The next time someone tells you to hit the road ”“ and not in a manner that indicates “come right back” ”“ you should know the advice often goes heeded.

It”™s more likely, however, Americans are moving from the U.S. because they are looking for a different lifestyle, according to Tai Aguirre, producer of the web- and radio-based ExPat Show.

More than 8 million Americans are living abroad. From Mexico to Australia, they have taken their furniture, families, intellectual property and retirement savings with them. They may be going to a new country, but “they feel very much ”˜American”™ even though living on foreign soil.” They also get to do something that”™s still very much American: “They still pay taxes,” said Aguirre.

While Mexican-American border patrols try to prevent illegal aliens from getting into this country, there are thousands of American citizens crossing into Mexico for an “easier, freer, less expensive way of life.” Aguirre said many Americans have discovered life on the Yucatan peninsula and other parts of Mexico can offer serenity as well as a sense of social security ”“ and not the one with the capital S”™s ”“ “something they could no longer find” in the U.S.

“It”™s a peaceful place,” said Aguirre, “one that draws many tourists who eventually return to live there because of the lifestyle and the ability to live on a fixed income that would not carry them as far in the U.S. They have been more than enthusiastic about blending into the culture of the Mayan roots the Yucatan offers. It”™s a spiritual place, something many are searching for when they move abroad ”“ a sense of serenity and inner peace they can”™t find in 24/7 America. And many can connect with it outside our borders. Yet, they retain their American uniqueness and bring our culture to other people.”

Expatriates, says Aguirre, “are really goodwill ambassadors for America.” Their ability to assimilate into the culture while retaining their own native heritage gives people in other countries a sense of what rank-and-file Americans are all about, helping to removeÂ the “ugly American” stigma.

“The majority of people living abroad do not leave here because they are dissatisfied,” he said. There are a number of reasons, said Aguirre: returning to family roots, marriage, a country they may have visited as a tourist and fell in love with, or an opportunity to live a more comfortable life more cheaply.

While expatriates come in all different colors, sizes, ages and differingÂ backgrounds, there is one commonality they seek, said Aguirre: “A feeling of belonging is what most look for,Â both with the natives of the country and withÂ other Americans living there. They care deeply about their own American heritage but prefer to live outside it and no matter what their age or economic status, it is the feeling of community that seems to be the common denominator.”

Queens-born Aguirre, who moved to Putnam County ten years ago, was embroiled in politics and its intrigue when his new home went against the grain of Department of Environmental Protection officials. “You get quite an education about how government can work for you and against you, one you wouldn”™t wish on your worst enemy.”

But Aguirre eventuallyÂ prevailed, and the house he fought to keep in the quiet back roads of Kent is where he works on The ExPat Show and other entrepreneurial endeavors.

“There”™s a lot for Americans considering living abroad to learn about property law, buying and insuring a car, moving their furniture ”“ what to look for and what they can do to protect their possessions when being shipped overseas,” he said. Some of Aguirre”™s ExPat talk show guests range from moving companies to real estate lawyers and insurance brokers. The show is online and heard weekly on WTBQ, 1110 am.

Aguirre says ex-pats he”™s visited with and interviewed by phone feel a less expensive cost of living, a sense of feeling “freer” of what they consider overregulated and burdensome restrictions in the U.S. and the ability to enjoy entrepreneurship are the main factors that get them to start packing up and heading either across the water or south of the border.

Connected, valley style

“One of the things that I love about HV Biz is the fact that it is keeping the community connected. I read about Nan Gill and Dave Wilson, who formed Willy-Gilly Productions in Orange County, and I sent them my screenplay. The story takes place here in the Hudson Valley, and when I read they are interested in finding local stories and local talent, I contacted them. Without HV Biz, I would never have known they were here. It”™s great to have a regional paper that”™s keeping so many entrepreneurs and businesses connected.”