Why 87.5 Million People Are Choosing Different Ways to Leave America Behind
Real Differences Between Immigrants, Expats, and Digital Nomads
The American Dream once meant one thing: immigration to the United States. I know this intimately - my mother left Saint Vincent and the Grenadines for America, carrying hopes of opportunity and a better life. As a single mother, she worked tirelessly to create that life while still supporting her family back home. This sense of responsibility, of never forgetting your roots while building something new, is deeply woven into the immigrant experience.
But today, the dream of a better life is taking new forms. While 281 million people globally still follow traditional immigration paths, a growing number are choosing different ways to cross borders. Let me share how I've lived all three experiences - immigrant, expat, and now guide for others considering global lives.
The Immigrant Journey: Roots and Responsibility
Immigration is about permanence. It's about planting roots so deep that they reach across generations. The UN reports that the global immigrant population grew from 173 million in 2000 to over 281 million in 2020, each carrying stories like my mother's.
As an immigrant, you're not just moving—you're transforming. You often learn new systems and adapt to new cultures while maintaining connections and responsibilities to your home country. I witnessed this dual life throughout my childhood as my mother balanced building our American life while supporting family back home.
The Expat Evolution: Temporary by Design
My global journey took a different turn in 2016 when love led me to England. Marriage to a British man who valued experiences over American work culture introduced me to expat life. But our three years in Copenhagen truly taught me what being an expat means—temporary by design but fully invested in the present.
Expat life, which now encompasses over 87.5 million people globally, differs from immigration. While immigrants seek permanence, expats embrace temporary chapters. During our time in Copenhagen and now in Doha, we dive deep into local life, knowing it's not forever.
The Digital Nomad Revolution: Freedom with Flexibility
While I'm not a digital nomad, this rapidly growing group - projected to reach 35 million globally by 2025 - represents yet another way of crossing borders. Unlike expats or immigrants, digital nomads embrace constant movement, staying anywhere from a few months to a year.
Looking to the Future
Policymakers are catching up to these evolving lifestyles. By 2025:
Over 45 countries are expected to offer digital nomad visas
Family-focused immigration policies are expanding
Expat support systems are growing
Cross-border healthcare and education are improving
Today, my life reflects these changing definitions. I'm an immigrant in the UK (maintaining my US citizenship despite the tax implications), an expat in Doha, and a first-generation American. Each role brings its challenges and privileges.
What fascinates me most is how these definitions continue to evolve. My mother's immigrant journey was about creating a better life in one new country. My expat journey has been about creating a rich life across multiple countries. And for the growing number of digital nomads, it's about making the whole world home.
The future of global living isn't about choosing between being an immigrant, expat, or digital nomad - it's about understanding these options and choosing the path that best suits your family's dreams. Whether that's putting down permanent roots like my mother, embracing temporary adventures like my family in Doha, or creating a completely location-independent life.
What matters isn't the label - it's understanding what each path means for your family's future. The world is opening up in ways my immigrant mother could never have imagined, creating opportunities for families to define their own version of a better life.
Your Expat Life Summit
Where expert guidance meets real-world experience to create your family's blueprint for international living. In just three power-packed hours, you'll get actionable insights on remote work opportunities, international education, housing abroad, and navigating the visa process. Connect with families who've successfully made the move and experts who'll show you exactly how they did it.
Don't let another year pass, wondering, "What if?" Your family's global journey starts here.
Secure your family's spot today!