Before you ever enjoy your first croissant, you'll likely find yourself trapped in a bureaucratic labyrinth. Europe's charm - the centuries-old systems, the beautiful order - also applies to paperwork. Every form must be printed, stamped, signed (sometimes in triplicate), and often translated by an officially certified translator. Registering your address? You'll need your lease, a tax number, health insurance proof, and - depending on the country - a "proof of integration" course.
More than 1,200 U.S. citizens expatriated in the first quarter of 2025 alone - a 102% increase compared to the same period a year ago, according to recent research. This surge reveals something remarkable: Americans aren't just dreaming about starting fresh somewhere else, they're actually making it happen. The numbers tell the story of people seeking new adventures, a better quality of life, and sometimes simply a fresh perspective on what home can mean.
Adorno, originally from Connecticut, left the US for France last October, and admits that this decision had been a long time coming. After going through a number of careers, including as a lawyer, a filmmaker and an artisan breadmaker, Adorno had become tired of the work, work, work culture in the US and was looking for an escape. She says she was ready to to explore a life without work and felt that it was the right time to leave.