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Everyone in my life thought moving for a 7-month relationship was reckless. They were right, but it was worth it.

by with No Comment Xpandfy

When I was 21, I fell in love for the first time.

Tim and I met online before it was cool. An avid fisherman, sports fanatic, and gifted salesman, he wasn’t my usual type — but he was charming, funny, awkward, and sweet. I fell for him, hook, line, and sinker.

There was only one problem. Tim lived in Minneapolis, and I lived in Chicago.

We made long-distance work for as long as we could. On the rare weekends I wasn’t waitressing, I traveled to Minnesota for ice fishing and bar hopping. When Tim’s schedule allowed, he visited me at my parents’ house for family dinners and nights out with friends.

Our time together was fun and exciting, but after seven months of constant travel, we knew we had some decisions to make.

When Tim and I decided to take the next step, I moved to Minnesota


The writer and her husband sitting in the booth at a bar.

Eventually, it became clear that one of us would have to move states.

Emily Holi



After a four-year collegiate stint in Michigan, I’d sworn to myself that I’d never leave Chicago again. Not only were my family and friends there, but it was comforting and familiar. It was home.

Tim understood my love for Chicago from the moment we met. He was early in his dream career as a salesman, and I hadn’t yet decided what I wanted to do professionally. Even so, he reassured me that I would never have to move — that, instead, he would find a way to relocate for me.

The more reassuring he was, though, the more I began seriously considering moving to Minnesota. Logistically, it just made sense.

My family and friends were just as charmed by Tim as I was, but they were skeptical, too. They cautioned me against moving, reminding me that Tim and I hadn’t known each other that long.

The more I thought about beginning a new chapter, though, the more right it felt. Whether or not Tim and I lasted, maybe an adventure was exactly what I needed to kick off the adult chapter of my life.

Despite their warnings, I began searching for a job in Minneapolis. When I found a new job and a new roommate in the same week, it felt like fate.

I struggled with homesickness at first, but Tim supported me

My life in Minnesota wasn’t what I had imagined. Living away from home was difficult, and I was miserably homesick for weeks. I was also adjusting to life in my first apartment, along with a new, very demanding job.

I was thrilled to be closer to Tim, but the struggles I was experiencing overshadowed much of my joy. Despite these difficulties, Tim remained patient, sure of our relationship, even when my confidence wavered.

On Halloween, my family’s favorite holiday, Tim dressed up as a giant piece of pizza to cheer me up. When the first snow fell that season, Tim was waiting in my new apartment with a Christmas tree in tow.

By the time Valentine’s Day rolled around, bringing with it chocolate-covered strawberries and three dozen white roses (my favorite), most of my homesickness had faded.

I realized that Tim was my future, wherever we lived


The writer and her husband standing in a park, looking into each other's eyes.

Now, over a decade later, I’m so glad I took a chance on our relationship.

Emily Holi



After six months, I finally began to find my footing. My roommate and I developed a strong bond, and I began to branch out into new social circles.

I fell in love with Minnesota in the summertime. I even learned to fish! Turns out, Tim was an excellent teacher.

Tim was my constant, in good times and bad. As the months continued to pass, I began to realize that maybe, this wasn’t just the beginning of a new chapter — maybe it was the beginning of forever.

One evening, eight months after I first arrived in Minnesota, Tim invited me out for a casual dinner. I accepted, thinking nothing of it, not even questioning the fact that he wanted us to explore an antique store 15 minutes before our reservation.

I was sifting through a pile of old postcards when I realized that Tim was nowhere to be seen — until I rounded the corner and there he was, on bended knee, a tiny box in his outstretched hand.

We were married that December in Chicago. We spent another year in Minnesota after that, before returning to my hometown for good, putting down roots a few miles from my childhood home.

Thirteen years and six children later, I’m forever grateful that I ignored well-meaning warnings from my friends and family. I may have risked it all on love, but in the end, it was worth it.




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I’ve lived in the UK for over 20 years —there’s just one town I always dream about moving to and love to visit

by with No Comment Xpandfy

Our family’s first trip to Windermere changed everything.

​Sitting on the bank of a stream with my feet dipped in its cold, clear water, surrounded by trees budding for spring — even with the baby kicking away inside me at eight months pregnant, I felt a kind of bliss that’s hard to put into words.

​The only sounds were the distant mooing of cows and the occasional squeals of our toddler’s laughter at the nearby bed and breakfast.

​I had no doubt in my mind that our four-hour drive from Northampton was worth it.

Since that trip nearly two decades ago, we’ve been to this small English town in the Lake District many times. Each visit only confirms there’s no place like Windermere — and I still dream of moving here someday.

​The town feels like its own secret world, but it’s still well-connected and home to top-notch food and attractions


TRain driving through fall foliage in lake district

A train driving through the Lake District in the fall.

by Andrea Pucci/Getty Images



Tucked between rolling fells (grassy hills) and England’s largest lake of the same name, the town of Windermere feels like its own world.

​Home to fewer than 10,000 residents, it’s small enough to cross on foot yet expansive in feel.

The surrounding hills and lake feel quietly confident. They soften the skyline and set a slower pace, making it clear this isn’t a place built for rushing.

All of this gives Windermere a wonderfully quiet, oasis-like rhythm.

Despite feeling removed from the hustle and bustle, it’s surprisingly well-connected and close enough to reach without much fuss.

It’s a short drive from cities like Lancaster and Carlisle. By train, it’s three hours from London, an hour and a half from Manchester, and two or three hours from Edinburgh.

It’s also in the county of Cumbria, which has something for everyone, whether you want to partake in watersports and hiking, visit Scafell Pike (England’s highest mountain and a war memorial), try local specialties like sticky toffee pudding and Cumberland sausage, or just seek out some serenity.


Tall green mountains, peaceful lakes in lake district

Fleetwith Pike and Buttermere in the English Lake District.

WhitcombeRD/Getty Images



Over the years, some of our most cherished Lake District moments have come from serene walks and hikes around the lakes and fells of Windermere and nearby towns, as well as leisurely cruises and visits to the world-famous Beatrix Potter attractions.

And though many of its local cafés have small-town charm, this area has serious food cred, too. The Lake District is home to several Michelin-starred restaurants.

Even so, unlike busier hot spots, Windermere has retained its identity and sense of self. It is protective of its pace, its peace, its essence.

People here seem to look out for each other. They don’t just nod as they pass; they stop to chat and remember people’s names.

By 5:30 p.m., many shops and cafés close, while a handful of restaurants, pubs, and the local Sainsbury’s stay open late. Even at night, the town feels safe and calm, especially compared to larger cities.

I dream of living here someday

Many places are lovely to visit, but Windermere feels like somewhere that meets you exactly where you are, offering something for every stage of life.

After all these years, I still sometimes feel that same stillness I felt on our very first trip when I was sitting by the water and realizing we’d found somewhere special.

Each visit has marked a different chapter in our family’s lives, from being pregnant with a toddler in tow to returning with teenagers who now set their own pace.

Somehow, though, Windermere has grown with us, and I often wonder what it might feel like if we stayed a little longer. After all, there’s something comforting and restorative about living where nature is such a big part of daily life.

When I imagine where I’d call home in the UK, it’s not London, Birmingham, Manchester, or even Northampton, where we live now.

It’s Windermere … maybe once the children have grown up.




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The mega-rich are moving. Here’s where they’re going.

by with No Comment Xpandfy

Andrew Rosener had already built a successful domain name brokerage when he and his wife found themselves asking a familiar question: Where do we want to live, not just work?

The answer turned out to be Portugal.

The American founder of MediaOptions, a domain broker, says the country checked every box: safe, sunny, affordable, and steeped in a culture that feels both European and Latin American. “There’s no other place like it,” he says. “Portugal created the single greatest immigration culture on Earth,” he says, citing the Golden Visa, the Startup Visa, the Digital Nomad Visa, and the Tech Visa, among other programs offered by the country.

The Rosener family flew over in May 2018. “Ten days later, we bought our dream house,” Rosener says. “Since then, the value’s gone up 250%.”

The entrepreneur was an early adopter. In 2018, only 108,000 extremely wealthy individuals emigrated to a new country. Since then, the global migration of the ultrawealthy has grown dramatically. According to the private wealth research firm Henley & Partners, 134,000 UHNWIs migrated in 2024, a year when more than 70 countries went to the polls and upended civil norms. By the end of 2025, more than 142,000 HNWIs were expected to have relocated.

“We’re seeing a dramatic shift in global wealth flows,” said Jeremy Savory, founder of Millionaire Migrant, a global consulting firm that helps wealthy families find places to relocate. “More people are rethinking traditional wealth hubs like the UK and China, while places like Portugal, the UAE, and Singapore are surging in popularity.”

The reasons behind these relocations are as diverse as the individuals making the move, but a few key factors stand out. Tax efficiency is at the top of the list. Wealthy non-Americans are increasingly seeking countries where they can retain a greater share of their earnings, particularly through capital gains, income, and estate taxes. Countries with lower tax burdens offer a substantial financial advantage, making them highly attractive to the global elite.

Switzerland, for example, has a lump-sum tax scheme that uses a taxpayer’s lifestyle expenses as a surrogate tax base, rather than taxing global income and assets. Panama taxes citizens only on income earned in the country, making it a true tax haven. The UAE doesn’t levy income tax; instead, it relies on a 5% value-added tax. Since US citizens are taxed on worldwide income, they don’t really benefit from alternative tax strategies — unless, perhaps, they leave a state like California or New York, with their high state and city taxes. However, says Basil Mohr Elzeki, Managing Partner at Henley & Partners, “Obtaining additional residencies and citizenships still remains a hedge for future potential tax reforms in the United States.”

Geopolitical safety is another driver. With political instability, civil unrest, and even the threat of war growing at an alarming rate in many parts of the world — think Venezuela, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan — wealthy individuals are opting to leave regions where they feel vulnerable in favor of more stable and secure environments. Quality of life is also a significant consideration. The Roseners are having a blast in Portugal, where they have access to decent healthcare, world-class education, clean and well-maintained public spaces, and a low crime rate. And while the country provides almost no social benefits and has some of the lowest wages in all of Europe, it deters migrants with less wealth seeking employment. “So if you’re looking for work, there is no reason to come here,” Rosener says.

Nevertheless, business opportunities play a crucial role in deciding where to plant a flag. Many of the global wealthy are relocating to cities that offer entrepreneurial freedom, often lacking in more bureaucratic regions. The ability to set up and run businesses with fewer regulatory hurdles is a compelling draw for people looking to capitalize on global opportunities or launch a startup.

And let’s not understate the benefits of having a “good” passport. With growing restrictions on travel to many countries, wealthy individuals are applying for second residencies or even multiple citizenships as a safeguard. This “Plan B” provides them not only with a strategic escape route in the face of unforeseen political or social upheaval but also with a sense of greater freedom and flexibility in their personal and professional lives. Also, with these passports, fewer visas are required.

Here are five (OK, really six) of the top destinations winning this geopolitical arms race to lure the world’s wealthiest people.

Dubai


Andrew Aitchison / In pictures via Getty Images

It is no surprise that Dubai has cemented itself as the premier destination for the global elite in recent years, attracting wealthy individuals from across Europe, Russia, and beyond. Known for its lump-sum tax policy and luxury lifestyle, Dubai offers an attractive package for the ultrawealthy. According to Elzeki, the UAE continues to see significant immigration inflows, particularly after recent tax reforms. This year, nearly 10,000 wealthy foreigners are expected to relocate to the UAE, making it the top destination for ultrawealthy migrants.

Savory believes that technology is the biggest reason the global rich can migrate. “Technology is enabling us to live anywhere,” says the Brit who lives in Dubai. “Just like with business, the world is an open playing field. Governments have to compete with one another to win investments and wealthy immigrants.”

“Dubai’s appeal is its pro-business environment, minimal red tape, and tax-free status,” Elzeki says. “It’s the ultimate destination for people looking to invest and live in a luxurious environment with limited government interference.”

The city’s appeal isn’t just for business moguls. Many entertainers, athletes, and tech entrepreneurs are calling Dubai home, though not so many from the United States. With a steady flow of talent and investment, particularly in real estate, Dubai is rapidly emerging as a global powerhouse. Monaco, watch out.

Portugal


Cityscape and skyline of the Alfama district


Roberto Machado Noa/LightRocket via Getty Images

Portugal remains one of the most popular destinations, particularly for American centimillionaires seeking a European foothold/hedge. The so-called Golden Visa Program for “non-habitual residents” has been a major factor, though it expired in March 2025. No longer do new emigrées get a 10-year tax break for 10 years; now they’re taxed at 20% on most Portugal-derived income and none on foreign income.

However, Portugal’s relatively low taxes, warm climate, and laid-back lifestyle continue to attract people from all over the world, particularly from the US and Brazil. “Portugal’s tax incentives, like the scientific research and innovation tax incentives, are incredibly attractive,” says Elzeki. “With a fast-track route to citizenship, many are opting to apply for residency as a hedge” against whatever chaos is happening in their country of origin.

Another reason to like the idea of living in Portugal: The country responds to its citizens’ demands. With the massive influx of migrants since the COVID-19 pandemic, real estate prices have soared, says Andrew Amoils, head of research for New World Wealth, a wealth intelligence company based in South Africa. As a result, the country changed the Golden Visa rules. “There was a backlash from locals who felt they were being priced out,” he says. One solution: Make wealthy migrants contribute to social funds rather than build fancy mansions.

Singapore


People gather along the boardwalk in front of the skyline at Marina Bay in Singapore


ROSLAN RAHMAN/AFP via Getty Images

Singapore stands out as Asia’s business hub, with its strategic location and tax advantages attracting a mix of wealthy entrepreneurs, investors, and professionals. It has no capital gains tax and a very pro-business environment, which makes it a top choice for global billionaires, particularly those from China and India. It’s also clean, safe, and close enough for weekend trips to Bali or Phuket.

“Singapore is a magnet for Southeast Asians and increasingly for Western entrepreneurs as well,” says Amoils. “It’s a place that offers both lifestyle and business opportunities without the tax burden found in other global cities.”

Italy


Villa Poggio Torselli in Val di Pesa, Tuscany, Italy


1666-ca 1745

Italy has become an unexpected favorite among many of the world’s wealthiest individuals, particularly Americans seeking a lifestyle change and favorable tax treatments. Italy’s flat tax, capped at €200,000 annually (double last year’s level), applies regardless of income, making it particularly enticing for the ultrawealthy. Combined with the country’s rich cultural history, stunning landscapes, welcoming climate, and a decent number of international flights, Italy is now home to a growing number of billionaires.

“A lot of wealthy Americans have found that Italy offers a unique combination of luxury living and tax incentives,” says Elzeki. “It’s more affordable than places like Monaco or London, yet it offers that European charm with significant tax benefits.”

Australia and New Zealand


The skyline of Auckland. from a hilltop


Jan Kruger – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images

Australia and New Zealand continue to attract high-net-worth individuals, though the distance may be a limiting factor for many. Despite this, both countries are known for their stable economies, excellent healthcare systems, and high quality of life. (And to Americans, strict gun laws.)

“Australia is still a top choice for South Africans and Brits, especially retirees,” says Amoils. “But the rules have changed over the last decade, and they now prefer younger applicants with specific skills, like plumbers and teachers.”

New Zealand, on the other hand, offers a more straightforward pathway to residency through an investment-based program. For those looking for a retreat from geopolitical risks and a peaceful lifestyle, New Zealand, with its relatively low cost of living and unspoiled scenery, remains a strong contender.




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OpenClaw creator says Europe’s stifling regulations are why he’s moving to the US to join OpenAI

by with No Comment Xpandfy

In Europe, there’s been a lot of handwringing over why there are very few large, successful tech companies in the region. Peter Steinberger, the creator of the agentic AI hit OpenClaw, has an answer.

Steinberger was recently hired by OpenAI and is moving from Europe to the US. An Austrian by birth, he previously split his time between London and Vienna.

On X, a professor from a European university asked why Europe couldn’t retain this tech talent.

Steinberger replied that most people in the US are enthusiastic, while in Europe, he’s scolded about responsibility and regulations.

If he built a company in Europe, he would struggle with strict labor regulations and similar rules, he added.

At OpenAI, he said most employees work 6 to 7 days a week and are paid accordingly. In Europe, that would be illegal, he added.

The most valuable company in Europe is Dutch chip-equipment maker ASML, valued at about $550 billion. In contrast, there are 10 US companies worth more than $1 trillion. Most of these are tech companies.

In 2024, a landmark EU report found that the region had fallen behind the US, particularly in innovation. It proposed a series of changes to tackle the problem, but by the end of 2025, few of the recommendations had been implemented.

Steinberger said he was hopeful about EU INC, an effort to create a single corporate legal framework to make it simpler to run a business across the region.

But this seems to be “fizzling out,” he wrote on X. “Watered down, too much egoistic national interest that ultimately hurts everyone.”

Sign up for BI’s Tech Memo newsletter here. Reach out to me via email at abarr@businessinsider.com.




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I took a risk moving to Phuket as a single mom. It paid off.

by with No Comment Xpandfy

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Cheska Hull, 40, a British reality TV star and PR professional who relocated to Phuket. Her words have been edited for length and clarity.

My move to Phuket was about choosing a fabulous place to live while continuing my freelance career.

I feel like I’ve been part of the island’s community for years. I’d visit annually for a couple of weeks at a time, maintain friendships, and get to know local business owners.

Every trip had me dreaming about potential jobs and interesting opportunities. I’m a PR specialist who has always worked in the luxury sector, across food, beverage, and hospitality. In London, I specialized in private members’ clubs.

That work also led me into radio and television, where I starred in the reality show “Made in Chelsea” for nearly four years. It helped me understand the evolving world of influencers and celebrities. Having lived on both sides of the PR and fame spectrum, I gained a deep understanding of that industry.


Cheska Hull posing at the Children with Cancer UK Fundraising Gala

In May 2011, Hull was a member of the original cast of the reality show “Made in Chelsea.”

Provided by Cheska Hull



I happened to be born in Thailand

My parents lived in Phuket in the 1980s, when my dad was head of Standard Chartered Bank for Phuket, which is why I was born here. We moved back to England when I was young.

Being born in Thailand didn’t simplify moving back as an expat. I still had to go through all the same steps as everyone else.

Initially, I came on a DTV digital nomad visa while freelancing for my UK clients. I told all of them, “I want to live in Thailand. That’s my dream.”

I wanted the best of both worlds.

There were a few reasons for the move

I’ve always been drawn to the famous Thai “sabai sabai” — take-it-easy — lifestyle. But when it comes to business, I’m driven. I could never just move to Phuket and not work.

Even between projects, I was constantly networking, talking to people, and pushing for collaborations with brands I’d worked with before. Now, I get to do what I’ve always loved in a place I love.

My son was also at the right age for a big change. As a single mom, the stress came from knowing how significant the move was and wondering, “Have I made the right decision?” My main priority in life is his happiness.

If he hadn’t been happy, I don’t think we would have stayed. But he’s 8, and he was able to fit in quickly — learning some Thai at school and thriving.

There was another catalyst, too. At the time, I was engaged to be married and realized that wasn’t the path for me anymore. Once I called off the wedding, the door felt wide open.

Nothing was holding me back.


Cheska Hull and her son in Phuket, Thailand.

She says her 8-year-old son is learning Thai at school and has fit in quickly.

Provided by Cheska Hull



Finding my career groove in Thailand

Browsing jobs in Phuket started as a guilty pleasure. Through meeting people and networking, someone told me about a new opening at Anantara, a hotel I already knew well. It seemed perfect. And so now, as cluster director of public relations, I have a work permit.

I’ve had to quickly learn Thai workplace customs, like addressing colleagues respectfully using “khun” before names or navigating the widespread use of nicknames. It’s about understanding a different culture and being respectful within it.

One of my favorite rituals happens every Friday during my team’s morning meeting. We go outside to a huge tree in front of the hotel with two spirit houses. We all take incense, make a prayer, and privately speak to the spirits. It’s so different and unique, I find it special.

It’s a meaningful part of their culture that I’ve come to love. I can’t imagine trying to get everyone in London to do that, they’d laugh.


Cheska Hull stroking a horse on a beach in Phuket, Thailand.

She plans to stay in Phuket.

Provided by Cheska Hull



Thailand is my long-term plan

There haven’t been many hard parts to settling in. The main challenge of living on a small, seasonal island like Phuket is traffic. You get used to a calm pace, and then suddenly there’s a massive influx of people. But that comes with the territory in hospitality and tourism, which is ultimately what we want here.

My move to Thailand is long-term. Looking back, there was an element of risk. I came with a bit of an “Eat, Pray, Love” vision. I knew I loved it here and wanted it to work, but I also told myself, “If it doesn’t, you can just go back.”

For me, the quality of life, the people, the food, the weather — just about everything about Phuket — makes it a place I want to call home forever. Island life simply couldn’t be better right now.

Do you have a story to share about living abroad? Contact the editor at akarplus@businessinsider.com.




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10 celebrities who left the US or are considering moving for political reasons

by with No Comment Xpandfy

Updated

  • Since the 2016 US presidential election, celebrities have been saying they’d move out of the country.
  • More stars made similar comments after Donald Trump won the 2024 election.
  • James Cameron recently confirmed he’s continued to live in New Zealand for political reasons.

The lifestyles of the rich and famous often include mansions in California, penthouses in the big city, and maybe a small pied-à-terre in a foreign country. But as politics becomes an increasingly divisive topic in the United States, some more celebrities are moving out of the country — or saying that they will.

Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi moved to England from California in response to the 2024 election results. Rosie O’Donnell — thanks to her Irish grandparents — is in the process of becoming an Irish citizen, citing the current US political climate as her reason for moving in a TikTok video. Other celebrities like Laverne Cox and Cher have vowed to leave the States but haven’t yet.

This isn’t exactly a new trend. During the 2016 US presidential election between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, many stars vocally opposed Trump and threatened to leave America if he won. Now, with Trump’s second term underway, celebrities are again considering relocating — not that the Trump administration is too upset.

“Good riddance!” White House assistant press secretary Taylor Rogers told BI when asked for the administration’s response.

Celebrities aren’t the only ones exploring a new place to live. Search interest for “move abroad” shows that peak interest occurred in November 2024. Though interest has since cooled off, it’s still higher than in previous years.

Bureaucracy.es, an immigration services site that helps Americans moving to Spain with the visa application process, told CNN in December 2024 that it’s seen over 300% more clients book consultations since the November election.

Here are 10 celebrities who have moved abroad, or say they will for political reasons.

Olivia Singh contributed to previous versions of this post.

Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi

Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi in June 2023.

Dave Benett/Getty Images for RH

In late November 2024, TheWrap reported that comedian Ellen DeGeneres and her wife, Portia de Rossi, left their Montecito home for the Cotswolds, England. The publication said their move to the countryside was triggered by Trump’s election and a source said they’re “never coming back.”

An August 2025 Us cover story notes that DeGeneres told English broadcaster and host Richard Bacon during a July 20 event that she and DeGeneres were in the Cotswolds when the election results came in. “We were like, ‘We’re staying here. We’re not going back,'” DeGeneres told Bacon on their reaction to Trump’s victory.

According to the Us story, DeGeneres and de Rossi have since moved from the original home they purchased in the Cotswolds and now live in a 10,000-square-foot country home called Hiaven. The pair tend to their chickens, sheep, and horses and walk to the local pub for lunch.

Rosie O’Donnell


Rosie O'Donnell in October 2024.

Rosie O’Donnell in October.

Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images

In a video recently posted on TikTok, Rosie O’Donnell confirmed that she moved from the US to Ireland with her youngest daughter, Dakota. The actor relocated on January 15, days before Trump’s inauguration.

“Although I was never someone who thought I would move to another country, that’s what I decided would be the best for myself and my 12-year-old child,” O’Donnell said in the video.

The talk show host, who has Irish grandparents, said her experience so far has been “pretty wonderful” and she’s in the process of getting Irish citizenship.

O’Donnell said that she misses her four other kids and her friends, but will remain in Ireland for the time being.

“I miss many things about life there at home, and I’m trying to find a home here in this beautiful country,” she said. “And when it is safe for all citizens to have equal rights there, in America, that’s when we will consider coming back.”

Sophie Turner


Sophie Turner in Paris in March 2025.

Sophie Turner in March.

Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

UK-born actor Sophie Turner moved to America after marrying singer Joe Jonas. The couple first lived together in Los Angeles and later in Miami with their two daughters Willa and Delphine. Turner and Jonas sold their Miami home in August 2023 and news of their plans to divorce broke weeks later.

In an interview with Harper’s Bazaar published in October 2024, Turner said that she was homesick while living in the US and struggled with the country’s politics. Turner has since moved to West London.

“The gun violence, Roe v Wade being overturned… Everything just kind of piled on,” Turner said.

After the 2022 Uvalde shooting, in which 19 elementary school children and two teachers were killed, Turner said she “knew it was time” to leave.

Barbra Streisand


Barbra Streisand in June 2024.

Barbra Streisand in June.

Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Genesis Prize Foundation

It was no secret that Barbra Streisand wanted Hillary Clinton to beat Trump in the 2016 election.

“He has no facts,” Streisand told Australian “60 Minutes” host Michael Usher in a 2016 interview prior to the election. “I don’t know, I can’t believe it. I’m either coming to your country, if you’ll let me in, or Canada.”

Streisand didn’t move out of the US, but she did criticize Trump in her 2018 studio album “Walls.”

In a 2023 interview with Stephen Colbert, Streisand said that she liked Joe Biden and thought he did a “good job.” When asked about the possibility of a second Trump administration, Streisand again said she’d move.

“I can’t live in this country if he became president,” she said, adding that she’d probably move to England.

Per an Instagram post shared in early January amid the Los Angeles wildfires, it appears that Streisand still lives in Northern California. Reps for Streisand did not reply to a request for comment.

Cher


Cher in February 2025.

Cher in February.

Taylor Hill/FilmMagic

In November 2016, Page Six reported that Cher threatened to move if Trump was elected.

“I’m gonna have to leave the planet,” she reportedly said at a fundraiser for Clinton.

She had a similar stance before Trump officially ran for reelection.

“I almost got an ulcer the last time,” she told The Guardian in October 2023. “If he gets in, who knows? This time I will leave [the country].”

However, as of publication, it doesn’t appear that Cher has relocated. Reps for Cher did not reply to a request for comment.

Laverne Cox


Laverne Cox in March 2025.

Laverne Cox in March.

Karwai Tang/WireImage

Days after the 2024 presidential election, “Orange Is the New Black” star Laverne Cox appeared on the podcast “Just for Variety” and spoke about the impact the results would have on the transgender community.

Cox said that she and some friends were considering moving, but no plans have been solidified yet.

“We’re doing research on different cities in Europe and in the Caribbean,” Cox said.

“I don’t want to be in too much fear, but I’m scared,” the actor added. “As a public figure, with all my privilege, I’m scared, and I’m particularly scared because I’m a public figure. I feel like I could be targeted.”

Lena Dunham


Lena Dunham in September 2024.

Lena Dunham in September.

John Phillips/Getty Images

At the 2016 Matrix Awards, “Girls” actor Lena Dunham said that she was serious about moving if Trump won the election.

“I know a lot of people have been threatening to do this, but I really will,” Dunham said. “I know a lovely place in Vancouver and I can get my work done from there.”

But after the election results, Dunham changed her mind.

“I can survive staying in this country, MY country, to fight and live and use my embarrassment of blessings to do what’s right,” she wrote in part in a note shared on Instagram.

“It’s easy to joke about moving to Canada,” she added. “It’s harder to see, and to love, the people who fill your mailbox with hate. It’s harder to see what needs to be done and do it. It’s harder to live, fully and painfully aware of the injustice surrounding us, to cherish and fear your country all at once. But I’m willing to try. Will you try with me?”

Dunham did eventually leave her home in New York and moved to London. However, in an interview with the New Yorker published in July 2024, the actor said the move was prompted by work opportunities.

8. Robin Wright


Robin Wright

Robin Wright

Antony Jones/ Getty Images

Robin Wright, known for her roles in “Forrest Gump” and “House of Cards,” relocated to England for work and decided to make the move permanent.

Wright spends most of her time in the Chiltern Hills, a rural part of England about 44 miles outside London, and enjoys the peace and quiet it offers compared to her former home of Los Angeles.

“They’re living,” Wright told UK publication The Sunday Times in August. “They’re not in the car in traffic, panicked on a phone call, eating a sandwich. That’s most of America. Everything’s rush, competition and speed.”

Wright mentioned during an appearance on The View that the UK’s tax breaks make it advantageous for production, which is why she relocated there in the first place, but she’s enjoyed her break from the US.

“I’m troubled, like many of us are, about this state of our country,” Wright said. “It’s not the reason, I just — I’m so tranquil over there.”

Richard Gere


Richard Gere and Alejandra Silva.

Richard Gere and Alejandra Silva.

JORGE GUERRERO/AFP via Getty Images

“Pretty Woman” star Richard Gere and his wife Alejandra Silva sold their house in Connecticut for $10.75 million in November 2024 and moved to Spain.

Gere said the plan was to be closer to Silva’s family in Spain, but on his way out of the country, he had some choice words about the US.

“We’re in a very dark place in America where we have a bully and a thug who’s the president of the United States,” Gere said during a speech at Spain’s Goya Awards in February.

Silva told The Daily Mail that the move was not permanent, and that they plan on going back and forth between Spain and the US.

“We’re always coming back,” she said. We’ll come back here in the summer because we have the kids at camp. We just have to balance our lives there and here.”

James Cameron


James Camerson in a black jacket

James Cameron.

Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

The billionaire filmmaker has been visiting New Zealand since the 1990s, but he set roots there once the pandemic hit in 2020.

Since then, Cameron has had another reason for staying.

“I’m not there for the scenery, I’m there for the sanity,” he said in a January 2026 episode of “In Depth with Graham Bensinger.”

Along with supporting how New Zealanders handled the pandemic, Cameron has also voiced his opposition to Donald Trump. That led to Camera not just living there, but also making all his “Avatar” movies in the country. He became a citizen of New Zealand in 2025.

“I think it’s horrifying,” he told the New Zealand outlet Stuff in 2025 about Trump’s reelection. “I see it as a turn away from everything decent. America doesn’t stand for anything if it doesn’t stand for what it has historically stood for. It becomes a hollow idea, and I think they’re hollowing it out as fast as they can for their own benefit.”




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Amanda Goh

For this mom, moving to work in South Korea felt like a ‘full-circle moment’ — even if it came with one sacrifice

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When Motolani Adedipe moved from Oklahoma to Seoul, South Korea, in August, she didn’t just pack her suitcase — she brought along her 6-year-old daughter, newborn baby, and mom.

Adedipe, who is from Nigeria and moved to the US to attend grad school in Texas, first grew curious about South Korea while interning at a biotech firm in Boston, where she shared an apartment with a Korean roommate.

“For that summer, I ate a lot of Korean food. She put me on K-dramas,” Adedipe, now 39, told Business Insider. That early curiosity soon grew into an interest in Korea’s history, economy, and language.


A woman posing with calligrpahy.

She became interested in Korean culture after sharing an apartment with a Korean roommate in Boston.

Provided by Motolani Adedipe.



Adedipe began learning Korean nine years ago online and continued after she moved to Oklahoma for work, where she became an associate professor at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center.

In September 2024, Adedipe applied for a Fulbright scholarship to extend her research in prostate cancer survivorship. She already knew she wanted to go to South Korea — even as she prepared to give birth to her second child that November.

She made it through the first review in December, but when months passed with no update, she figured she hadn’t made it. So when the acceptance came through in April, the moment felt surreal.


A woman giving a presentation at a podium on stage.

Winning the Fulbright scholarship gave her a chance to further her research in South Korea.

Provided by Motolani Adedipe.



“It was like the best news and almost the worst news at the same time. Best because finally I get to do this. But of course, the anxiety, how do we start planning now?” Adedipe said.

Thankfully, her family was supportive, especially her husband.

“It required faith, sacrifice, structure, and for both of us to really imagine a life that looked very different from what we had planned,” she said.

Moving to Seoul

Her physician husband couldn’t accompany her to South Korea, but they agreed that she would bring both daughters along.

“How many of her peers would ever say, ‘Oh, I took a gap year in Korea’?” she said, referring to their 6-year-old.

Knowing the scholarship would last just one year made the decision easier. Her husband has visited them in South Korea several times and plans to make more trips over the coming months.

“I saw it as an opportunity for my children to experience another culture, language, and way of life, while still having a clear sense of return,” Adedipe said.

Now, she homeschools her daughter in the morning before sending her to a “hagwon,” a type of private academy that many Korean students attend after school.


A young girl wearing a hanbok, photographed from the back.

She says she sends her daughter to an after-school academy in Seoul.

Provided by Motolani Adedipe.



“Not all of her friends speak English, so they kind of communicate through play,” she said.

Adedipe’s mom, who had traveled to Oklahoma to help out with the kids, joined them in Seoul.

As she searched for housing, Adedipe had a long checklist: enough space for her family, easy access to the subway, flat streets her mother, in her early 60s, could navigate, and a neighborhood that felt safe for kids.

She found a two-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment in Mapo-gu, a district in western Seoul home to several universities.


A woman posing in Bukchon Hanok Village in South Korea.

Her two-bedroom apartment is about a 30-minute commute to her office.

Provided by Motolani Adedipe.



Although the apartment was smaller than she initially hoped for, it turned out to be a great fit: It’s surrounded by greenery and about a 30-minute commute to her workplace.

Her scholarship includes a housing stipend that covers her rent, which she declined to share.

Per the latest December data from the Korea Real Estate Board, the median monthly rent for an apartment in Mapo-gu is 1.39 million Korean won, or about $940.

Adedipe says her schedule varies from week to week, but her work typically starts in the afternoons. She goes into her office at Seoul National University Hospital several times a week, while continuing to supervise her lab in Oklahoma remotely at night.

Forging closer relationships with her loved ones

Data from the Ministry of Justice showed that the number of foreigners living in South Korea at the end of 2024 stood at 2.65 million, a 5.7% increase from the previous year.

A US veteran who had retired in South Korea previously told Business Insider that he appreciated the country’s safety and culture of respect. Meanwhile, a millennial who moved from Switzerland to Seoul said she valued the convenience of city life, including how most stores stay open late.


A woman posing with a famous Little Prince statue in Busan, South Korea.

She says she has been surprised by the kindness of strangers in the city.

Provided by Motolani Adedipe.



One of the biggest adjustments, Adedipe said, has been the extent to which technology is deeply woven into daily life in Seoul. Nearly everything is tied to having a registered phone number.

“Once I got my card and I got a bank account and I got a phone number that was registered, life became easy,” she said.

Even though the city is known for its fast-paced lifestyle, Adedipe says she’s been surprised by its human side.

“I lost my stylus in the bus, and I was able to get it back. It was tagged, and they verified they found it. That could never happen in the US,” she said.

Watching her daughter flourish and adapt to their life in Seoul has been especially meaningful.

“Now that I’m seeing where she’s shining. My goal is to keep encouraging her to find her passion in life and do that,” she said.


A woman wearing a traditional hanbok.

Being able to live and work in South Korea felt like a “full circle moment” for her.

Provided by Motolani Adedipe.



In addition to learning Korean, her daughter takes part in extracurricular activities, such as piano, inline skating, and Taekwondo.

“She’s doing everything that I never could have been able to give her because in Oklahoma, if you’re doing all those classes, you have to drive your kids to all those classes,” she said. “But here in Korea, because of how the education is structured, she does all of that in a school, and she loves it.”

Living abroad with her mother has brought them closer. After leaving Nigeria for the US in her 20s, Adedipe went nearly eight years without seeing her mom because of visa issues.

“And now that I get to live with her again, it’s like a dream come true,” she said.

Looking back on her own experience, Adedipe says living and working in South Korea has felt like a “full circle moment,” after years of interest in the country.

“It felt like all the pieces of my life — research, storytelling, culture, and well-being — were suddenly being invited into the same room,” she said.

Do you have a story to share about relocating to a new city? Contact this reporter at agoh@businessinsider.com.




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Larry-Page-is-officially-moving-business-out-of-California-ahead.jpeg

Larry Page is officially moving business out of California ahead of a proposed billionaire’s tax

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Billionaire Larry Page is peacing out of California.

The Google cofounder has cut ties between California and many of his assets that risked exposing him to a proposed new wealth tax in the state, meeting an end-of-2025 deadline, according to filings reviewed by Business Insider.

Page’s family office, Koop, was converted out of California in late December and incorporated in Delaware, per filings with both states. Page converted several other entities to Delaware, including Flu Lab LLC — a vehicle he has used to fund research on tackling influenza and lists its principal office address in Nevada — and another entity named One Aero, which has funded his flying car ventures and lists its principal office address in Florida.

A filing was also made to convert Dynatomics, LLC from California to Delaware with a new principal address in Keller, Texas. Page launched Dynatomics, a new startup focused on applying AI to aircraft manufacturing, in 2023, Business Insider previously reported. A source close to Page said that the team, run by Chris Anderson, continues to work out of California.

Anderson and representatives for Page’s family office did not respond to requests for comment.

The New York Times reported in December that Page had told people he was considering moving to Florida because of a proposed ballot measure that would tax the state’s wealthiest residents. The proposal, if passed successfully, would mean that any California resident worth more than $1 billion would be taxed 5% of their assets.

Under California law, residency is determined by the nature of a person’s ties to the state, with factors such as the time spent in the state and the maintenance of substantial business ties taken into account. If the ballot measure is approved in November, it would take effect retroactively for residents living in California as of January 1, 2026.

A source close to Page said the Google cofounder had already left the state. Whether Page’s move is temporary could not be learned.

Page is ranked the second-richest person in the world, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.

Page’s family converts other entities to Delaware

Besides his family office and funding vehicles, Page converted out an LLC that Business Insider previously identified as being used to purchase islands in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, from California to Delaware, with a new address listed in Florida.

A separate LLC Page used to purchase an Island in Fiji was also converted out to Delaware.

Page’s wife, the scientist Lucinda Southworth, founded a marine-conservation charity named Oceankind. Filings show that Oceankind converted out of California to Delaware in December.

Delaware has become a popular state for businesses to incorporate due to its favorable tax structure, privacy, and its home to a court system specifically designed to handle corporate disputes. The state does not require LLCs to disclose the names and addresses of directors when incorporating, providing them with an extra layer of privacy.

Privacy is especially important to Page, whose family office is shrouded in a level of secrecy unparalleled by most and carefully managed by its CEO, Wayne Osborne.

Cristina Rosado, an attorney who handles many of Page and Southworth’s assets, signed several of the California filings.

Page incorporated three entities in Florida last year, as previously reported by The New York Times. A Koop LLC was incorporated in Florida in January 2025, per filings reviewed by Business Insider. It could not be confirmed if it belongs to Page.

California’s billionaire tax proposal

The California billionaire tax proposal faced some opposition from leaders in venture capital and politics. In a post on X in December, venture capitalist Vinod Khosla said the proposed measure would mean California would lose its most important taxpayers and “net off much worse.”

“Long term damage unless legislature bans wealth taxes,” he added. “Easier to equalize taxes on work income and capital gains at the national level.

Matt Mahan, Democratic mayor of San Jose, California, on Monday described the tax as “a political plan that will sink California’s innovation economy.”

White House AI czar David Sacks has criticized the proposal and said it will backfire. He has also said he believes Miami and Austin will overtake New York and San Francisco for finance and tech, respectively. He announced this month that his venture capital firm, Craft Ventures, had opened an office in Austin.

Last month, celebrity lawyer Alex Spiro wrote a letter to California Gov. Gavin Newsom, warning that the proposed billionaire tax would “trigger an exodus of capital and innovation from California,” Business Insider previously reported.

Have something to share? Contact this reporter via email at hlangley@businessinsider.com or Signal at hughlangley.01. Use a personal email address and a non-work device; here’s our guide to sharing information securely.




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