As much as we may aspire toward expatriatism for the exotic and venturesome, there’s no question that our exhilarating lives abroad can also bring feelings of isolation. There are times when being far away from home, and distant from family and friends, can weigh on our minds and atrophy our intrepid spirits.
That’s why for many of us it may be helpful to consider expatriating to a country that has a healthy combination of exoticism and familiarity; a place that’s compatible with where we’re from.
So in this vein, we’ve put together a list of the top 10 most suitable countries for American expatriates!
10. Costa Rica
Costa Rica has perhaps the most stable government in Central America, and since it’s been premised upon a proven democracy for at least the last 60 years, things are run there in a familiar way for Americans. That might be what makes Costa Rica one of the most popular destinations in the world for American expatriates. It doesn’t hurt that it’s not too far away from home either, not to mention the low cost of living.
In fact, if you’re ever feeling lonely, there’ll never be a shortage of Americans on vacation to remind you of home.
9. South Africa
South Africa has been steadily growing in popularity for American tourists, especially for students studying abroad. It’s far away from America, sure– but South Africa has that perfect combination of exoticism and familiarity. Of course, it helps that they speak english! You can start your day with an English breakfast and then finish it on a wildlife safari. It doesn’t get much better than that.
8. Mexico
Some might think Mexico is a little too close to home, but that’s also what makes it so convenient for Americans. In fact, Mexico undoubtedly houses more American expatriates than any other country in the world. Combined with the low cost of living and the intense familiarity of the culture to any American from the Southwestern United States, Mexico makes a cozy destination for the weary yankee.
7. Spain
Spain has a lower cost of living compared with central and northern Europe. Mix that with its dynamic location and lively culture and it’s clear why Spain has become a top destination for expats from around the world. The European culture will be familiar and accessible for Americans, and getting around speaking only english should be a breeze.
Spain also has historical and cultural wealth that’ll keep any expat’s mind afloat. Also, it’s become an extremely popular destination for college students.
6. Brazil
With Brazil’s burgeoning worldpower economy and the steady need for english teachers, it’s become a favorite location for American expats. That stable economy means jobs, and the cost of living in Brazil is still fairly low. The culture is diverse, yet remarkably friendly to Americans, and it’s another country with just the right mix of exoticism and familiarity.
Compared with most other South American countries, it’s easier to get around here speaking only english.
5. Italy
Italy’s appeal is similar to that of Spain’s on this list, but with Italy you get just a little bit more. The cultural history is magnificant here, there’s a stronger American expat presence, and in just about every city or town with a university you’ll find American college students studying abroad. And come on– it’s Italy!
4. Australia
Randy Newman once joked of Australia, “[America's] building its own American amusement park there.” Indeed, Australian culture will easily be the most familar to the American among this list. English-speaking, BBQing, beer drinking Australia has a lot to offer the American. But with Australia you get a little more of the rugged and adventurous.
It also helps that the Australian dollar still comes at a good exchange rate. And they’ve got surfing too!
3. Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is among the cheapest places for Americans to live in Europe, and there’s always a high demand here for english teachers. Those factors alone might make it the most suitable country in Europe for American expats.
It doesn’t hurt that it’s a beautiful country with a rich cultural history. People here are particularly friendly to Americans, and positioned right in the middle of Europe, you’re just a train ride away from everything the continent has to offer.
2. Thailand
Thailand’s culture might be less familiar to Americans than any other on this list, but the country makes up for it in every other category. Thanks to the Amity Treaty of 1968, American companies have to jump through fewer hoops than any other nationality to operate here. The people are exceptionally kind and welcoming, cost of living is cheap and there’s a continuous and voracious need for english teachers. Thailand puts out a serious effort to lure the American expat. As much as you want to go there, they want you to stay even more.
It’s become one of the top places in Asia for American tourists, youth backpackers and, of course, expats. Admittedly, it also gets extra points for closest resembling paradise. You’ll instantly forget where you came from the moment you step off that plane.
1. Argentina
First and foremost, Buenos Aires made our list for one of the cheapest cities in the world for American expats to live in. That gives this beautiful, diverse, and inexorably friendly country major props on this list too. Among South American countries, getting around here speaking English is relatively simple, and the cultural wealth is the only thing that matches its landscape.
Argentina is receptive to Americans. It’s a top location for students, and the standard of living relative to the cost of living is unmatched. There’s no surprise why American expats are flocking here, and we recommend you do the same. Argentina strikes just the right balance among all the things considered among this list.
Here’s how we determined the list:
First off, we considered how receptive the locals were to Americans– is the local culture open to American values? Are they welcoming to yanks? Next, we looked at how popular the destination was for Americans who have already expatriated. Are there plenty of homegrowns who you can meet and befriend? Is there already a thriving community from the U.S. there? We also considered how easy it is to get around speaking only english, and also looked at similarities between the local culture and America. Do local customs overlap with American ones? Lastly, we considered certain practical necessities, such as how easy it would be for Americans to find jobs there, and whether the location was affordable (this is how we eliminated places like the UK, France, or Japan from the list– too expensive, despite doing well at all the other categories!). We also admit to a heavy dose of subjectivity involved in the rankings.
I happened across this site while seeking information about other countries where 1) the cost of living for retirees is much lower than here in the U.S. 2)is relatively safe and 3) has decent medical care. I took note that there are some differences of opinion with regard to some of the ten countries mentioned. Thailand is the only one of the 10 where I have spent some time. The cost of living is 1/3 or less of what it is here in the states meets my wish list. I have a friend who lives there who advised me that the recent political uproar was confined to Bangkok and in no way endangered tourists or expats living in the city.
And then I got to the two postings just above mine, the one from Alice having next to nothing to say about the purpose of this site (that we should all stay home and, apparently, suffer together). I hope that on my next visit here some semblance of normality has returned, that people get away from political ranting about the U.S. (though I do admit puzzlement about “the caveats in the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights”) and confine themselves to useful information about the 10 countries on this site’s list (or any other country that may be worth consideration).
I live in Thailand. It is the best place I have ever lived. Bangkok is cheap, safe and has almost everything a person can imagine. I can’t find my favourite salsa or my favourite cereal but I love Thai food!
The internet service is great.
The 2 countries that surprised me were the Czech Rep and South Africa. The others I would definitely move to. Thailand, Costa Rica and then Argentina would be my top 3. I love the mountains and the ocean! I like this site…it pushing me to do what I’ve wanted to do for a few years now.
Dearest Bonnie,
Thank you for commenting on my expatriation plea for Americans to stay grounded in the United States. America is not an island. We are part of the broader world economics, as the other states [countries]of the world are a part of ours.
But this current Obama administration is savagely cannibalistic, and to save our precious young, as well as all the children of the world, we MUST sacrifice ourselves. In its own way it is quite the adventure, yes? The U.S.A. is the last bastion of freedom on Earth. Where might the throngs run to if its freedoms were snuffed out?
“Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-lost to me.” ~ Lady Liberty
I propose we stay and be Clark Kent Supermen (and women) and fight for “Truth, Justice and the American way.” To make better use of a quite-out-of-context two word phrase from the Obama annals: ,it IS the “GOOD WAR”!
For God and Country, stay here with me and find the purple mountain majesties that await us; the reward of the true patriot: America, the beautiful. Land of the free, home of the brave. Stand with me, and to my dying day, I solemnly swear, I SHALL STAND WITH YOU!
____________
Peace be with us all, my compatriots.
With much affection,
Alice Liddell, through the looking glass
P.S. Bonnie, your name is in a Scottish folk song:
My Bonnie lies over the ocean
My Bonnie lies over the sea
My Bonnie lies over the ocean
Oh bring back my Bonnie to me
I sing it with every breath in my body to you now.
I have always dreamed of living in Italy and was doing a search when I came upon this website. I was reading the comments and I feel that ones personal political beliefs are out of place here. As an African American and supporter of President Barack Obama I am offended by the comments about his administration and I hope this website is not going to turn out to be filled with Obama haters who wants to make leaving this country all about who is now our current president.
Please do not spoil what could be a wonderful website with political hatred. You have the right to believe as you do, but I feel there are places more appropriate to air political views especially such strong hate filled ones.
Instead raise your consciousness Higher and see people as God sees people. The world would be a much better place.
Leaving America for another country for me is not about hating our government (even though it is far from perfect, but that didn’t start with President Obama), but about adventure and getting to know people of other countries in their own environment. It is also about the fun of travel and experiencing the world.
Peace, Love, Harmony!
What a wonderful website for potential future expatriates, seeking either adventure, a new culture, or a more affordable lifestyle, than can be found in the USA
Speaking for myself, I did not prepare for myself, well, during my younger working years, and find that Social Security alone just isn’t enough to get by on for any quality of life, and it was never intended to be so. Further, the weather climate in South Carolina, where I have lived for the past 16 plus years, has become too hot in the summer, and too cold in the winter…a clear disappointment.
As for the political climate…well, let’s just say that that has become as nasty and distasteful as the weather climate. I don’t totally disagree with either Alice or Xenia, in that we Americans probably should stand firm and fight the good fight for a return to normal American principles, and yes, to see our fellow man as God does see him, pure and perfect, made in His image and likeness.
But I am wearying of looking over my shoulder (so to speak) and watching a government do contemptible and unbelievably unAmerican things, and worrying whether or not we are forever slipping into an abyss of socialism and future totalitarianism. If traditionally free and opportunity laden America is slipping from our grasp, I would prefer to be somewhere where not only the weather is milder and more moderate year-round, but the political climate be more moderate and less electrically charged than it is here in the USA.
No…let’s not let this site become a forum for political debate, but let’s remember….if Americans were totally satisfied with life in a very rich and diversified country as the USA, they would not be thinking of becoming expatriates. I want to wake up in the morning, at long last, and not read or hear about awful things going on, and worse, perpetrated by my own government. I am long tired of that. I may not do it, but I am looking. No place on earth is perfect; but once, the USA came close. I can’t say that any longer.
Bob Simmons, South Carolina
I certainly got a kick out of Alice Liddell’s blustering. I find it interesting to note her use of the phrase “Truth, Justice and the American Way”. What that means of course, is that there is truth; there is justice; and there is the American Way, which, by definition, is NEITHER truth nor justice.
We retired in Nicaragua about 15 months ago and we love it here. Some of the things we like are: (1)the cost of living is easily 1/2 of that in the US, (2)our healthcare (including an International Health Insurance policy which also covers the US and Canada) is running 55%-65% less and the care is superior!(I know Americans find this hard to believe) in most areas, (3)the people are warm, happy and very friendly, (4)great, inexpensive food and excellent restaurants, (5)safety – this is a poor country, yet it is as safe or safer than any place we’ve been (including the US and the other 22 countries we’ve visited),(6)beautiful scenery, (7)easy access to visiting relatives in the US-direct flights to Miami, Houston and LA,(8)excellent internet access, TV (cable and satellite), vonage, etc. and (9)an active and engaging expat community. Yes, we have Daniel Ortega, but we find the government here has less impact on us than that in the US. The Sandanistas are all capitalists now with personal holdings in property, hotels, etc.-property ownership rights are not a problem. (but if you’re worried, just rent!) To summarize, if you are retiring and want to live a 1st class lifestyle at much less than you can afford in the US, check this out.
The wife and I are considering retirement in Ecuador, in fact we are planning a working vacation to Ecuador in Jan or Feb of 2011. I would like to find an North American expat to hold our hands during a 7 day visit, Please refer me to one who can do this for us. Thank You
Alice Lidell wrote:
“But this current Obama administration is savagely cannibalistic…”
Bob Simmons wrote:
“But I am wearying of looking over my shoulder (so to speak) and watching a government do contemptible and unbelievably unAmerican things, and worrying whether or not we are forever slipping into an abyss of socialism and future totalitarianism.”
Ha! You know, it’s funny. I was looking at this site to see if I could escape the systematic dismantling and disintegration of American society at the hands of Conservatives over the last thirty years and the lost of civil liberties to the neo-fascism of the Glenn Beck and the Tea Party. Guess it just goes to show ya, no matter where you’re coming from the grass is always greener.
LIVED IN SPAIN FOR 10 YEARS NOW,LEFT THAT HELL HOLE DETRIOT AND AMERIKA. GET MY SPANISH CITZENSHIP NEXT YEAR.
LIVE IN A SMALL VILLAGE AND AM MORE RELAXED THEN EVER…..
@Bob Simmons, sir:
Do you really think after all of your political statements, beginning your last paragraph with “No…let’s not let this site become a forum for political debate, but let’s remember….” excuses what you actually did?
Please let us know what country you end up in – I want to make sure I do not settle there!
Also, the world climate has changed and continues to do so. People may want to consider that in making their choices.
Can anyone provide knowledge about which ex-pat countries to avoid if you are an American who wants to escape the toxic environment of contemporary US emotionalism and reactionary politics?