The trend of Americans moving abroad has gained traction over the years. While exact trends can be elusive, it's clear that the number of U.S. citizens living overseas has roughly doubled since 1999, rising from 4.1 million to 8 million. Among the most popular destinations for American expatriates are Mexico, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
In a recent Business Insider article, Brooke Black shared her family's experience of relocating to Denmark in 2020. For Black, who lives with her husband and two young daughters, safety was a crucial factor in their decision to stay in Denmark long-term.
“Denmark offers a high level of safety and trust,” Black explained. “Crime is infrequent, police presence is rare, and gun control is stringent. This sense of security was a major reason for our choice to remain here.” Comparatively, Denmark has significantly lower crime rates than the U.S., with seven times fewer guns, six times fewer homicides, and four times fewer rapes, according to Nationmaster.
The family's move to Denmark began as a temporary escape from the COVID-19 hotspot of Los Angeles. What was intended as a two-week stay with family in Denmark turned into a permanent relocation.
Black noted that the shorter Danish workweek, capped at 37 hours, greatly enhances her ability to spend time with her children. “In Denmark, most parents pick up their kids by 4 p.m. on weekdays and even earlier on Fridays,” she wrote. “I can leave work on time for pickup, which wasn’t possible in LA where I had to rush across town and barely had time for my kids before bedtime.” She added on LinkedIn, “I’m very grateful for this time with my children, as it’s irreplaceable.”
Black works for Podimo, a platform offering over 1,000 exclusive podcasts and 70,000 audiobook titles.
Black's experience mirrors that of other Americans seeking a safer environment abroad. Earlier this year, Upworthy highlighted Luna Ashley Santel and her family, who relocated from St. Louis, Missouri, to Spain.
Santel’s family discovered a sense of relief in Spain that had been absent in America. While sitting in a busy café, they noticed a stark difference in their comfort level compared to their life in St. Louis. “We realized that living in America had made us constantly alert,” Santel’s husband reflected. “The sense of vigilance we thought was normal wasn’t necessary, and we felt a profound shift in our sense of safety.”
These stories underscore a growing trend among Americans seeking not just a change of scenery, but also a more secure and balanced lifestyle abroad.