somewhat more likely to consider living abroad, while some expat communities in Mexico are considerably more liberal than the U.S. population as a whole. Donald Trump’s emergence as one of the country’s most polarizing political figures adds another dimension, although the research suggests the pattern predates his first election. But the picture is more complicated than simply saying expats become anti-American. Many Americans abroad remain deeply connected to the United States, follow its politics closely and continue voting in American elections. Living somewhere else can also make you more critical of America while making you appreciate things about it that you once took for granted. In this article, I focus on what the research tells us about American expats, political identity and the perspective that comes from viewing your home country from somewhere else. If you’re an American living abroad, I’d especially like to hear from you. Has leaving the United States changed the way you see the country, for better, worse or a little of both?