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I’ve had some discussion with people about this. And some of what I’ve heard on this subject is as follows:
1. expatriots tend to be retired, and they are rejecting America in favor of some other country in their retirement. The country which was good enough for them in their working life is not good enough in their golden years?”
What a crock; the fact is the majority of expats are not retired. The vast majority are employed by American corporations, are young to middle aged and pay their U.S. Taxes. I know because my family and I were expats for two years in China, lived in Shanghai but traveled all over China and Asia. And, most of these folks are conservative. Get your facts straight bub..
I don't think such people fit the general definition of an 'ex-pat'.
My understanding of the term, is that it denotes a person who freely chooses to make their permanent residence outside their native country, while maintaining their citizenship in the country of their birth.
I lived in the Japanese islands for six years as an Army brat, then later worked abroad as an adult. At no time, when I was out of the country, did I consider myself to be an ex-pat.