Black Americans who moved abroad say they're happier outside the U.S.: 'It is truly a more fulfilling, richer life'

CNBC

6 hours ago

For many Black Americans, moving abroad has been the key to an easier way of life — one where their skin color isn't cause for concern.
"[Black expats] really see a kind of oasis for them to really create the life that they dreamed of in a way that's financially feasible, safe and a bit more inclusive than what they found in the United States," says Darcel Duncan, senior brand manager at Travel Noire, a website dedicated to Black travel experiences.
While racism still exists in other countries, many of the Black expats CNBC Make It has spoken to report fewer experiences with discrimination while living abroad.
"I think I have found and ultimately achieved the American dream outside the U.S.," Adalia Aborisade, who moved to Mexico City in 2017, said in 2023.
While the U.S. has made progress toward racial equality since periods like the Jim Crow era, Black Americans still routinely experience racism in social interactions, financial transactions and work environments. But when living abroad, some Black expats say they're seen as simply American, rather than being defined by their skin color.
"As I've traveled around the world, I'm typically an American first," Jamal Robinson, who lives in Dubai, said in January 2025. "Quite often people are not as used to Black people traveling and being in whatever the space is. So it's almost like you're celebrated, and people will come up to you and they want to talk and engage with you."
In the U.S., Cara West experienced common forms of discrimination, like store owners or associates following her around or keeping a watchful eye as she shopped. But she says that hasn't happened since she left the country. West and her family lived in several different countries before moving to Greece in 2024.
"I'm not worried about someone following me around at the store or treating me differently because of my skin color," she told Make It in 2024. "I'm just seen as an American here."
Like Robinson, some Black expats also report celebrations of their diversity.
"In Costa Rica, I feel that people are treated as humans first, because that's not always been my experience in the United States," Kema Ward-Hopper, who left the U.S. in 2018, said in 2024. "I feel like I'm seen as a Black woman first [in the U.S.] and that doesn't have the positive connotation that it does here in Costa Rica."
Many Black expats are also taking advantage of better economic opportunities and work-life balance.
"In the U.S., we are thinking that everything is due right now. Everything is urgent. Everything is kind of a house on fire," says Wanida Lewis, who lives in Accra, Ghana. "Here in Ghana it's like, 'OK, you know what? Yes it's important, but also I need to take care of myself and figure out what's more important before I get there.'"
Nicholas Hopper, Ward-Hopper's husband, agrees their family is "definitely happier" living in Costa Rica. He owns a logistics business and Ward-Hopper works several part-time jobs, including as an author. They quit their corporate jobs in the States to pursue a life in Costa Rica.
Working for themselves has given the couple more flexibility to choose how they spend their time. While they're earning less money, they're "still living pretty comfortably … our money definitely goes further here than in the U.S.," Ward-Hopper said.
"I've gained my family back," Hopper said. "I've gained the opportunity to spend time with them and create more freedom in myself, but also freedom within our family to explore our dreams and our passions."
In addition to having more time and money, some expats appreciate the ease with which they can see even more of the world.
"It is truly such a more fulfilling, richer life abroad," West said. "The experiences that we've been able to have as a family abroad, just being able to see the world, to meet new people, to experience a new language, cultures, traditions, it's just so special and something that we aren't really exposed to enough in the United States."