Set default Documents & Downloads folder to external USB Drive?

I use both a MacPro and MBP and would like to have the system folders Documents & Downloads defaulted to my USB external drive. How do I go about changing the location? Thanks.

Plug the drive in
Copy your folder to the external drive
Before you proceed, make sure all your files are there and intact
Navigate to <your user name> in the sidebar and delete the original folder from there
Go to the external drive, right click on the folder and make an alias
Drag this alias to <your user name> directory then rename it by removing the "alias" from the end if you wish
Don't forget to check Safari etc. is pointing to the new alias folder
Notes:
You can try this on a blank folder first to make sure it works
<your user name> folder is in your <Boot Drive>/Users/ folder
If you boot up without the drive attached you'll get an "Alias could not be found" error when trying to open the folder.
If you're terminal savvy this could be done the same way by a softlink to your directory on the external drive once you've copied it over.

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