The Expat: What and Why

 Expat is short for the word "expatriate," meaning someone who leaves their home country to live for a time in another one. It is somewhere between a tourist and an immigrant, although neither of these. A tourist is simply on vacation for a short time; an immigrant has left everything behind in their birth country to start fresh. Usually for safety or for greater opportunities.

Probably the most famous American expats were from the early twentieth century, post WW 1-- Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald and his wife Zelda, along with other writers, artists and composers who lived abroad, most often in and around Paris. They traveled freely to Italy and Spain as conditions allowed. European visas were not as strict as they are now; obtaining residency was not a requirement.

A Moveable Feast is Hemingway's memoir about those days, written back when he was a struggling young writer in Paris.

Back then, everything cost less in Europe than in the United States, likely due to a post-war economy. This provided a strong motivation to live abroad for young writers and artists. 

Hemingway and Fitzgerald were often broke and asking their publishers for advances. They sold short stories to make quick money. Hemingway worked as a reporter and sent articles back to the States about European post-war conditions. Occasionally the Fitzgeralds would go to Hollywood, where he wrote movie scripts to afford another year or two in Paris. It wasn't the kind of writing either of them wanted to do, but it paid the bills. 

Expat retirees will often go where their dollar goes farther, just as Hemingway and Fitzgerald did. As writers, they were also attracted by the lively artistic scene. A top attraction for Canadian and American expats is the temperate weather south of the border.

Besides Central and South America, other popular expat destinations are Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, the Philippines. Or there is India and Dubai, which I've heard is popular with the British expat. Although Dubai may not currently be the best choice, with war in the Middle East right now.

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel starring Judi Dench and Maggie Smith tells the stories of six British expats in India. Their various lives reflect major reasons for why they left England to live at "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel." Personal, Financial and Health being at the top of the list. 

These are same reasons that motivate many expats in real life. Personal, Financial, and Health: all very strong motivational forces to answer the Why.

As for me, I can live better for less in Mexico. And the weather makes me happy.