Exploring New Opportunities: Best Countries for Expats Around the World

“Not all those who wander are lost” – JRR Tolkien

While Tolkien was referring to the two Hobbits making their first journey outside their country, it is easy to see how this applies to many expats even today. The feeling of wanting to move to newer pastures is a natural one. There are usually several reasons behind it, including the need for professional or personal growth. In any case, if you’re wondering which country you should move to in order to start a new chapter in your life, here’s a list of the best countries for expats around the world.

I should add that this list is in no particular order and each country comes with its pros and cons.  

Ireland

Like its more famous English neighbor, Ireland has been a preferred choice amongst young adults looking for international exposure. What sets Ireland apart from some of the other names on this list is the residents’ way of life.

Not only does Ireland rank highly in terms of quality of life, but it also scores well in terms of schooling and integration. Diversity has always been Ireland’s strength as it has traditionally been good to anyone willing to work hard for their share.

Fair warning though, the excessive rains and rare sunny days might seem enjoyable at first but can become a nuisance fairly soon. That’s something you might want to keep in mind if you savor your trips to the beach.

Mexico

Unlike what you may have seen in movies and TV shows, Mexico is an extremely vibrant and dynamic country to be in. Mexico has routinely ranked amongst the best countries for expats because of its low cost of living as well as its reputation as an attractive tourist destination.

Expats in Mexico live in some of the highest quality homes, enjoy vacations at mesmerizing tourist locations, and appreciate being in a country with such an active social life. Additionally, other vital services like healthcare and education are extremely affordable. This further enhances Mexico’s reputation as a friendly destination for expats.

India

It might seem like an odd choice, but if you’re someone that has always longed for spirituality in life, India is right there at the top. Additionally, a rising economic superpower, India draws thousands of expats looking for new business opportunities.

What sets India apart from some of the other names in this list is the extremely affordable living costs. Healthcare, groceries, household goods, rent, and clothing expenses for a month can end up costing you just a few hundred dollars per month.

Additionally, the country is one of the most vibrant and diverse nations on the planet. Some extraordinary tourist locations, like the Taj Mahal, the Red Fort, and so many other locations make it one of the best countries for expats to retire in.

Vietnam

Vietnam has made tremendous strides in terms of infrastructure, healthcare, education, and entertainment in the past couple of decades. This has been enough for the country to become a popular destination as one of the best countries for expats.

Vietnamese cuisine is one of the primary reasons why people rank the country so high, and it has similar high ranks in terms of culture, and hospitality. Vietnam’s dynamic social life means that it’s easy to make local friends and enjoy an active lifestyle.

United Arab Emirates

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has made a name for itself as an economic hub of not just Asia but of the world. Its great accommodations, world-famous hotels, malls, infrastructure, and hospitality make it an automatic contender as one of the best countries for expats.

However, the country has some strict internet policies in place. This includes a ban on services like Facebook Messenger and Skype. While the UAE is a phenomenal place to work in, the excessive internet regulations can make things difficult in terms of your life outside work. You may need a VPN to get around their restrictions.

Australia

Australia’s always been a fascinating country as far as expats go. The past few decades have seen the country marshal on and achieve economic, political, and diplomatic footing on the global stage.

Expats living in the country routinely point towards the active lifestyle that the country has to offer. Australia has always ranked highly in the list of best countries for expats because of the sheer promise of success for anyone willing to work for it.

Australia also offers one of the most easy-to-obtain work permits around the world. This allows expats to immediately start generating income without the barrage of bureaucratic paperwork that some of the other countries on this list would make you go through.

Germany

It’s easy to see why Germany is highly regarded as perhaps the best country for expats. It has the lowest average working hours around the world (26 hours a week). More than 70% of all workers, citizens, and expats believe the country offers the best work and life balance in the world.

Additionally, Germany has a highly stable political and economic system that has allowed the country to focus on providing its citizens with the best services in terms of infrastructure, education, healthcare, and low crime rates.

Your only problem in Germany might be the high living costs compared to some of the other names on this list.

Privacy Tools In the Best Countries for Expats

It doesn’t matter which of these countries you end up choosing, you’re going to need additional tools to guarantee your privacy. The reason is that several of these countries are active members of the 5/9/14 Eyes Alliance. This intelligence sharing agreement means that your internet activity can be monitored and shared between several intelligence organizations.

Similarly, several of these countries have censorship laws that would make accessing your favorite services like Skype, WhatsApp, and Facebook Messenger a lot more difficult. Thankfully, there’s an easy solution to both these conundrums: a reliable VPN. I’d strongly recommend PureVPN. Its 2,000+ servers in 140+ countries ensure seamless access to any service you want without any trouble. Similarly, its dependable AES 256-bit bank-grade encryption guarantees you safety from any prying eyes online.