In what migration experts are calling the largest voluntary exodus from North America in decades, a remarkable transformation is reshaping the landscape of international relocation. Blake Stephen, founder of Your Escape Abroad, stands at the epicenter of this historic migration wave, having successfully facilitated the relocation of over 150 Americans and Canadians to Panama since 2022. As political tensions escalate and living costs spiral beyond reach across North America, Stephen has witnessed firsthand the perfect storm of factors driving record numbers to seek refuge in what InterNations has crowned the world’s number one expatriate destination. His company has experienced a staggering 300% surge in inquiries over the past six months, reflecting a fundamental shift in how North Americans view their quality of life options. With Canadian emigration hitting seven-year highs and one in four Americans now contemplating international relocation, Stephen’s expertise in navigating Panama’s residency programs, territorial tax advantages, and cultural integration has positioned him as a leading architect of what represents more than economic calculation—a complete quality-of-life revolution.
Q: Your company has seen a 300% surge in inquiries over six months, coinciding with Canadian emigration hitting seven-year highs and what you call “The Donald Dash” among Americans. From your direct experience with over 150 relocations, what specific moment or combination of factors convinced North Americans that relocation wasn’t just a dream but a necessity, and how do you distinguish between those who are serious versus those who are simply venting frustration?
Blake Stephen: The turning point was really the convergence of multiple crises hitting at once. I started seeing serious inquiries spike right after the 2024 election results, but it wasn’t just political frustration. It was people finally doing the math on their lives. I had a client from Toronto call me literally crying because she calculated that between taxes, housing costs, and utilities, she was working eight months of the year just to break even on basics. That’s when the lightbulb goes off: this isn’t sustainable.
What distinguishes serious clients from tire-kickers is their willingness to take concrete steps. The dreamers ask about beach views and restaurant recommendations. The serious ones come with spreadsheets, asking about tax implications, healthcare systems, and school districts. They’ve already started liquidating assets or researching visa requirements before they even contact us. The serious ones also ask the hard questions. About cultural challenges, infrastructure limitations, and what they’ll miss most about home. That level of realistic thinking tells me they’re ready to make the leap.
Q: InterNations crowned Panama the world’s #1 expat destination, with 82% satisfaction rates and 74% financial contentment compared to 54% globally. Having established Your Escape Abroad specifically for Panama relocations, what unique combination of factors—from the territorial tax system to the 36% lower cost of living—creates this perfect alignment for North American refugees, and how do these advantages translate into real lifestyle improvements for your clients?
Blake Stephen: Panama hits what I call the “expat trifecta”. Financial advantage, cultural compatibility, and practical convenience. The territorial tax system is huge for entrepreneurs and remote workers because they’re only taxed on Panamanian income. I have clients running US-based businesses who went from 35-40% effective tax rates to essentially zero on their foreign earnings.
But the real magic happens when you combine the financial benefits with the lifestyle upgrade. A had a client who was spending $3,200 monthly on a cramped apartment, plus another $800 on health insurance. Now she lives in a gorgeous two-bedroom condo in Casco Viejo for $1,400, with world-class healthcare that costs her about $150 monthly.
The convenience factor can’t be overstated either. Using US dollars eliminates currency headaches, English is widely spoken in expat areas, and you can fly back to visit family in major US cities faster than many domestic flights. It’s international living without the usual friction points.
Q: While the financial benefits are compelling—50% lower rent, 70% healthcare savings, and property taxes dropping from $4,000 to $400 annually—you’ve mentioned that clients discover something deeper about happiness and stress reduction. Can you walk us through specific examples of how the “cero estrés” culture fundamentally changes people’s daily experience, and what surprises clients most about their quality-of-life transformation beyond the monetary savings?
Blake Stephen: The stress reduction is honestly the most dramatic change I witness.
The biggest shock is realizing how much anxiety you were carrying that you didn’t even recognize as abnormal.
When your yearly costs drop by 60% and you’re surrounded by other people who prioritize success and lifestyle design, your nervous system downshifts. You actually start living.
Q: You’ve emphasized that DIY relocation often leads to costly mistakes, particularly around visa requirements like the Pensionado and Friendly Nations programs, banking systems, and cultural adaptation. What are the most common and expensive errors you’ve seen people make when attempting to relocate without professional guidance, and how has Your Escape Abroad refined its process to ensure seamless transitions from initial consultation through permanent settlement?
Blake Stephen: The biggest mistake is choosing the wrong visa category upfront. I’ve seen people spend $500,000 on property for a Qualified Investor Visa when they could have qualified for a Friendly Nations Visa with just a $5,000 bank deposit. Or retirees applying for investor visas instead of the Pensionado program, which offers better benefits.
Plus, there are cultural mistakes which are expensive in different ways. I’ve seen people buy property in areas with no expat community, then feel completely isolated. Or overpay for short term rentals.
We’ve refined our process into what I call “staged integration.” First, we do deep consultation to match visa categories with long-term goals. Then we go over accommodations, cities and anything else the client wants to discuss about life in Panama. We handle everything so they arrive ready to execute.
Q: With political and economic pressures showing no signs of easing and infrastructure improvements continuing in Panama, you’ve predicted this represents a permanent shift rather than a temporary trend. How do you envision the next phase of this migration wave evolving, what new challenges and opportunities do you anticipate for both relocators and Panama as a destination, and how is Your Escape Abroad positioning itself to meet the growing demand while maintaining service quality?
Blake Stephen: This is absolutely a permanent shift, not just political displacement. The fundamentals driving relocation like housing affordability crisis, healthcare costs, and work-life balance deterioration aren’t getting fixed anytime soon in North America. Remote work has proven that location independence is real for knowledge workers, and younger professionals are recognizing they don’t have to sacrifice their prime years to eventually afford retirement.
The next phase will be infrastructure strain in popular expat areas. Places like Boquete and Coronado are already seeing rental shortages as demand outstrips supply. We’re starting to guide clients toward emerging areas like Chitré and Pedasí that offer similar benefits with less competition.
The challenge for Panama will be maintaining the balance that makes it attractiv. Leeping bureaucracy manageable, infrastructure reliable, and cultural authenticity intact while absorbing significant population growth. I’m encouraged by the government’s proactive approach to expat-friendly policies, but they’ll need to invest in housing and services to keep pace.
For us, scaling while maintaining quality means becoming more selective and systematic. We’re expanding our team with specialists in different regions and visa categories, but we’re also implementing stricter qualification criteria for clients. Not everyone is a good fit for international relocation, and our reputation depends on successful long-term outcomes. . We’re building partnerships with local service providers so our clients have seamless access to everything from property management to tax preparation. The goal is creating an ecosystem where relocating to Panama feels as natural as moving between US states, but with all the benefits of international living.
Conclusion
Blake’s work represents more than facilitating international moves. He’s orchestrating a fundamental reimagining of the North American dream in an era where traditional paths to prosperity and contentment have become increasingly elusive. His success with Your Escape Abroad reflects not just business acumen but a deep understanding of the psychological and practical needs driving this historic migration wave. As political uncertainty persists and economic pressures mount across North America, Stephen’s role as a gateway to Panama’s promise of upgraded lifestyle at decreased cost positions him at the forefront of a movement that could reshape international migration patterns for generations. The 300% surge in inquiries suggests this is only the beginning of what may prove to be the most significant voluntary population shift in modern North American history.
Find out more at: https://www.yourescapeabroad.com/
