For millions of Americans, the ultimate dream is to strike out and build a new life abroad. And as shown by the best countries for Americans to move to—laid out below—there’s plenty to lure them overseas. Year-round warm weather in Central America, art museums and celebrated architecture in Europe, and multicultural food havens in Asia await. But budgets are also a major reason why Americans pack their belongings and go. “Often when I ask people why they are moving, there are many reasons, but affordability is key,” says real estate agent Parisa Afkhami of Coldwell Banker Warburg, who works with international clients. “A higher quality of life as well as lower taxes and medical expenses have been cited as reasons.” Afkhami recommends Western European countries where universal education and healthcare make these affordability goals possible, especially for those on a fixed income.
For the specifics on where to go and why, read on.
How do we determine the best countries for Americans to move to?
We spoke with a range of experts—including those who work with expat communities, international real estate specialists, and expat insurance providers—to determine which countries would make the best new homes for Americans looking to make a move. We factored in quality of life, cost of living, immigration processes, job markets, cultural attractions, and natural beauty. We also considered insights from the most recent Expat Insider report from InterNations, a network and guide for expats in 420 cities worldwide.
What country is the easiest for Americans to move to?
Because “ease” can mean different things to different people, it’s tough to pick just one country. If ease is proximity to the US, then Mexico, Panama, and Costa Rica are solid choices. For Spanish-speaking Americans, these picks would also eliminate any language barriers—though there are plenty of English speakers (in the larger cities especially) in these countries as well.
For ease in sorting out paperwork, it’s worth considering a country that offers a digital nomad visa—a temporary permit that allows visitors to stay in a country for up to a year (often with the option to extend) while they work remotely. Spain, Portugal, Italy, France, Norway, Switzerland, and Greece (among others), all offer digital nomad visas for nationals from non–European Union countries. Japan also has a digital nomad visa, but only for six months.
What countries do most US citizens move to?
“We are finding that Americans are moving to Mexico, Canada, and Portugal, yet the live-and-work-anywhere movement is broadening the choices being made to include Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines,” says Andrew Jernigan, CEO of Insured Nomads, a global provider of international health insurance for expats and remote workers. Meanwhile, Jen Barnett, cofounder of Expatsi, a site that helps Americans move abroad, says her company offers a quiz called the Expatsi Test, which 110,000 clients have taken. This gives the company insights into why clients want to move abroad as well as their budgets, life stages, and other factor. “The quiz then uses data to recommend countries to move to,” she says. And the top recommendations according to their quiz answers are: