The Electoral College has spoken folks. On January 20th at noon, President-elect Donald Trump will drop the hyphen on the “elect” and become the full-fledged leader of the free world. If that inevitability sends a shiver up your spine or causes your muscles to tighten, don’t worry. That’s just a panic attack coming on. Fortunately for you, it’s still totally possible to get the heck out of Dodge while the getting’s good. You know, before the economy collapses, the masses revolt, and the sky rains blood (aka, everything that the Democrats are predicting). If you’re just tired of your American setting and you’re looking to move before President Suntanned Marshmallow rolls into office, here are some of the best places to consider.
1. On the Level, Canada Is Probably Your Best Option
First of all, it’s right up there. Second, it’s reasonably easy to get to, even if you’re moving everything you own. Third, the Prime Minister seems like an alright guy who’s trying to do right by his people. Add all that to the fact that there are parts of the country that are beautiful year round, and Canada is actually a pretty enticing option.
2. Live Like an Eskimo in Svalbard
Never heard of it right? Well, if you really hate filling out paperwork, and you don’t mind living literally north of the Arctic Circle, then Svalbard is the place for you! The small “country” is technically part of Norway, though they really do their own thing. Even better, you don’t need to fill out any paperwork or get a visa to live there, which means you can relocate without sacrificing your American citizenship (assuming that’s still important to you). So, if you can handle sub-zero temperatures, a five month long period of darkness, and an active polar bear population, then you can move to Svalbard tomorrow.
3. Anglophiles Need Look No Further Than Ireland
If you’d like to get completely off the continent, but you don’t feel like learning a whole new language, consider moving to Ireland. It’s pretty easy to change your citizenship and — beyond being freaking beautiful — Dublin is an extremely affordable place to live and work.
4. The Retirement Crowd Can’t Do Much Better Than the Philippines
If you’re looking to invest your nest egg into a permanent beach vacation, check out the Philippines, a stunningly gorgeous country that’s collected as many as 36,000 American expats as of 2015. The country is extremely welcoming to immigrants, it’s incredibly affordable, and the beaches simply can’t be beat.
5. Sweden Is Good for People with Big Bank Accounts
If you’re a rich person who didn’t actively support a Trump presidency, then you might consider moving to Sweden. It is a country with a great education and healthcare system, and a real focus on helping the environment. The country’s architecture is gorgeous and the people are friendly. Sweden is also relatively easy to move to, it’s just expensive as all hell.
6. The True Adventurer Could Find the Perfect Home in Thailand
Thailand is definitely not for the feint of heart. During some periods of the year, the rain is both incessant and extremely heavy. At others, the temperature can get into the triple digits and hang there for days. That said, the place is cheap, the people are friendly, and a native English speaker basically has a built-in job as a language tutor.
7. Online Employees Will Love the Feel of Malta
If you were shopping around and discovered that Greece was too expensive (which will happen when your economy explodes all over the European Union), then check out Malta, a small country on the southern tip of the Mediterranean, which is pretty easy to emigrate to. The one downside might be the island’s popularity among tourists (it can get pretty crowded).
8. Mexico Really Is Nice Once You Get Away From the Border
The other local option, Mexico, is actually the world’s most popular setting for American expats, probably because the weather is gorgeous and the country is super cheap outside the tourist-heavy areas. If you’re willing to learn the language and you move far enough south, the quality of life for Americans is pretty high.
9. The United Arab Emirates Is More than Just a Desert Oasis
You might not think about moving to the UAE, but if you’re not a big drinker and you don’t mind the heat, the UAE can be pretty great. The country’s economy is exploding, which means relatively high-paying jobs are everywhere. If you’re willing to learn the culture (and the language), the UAE can be an incredibly friendly country on the other side of the world.
10. Professionals Will Love Germany
Germany wants you to move there and get a darn job already. The country (which is run by one of the brassiest politicians on the planet, Angela Merkel) really encourages immigration, even sponsoring people who want to come for the express purpose of trying to find work.
11. Build a High Profile Life in Singapore
If you’re looking to establish yourself, then Singapore might be the place to do it. The cost-of-living is on the higher side, but a corporate climber can get a job with some of the world’s biggest corporations, since the business world is flocking to the country’s lenient tax policies.
12. No, Australia Is Nothing Like the ‘Mad Max’ Series
Okay, obviously. But Australia is far more enticing for the American expat than you might think. In addition to having virtually zero gun violence, the country is extremely easy for a skilled professional to integrate. On top of that, the country is filled with friendly locals and more white sand beaches than you could ever possibly want.
