If you've ever dreamt of living abroad, 2024 may be the year to make those dreams a reality. You'd be in good company with over 8 million Americans currently living abroad, but the question remains: where would you go? With around 195 recognized countries across the globe, it might be difficult to narrow down the choices.
Explore the top options that have emerged across several "best of" lists based on data acquired by expats relocated from America to one of these destinations. Learn about what makes these countries the best for American expats, including their job markets, cost of living, and overall quality of life.
1. Mexico
Mexico has found itself on the "best countries" list for relocation many years in a row. The country boasts a rich and colorful culture, delicious food, lush landscapes, and gorgeous sandy beaches. Currently, 1.5 million American expats already call Mexico home, making it the most popular relocation destination. Its appeal has a lot to do with the familiar climate, the proximity to friends and family living in the States, affordable healthcare, and more.
Since Mexico is a large country, many expats recommend exploring the country for at least six months on a temporary visa before making a permanent move. After your 6-month holiday permit, you can apply for a temporary work permit or a permanent visa.
Work Opportunities
Mexico already has a growing tech industry in its second-largest city, Guadalajara. You may recognize some big names like Intel, Oracle, HP, and IBM, all of which are based in Mexico. There are many more growing companies primed with creativity and innovation looking for new talent. Despite Spanish being the national language, there are ample English-speaking jobs that are urgently hiring.
Cost of Living
As the cost of living continues to rise in the United States, Investopedia averages that a single person can live in Mexico City for less than USD 1,000 a month. Keep in mind the wages are also lower, with the average median salary coming in at USD 1,695 a month. Some expats may continue to work for US companies remotely and live abroad so long as they comply with local visa regulations.
Drawbacks
While the people in Mexico are friendly, and quite a few speak English, you may still have difficulty with the language barrier. Learning Spanish can easily solve the issue, though it will take time and effort.
Safety is always a consideration when living abroad, and Mexico is no different. Research is the best tool to determine the safest places to live. Bear in mind that the more densely populated a region, the higher the crime rates. Cities like Sayulita and Querétaro are the safer options in Mexico.
2. Canada
Canada is another popular choice for American expats, being the neighbor to the north of the United States. The country ranks high in safety, health, environment, and overall quality of life. There are currently close to 300,000 American expats that have set up their permanent residence within Canada's borders.
Relocation to Canada wouldn't require you to learn a new language, and you would get to benefit from the country's solid infrastructure, like universal healthcare and mandatory employee benefits, including the highest minimum wage in North America, 25 vacation days a year, and paternal leave. If you choose to relocate to Canada, you can apply for a spousal open work permit, employer-specific work permit, or NAFTA permit (North American free trade agreement).
Work Opportunities
Canada's economy is 14th in scale globally, and the job market is thriving. The opportunities for work span across various industries, including healthcare, energy, research, and especially IT. The average salary for an expat is USD 111,000, which can offer a comfortable life depending on where in Canada you settle. Since the primary language is English, you don't have to be concerned with a language barrier limiting job prospects.
Cost of Living
While the average salary for an expat in Canada is a pro for relocation, the cost of living in certain parts of the country can be a con. If you're looking to live a big city life in Vancouver or Toronto, you may experience a setback with the cost of housing. Median rent between the two cities is roughly USD 2,455- USD 2,651 for one bedroom, reaching as high as USD 6,436- USD 6,608 for a four-bedroom.
If you want to make your salary stretch, choose cities like Montreal, Calgary, and Winnipeg, where median rent prices are closer to USD 1,181- USD 1,793 for a one-bedroom.
Drawbacks
While Canada has breathtaking landscapes and friendly locals, there are a few downsides to relocating to the maple capital of the world. In addition to the high cost of living, it can be a challenge to become a permanent resident outside of relocating as a student, finding a job in STEM, or utilizing Canada's new digital nomad visa.
Some states in the US can fall prey to extreme weather events, especially in the winter. Canada's climate can be intense, even for American expats. Depending on where you are in the country, temperatures have climbed as high as 121.3 °F (49.6 °C) and as low as -81.4 °F (-63.0°C).
3. Portugal
While it may not be just across the border, Portugal, the jewel in Europe's crown, is at the top of the list for American expats. This small slice of coastal heaven attracts expats from all destinations for its high quality of life, economic growth, and political stability. According to data from the Portuguese government, nearly 10,000 Americans were living in Portugal by 2022. While the number of ex-pats has increased over the last few years, Americans still only makeup 1% of the immigrant population in Portugal and roughly .01% of the overall population.
Portugal is known for its warm natives, delicious food and wine scene, surfing beaches, and vibrant culture. If the laid-back lifestyle isn't enough to convince people to migrate over, the country's many tax benefits for expats might do the trick. Portugal has many options for residency and offers citizenship to Americans after five years. Those looking to relocate can look into their highly qualified activity visa, digital nomad visa, D7 passive income visa, or golden visa.
Work Opportunities
If you work remotely, Portugal is an ideal fit for your mobile lifestyle. One of their residency options is the digital nomad visa. If you're looking to get a job while in Portugal, the job market is growing, and more businesses are setting up shop every day. The employment opportunities differ for those who only speak English and those who speak Portuguese. Portuguese speakers can find potential work in specialist fields, like accountants, engineers, doctors, architects, etc. English speakers are still in demand in industries like tourism, hospitality, IT, and software.
Cost of Living
The cost of living in Portugal is one of the lowest in Western Europe. The median income for an expat is around USD 102,669, while the average one-bedroom rental outside the city is roughly $942 a month. If you need more space, a three-bedroom apartment in the city center of Lisbon is around $2,680 a month, 40-50 percent cheaper than in the United States. Most other costs like healthcare, utilities, groceries, and public transport are also less expensive than in the states.
Drawbacks
Portugal hasn't quite caught up to the rest of the modern world in terms of contactless payment. Many places around the country do not accept bank cards, so you'll need to carry enough cash on hand to pay for expenses. Some may find this problematic since theft is still an issue among tourists and expats in Portugal. On the upside, some businesses do provide the option to pay with your phone.
One of the primary drawbacks to living in Portugal is the bureaucracy, which can be a challenge when applying for residency. The slow pace of living associated with this country translates to paperwork. It can take months to apply for a driver's license and have it issued. Even everyday activities, like booking appointments, can take some time.
4. The Netherlands
You can find the Netherlands on a few lists for expats, especially for families and young workers. Progressive politics, high quality of life, stunning architecture, and art are just a few of the small country's appeals. The vast majority of the locals speak English, so learning Dutch may not be a requirement to live there. Perhaps that is why there are roughly 30,000 American expats in Amsterdam alone, and with the country's strong economy and excellent work-life balance, that number is sure to increase.
Along with the lively culture in the country's capital, people relocate to the Netherlands for their top-rate healthcare, convenient public transportation, and high-quality infrastructure. The country is one of the safest for women, and the Dutch are known for their progressive attitudes towards different lifestyles and cultures. Fortunately, for Americans looking to relocate, the Netherlands offers a special program called the Dutch-American Friendship Treaty (DAFT). The agreement allows US entrepreneurs and investors to get residency in exchange for an investment of USD 4939. The DAFT is valid for two years, and permanent residency is eligible after five years.
Work Opportunities
The Netherlands has a very stable economy, boasting one of the lowest unemployment rates in the European Union (EU). They encourage expats to enter the job market within their borders, even offering tax benefits to certain professions, like highly skilled workers and expat entrepreneurs. Due to these tax advantages, the Netherlands is the home base of many multinational and international companies, including ING Group, Philips, Heineken, Unilever, and more. Numerous recruitment agencies help place foreign workers in the Dutch workforce. The average salary for an expat working in the country's capital is USD 55,975.
Cost of Living
While the average salary in the Netherlands is livable, the cost of living is higher than 72% of the countries in Western Europe. The average cost of living for a single person is roughly USD 2859 a month, making it slightly more friendly to singles or couples with no children. However, a family of four would shell out over USD 5,000 a month in expenses, including rent, groceries, transportation, entertainment, etc. While the healthcare in this country is efficient and of good quality, medical care is paid for by the individual up to a fixed cost, including fees, which can get quite expensive. Taxes are also high in the Netherlands, averaging 36.1% for individual workers and 29.1% for a family of four.
Drawbacks
If you're planning on relocating to the Netherlands, you might have some difficulty finding housing. The country is currently experiencing a housing crisis, and there is a shortage of accommodations for both expats and locals. Due to the shortage, both renting and purchasing a property can be expensive. There are "shell" apartments that are offered, but they require the tenant to furnish the home entirely, including appliances and carpets.
Bicycles are a very common mode of transportation in the Netherlands. While it’s more environmentally friendly to bike from location to location, you’ll often see cyclists weaving through traffic without a helmet. If a car and bicycle collide, the motorist is held responsible.
Final Thoughts
There are many honorable mentions for the best countries for American expats to move to in 2024: the United Kingdom, Germany, Costa Rica, Spain, and Denmark. Each country has its own charm and appeal, but the top four countries on the list surpass them all.
Ultimately, the right fit for relocation is unique to an expat's skills, education, needs, and personal preferences. While some countries may be preferable for single professionals, others may be more suitable for families and retirees.
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