Do you have an idea of where you want to live overseas? Finding the best countries to live in is subjective and challenging as you make a major life decision. Many travelers may be spooked by the idea, and millions of Americans do it. Uprooting is possible now that globalization is in effect, and the increase in flexibility in working from home helps to make it easier and faster to move on. Moving overseas should appeal most to those with a YOLO mentality.

If you need help determining where to begin your search, we are here to help keep things simple. Moving abroad can be expensive to start your new life. One of the first things you should research is the cost of a two-bedroom apartment. The price will give you an easy way to compare living costs from country to country.

What are Your Top 5 Requirements?

A great way to simplify your decision is to begin with a list of the top 5 requirements for your new home country. Some people want to live in a new country with a low cost of living. However, it is essential to consider how international living will improve your quality of life. Ultimately, you want to live a good life wherever you decide.

My requirements consisted of five essential items for livability. I wanted to have green spaces that were easily accessible and high-quality healthcare with clean air and water. The last item was how easy it is to walk around the town.

Now that I have you thinking, maybe you are looking at places in South Korea, Costa Rica, or Sweden. Countries with international airports will help you in your travels. However, it is also essential to consider the quality of life of the so-called dream of living abroad.

Work-life Balance

In such a connected environment, you might need to work long hours to communicate with colleagues or clients at different times, which may result in isolation or exhaustion. Choose a country that combines work-life balance. Look into coworking spaces, community events, groups, gym facilities, and access to stimulating serotonin-boosting activities—such as a running group cooking class and language class.

International Living with Children

When discussing where to live abroad, we often forget to mention families’ needs. Therefore, discussing the obstacles you may face in providing for your children’s needs is essential.

Children sometimes become a significant stumbling block to discovering the appropriate place to live outside the United States. It is the sole reason why you continue living in the United States. Being a present father was the sole reason I did not leave earlier.

Solutions have been better suited for families living abroad in the past few decades.

If I had known about possible ways to live abroad earlier, I would have decided to leave the US much earlier.

International Schools and Healthcare

High-quality schools and healthcare availability are essential items to consider as a parent. International schools provide your children with a unique experience, and they can apply the lessons learned to their future lives.

Many times, bringing your children along will help with fast-track citizenship. However, this does not guarantee that this will be true for every destination. Therefore, you need to dive deeper into which places will provide the best countries for you to live.

Food and Friendly Locals

North Africans are only sometimes where American people settle when traveling abroad. Morocco offers many advantages for adventurous people seeking a new lifestyle. The most popular cities where one can pay are Morocco, Rabat, and Casablanca. The cost of living in Morocco is slightly cheaper than in the US. You should be willing to live differently than usual and be thrifty.

Ready to Join Other Americans Living Overseas?

The last year was an awful disaster. Go home. Despite countless controversies, many Americans are unable to see any promising results. It makes sense that our resolutions relate to changes in pace or landscape. It’s time to move on.

You could still be America’s best citizen but still, have time to refuel. Tell your parents that a job abroad will enhance your ability for better employment in a future career. Tell your friends about your desire to learn about the world. However, maybe you believe there is a place better than the US and want to discover the best countries to live abroad.

If you believe this is true, you should seek these answers.

Where do American Expats Go?

I don’t see any surprise in the recent increase in the US population. The interconnection among national economies increases the chance of American workers working abroad. Why are Americans and expatriates? Most Americans who live abroad are found in our neighboring nations, Canada and Mexico. Many Americans have ventured far away to destinations like the Philippines, Italy, and Korea. Here is our selection of the best places to stay in America. You are capable of doing anything in any given year.

Best Countries to Live Abroad Outside the USA

Southeastern Asian Destinations

South Korea

The moment doesn’t stop immediately between K-pop and the enduring popularity of Kdramas – Beauty – Beauty & Style South Korea. America’s inclination towards the Seoul Metro is strong, where public transportation is quick and easy, shopping and street food are world-famous, and drinking is a national pastime. The laws governing open containers permit Sojia to be on the streets until morning. The country is vast and mountainous, with the most reliable broadband internet available globally (although online censorship exists – so keep a VPN handy). Houses can be a bit expensive without roommates, though otherwise, living costs have not significantly risen.

Vietnam

Regarding Southeast Asia, Vietnam is an increasingly favored option for US expats. There is plenty of variety of landscapes. You can live from tropical mangroves in the south to the mountainside rice terraces in the north.

Many new US immigrants relax in one of Vietnam’s two principal cities: Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. However, numerous opportunities exist, including the charming antique canal city of Hoi An and the thriving beach resort of Da Nang.

US expatriates arriving in Vietnam will discover the locals are open and friendly to foreigners. While the lively, more digitally-advanced Ho Chi Minh City, locally known as Saigon, attracts most expats, many seek a quieter slice of Vietnamese life in Hanoi. The cooler climate, cultural feel, and buzzing street life will have you appreciating you made this decision. The local cost of living is relatively cheap in Vietnam. That said, make sure to give yourself a soft landing by using savings while setting up your new life.

The Philippines

Want to wake up next to a deserted beach and dip your toe in the crystal clear waters before breakfast? Then why not consider moving to the Philippines? Covering an area of 7,000 tropical islands, this archipelago nation is a compelling country – still considered by many as Asia’s hidden gem. At first glance, the congested capital of Manila can seem overwhelming. However, start exploring, and you’ll soon find many charming neighborhoods. The many beautiful islands, such as Cebu and Palawan, attract expats to the Philippines.

Generally speaking, the locals are friendly and welcoming to foreigners in all aspects of life, and English is widely spoken. The cost of living is also low, particularly outside the more tourist areas. However, compared to other places on our list, the Philippines could be more developed in terms of expat-friendly infrastructure. Therefore, the quality of public transport, healthcare, and schools can vary significantly across the country. The Philippines also has a reputation for being unsafe. However, apart from some southern regions, this has improved dramatically in recent years.

Western European Destinations Audience Insights

Portugal

Sunshine and good social life are among Portugal‘s best attractions. If you need more than that, the wine is good too. US expats enjoy getting around town on foot or by bike.

Local friends are relatively easy to develop. Therefore, you can enjoy a social life with them as you share the rich Portuguese history. There is also a diverse culture and groups of people with modern public transportation, a sound healthcare system, and low crime rates.

World Class Museums

Lisbon is the second-oldest capital in Europe. It has a centuries-old architecture with colorful Portuguese tiles and a liberal mindset. The city has a youthful vibrancy that attracts people from around the world. Some of the largest tech conferences occur here and attract digital nomads and techies. Therefore, if you are a digital nomad, these conferences make for great networking events.

Portugal is one of the most manageable countries in Europe to gain residency. Thanks to varied visa options, US residents have an excellent opportunity to move to Europe. 

There are some disadvantages, though. According to the International survey, expats need help with local bureaucracy.

Spain

You can go right with Spain if you want to spend your days soaking up the sun on the Costa del Sol or are more interested in Madrid’s vibrant cultural and art scene. Thus, the weather makes Spain one of the best countries to live abroad.

Expats surveyed mentioned the mixture of culinary and dining possibilities. Sports, culture, and nightlife opportunities were also reasons for living in Spain. Spain also rated high for climate and weather, exceeded only by its neighbor Portugal.

The country’s affordable healthcare system and relatively low cost of living make it a favorite for American expats. Currently, more than 10,000 US residents live in Madrid, the cosmopolitan capital.

The laid-back culture and rich cultural life make Spain a haven for Americans looking for “la buena vida. Spain still emerges as one of Europe’s most inexpensive countries. It delivers visa programs with fewer requirements than some other EU countries, including a self-employment visa for freelancers and digital nomads.

Except for younger Spaniards, who typically can speak some English, you need to learn Spanish to navigate living here.

Like Portugal, many people express dissatisfaction with personal career opportunities. Spain also has a high unemployment rate.

Austria

If you want to know about one of the best countries to live in abroad, you should do more research in Austria.

Austria has a well-oiled economy, green-living philosophy, and decadent culture. The highly-rated education and healthcare, efficient public transportation, and pastoral scenery give US expats an incredible destination experience. Austria is one of the top places Americans seek to live abroad.

The drawback is that Austria’s high standard of living translates into a high cost.

Austrians tend to be formal in their interactions and may initially appear reserved. But once you are successful in making local Austrian friends, you will quickly become aware of the love of getting dressed up and attending concerts, cultural attractions, and balls, which is a fun experience. Every industry throws balls, and dancing the night away is an old-world custom that Austrians still treasure.

It is advisable to learn German as it is the official language of Austria. To truly integrate into the local culture, you must speak the language. 

Austria’s capital city, Vienna, is the top city for quality of living in the world, making it one of the most popular destinations.

Best Latin American Countries to Live Abroad

Costa Rica

The beautiful weather and affordable cost of living make Costa Rica one of the most suitable retirement destinations for expats. While everyone from around the world visits Costa Rica every year, we hear the exact question each year, “Is Costa Rica safe?”

Costa Rica is one of the best countries in Central America to live abroad.

We’ve reviewed the stats and compiled some data to answer that question once and for all. Remember that crime can happen anywhere, anytime, and in any corner of the world. As a traveler or an expat, you must always be vigilant, especially when you’re in a new country or city. With a bit of common sense and street smarts, you can significantly reduce your risk of becoming a victim of a crime.

Panama

Panama is a tropical paradise with a warm climate. International workers will enjoy the beaches or rolling hills in Panama.

There are already well-established expat communities in Panama City. Coronado and Boquete also have open-minded expats who are great to network with to learn about the area. These communities will also lend a helping hand when you first move over.

Doing business and living in Panama is easy as the economy uses the dollar. Many US credit cards don’t charge extra fees for purchases in Panama, ATMs are easy to use, and buying property is easy.

You can live exceptionally nicely on less money in Panama than in numerous popular countries. A single person could live comfortably in Panama for $995 a month. However, you can spend as much or as little as you want.

Ecuador

Ecuador always seems to be on everyone’s list. It is one of the most desirable countries to retire as an expatriate. One of the significant benefits of choosing Ecuador is using the US dollar because the country’s official currency is the US dollar. Therefore it facilitates a more straightforward process for moving abroad for many people. Ecuador also provides retirees with a permanent residency scheme. If you can furnish an income of $800/month or a real estate investment, you can fast-track your residency. 

Ecuador offers a discount program for retirees over 65. Benefits include discounts on transportation, reduced taxes, and discounts on electric and water bills.

Choosing one of the best countries in South America to retire is an exciting experience. An essential element to remember is to obtain Global Health Insurance before you leave the US. Global health insurance is the most reliable and safest option for long-term global medical upkeep. 

International health insurance can travel with you from country to country. Therefore, this is particularly noteworthy for expat retirees who intend to visit family back in the US.

Chile

Three thousand miles of coastline present a country with endless beaches. However, there are also great weekend mountain trips to enjoy hot springs. The east coast of South America belongs to Argentina, but if you want to drop off to Antarctica, you will want to go to the tip of Chile.

Chile is one of the best countries in which to live abroad.

If you want to go to Argentina, you can also take a three-hour ferry ride on the Lagos Todos los Santos.

Located on South America’s west coast, Chile has some of the most pristine environments. Future retirees will find the south possesses a wonderland of excitement. There are dramatic, luxurious lakes within mountain ranges and coastal beaches to explore. 

The friendly locals most likely won’t speak English. However, they will try to accommodate you the best way they can. They speak Spanish, but the version of it can be challenging to understand if you have a background in the language. So you will need to learn what the locals are communicating.

The capacity to ski in the winter and live nearby the beach in the summer is a luxury that most countries cannot offer. If you want to maintain an urban lifestyle, Santiago provides a widely developed and advanced environment for expatriates.

While preserving an urban lifestyle, you can live comfortably off $1,000/month USD. The most significant benefit of living in Chile is it has the highest standard of living & the most robust economy of all Latin American countries. It also maintains the lowest levels of corruption & poverty in all of South America. However, the main drawback is the country is in the process of rewriting the Consitution, putting the country in a level of instability.

Make your scouting trip to the south and enjoy the Pisco with the lush green forests in the background.

Honorable Mention

New Zealand

New Zealand’s safety is very appealing to digital nomads, making it one of the best countries to live abroad.

Although New Zealand is renowned for its top-tier landscapes, it’s one of the best places for expats looking for a better work-life balance. You can’t get any further from the exhaustion of America than these two islands in the southwest Pacific. Auckland is a modern hub of commerce and culture, whereas Queenstown is the dream destination of any adventure traveler.

Pros for expats: Short-term work visas are easy for US citizens, and guess what? They don’t even require an offer of employment before arriving. If 2017 taught us anything, it’s how to wing it!

Cons for expats: The cost of living is about 10% higher in New Zealand compared to the United States. American expats in New Zealand should prepare for much higher housing costs and dine out less, even with an expected boost in income.

The most popular and accessible programs in New Zealand are short-term, usually in agriculture or hospitality. Long-term employment in New Zealand is much more complex, but high-demand fields such as finance and medicine are the best routes for more permanent placements.

Ski Instructor Internship

Who hasn’t wanted to be a ski bum for a season? EA Ski and Snowboard is the most epic way to kickstart your life in some of the best places for expats. They guarantee accommodation and job placement in one of many picturesque ski resorts in New Zealand.

Atypical Last Thoughts

In the past few decades, many nations have changed to be the best places for US immigrants to live abroad. Western Europe has some great countries to call home. You will have access to world-class museums when you reside in Europe. Plus, the old-world charm provides an unmatched level of contentment.

If you are looking for the best countries to live abroad, then you should look at countries in Southeast Asia, Western Europe, and Latin America,

Central America has many developing countries where you can live in a modern city. It is essential to find a town with a fantastic expat community. Fellow expats can help you find infrastructure to live your daily life. City life can provide you with the vibrant nightlife Americans love.

Living in rural areas allows you to live with natural beauty no matter which country you choose. You can select a landscape with rugged mountains or beautiful beaches. The slower pace can help you from being sucked back into the rat race.

Living abroad can present a level of culture shock. A pure life can be challenging to find in an international living situation. Finding social support groups to help balance your life living abroad is essential. Remote workers will want job security while they work abroad. Attending networking affairs is a beautiful way to develop your support groups.

Expat communities in Costa Rica and South Korea can help you while you live abroad. There are also friendly locals to help make these areas sustainable destinations. There is also plenty of English speakers if you have not mastered the local language. Thinking through some of these obstacles will help ensure you live an excellent quality of life.

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