The Mainland Exit: A Practical Guide to Moving to America’s Island Territories

The Mainland Exit: A Practical Guide to Moving to America’s Island Territories

In this episode of Moving Abroad: Create a New Life in a New Country, our team shares our new book, The Mainland Exit: How to Relocate, Settle, and Thrive in America’s Island Territories, now available on Amazon. The book is a practical guide for Americans interested in relocating to one of the five inhabited U.S. territories: Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, or American Samoa. The book explores both the beauty and the challenges of island life. From housing, healthcare, utilities, shipping, taxes, residency, and transportation to hurricanes, typhoons, infrastructure challenges, and cultural considerations, this episode offers an honest look at what it means to leave the mainland without fully moving abroad. Whether you’re dreaming of warmer weather, a slower pace, a new community, or simply a different way of living within the broader U.S. system, this episode introduces The Mainland Exit as a helpful starting point for planning carefully, comparing the territories, and deciding whether island life truly fits your goals. Featured Book — The Mainland Exit: How to Relocate, Settle, and Thrive in America’s Island Territories [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H8ZNR7GQ] by Paper Planes Publishing You can learn about additional countries to move to in our team's book, "Freedom Abroad: Ten Countries for Americans Ready to Relocate" and you can purchase a copy ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://amzn.to/4pAuLed]! Are you specifically interested in moving to Ireland? Here's the book for you: "Ireland on the Horizon: How to Relocate, Settle, and Thrive on the Emerald Isle" - Click ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://amzn.to/44sz5Uq] to order NOW!

Top Countries for Expats Right NOW: Where Moving Abroad Feels Easier

In this episode of Moving Abroad: Create a New Life in a New Country, we explore the countries currently standing out as some of the best places for expats to build a new life. Based on reporting from Travel + Leisure and insights from Allianz, InterNations, and HSBC, the ranking highlights destinations that score well for affordability, safety, healthcare, lifestyle, and ease of settling in. Portugal takes the top spot thanks to its sunny climate, relatively lower cost of living, accessible visa programs, and welcoming expat communities. We also look at other popular choices, including Spain, Mexico, the United Arab Emirates, and Thailand, and discuss what makes each country appealing for retirees, remote workers, families, and anyone considering a fresh start abroad. 🔎 Podcast Episode Credit Travel + Leisure — “This Is the No. 1 Country in the World for Expats—and It Has Beautiful Beaches, Affordable Living, and Great Healthcare [https://www.travelandleisure.com/most-popular-countries-for-expats-right-now-12007390]” by Taryn White MY TEAM'S BOOKS ABOUT MOVING ABROAD: You can learn about additional countries to move to in our team's book, "Freedom Abroad: Ten Countries for Americans Ready to Relocate" and you can purchase a copy ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://amzn.to/4pAuLed]! Are you specifically interested in moving to Ireland? Here's the book for you: "Ireland on the Horizon: How to Relocate, Settle, and Thrive on the Emerald Isle" - Click ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://amzn.to/44sz5Uq] to order NOW!

How Americans Can Legally Stay in Europe Longer Without a Residency Visa

In this episode of Moving Abroad: Create a New Life in a New Country, we explore a strategy some Americans use to legally spend more than six months in Europe without applying for a residency visa: the “Schengen Shuffle.” Based on reporting from Condé Nast Traveler, this approach involves carefully rotating between Schengen countries, where most Americans are limited to 90 days within any 180-day period, and non-Schengen destinations such as the United Kingdom, Albania, or other nearby countries. We break down how the 90/180-day Schengen rule works, why simply leaving Europe for a few days does not reset the clock, and what travelers should consider before trying this strategy. From immigration rules and border records to tax residency, work restrictions, and planning buffers, this episode explains why the Schengen Shuffle can be useful for long-term travel, but is not the same as gaining legal residency abroad. Remember to always consult a professional, as this is podcast is purely for entertainment and passing along information. It is not legal or immigration advice. 🔎 Podcast Episode Credit Condé Nast Traveler — “How Americans Can Legally Spend More Than 6 Months in Europe Using the ‘Schengen Shuffle’ — No Residency Visa Required [https://www.cntraveler.com/story/how-americans-can-legally-spend-more-than-6-months-in-europe-using-the-schengen-shuffle-no-residency-visa-required]” MY TEAM'S BOOKS ABOUT MOVING ABROAD: You can learn about additional countries to move to in our team's book, "Freedom Abroad: Ten Countries for Americans Ready to Relocate" and you can purchase a copy ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://amzn.to/4pAuLed]! Are you specifically interested in moving to Ireland? Here's the book for you: "Ireland on the Horizon: How to Relocate, Settle, and Thrive on the Emerald Isle" - Click ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://amzn.to/44sz5Uq] to order NOW!

Solo Retirement Abroad: Where Expats Find Community, Comfort, and Connection

In this episode of Moving Abroad: Create a New Life in a New Country, we explore some of the best places around the world for solo retirees looking to start fresh abroad. Based on reporting from Travel + Leisure and insights from International Living, these destinations stand out not only for affordability and healthcare, but also for something just as important: the ability to build friendships, community, and a meaningful social life overseas. We look at places such as Boquete and Coronado in Panama, San Miguel de Allende and the Riviera Maya in Mexico, Guanacaste in Costa Rica, Porto and Lagos in Portugal, Chiang Mai in Thailand, Placencia in Belize, Madrid, and the Côte d’Azur in France. From walkable cities and beach towns to established expat networks and active outdoor lifestyles, this episode highlights where solo retirees may find both independence and belonging abroad. 🔎 Podcast Episode Credit Travel + Leisure — “These Are the 11 Best Places in the World for Solo Retirees Moving Abroad, According to Expats [https://www.travelandleisure.com/best-places-abroad-for-solo-retirees-12007407]” by Taryn White MY TEAM'S BOOKS ABOUT MOVING ABROAD: You can learn about additional countries to move to in our team's book, "Freedom Abroad: Ten Countries for Americans Ready to Relocate" and you can purchase a copy ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://amzn.to/4pAuLed]! Are you specifically interested in moving to Ireland? Here's the book for you: "Ireland on the Horizon: How to Relocate, Settle, and Thrive on the Emerald Isle" - Click ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://amzn.to/44sz5Uq] to order NOW!

Why Some Americans Abroad Are Renouncing U.S. Citizenship

In this episode of Moving Abroad: Create a New Life in a New Country, we explore why some Americans living overseas are making the serious decision to renounce their U.S. citizenship. Based on reporting from CNN, the episode looks at the personal, political, financial, and identity-based reasons that can lead people to formally cut ties with the United States. We discuss the realities behind the process, including worldwide tax obligations for U.S. citizens, FATCA-related banking challenges, dual citizenship, “accidental Americans,” and the emotional weight of giving up a passport. We also look at why renunciation is not a decision to take lightly, since it can affect future travel, work, residency rights, and the ability to return to the U.S. Whether you’re living abroad, considering a second passport, or simply curious about the growing conversation around U.S. citizenship, this episode offers a balanced look at what renunciation really means. 🔎 Podcast Episode Credit CNN — “Why thousands of Americans are giving up their citizenship [https://www.cnn.com/2026/06/11/travel/renouncing-united-states-citizenship]” by Terry Ward MY TEAM'S BOOKS ABOUT MOVING ABROAD: You can learn about additional countries to move to in our team's book, "Freedom Abroad: Ten Countries for Americans Ready to Relocate" and you can purchase a copy ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://amzn.to/4pAuLed]! Are you specifically interested in moving to Ireland? Here's the book for you: "Ireland on the Horizon: How to Relocate, Settle, and Thrive on the Emerald Isle" - Click ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://amzn.to/44sz5Uq] to order NOW!