This couple established a travel company catering to Americans seeking to depart the U.S., and subsequently embarked on their own journey.

It took Jen Barnett and Brett Andrews eight years to leave the U.S.

In 2016, following the presidential election, the married couple started contemplating their desire to travel beyond their home in Birmingham, Alabama, due to their growing dissatisfaction with the U.S. political landscape.

Their initial plan was to begin in Canada, but a 2017 trip to Vancouver revealed that it didn't feel like home.

They put their plans on hold until the pandemic lockdowns of 2020, when both Barnett, now 52, and Andrews, 44, realized they could move elsewhere and work remotely for their marketing and software engineering jobs. They renewed their search in earnest and set a goal to move within the decade.

Barnett and Andrews, inspired by the extensive research they conducted for their relocation project, established Expatsi to assist other Americans in exploring international relocation opportunities.

Launching a travel company for American expats

To determine their ideal city to reside in, Barnett and Andrews reverted to the fundamentals and prioritized their preferences regarding weather, climate, culture, legislation, cost of living, and proximity to the U.S.

The inspiration for Expatsi originated from a weekend project, and the website includes a 10-question quiz for users to specify their living preferences and also inquires about their plans for their new home country, whether it's for studying, working, or enjoying their retirement.

Visitors can receive a list of cities worldwide that may be suitable matches based on their answers.

The couple created resources specifically for individuals like themselves who desire to relocate abroad but lack the experience to determine their ideal destination, according to Barnett. "Although we have traveled, we are not frequent jetsetters. As a result, when we decided to move abroad, we were unsure of where to begin our journey."

The week that Roe v. Wade was overturned is when our site experienced a significant increase in traffic," Barnett says. "There's a growing trend of women leaving the U.S. for various reasons.

In 2023, Barnett left her remote marketing job to focus on building Expatsi full-time, while Andrews left his software programmer job. The couple also secured Cigna as a sponsor that year, which helped them grow their traffic quickly with the extra cash.

In April 2023, Expatsi started hosting nightly TikTok livestreams and attracted an audience interested in expatriating. This audience eventually formed a Facebook group to coordinate a scouting tour.

In March 2024, Barnett and Andrews led a group of 30 Americans on a 10-day trip to Portugal and a 12-day trip to Spain as part of their inaugural Expatsi scouting expedition.

These trips are not just vacations; they include educational seminars in each city, led by experts, covering topics such as financial planning, visas, health care, real estate, and other legal matters related to immigration.

Visitors continue to explore neighborhoods with a local tour guide and even view properties for sale or rent during the remainder of their trip.

The first group of travelers with Expatsi paid $1,000 for the Portugal leg and $1,200 to tour Spain. Visitors are responsible for booking their flights and accommodations, but the company provides recommendations and helps them book group stays.

Barnett suggests that travelers should try out the routine of living in a neighborhood they might want to reside in, going to the grocery store, preparing a meal, and envisioning their future life.

Instead of taking a vacation, she suggests embracing the mundane tasks, such as running errands and visiting the bank.

Barnett states that you will travel to a place and it will either feel like home or it won't.

'They're seeking something special'

The demand for expat scouting tours is increasing as the U.S. political climate intensifies before the presidential elections.

According to a CNBC analysis of U.S. Google search data, there was a sudden increase in searches for terms related to "how to move to X country" starting in mid-June. This surge in interest occurred after the first 2024 presidential debate between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump on June 27.

According to Barnett, the aftermath resulted in a 800% increase in traffic to Expatsi, making it a "crazy week."

Most Expatsi travelers are women aged 22 to 80, with a concentration around 40 to 65. The group consists of both solo and couple travelers who are either digital nomads or planning to retire abroad.

Across the U.S., individuals generally desire to leave their current circumstances and embark on new adventures for personal growth, according to Barnett. This desire is not driven by negative reasons but rather a yearning for something more fulfilling in life at a reasonable expense.

"She mentions that she is looking for something unique, such as walkable cities, a glass of wine, and music in the park. She notes that while these things can be found in the U.S., they are often reserved for the wealthy or those of a certain leisure class."

In the future, Expatsi is planning to take trips to Portugal and Spain in September, with a goal of eight trips in 2025 and expanding to new markets, such as Mexico, France, and Italy.

Moving to Mexico

Barnett and Andrews chose to visit Merida, the capital city of Yucatan state, due to their preferences.

The location meets all their criteria: a pleasant climate, proximity to the coast, a robust middle class, and a high level of happiness and social connections among residents.

According to Barnett, living in Birmingham is roughly 30% cheaper than in other cities, based on estimates from Expatistan, a website that compares costs of living worldwide.

We were concerned with politics, too. We wanted a place where laws were more aligned with our values. Mexico's recent legalization of abortion and same-sex marriage nationally was a positive change for us. Additionally, Mexico will have its first woman president this year, which was very important to us.

"Of course, you can't go wrong with the people or the food, Barnett adds."

In 2022, the couple first visited Merida and promptly sold their 3-bed, 2-bath home in Birmingham, along with most of their belongings, keeping only what could fit in their car for the drive down.

They officially moved in April 2024.

Barnett states that moving to Mexico is likely the most affordable relocation option. The main expenses include a $45 tourist visa conversion fee, three months' rent (75,000 Mexican pesos or about $4,200), and gas for a 2,700-mile drive with a dog and three cats.

The couple is now settling into their new lives abroad while expanding Expatsi.

"What a life," Barnett says, as everyone asks, "How are you liking Mexico?" and he responds, "We are the dogs that caught the car."

The OANDA conversion rate of 1 peso to 0.05 USD was used to convert Mexican pesos to USD on July 10, 2024. All amounts are rounded to the nearest dollar.

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