Why These Black Americans Are Choosing To Live Abroad

Why These Black Americans Are Choosing To Live Abroad



From Mexico to Ghana to Greece, Black Americans who moved abroad say they are finding more freedom, affordability, better work-life balance and a deeper sense of belonging by moving outside of the U.S.

Produced & Edited by: Zach Green
Narrated by: Ashton Jackson
Senior Managing Producer: Eric M. Clark
Additional Producers: Beatriz Bajuelos, Valentina Duarte, Tasia Jensen, Lauren Shamo
Animators: Christina Locopo, Alisa Stern
Reporters: Kamaron McNair, Cheyenne DeVon, Ryan Ermey, Jennifer Liu, Morgan Smith
Additional Cameras & Footage: Alejandro Ferlini, Vicky Markolefa, Jacqueline Nassour, Kedar Sonigra, Dr. Wanida Lewis, Getty Images

Subscribe to CNBC Make It.:
Watch CNBC on the go with CNBC+:

About CNBC Make It.: CNBC Make It. is a new section of CNBC dedicated to making you smarter about managing your business, career, and money.

Do you want to buy a home but don’t know where to begin? Take CNBC’s new online course How to Buy Your First Home. Register today and use coupon code EARLYBIRD for an introductory discount of 30% off $97 (+taxes and fees) through July 15, 2025:

Connect with CNBC Make It. Online
Get the latest updates:
Find CNBC Make It. on Facebook:
Find CNBC Make It. on Twitter:
Find CNBC Make It. on Instagram:

#CNBC
#CNBCMakeIt

Why These Black Americans Are Choosing To Live Abroad

46 thoughts on “Why These Black Americans Are Choosing To Live Abroad

  1. Im moving to Peru…… Im exhausted by the USA…..just exhausted….and yall want me out so im out ….. Good luck to yall….the more of us that leave I wonder who yall will blame

  2. 1 years worth of rent in Ghana is $3,000☹☹☹☹☹☹☹☹☹☹☹☹ that won't even cover 1 months rent for a 2 bedroom in Toronto….that's $250 A MONTH wtf

  3. Not sure if this a CIA Psyop to get Black Americans to leave or if this is Black Americans taking their talents elsewhere for whatever reason they choose…or both. I guess it doesn't matter because we'll adapt and thrive anywhere.

  4. I moved to Japan in late-2012 and never looked back. Obviously no country is "perfect" in every aspect, but living here fits my lifestyle and surprisingly we're able to save more money in Japan than we did the US. My advice to anyone is to live where you're happy and feel most comfortable. Ignore the naysayers and "DO YOU!"

  5. Soon to move with my partner. Being black in America is full of racism and xenophobia primarily from white Americans it’s completely exhausting to have navigate this. I’m so happy to be somewhere I’m not judge on my race it’s incredibly stressful

  6. I work at a restaurant here in Texas. Things have been really difficult, as l'm a single mom doing my best to pay the bills and take care of my daughters. But since I subscribed to this channel, everything has changed. This has truly been a life-changing opportunity for me.
    Thank you so much,

  7. Moved my family to Mexico last year…best decision. I don't consider myself an Expat though….I'm a refugee that fled the foolishness of the US and all that it represents.

  8. I love how there's always a gross amount of dislikes when it comes to Black people leaving the US. Especially from those who hate us to begin with; actually obsessed with us.

  9. My son and daughter in law moved to a beach town in Spain. We just came back from visiting them. They are living their best life not worrying about the high cost of living we have in California.

    It was a breath a fresh air to get away… We didn't want to leave.

  10. Once I retire from the military it is my goal to move myself, my wife and kid out of the country. After loving overseas we have just always felt more at peace, happier and less stressed about money. America is for some just not for us 🤷🏾‍♂️

  11. The only negative I see is the term expat when it should be marketed as dual citizenship. I understand those in the cnbc video may have actually become expats but if the movement is marketed as a dual citizenship movement although they never intend to return to the US they can still own property there which will bolster their finances wherever they choose to live.

  12. I believe context is important. The majority of Americans who move abroad tend to be digital entrepreneurs or individuals who have the means to live overseas due to achieving financial independence. There are also some who relocate to work for U.S.-based companies or the U.S. government, and others who retire.

    Overall, most Americans obtain their education and job opportunities from the United States. It is rare to find Americans employed abroad by non-American companies. Additionally, it is unlikely that an American who has achieved financial independence through investing would not have substantial holdings at a U.S.-based investment firm, such as Vanguard, Fidelity, or Schwab or American based real estate. Also, a digital entrepreneur living abroad would typically still have a significant number of American online customers in their primary customer base. And if a retiree is living abroad, they are likely accessing Social Security or a pension that originates from the U.S. Additionally, all American citizens, regardless of living abroad, must still pay federal income taxes to the U.S. federal government.

    All of what I mentioned is relevant, because usually, even if an American is living permanently in another nation, they are still very much connected to the U.S. financially and may return periodically to visit family.

    If someone has received their education, training, and financial resources from the U.S. and most of their family is American and lives in the U.S., in all likelihood, they are less likely to identify as an immigrant, even if they reside "permanently" in another country.

  13. I've been living in Germany for 6 years now and don't miss the US one bit. I stay connected with friends and family, but I never plan to move back. Life is so much better abroad.

  14. Returning to Germany this summer 2025. Excluded from the job market for almost a decade, and now becoming an investment banker. I will also look into ways of getting rid of my American citizenship. ✌🏿

  15. I totally believe that African Americans should, if possible, travel outside of America. Money can go further but most importantly their mind and certain ingrained American propaganda falls away.

  16. I will be forever grateful to you Mr Bill Lipschutz. You changed my whole life and I will continue to preaching your name for the world to hear you saved me from huge financial debt with the little I had. Thank you Mr Bill Lipschutz.🙏

  17. I went to Greece and biked through Greece. I went to remote areas and just rode the coast. There were so many people who were shocked to see an American rolling up on a bike- and being a Blakc American on a bike just impressed them to no end. I met a woman who moved there 16 years ago. She said no one who speaks English came there ever…. she was speaking English for the first time in 16 years. It was funny. I loved my bike trip. I was solo biking- so I really had to integrate into the culture. Greece was great! I definitely feel these people's need to move overseas. I'm looking at moving to Europe by Jan 2026.

  18. Something that is overlooked is that black Americans politically are socialist democrats and all of these countries we're moving to many of those especially in Europe embrace those ideals so we're actually moving to a place that's always been more politically aligned than capitalism profits over humanity and profits over community we've never been like that so it makes complete sense that we take advantage that these other countries already espoused the ideals we already abide and live by and value in cherish

  19. The U.S. is where some of us were born, but it's not where we have to stay….I left the U.S. in 2007, doing volunteer work on 3 different islands before settling in Curaçao. There is a treaty with the U.S. here, so that provided me with permanent residency. I work online so I'm good to go. Renting a 1 bdrm for $400 a month 😊

Leave a Reply to @RianaBradley Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *