Best Countries to Move to from USA: Based on Past Travels

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Over my 35 years of travels, I’ve explored nearly 50 countries over 6 continents, and while I always love coming home, there have been some places that have made me wonder if I could pick up and move there. Whether it was the country’s lifestyle, culture, affordability, or energy, there are several countries that do stand out in my mind as ideal options for Americans to consider a move abroad. So, if you are dreaming of a fresh start overseas, I am here to provide my personal insights and thoughts on some of the best countries to move to from USA. Now, let’s dive in!

Introduction: Best Countries to Move to from USA

When thinking about possibly moving out of the USA and to another country, it can be both exciting and scary. Whether you are pondering the move for political reasons, a better lifestyle, most affordable lifestyle, or just looking for a cultural change, there are plenty of countries to move to from the USA that offer all of the above. In this guide, I will be diving into the best countries, in my opinion to move to, solely based on my personal travel experiences on places that I have visited. Now, let’s dive into these top destinations that are not only beautiful, but practical to move to as well.

1. Portugal

For me, Portugal was an unexpected gem. It was never high on my list, and honestly, I only ended up in Portugal because someone that I had met on a previous tour who lives in the same city that I live in, asked me if I wanted to go with her, and boy am I glad I did.

Portugal has incredible coastlines, has a very affordable cost of living, and the locals are very welcoming to visitors. Cities like Lisbon and Porto have a great blend of culture, history, and expat communities. As with most European countries, English is widely spoken in Portugal, particularly in larger cities, and the climate is very mild, feeling like it’s Spring every day of the year.

In addition to its mild Mediterranean climate, Portugal has an affordable cost of living, friendly residency options, and expats report excellent publish healthcare, along with living in a country that is rich in culture.

Wondering about the best countries to move to from the USA? Discover top destinations based on firsthand travel experiences.

2. Costa Rica

I have visited Costa Rica a few times now, and honestly, I absolutely love this country. They fully embrace the pura vida lifestyle. The country is green, lush, gives you that Zen feeling, is safe, and you have a variety of wildlife (friendly wildlife) at your doorsteps.

I love that you can be in the mountains on a volcano one minute, hiking through a rainforest the next, and then be on an amazing beach later in the day. Costa Rica has a very easy-going lifestyle, amazingly friendly people, fresh and delicious food, and is extremely affordable for expats to live very comfortably.

Costa Rica has a lower cost of living then most Western countries, has a great wellness culture, and incredible landscapes, a very friendly expat presence, and a very straightforward Visa process.

3. Spain

I think what I loved most about Spain was the laid-back lifestyle, the fact that business have siesta time, and they truly embrace enjoying their free time and the culture is less about work. The work/life balance of the Spainards is probably one of the best I have ever seen. Also, I am always willing and up for a midday nap!

The beaches in Spain are amazing, the food is fresh and fantastic, and the country is full of rich culture. In my opinion the country feels very affordable, they have a strong public healthcare system, and Visas seem pretty seamless to obtain.

The one aspect of living in Spain that I would struggle with personally is the very late mealtimes. Dinner can be anywhere between 9pm-11pm, and my bedtime is normally 8pm. Something to be mindful of if you are not a night owl like myself.

4. Italy

Visiting different cities in Italy felt like a dream, so I can only image what it would feel like to live there. Whether it’s the amazing food that I was completely obsessed with, the scenic coastlines and countrysides, or the vibrant cities like Venice and Rome, which are filled with history, things to do and amazing people, the quality of life here is undeniable. I have heard that the bureaucracy can be a bit of a pain, but many Americans still find it worth the effort.

What I loved most about my visits to Italy was the country’s rich history and lifestyle-focused culture, some of the smaller towns and cities are much more afford compared to the larger ones like Rome. Italy has an excellent healthcare system and there are multiple Visa paths for remote workers or retires.

5. Singapore

Visiting Singapore was a very nice surprise. I was extremely impressed with how clean the country is, how modern it was and how easy it was to get around. The food is spectacular, the people are extremely friendly, and it’s quite literally the safest country in the world.

The one con, or maybe two, is that the cost of living is higher, but well worth it for living in an ultra-clean and safe country with world-class healthcare. The other hard adjustment, at least for me, would be the humidity. Coming from a very dry climate, I would absolutely struggle, at least initially with how humid it is there.

The best things about living in Singapore though, would be the top-tier public transportation system, the excellent healthcare services, a well-regulated job market, and living in a very multi-cultural country where everyone speak English.

Conclusion: Best Countries to Move to from USA

While everyone’s ideal move abroad may look a little different based on what is important to them, these 5 countries stood out in my mind during my travels as potentially countries that I would move out of the US for. For me, it’s about finding that perfect work/life balance, affordable lifestyle, amazing food, culture, and people, that are important for me. All of these countries mentioned cover all of those aspects and so much more!

So, if you are thinking about moving abroad and are wondering what the best countries to move from the USA, I hope you dive deep into these 5 that I think would be absolutely worth moving to.