To Pastures New: The Best Countries for American Expats

The United States has long enjoyed a reputation as the top choice of foreign expats from all over the world. Millions have moved here with nothing and made a fortune for themselves. But what about when Americans want (or need) to leave the country? There are times when local Americans feel the need to move outside to grow, both personally, professionally, and for some, even politically. Keeping that in mind, here are some of the best countries for American expats to consider.

I should clarify that this list is in no particular order. Each of these countries offers something unique and exciting as one of the best countries for American expats to retire or perhaps enjoy a prolonged vacation.  

The Czech Republic

The Czech Republic offers you everything you’d want from a historic European city that is embracing modernism without abandoning its roots. Walking in downtown Prague, you can see the stunning medieval architecture, modern libraries and universities, and timeless galleries. Outside of big metropolitans, the Czech Republic boasts one of the most beautiful sceneries in Europe that regularly attracts millions from around the world. As far as the best countries for American expats go, Czech Republic should definitely be a worthy contender.

New Zealand

New Zealand saw a boom in both tourism and foreign expats after the Lord of the Rings movies were filmed. In a way, the movies have been the best marketing campaign the country could’ve hoped for. All those beautiful visuals and landscapes you see in the LoTR and the Hobbit movies are present in New Zealand.

More than that, American expats will feel right at home thanks to the country’s incredibly friendly social attitude. Additionally, the country offers easily obtainable work permits and emigrations visas, making it one of the best countries for American expats.

Germany

What’s not to love about a country famous for its beer, wine, schnitzels, and of course, the Autobahn. But more than that, Germany sits right in the heart of Europe, allowing you easy access to almost any part of Europe if you wish to travel. Moreover, Germany’s penchant for tech startups, parties, and a healthy work-life balance means that it is one of the best European countries for Americans.

Thailand

There are a lot of reasons why Thailand sees millions of American tourists every year. The top reasons include the delightful cuisine, the friendliness towards foreigners, remarkable infrastructure, and most importantly, super-low living costs. A monthly income of $600 is enough for you to afford an apartment in one of the posh districts, maintain a car, and go on regular outings.

You can’t buy any property since foreigners aren’t allowed to buy any real estate, though. But with almost everything so inexpensive and top-notch quality, it ranks as one of the best and inexpensive countries for American expats.

Canada

In a lot of ways, it’s always been like a second home for Americans. Even when you move there, you’ll see plenty of similarities in terms of culture, art, and language (unless you’re in Quebec). Thanks to the US Dollar still being stronger, you can move to Canada and continue living the same lifestyle at a much lower cost. Some benefits you won’t find in the US include lower crime rates, a far more affordable healthcare and education, and nature. 

Canada’s mountains and glaciers already enjoy a tremendous reputation around the world. So, if you’re someone that’s always felt cut off from nature, then you’d fit right in considering how their version of the New Yorker is named after a sea mammal.

France

Reasons to move to France? 35-hour workweek, 90-minute lunch breaks, widest selection of wines at every meal, football, diversity… I could go on and on. You’ll hardly go an hour without passing a building or a road that has an interesting bit of history attached to it. Unlike what many foreigners believe, France has much more to offer than just Paris such as the restaurants in Lyon, the beaches in Cannes, the vineyards in Champagne, and the wines of Marseille. It ranks as one of the best countries for American expats to retire in and enjoy life to its fullest.

South Korea

South Korea is likely to give you the impression of a bustling American metropolitan considering how much emphasis the country places on work. That’s one of the reasons why South Korea has the fastest Wi-Fi connections, modern public transit, and several other technological advances that’ll surely leave you impressed. But within this work-obsessed country, you’ll also find entertainment easy to come by thanks to their obsession with baseball and late-night partying.

Moreover, South Korea promotes English within their society just as much as Korean with street signs and numerous other texts present in both languages. This would make it incredibly easy for you to live and enjoy your time in the country as an American expat.  

Peru

Peru should be at the top of your list when it comes to the best South American countries for American expats. The local cuisine is an amalgamation of Andean, Japanese, Chinese, and the ever-enduring Incan influence. Moving on from food, it is a hiker’s paradise as the country’s filled with historic trails such as the Inca trail, Machu Picchu, and the Nazca Lines, to name a few. Peru has several legislations in place that welcome foreign investment and knowledge to prop up the local economy. Most importantly, Peruvians have been known to genuinely like Americans, making it one of the best places to move.

Stay Safe Wherever You Go

All of the countries listed above offer something new to Americans looking to move abroad. However, most of these countries are either part of the notorious 5/9/14 Eyes Alliance or have been known to cooperate with them. This means that it is likely that your internet activities may be monitored, perhaps even more closely than in the US.

Luckily, there’s an easy way to retain your right to privacy over the internet no matter where you move: a reliable VPN. The best one on the market would be PureVPN thanks to its 2,000+ servers operating from 140+ countries. Additionally, you’re secured via AES 256-bit encryption ensuring that all your internet activities are safe from any prying eyes.