Lilly Graves is a Los Angeles-based travel writer, photographer, and trip planner. It has never been easier for Americans to take the plunge on moving abroad as remote work frees people to relocate to new cities and countries. While there are many nations to consider for your new home, we've narrowed down this list of the best countries for expats by prioritizing a range of factors including safety, friendliness, quality of life, and access to culture and outdoor activities.
Other major aspects to consider in your search include work-life balance and the cost of living. For this article, we also factored in the latest survey by InterNations , which was answered by nearly 12, expats representing nationalities in countries or territories, and ranks the world's best cities for expats. In such a connected world, you may find yourself putting in longer hours to stay in touch with colleagues and clients in different time zones. This can lead to isolation and exhaustion.
You'll want to pick a country that offers a healthy and productive work-life balance. Look into co-working spaces, community events, clubs, gyms, and access to serotonin-inducing activities — like running groups, cooking classes, and language courses — all of which can help you keep the balance and mingle with locals and fellow expats. A major factor, if not the most important one, when considering a move abroad is the cost of living. This umbrella term covers the price of housing, of course, but also healthcare, taxes, and tax incentives as well as transportation and things like internet, groceries, dining out, and even your daily cappuccino.
If budget is a concern, look beyond the biggest and most expensive city of the country you're interested in and consider smaller cities and up-and-coming tech hubs where you can find lower prices and, potentially, a better quality of life. To help you get started, here are 20 of the best countries for expats and some practical steps to make your dreams a reality. The trendsetting country on the Atlantic continues to attract young expats, particularly entrepreneurs, given its relatively low cost of living and welcoming business incentives that help stretch your hard-earned dollars.
Lisbon is usually the first choice city, but also consider Porto , which is buzzing with creative energy as a manufacturing and textile hub. On a day off, take advantage of the city's hilly, cobbled streets with cool cafes, historic churches, and port distilleries. You can also ride your bike to a string of beaches, or take a boat ride through the Douro Valley, the oldest wine region in Europe.
