For folks across the nation, the election of Donald Trump would make America grate — again.
The mere thought of President Trump taking the oath of office on Jan. 20, 2017, has already led to threats from U.S. citizens that they would leave our red, white and blue borders behind if The Donald reaches The White House.
FULL COVERAGE: THE 2016 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
The tycoon-turned-politician won at least seven states onSuper Tuesday, putting him one step closer to the White House, and his critics — and they’re plentiful — are one step closer to the border.
Since declaring his candidacy last June, Trump has insulted everybody from John McCain to Pope Francis, from Mexicans to Muslims to Megyn Kelly.
KING: NOT LONG BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED AT TRUMP RALLY
Left-leaning Americans have been threatening to leave the country since Trump announced his candidacy last summer with a hate-filled, derogatory speech in which he called Mexicans rapists and drug dealers
The warnings of emigration have continued through his campaign — so much so that a tiny Canadian island created a website to welcome Trump haters.
Of course, such threats are nothing new. The late director Robert Altman started the trend during the 2000 election, becoming the first celebrity to say he'd leave the U.S. if George W. Bush was elected. But the threatened escape never happened: He died in Hollywood six years into Bush's presidency.
Minnesota-born "Monty Python" member Terry Gilliam renounced his American citizenship in 2006 in protest of Bush's reelection, although the actor moved to London in 1968.
THE FAKING OF A PRESIDENT: TRUMP'S FIRST 100 DAYS IN OFFICE
So how does a Trump foe make the big move to more progressive pastures in 2016? And of all the Trump-free countries, which is best for a soon-to-be-expat?
Here’s a Daily News cheat sheet on moving your feet before First Lady Melania puts on her dancing shoes for the inaugural ball.
The first step of any great escape plan? Picking a destination.
The most well-rounded country
Trust expats who have already fled their countries: Singapore might be your best bet. The island nation boasts the top quality of life for expats, according to a 2015 survey of expats by InterNations, a 2 million-person strong network of migrants.
MARK J. ROZELL: SAVING THE GOP FROM DONALD TRUMP
The Asian county earned the title for its slew of high-paying jobs, welcoming atmosphere, stellar health care facilities and top-notch public transit. English, one of Singapore's four official languages, is used frequently, especially in urban areas, so communication barriers are limited for Americans.
"I love the cosmopolitan nature of the city; its international population is well-traveled & open-minded," one expat said.
As a bonus, Singapore boasts the No. 1 most efficient health care system in the world, as rated by Bloomberg. The U.S. ranks at No. 44, and could dip even lower with Trump at the helm. The billionaire has long blasted Obamacare and scoffed at government-run health care — even though the system seems to be working out really well for Singapore.
The cheapest (and the friendliest!) country
When it comes to personal finances, Ecuador might be the answer. It ranks No. 1 for cost of living and is high on the list for just plain happiness.
The South American country goes easy on expats' wallets, ranking No. 1 for cost of living. In Ecuador, only 9% of expats said their disposable income isn't enough, compared to a global average of 23%.
RACIST DONALD TRUMP CAN'T HIDE BEHIND DOUBTS ANYMORE
And when the massive shavings coax expats southward, you'll be greeted by tons of friendly faces. Ecuador is the easiest country for expats to make new friends, according to the InterNations report.
"Expats living in Ecuador find it the easiest out of all 64 destinations worldwide to settle down in this country," the survey says.
Plus, there are far more women in Ecuador's government than in the U.S. Here, 20 women served in the Senate this term, while 84 women were in the House of Representatives in 2015 — both houses were comprised of roughly 80% men. Ecuador's one-chamber National Assembly has 59 women, compared to 78 men. That should be good news to all those women Donald Trump has verbally attacked over the years.
Austria ranked No. 1 in health, safety & well-being in the InterNations poll, a list the U.S. didn't even place on.
S.E. CUPP: DONALD TRUMP'S WIN REFLECTS A CHANGE IN GOP
A whopping 98% of those surveyed rated their personal safety positively while 95% said the country was politically stable — a far cry from the atmosphere Trump will foster.
Plus, Austria is a great place to raise a family, newcomers said. The country has the best availability for childcare and ranks highly for cost and quality of education, the survey said.
Love Americans, but hate America? Mexico could be your new home.
There are already about 849,000 Americans living south of the border, making it home to more American-born travelers than any other country in the world, the Migration Policy Institute reports.
Fellow Americans can provide a sense of security and familiarity during such a massive life change, and no one understands your plight more than other defectors.
Yes, you’ll have to worry about the tyranny of drug lords, but at least you can spend your Trump-free days talking about the American things you actually miss — perhaps starting with New York City Pizza. And you'll always have a friend who gets exactly why you fled your homeland that is no longer the one you prized.
Plus, fleeing to Mexico is the surest way to enrage President Trump. The bombastic billionaire has offensively suggested that Mexican immigrants are rapists and drug dealers who kill Americans and take their jobs — so the delightful irony of escaping to Mexico is almost too good to pass up. Just make sure to get out before he builds that wall.
And then there is Canada. Our neighbor to the north has long been liberals' choice for not-so-vague emigration threats. The trend took off in 2000 on the eve of George W. Bush's first term and continued during his reelection.
But it's cliché for a reason: Canada's people are as friendly as the stereotypes make them out to be, there are plenty of options for education and childcare, and there's that famous universal health care.
6 ONLINE TOOLS THAT CAN HELP YOU CAST YOUR VOTE
Cape Breton Island, the Canadian spot which begged Americans to move there in the event of a Trump win, said that "Muslim people can roam freely," and "nobody has a hand gun."
"Hi Americans! Donald Trump may become the President of your country! If that happens, and you decide to get the hell out of there, might I suggest moving to Cape Breton Island," the site read. "We need people. We need you!"
Logistics, logistics, logistics: How to flee
It's Wednesday, Nov. 9. Trump has been elected, and you're ready to pack up your locally-made vegan shoes and your collection of Al Franken books. Let's concoct a plan to escape from the pending political apocalypse.
Get a work visa
Unfortunately, you can't just pick up everything you own and move across the globe. You're going to need the right documents.
Work visas through a job are likely the most secure option but they're difficult to obtain. The long process starts with applying for a job in your wannabe home. In most countries, the employers must rule out locals who may be better-suited for the job before extending an offer to foreigners.
With a job offer in hand, you can apply for a work visa sponsored through your new employer.
Teaching English can be a great way to secure a job across the seas, experts said. Earning TELF — Teaching English as a Foreign Language certification, which requires hours of training and a fee — can help you land a job in many European, Asian and South American countries.
Application requirements and process timelines vary dramatically from country to country, and work visas need to be renewed frequently. In Austria, foreigners can apply for a job seekers visa, which would allow an expat to live in the county for six months while he or she looks for work — but the employee will have to apply for a longer term work visa after landing the new gig.
Most nations require a foreigner to work for several years before attempting to apply for permanent residency or citizenship. Singapore, on the other hand, offers a way for foreigners to earn permanent residency right away. The nation's Professionals/Technical Personnel and Skilled Workers Scheme allows expats to apply for residency as soon as they get their work passes.
If you want to go one step further and become a citizen of another nation, get ready for a long road. That requires a lengthy legal process that starts with a temporary visa that turns into permanent resident status. Tina Turner became a Swiss citizen in 2013, relinquishing her U.S. citizenship along the way, after living abroad for nearly two decades
Go back to school far, far away
If you're interested in earning a new degree, consider applying to foreign universities. A student visa — which you can apply for after you've been accepted — can give you entry to your new home over the course of your study. While the visas are often temporary, it can be easier to apply for permanent residency once you've studied for a few years.
Retire in Trump-free bliss
If you've got the retirement income to sustain you, many countries will extend you residency rights — so long as you promise you won't look for work in your new homeland.
For this reason, experts encourage you to take a hard look at your budget. A couple can live comfortably on $2,600 in parts of Spain, while a comparable lifestyle would cost about $1,200 in Colombia, International Living reported. Pick a destination that will fit your budget.
Buy your way in
When in doubt, do as the Donald would do: Fork over a fortune. Many countries have investor programs that provide pathways to permanent residency and citizenship.
SEE FULL ELECTION RESULTS FROM SUPER TUESDAY
If you've got big bucks, Singapore's Global Investor Program will allow you to apply for residency. Business folks who spend $2.5 million Singapore dollars — about $1.78 million U.S. dollars — on new ventures can apply.
Don't have a small loan of $2 million dollars to give? Canada's Immigrant Investor Program works similarly, but is more budget friendly. Investors can apply for residency after funneling $800,000 Canadian dollars, just more than $500,000 U.S. dollars, into the country.
If you're looking to buy full citizenship, Austria may be your best bet. The Austrian Citizenship Act allows citizenship for applicants who have performed "extraordinary services" to benefit the nation, although it does not specify exactly what that means.
Henley & Partners, a firm that specializes in repatriation, says Austria extends citizenship for those who invest at least $10 million, although the Austrian government has refuted that claim, Reuters reported.
Try the ultimate Trump protest
Since the start of his campaign, Trump has griped about immigrants entering the U.S. illegally. The boldest American escapees may want to consider the truest form of Trump dissidence: Running across the border without a visa.
(Note: the Daily News does not endorse illegal immigration.)
Settling into a foreign land can be as daunting as getting there. The grass isn't always greener on the other, Trump-free side — but here are some experts’ tips.
Don't expect little America
Expats who move abroad and expect their day-to-day lives to be the same are setting themselves up for failure, expat guru Cat Gaa told The News.
"Remember that any other country that isn't America just isn't America," she said. "You're moving to a foreign country. Things will be different."
GREENMAN: TRUMP IS AN EMBARRASMENT TO THE REPUBLICAN PARTY
Gaa, a Chicago native who moved to Spain in 2007, documents her life abroad on her blog, Sunshine and Siestas. The English teacher said expats who refuse to adapt to local culture can find daily tasks difficult — and that frustration breeds unhappiness.
Expats eager for a new life should embrace the new lifestyle too: pick up the language, adopt local customs, allow yourself to miss certain things about the U.S. and learn to love quirks of your new home.
Go with the flow
Expat life is stressful. On top of learning new customs, there's a never-ending bureaucracy — renewing visas, keeping up with your American taxes, requesting absentee ballots to vote against President Trump in 2020.
Gaa said staying calm and not sweating the small things are key to enjoying your new life.
"We have this saying in Spain, 'manana, manana,' 'tomorrow, tomorrow,'" she said. "Relax and go with the flow. Try again tomorrow."
Make friends with other expats
It's important to embrace local culture and befriend natives who can help you learn the lay of the land, but it's just as important to stay in touch with your roots, American Travel writer Karen McCann told The News. Finding other Americans living abroad can be a comforting reminder of home.
"It's great to have someone who speaks your language, who gets your jokes, who can commiserate with you when something miserable happens back home," said McCann, who is based in Spain.
McCann, who runs travel blog Living Life Abroad, suggested attending expat networking events. InterNations, the expat social network, hosts plenty across the globe.
Accept that you'll never be a local
You can profess your love for your new home, but never call yourself a native, McCann said.
"I will never be part of social circles that were formed at baptism," said McCann, who has lived in Seville since 2004. "They will always look at me as a little bit of an oddity. I will always be 'the American,' even to people I've known for 10 or 12 years."
But even those without deep roots can eventually fit in.
"You'll become comfortable. You'll figure things out. It will feel like home," she said. "I have definitely gotten the hang of being an expat."
If you decide to flee Trump's America, you might be in good company. A slew of celebrities have threatened to move in the wake of a pending President Trump.
Al Sharpton
He said he's planning on leaving the U.S. if Trump becomes president, but not because he wants to — but because he'll be forced to.
"I'm also reserving my ticket to get out of here if he wins. Only because he'd probably have me deported anyhow," he joked at a Center for American Progress Action Fund event last week. The liberal pundit didn't say where those tickets would take him.
Barry Diller
The billionaire also said he's ready to pack up his fortune and run if his fellow businessman Trump takes the White House.
"If Donald Trump doesn't fall, I'll either move out of the country or join the resistance," the California native said last fall.
No word on where the media executive will go, but with his Belgian-born wife, fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg, Europe would be a strong option.
Whoopi Goldberg
The actress and New York native said the way Trump stereotypes and demonizes groups of people — Mexican immigrants and Muslims among others — has made her consider moving.
"I don't think that's America. I don't want it to be America. Maybe it's time for me to move, you know," she said on "The View" in January. "I can afford to go."
Samuel L. Jackson
The Washington, D.C.-born actor may be heading across the Atlantic in November.
"If that motherf----- becomes President, I'll move my black ass to South Africa," he joked on Jimmy Kimmel when asked if Trump had a shot at the White House.
Jon Stewart
Another country is not far enough.
"I would consider getting in a rocket and going to another planet, because clearly this planet's gone bonkers," the comedian said at the Emmys last year.
Jennifer Lawrence
The "Joy" actress hasn't committed to moving if Trump is elected, only because no nations will exist in the aftermath of President Trump.
"If Donald Trump becomes President, that will be the end of the world," she told People last year.
Tags:donald trump ,2016 election ,super tuesday ,ecuador ,singapore ,austria ,mexico ,canada ,george w. bush ,colombia ,spain ,migrant crisis ,al sharpton ,barry diller ,whoopi goldberg ,samuel l. jackson ,jon stewart