The Top 10 Best Countries for Americans to Move To

If you’re living in the USA, you may have, at some point in your life, searched on the internet for “the best countries for Americans to move to” – perhaps just out of interest, or perhaps you’re seriously considering relocating to another country. For many, the best countries for expats may come down to the recreation options, new places to explore, and immersing yourself in different cultures worldwide.

For others, moving could be about retiring to a foreign country that offers a higher quality lifestyle to start a new life, enjoy more free time, and stretch their wealth further with cheaper living expenses. Not to mention how easy it is for remote workers to explore and travel freely from one country to the next every few months or years.

There are several reasons why Americans may look for another country to call home. Whatever the reason may be, moving abroad can be a relatively easy process.

In this article, we will delve into some of the best European countries for Americans to move to, as well as other options that are top choices for Americans living abroad, including countries in Southeast Asia and Africa.

We will also explore the important aspects of moving to another country, such as quality of life, cost of living, getting a visa or work permit, acquiring universal healthcare, the language barrier, crime rates, cultural differences, and which countries have a large expat community.

Flight, not Fight: Main Reasons Americans Choose to Move Abroad

The World Population Review reports that over eight million American expats currently live abroad, with a variety of reasons for making the move. However, when it comes to moving to the countries on our list, the benefits are undeniable. Let’s dive into some of the main reasons US citizens are moving abroad to these top locations.

Work-life balance

In a survey about work-life balance conducted among North Americans, data showed that 68 percent of workers admitted to working on vacations, with 37 percent taking less time off from work, and 18 percent opting not to take any time off at all.

On average, Americans also work 400 more hours annually compared to other developed nations. This lack of work-life balance causes anxiety, stress, declined mental health, and burnout, and has Americans seeking a better work-life balance elsewhere.

Cost of living

The cost of living is significantly lower in many other places Americans can move to compared to the cost of living in the United States. When everything from food, clothing, housing, healthcare, and entertainment is cheaper, it means each hard-earned dollar can go further abroad.

Ease of remote working

One thing Americans and the rest of the world learned in recent years is that work does not mean being chained to a desk. Computer programmers are coding from the Swiss mountains, project managers are increasing productivity while working next to the glistening beaches of Portugal, and English teachers are traveling across Asia while taking along their laptops to get work done along the way.

The workplace has become more flexible and remote and the best expat countries are the ones that make remote working easy.

Spain

Much like Portugal, Spain has one of the lowest costs of living compared to other countries to move to in Europe. From quality housing to fine-quality Rioja, everything is available at an affordable price in Spain. Spain also has excellent public healthcare (and healthcare reimbursements), bilingual international schools that offer the American curriculum, and the country has its own Digital Nomad Visa that appeal to entrepreneurs, freelancers, and remote workers.

Spain, a European country bordering the Mediterranean Sea and a neighbor of Portugal, also has a very favorable climate. It is a versatile country, with buzzing cities, such as Barcelona, Madrid, Seville, and Bilbao, and also laid-back, relaxed holiday destinations along the Balearic and Canary Islands.

If you love architecture, you will find Andalusia exciting, with its Moorish history and architecture. Also, you will find that there are many American expats around Andalusia.

Málaga, the birthplace of Picasso, has more than 30 museums, causing the city to be famously branded as the “City of Museums”. Spain has a very inclusive culture and Málaga, in particular, is very welcoming toward the LGBTQI+ community

Pros and cons of moving to Spain

Here is a rundown of the main advantages of moving to Spain:

• High quality of life due to the great weather, beautiful landscapes, and a laid-back lifestyle
• Lower cost of living compared to the USA (about 31 percent lower) 
• Excellent and affordable healthcare options
• A country renowned for its cultural richness and vibrant cities
• Excellent food
• Growing expat communities
• Natural beauty
• Multiple visa options for residency

The main disadvantages of moving to Spain are: 

• Slow waiting times for official matters like processing visas
• Like Portugal, English is widely spoken in cities with large expat populations, but there will be a language barrier in smaller towns
• Lower salaries compared to the USA and competitive job market in some industries
• Navigating Spanish taxes alongside US tax obligations can be complex
• Long flights and time zone differences can make staying connected with family and friends in the USA difficult

How can Americans move to Spain?

In January 2023, Spain launched their Digital Nomad Visa, attracting remote workers, expat communities, and entrepreneurs. Like Portugal, Spain also has a Golden Visa program, whereby you can seek permanent residency, with the potential to apply for Spanish citizenship after ten years, as long as you fulfill the nationality requirements. Other visa options include the Non-Lucrative Visa, the Work Visa, and the Student Visa. 

If you want guidance on whether to buy property in Spain or Portugal, you can check out our article on whether to buy property in Spain or Portugal to make an informed choice.

Sweden

Many American expats look to settle down in Sweden for its breathtaking scenery, fresh air, good public transport system, and low population density. The Land of the Vikings has a lot to offer for history lovers. You can just take a walk in the capital city Stockholm, and find world-class museums, historical centers, and cool cafes.

Gothenburg is the most affordable city in Sweden. It has also been named the world’s most sustainable destination continuously from 2016 to 2021. You can visit ethical fashion shops, and zero-waste restaurants, where the food is organically certified. Both summer and winter have exciting activities to offer in Sweden. In summer, you can enjoy the midsummer festivals, kayaking, and swimming. While in winter, you can see the breathtaking northern lights above the Arctic, and enjoy dog sledding and visiting the reindeer.

Sweden is one of the easiest countries to travel from, especially to other Scandanavian countries, offering easy access to Norway, Denmark, and Finland. Sweden maintains a good work-life balance by offering employees a five-week period of paid vacation and months-long paid maternity and paternity leave for new parents.

Healthcare in Sweden is of high standards. It is free for mothers and children and offers free access to toys and books. Sweden has one of the best education systems in the world. Education is mandatory until nine years in school, and there are many state department universities that are funded by the government and accessible to their citizens.

Pros and cons of moving to Sweden

The advantages of moving to Sweden include:

• Excellent quality of life with a focus on work-life balance, outdoor activities, and social welfare benefits
• Highly rated, affordable healthcare system available to all residents
• Free, high-quality education, including access to universities
• A very safe country with low crime rates and a stable political environment
• Known for its equality, strong labor laws, and progressive attitudes toward gender and diversity
• Strong focus of sustainable living
• Ease of travel
• Pristine forests, lakes, and opportunities for outdoor activities, with easy access to nature even in urban areas

The disadvantages of moving to Sweden include:

• High taxes
• Long, harsh winters, particularly in the north
• While many Swedes speak excellent English, learning Swedish is important for integration and accessing certain jobs
• High cost of living, particularly for housing, food, and transportation
• A slow and sometimes complicated bureaucratic system, especially when applying for visas or navigating residency
• Housing shortages in popular cities like Stockholm and Gothenburg

How can Americans move to Sweden?

Like Austria, it may be more challenging to move to Sweden for a long-term stay than to countries like Portugal and Spain, but Americans can move to the country through a structured process that depends on their purpose for relocation, such as work, study, retirement, or joining a family member.

A work permit is the best course of action if you have a job offer in Sweden, while the EU Blue Card is also an option for highly skilled professionals. There’s also the family reunification visa, study permit, and freelancer visa available to those who qualify.

Exploring More of the Best Countries for American Expats Moving Abroad

Whether you are in search of permanent residency in a new country or affordable countries to move to that will offer you a high-quality of life experiencing new cultural differences at a lower cost of living abroad there are many countries outside of the European Union where you can live overseas and benefit from the exchange rate of the country’s currency to the American dollar. Let’s take a look at the best countries for American expats around the rest of the world.

South Korea

South Korea is a modern and advanced country and a leading manufacturer of technical goods, such as mobile phones, computers, and televisions.

It is a very good place to live and work for young professionals, and tech-savvy expats seeking a good life abroad will have much to smile about.

South Korea is famous for many things, the major attractions being the K-Pop culture and delicious food, making it an increasingly popular destination. Seoul, the happening city in South Korea and the third largest economy in Asia greets you with great restaurants, night markets, shopping, and entertainment.

Professionals here work hard, and there are many informal networking events. It also has one of the fastest internet speeds in the world, although there is online censorship.

South Korea is a safe place to live and has a low crime rate. Busan is a good place to consider if you are moving overseas to enjoy beaches and authentic Korean seafood. What’s more, you can visit Japan from there on a ferry.

In South Korea, you will also have access to mountains and islands. If you are passionate about skiing, hiking, and outdoor activities, there is much to keep you occupied. You can also find modern skyscrapers along with temples, palaces, and fortresses that are now listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites, highlighting the fascinating mix and great contrasts between modernity and tradition in the country.

Pros and cons of moving to South Korea

The advantages of moving to South Korea include:

• Vibrant culture and modern lifestyle
• One of the best public transportation systems in the world
• Healthcare system is excellent, with affordable, high-quality medical services and advanced technology
• Very safe, with low crime rates and a strong sense of community security
• Thriving job market for English teachers, offering competitive salaries, free housing, and other benefits
• Tech-savvy country with some of the fastest internet speeds in the world
• Diverse and unique culinary scene

The disadvantages of moving to South Korea include:

• Many people may not speak English, especially outside of the tourist areas
• Work culture can be intense, with long working hours and high expectations
• Periodic air pollution which can impact health and outdoor activities.
• Housing can be expensive, especially in desirable neighborhoods, and the deposit system (jeonse) can require large upfront payments
• Adjusting to societal norms, hierarchical structures, and cultural expectations may be challenging for Americans and could be a bit of a culture shock at first
• While teaching English is a common career for expats, finding jobs in other sectors can be more difficult
• Residency process can be challenging because long-term visas can be harder to obtain if you’re not teaching, studying, or employed by a South Korean company

How can Americans move to South Korea?

A work visa (E-Visa), student visa (D2 Visa), and spousal visa (F6 Visa) are the main residency programs available for moving to South Korea. The permanent residency visa (F5 Visa) is also available to individuals with strong ties to Korea (through family or investments).

Ghana

Ghana welcomes expats with open arms, and the country offers a lot of socializing options such as social support groups, networking events, etc. Ghana is roughly the same size as the UK and offers expats a different ecosystem, tropical climate, stable economy, and low cost of living. The western African nation is located in the Gulf of Guinea and has a diverse expat community that continues to grow every year.

The country celebrated the Year of Return in 2019 to mark 400 years of the arrival of the first enslaved Africans in America. It is a significant spiritual and birth-right journey, inviting foreigners, especially from the black diaspora, to come to Ghana as visitors or tourists. The Year of Return program is intended to bring fresh skills and capital into Ghana. The program appeals to residents to keep their talent in the country for at least ten years and also offers fast-track citizenship and permanent residence to African Americans who are willing to leave the US.

If the plan of relocating to Ghana is for business, then you must check out the capital Accra. It is the dominant city in the coastal regions, primarily involved in forestry, mining, and oil production. Skilled workers can enjoy an excellent quality of life in Accra, while digital nomads and job hunters can join social support groups and associations and look for opportunities.

Ghana also has beautiful beaches, waterfalls, parks, UNESCO-listed castles, and forts on the Atlantic for a weekend getaway. The major advantage for expats moving to Ghana from the US is that the official language here is English. For expat children from the US, the country has numerous international schools to choose from. It also has Montessori education in big cities like Accra. You can get private health insurance, although it is costly. If you are a working expat, the insurance will be taken care of by your employer.

Pros and cons of moving to Ghana

The advantages of moving to Ghana include:

• A rich cultural heritage with diverse traditions, festivals, and warm hospitality 
• Ghana’s official language is English, meaning no significant language barriers
• One of the fastest-growing economies in West Africa, with opportunities in sectors like agriculture, technology, and natural resources
• Tropical climate 
• Beautiful landscapes, including beaches, rainforests, and wildlife reserves like Mole National Park
• Cost of living in Ghana is about 45 percent lower than in the US
• Affordable housing
• Hospitality and friendliness toward foreigners

The disadvantages of moving to Ghana include:

• Healthcare may not be up to the same standard as in the US and access to high-quality medical facilities may be limited
• Infrastructure issues, including frequent power outages, water shortages, and poor road conditions
• Job opportunities for foreigners can be limited.
• Navigating the bureaucracy for residency permits, business licenses, and other formalities can be time-consuming and frustrating
• Tropical diseases such as malaria and dengue fever are more prevalent in Ghana
• Public transportation may be unreliable and less comfortable than what many Americans are used to

How can Americans move to Ghana?

Americans can move to Ghana through several visa and residency programs, including a work visa if you can secure a job in Ghana, a study visa if you are offered a place at a recognized education institution, a retirement visa to consider if you are close to retirement age, a business and investment visa, and family reunification visa.

New Zealand

For a small country, New Zealand has a lot to offer, such as glaciers, rain forests, mountains, plains, deserts, and coastlines. New Zealand is often chosen as a movie shooting spot, such as for the Lord Of The Rings films, because of its breathtaking landscapes.

New Zealand has a lot in common with the US. For starters, they share English as their most spoken language. The locals are friendly, relaxed, and easy to get along with. The climate is temperate, with warm and dry summers and mild and wet winters. You can enjoy a pleasant, warm, and outdoor lifestyle throughout the year.

New Zealand is famous for its unique culture with strong Māori and Polynesian influences. The Manaakitanga, which means hospitality, generosity, and kindness, is an important custom in Māori culture and is followed diligently. There are many peaceful spots with delicious fresh seafood and wine tasting.

The country has renowned scenery, ranging from beautiful beaches, snow-covered volcanoes, magnificent Southern Alps, rivers, fjords, and densely wooded forests. The sheer variety of the different landscapes in the country has long captivated expats.

Although healthcare in New Zealand is funded, an appointment with a dentist costs a fortune. However, it is free for those under 18 years of age.

Pros and cons of moving to New Zealand

The advantages of moving to New Zealand include:

• Stunning natural beauty, including dense rainforest and snow-capped mountains
• An extremely safe place to live, ranking fourth on the Global Peace Index
• Vibrant food scene
• Free, high-quality healthcare and international health insurance
• Relaxed, laidback way of life
• Relocation and getting a visa is relatively straightforward

The disadvantages of moving to Zealand include:

• Harsh sun in summer, and dark, cold, and snowy winters
• More isolated from the rest of the world
• Dental care is expensive
• Higher cost of living (but still around seven percent lower than the cost of living in the USA)

How can Americans move to New Zealand?

There is a large variety of visas available to move to New Zealand hassle-free. Some of the visa options include the skilled migrant visa, the work visa, the parent retirement visa, the entrepreneur visa, and the talent visa for arts, culture, and sports.