Is relocating to another country something that might be in your near or distant future? Whether it’s a permanent move or your goal is to work or study for a year or two abroad, it’s good to know which countries tend to get favorable reviews from expats and which ones don’t.
Coming up are 20 countries American expats seem to love and 10 that they think you should cross off your list.
Mexico
Mexico has modern conveniences, great food, and a low cost of living. Close ties between Mexico and the United States have made parts of it very comfortable for Americans to move to and get used to. There are also climates and lifestyles for everyone here.
Portugal
The cost of living is affordable, the quality of life is high, and the atmosphere is welcoming. Plus, Portugal has a sunny climate, which is a big draw for many people seeking to relocate to another country.
Costa Rica
Beautiful landscapes and wildlife, plus a welcoming culture and bustling economy, create great appeal for expats. The country also has coasts on both the Atlantic and Pacific, and they’re not far apart.
Thailand
Tourism has introduced more and more Americans to the wonders of this country, and now many are seeing the benefits of moving there. The scenery is beautiful, the food is awesome, and the culture is rich.
Spain
Like its smaller neighbor Portugal, Spain is known for its sunny climate and beautiful shores and other landscapes. The quality of life is among the top in the world, and Spain is surprisingly affordable for a Western European nation.
Taiwan
This island nation has become a top choice for expats in recent years. Some of the top reasons include excellent health care, strong job security, and a high quality of life.
Panama
Panama has good infrastructure and modern facilities, defying a common stereotype about Central American countries. It also has a great location that allows relative ease of travel to much of North and South America.
Canada
If you’re looking for a new home that’s as close to being like America as possible without the crime rates, pollution, and unequal health-care access of America, just look to the north. Canada has a ton of open space, a strong economy, good health care, and clean cities.
Singapore
Singapore is popular with expats and students because it has really low crime rates. Strict laws have a large part in that, but as long as you’re not running afoul of those laws, you’ll be okay. Definitely do your homework, though, and see if you and some of those laws and/or consequences are incompatible.
Austria
This country in the Alps has a perfect blend of mountain beauty and very livable cities. The capital, Vienna, is known for a high quality of life and low crime rates. Austria isn’t cheap, but many find the lifestyle and culture easily worth the cost.
Ghana
In this beautiful West African nation, the expat community continues to grow yearly. A laid-back culture and friendly locals have a lot to do with that, as does its vibrant modern capital, Accra.
Sweden
Overall, America is not a densely populated nation, but if you live in an area that is and you need a change, you’ll like knowing that Sweden has one of the lowest population densities in the world. It also has excellent health care and government services, a high quality of life, and abundant natural beauty.
New Zealand
The Lord of the Rings movies introduced the wider world to the wonders of the New Zealand landscape, but many expats knew about the benefits of this island nation long before that. Safety, quality of life, and friendliness are all at high levels here.
Netherlands
Amsterdam isn’t cheap, but it ranks high in work culture and job satisfaction indexes for those working and living abroad. Overall, the country itself has a large international community where a lot of people speak English, the job market is strong, and the culture is tolerant and welcoming.
Ireland
One visit to this scenic, historic island country may make you want to pack up and move there despite the frequent rainy weather.
Expats report high levels of satisfaction with quality of life in Ireland, and in cities like Dublin, there are excellent career opportunities because so many international companies are headquartered there.
France
The language barrier can certainly be an issue, but there are many English-speaking expat communities in France. Once you’re past that, you have a huge variety of cultural and natural attractions to love in this country that consistently gets high marks for happiness and quality of life.
Vietnam
Vietnam has come a really long way since the war era, so treat it with an open mind. The economy has modernized and diversified, but the country hasn’t gained that at the expense of its scenic beauty, history, and culture.
Australia
We’ve done a lot to romanticize Australia and its people, but that’s not without reason. The landscapes are gorgeous and the people are great. Generally good weather leaves most people feeling happy, and the country is also a lot cleaner and safer than the United States is.
Germany
In addition to all the history and natural beauty, Germany has a lot to offer. It’s the largest economy in the EU, and the strong job market and social safety net, guaranteed health care, and better work-life balance hold great appeal to many American would-be expats missing that at home.
Switzerland
Although it’s one of the most expensive countries in Europe, Switzerland is also one of the most beautiful and has one of the highest qualities of living. A lot of people speak English here, and you’ll love the cosmopolitan cities, charming countrysides, low crime rates, and excellent health care.
South Africa
Now, let’s turn to countries that expats don’t like that much. On two different indexes created by expats, South Africa comes in at the bottom. It’s a beautiful country, and you can enjoy a low cost of living, but happiness and health levels are low, and job prospects aren’t great.
India
Still a developing country, India has a lot of crowding and pollution. Overall, the quality of life is poor compared to that in developed nations, and happiness levels are low. It’s worth noting that a lot of educated native Indians are moving to Western nations as fast as they can.
Italy
Italy is a fantastic place to go on vacation, but it’s not the greatest place to relocate to. Working conditions are the primary complaint, with special concerns about salaries, job security, and work culture.
The U.K.
The United Kingdom seems like a great choice since there’s no language barrier, and it does indeed have a lot to offer. On the other hand, many expats who go there complain about a poor quality of life, especially regarding health care. They also say that while there are a lot of jobs, the salaries aren’t satisfying.
Hungary
Poor health care, a language barrier, and unfriendly people are the top complaints from expats who have lived in this country. It’s also a country that has become increasingly less democratic and more authoritarian in recent years.
Poland
Working conditions are pretty good here, but overall quality of life isn’t. Much of this has to do with a language barrier, which can make it hard to make friends and establish connections. It’s not that the people aren’t nice, just that far fewer of them speak English than you’ll find in, say, France or Germany.
Malta
Expats report that housing, work culture, job prospects, and salaries leave something to be desired here. On the other hand, they do say the culture is an accepting one and that fitting in isn’t hard.
South Korea
Health care and quality of life are good in South Korea, but the country has its drawbacks. The work culture isn’t satisfying, and happiness levels are low.
Indonesia
A relatively low cost of living and a relative lack of social difficulties for newcomers give Indonesia a lot of appeal. However, job prospects aren’t that great, and the availability and quality of health care are poor.
Cyprus
Count Cyprus as another of those places that’s great to visit but not great to move to. On the indexes previously mentioned, it scores poorly in happiness, health, employment, and overall quality of life.
15 Must-Dos on Your Next Trip to Lake Tahoe
Lake Tahoe on the California-Nevada border makes a lot of lists of the most beautiful places in America. There’s also a lot to do there, with a wide range of outdoor recreation, great dining, resorts, nightlife, and more. If it’s your first time going or if you’re going back, consider adding some of the following places to your itinerary.
15 Must-Dos on Your Next Trip to Lake Tahoe
The World’s 5 Friendliest and 5 Unfriendliest Cities
Some cities welcome visitors and want them to be there. Other cities are rude to visitors and would just as soon see you leave. It can be jarring to be in an unfriendly city, though some of the world’s most enticing cities rank high on the rudeness scale.
When you visit a friendly city, it’s much easier to soak in the culture and meet the locals. Rough Guides readers voted on the cities for their level of friendliness. According to Rough Guides, these are the world’s friendliest and unfriendliest cities.
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