Americans Start New Lives Abroad

Level 4 Lesson by: Aron Thode Source: people.com

Warm-up → Read & Listen → Check Understanding → Language → Use It

Illustrated map of the United States with large arrows pointing outward to other parts of the world.
More Americans are leaving.

A rising number of Americans are leaving the United States and building new lives overseas. In 2025, the country entered a rare period of negative net migration, which means more U.S. citizens left than moved in. Researchers say this has not happened since 1935, and the pattern now draws attention across many age groups.

Exact numbers are hard to measure, but estimates suggest at least 180,000 Americans moved abroad last year. Experts believe the real total could be higher. Unlike earlier waves, this movement is not limited to one type of person. Retirees, students, and families with children are all part of the current rise in emigration.

For many people, money is a major reason. Housing, healthcare, and food prices have increased in many U.S. cities, so some households now compare costs in other countries. Portugal, Ireland, Thailand, and Bali are frequent choices. In addition, remote work lets some workers keep U.S. salaries while living where everyday expenses are lower.

But finances are only one part of the story. Some Americans say they want a slower pace of life and stronger social safety nets. Others describe feeling less stress and more safety abroad. One American living in Berlin said parents there do not expect active shooter drills in kindergarten, which changed how he judged daily life. He added that wages are often higher in the United States, but quality of life can feel better in Europe.

That contrast helps explain why this trend matters. Many people who move abroad are not only looking for lower costs or better jobs. They are also choosing the kind of daily life they want for themselves and their families.

Vocab List

  • net migration (n. phrase) — The difference between how many people enter and leave a country.
  • estimate (v.) — To make a careful guess based on available information.
  • expert (n.) — A person with a lot of knowledge about a subject.
  • wave (n.) — A period when many similar events happen at around the same time.
  • emigration (n.) — The act of leaving your country to live in another one.
  • draw attention (v. phrase) — To make people notice something and see it as important.
  • remote work (n. phrase) — Working from home or another place outside a company office.
  • pace (n.) — The speed at which something happens or the speed of daily life.
  • social safety net (n. phrase) — Public support systems that help people during hard times.
  • active shooter drill (n. phrase) — A school practice for how to react to an armed attack.
  • wage (n.) — Money paid regularly for work, often by the hour, day, or week.
  • quality of life (n. phrase) — How good and comfortable a person's daily life feels.

Speaker: American Female  Duration: 1:53

YouTube link

Listen and fill the gaps below:

Listen and Fill Gaps

Listen to the audio and complete the gaps below:

A rising number of Americans are leaving the United States and building new lives overseas. In 2025, the country entered a rare period of negative net migration, which means more U.S. citizens left than moved in. Researchers say this has not happened since 1935, and the (1) __________ now draws attention across many age groups. Exact (2) __________ are hard to measure, but estimates suggest at least 180,000 Americans moved abroad last year. Experts believe the real total could be higher. Unlike earlier waves, this movement is not limited to one type of person. Retirees, students, and (3) __________ with children are all part of the current rise in emigration. For many people, money is a major reason. Housing, healthcare, and food prices have increased in many U.S. cities, so some households now compare (4) __________ in other countries. Portugal, Ireland, Thailand, and Bali are frequent choices. In addition, remote work lets some (5) __________ keep U.S. salaries while living where everyday expenses are lower. But finances are only one part of the story. Some Americans say they want a slower pace of life and stronger social safety nets. Others describe feeling less (6) __________ and more safety abroad. One American living in Berlin said parents there do not expect active shooter drills in kindergarten, which changed how he judged daily life. He added that wages are often higher in the United States, but quality of life can feel better in Europe. That contrast helps explain why this trend matters. Many people who move abroad are not only looking for lower costs or better (7) __________. They are also choosing the kind of daily life they want for themselves and their families.
Main Idea

Choose one answer, then click CHECK to see your result.

Main Idea

  • The article argues that remote work and cheaper living abroad are now the main reasons Americans leave the United States.
  • The article explains why more Americans are moving abroad for lower costs and a better daily life.
  • The article mainly focuses on safety concerns for parents and how school violence fears are pushing families to move to Europe.
True or False

Answer each question by selecting True or False, then click CHECK to see your results.

  • In 2025, the United States entered negative net migration, meaning more U.S. citizens left than moved in.
    The story says 2025 was a rare period of negative net migration, with more citizens leaving than moving in.
  • Researchers say this pattern has happened many times since 1935.
    The article says this has not happened since 1935, so it is unusual.
  • The story says money is the only reason people move abroad.
    The article says money matters, but people also mention safety, stress, and quality of life.

True or False

1. In 2025, the United States entered negative net migration, meaning more U.S. citizens left than moved in. T / F

2. Researchers say this pattern has happened many times since 1935. T / F

3. The story says money is the only reason people move abroad. T / F

Multiple Choice

1. What does the article say about migration numbers?

   A) They are difficult to measure exactly, and estimates may be lower than the real total.

   B) They are collected in one complete government count each year.

   C) They are easy to track because most people report their move.

   D) They only include retirees moving to Europe.

2. Which places does the story name as frequent choices?

   A) Canada, Mexico, Japan, and Brazil.

   B) Spain, Greece, Turkey, and India.

   C) Portugal, Ireland, Thailand, and Bali.

   D) France, Norway, Kenya, and Peru.

3. What contrast does the story describe between the U.S. and Europe?

   A) Europe offers higher wages but less safety.

   B) Both places offer the same quality of life.

   C) The U.S. has lower wages and better social safety nets.

   D) Wages may be higher in the U.S., but quality of life can feel better in Europe.

Words That Go Together

Loading vocabulary activity...

Words That Go Together

Match each word with the words it goes with:

1. Build

2. Draw

3. Measure

4. Compare

5. Feel

6. Want

7. Expect

8. Look for

a) better jobs

b) active shooter drills

c) a slower pace of life

d) less stress

e) costs

f) exact numbers

g) attention

h) new lives

Discussion Builder

Discussion Builder

Choose the best phrase for each gap:

  1. ________ lower stress matters more than a high salary.

    To me, / For example, / Because of that, / But,

  2. Moving abroad may be easier for singles ________ they usually have fewer family needs to manage.

    and / because / but / so

  3. A place can feel safer for children when schools seem calm and well prepared. ________ parents may worry less there.

    Also, / Because of that, / For example, / But,

Sentence Unscramble

  1. ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___

    A. One hard part B. is leaving C. and close friendships D. family routines E. of emigration F. behind.

  2. ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___

    A. can offer B. For some people, C. higher pay D. at home. E. than F. life abroad G. a better daily balance

  3. ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___

    A. may continue B. this trend C. I could be wrong, D. but E. remote work F. if G. stays common.

Discussion Questions

  1. What are the biggest living costs in your city right now?
  2. If you could choose, would you prefer higher pay or lower stress? Why?
  3. Do you think moving abroad is easier for singles or for families? Why?
  4. Would you rather live in the United States, Portugal, Ireland, Thailand, or Bali? Why?
  5. What can people lose when they leave their home country?
  6. What can people gain from building a life in a new country?
  7. Should governments worry when many citizens move abroad? Why or why not?
  8. What advice would you give someone thinking about emigration?
  9. In your view, what makes a place feel safe for children?
  10. Could this migration trend continue, or might it slow down? What could change it?

Answers

Think Ahead: c

Listening: (1) pattern, (2) numbers, (3) families, (4) costs, (5) workers, (6) stress, (7) jobs

Main Idea: The article explains why more Americans are moving abroad for lower costs and a better daily life.

True or False:

  1. True. The story says 2025 was a rare period of negative net migration, with more citizens leaving than moving in.
  2. False. The article says this has not happened since 1935, so it is unusual.
  3. False. The article says money matters, but people also mention safety, stress, and quality of life.

Multiple Choice: A, C, D

Vocabulary:

  1. Build: new lives
  2. Draw: attention
  3. Measure: exact numbers
  4. Compare: costs
  1. Feel: less stress
  2. Want: a slower pace of life
  3. Expect: active shooter drills
  4. Look for: better jobs

Discussion Builder:

Hints: 1) Opinion. 2) Reason. 3) Result.

  1. To me,
  2. because
  3. Because of that,

Sentence Unscramble:

  1. One hard part of emigration is leaving family routines and close friendships behind.
  2. For some people, life abroad can offer a better daily balance than higher pay at home.
  3. I could be wrong, but this trend may continue if remote work stays common.

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