US citizen looking to move abroad what countries do you recommend
Posted by itsmemario02@reddit | expats | View on Reddit | 49 comments
I've travelled extensively and I have always known I wanted to move to a different country. I'm hoping to move to an area in the country that has a Mediterranean climate similar to Southern California (but it's not a deal breaker but I'd prefer a place where it rarely snows). I'm also concerned about not being taxed crazy and great healthcare. I'm a single guy in my 30s and may have an older family member move later down the line. I'm developing my list now and it currently includes:
- Costa Rica (lived her for 6 months previously)
- Spain (somewhere near the coastline if possible love BCN)
- New Zealand (Auckland?)
- Australia (Sydney)
- Portugal
- UK (England, Scotland) + Ireland (not a huge fan of cold weather but have friends already there)
If anyone has any ideas to add or want to share their experiences I'd be extremely interested.
itsmemario02@reddit (OP)
I just wanted to follow up. I officially was approved for d7 visa in Portugal. I actually moved here a week ago the visa approval took longer than quoted which is why I moved before it was approved. It all happened pretty quickly. I visited for the first time in September of last year and moved in less than a year
Capital-Pea3123@reddit
Solid list. You’ve clearly done your homework, and your priorities make sense: good climate, decent taxes, solid healthcare.
Portugal and Spain are great starting points. Portugal’s still got some tax perks, and both countries have digital nomad visas. If you like the Barcelona vibe but want something more affordable and chill, check out Valencia. Madeira’s also worth a look if you want sunshine year-round.
Costa Rica’s a strong option, especially if you’ve already lived there. Just know some areas are getting pricier and healthcare leans private.
New Zealand and Australia both offer an amazing lifestyle but getting a long-term visa can be trickier. Plus Sydney isn’t cheap.
If you’ve got connections in the UK or Ireland, that’s a big plus socially, even if the weather isn’t ideal.
If it helps, I’ve got a free relocation kit that compares a bunch of countries on stuff like visas, healthcare, cost of living. https://getrelocateready.com/
Capital-Pea3123@reddit
Choosing the right country can be overwhelming. This free Starter Kit compares various countries based on cost, visa processes, and time zones, it could help narrow down your options: https://getrelocateready.com/
outtahere416@reddit
Contrary to popular belief, Americans don’t have free movement rights to the rest of the world.
See if you can qualify for a residence permit somewhere before picking and choosing countries.
babylemurman@reddit
Not true. US passport is pretty strong and you can enter most countries with a visa exemption and then just do a border run to stay longer. I lived in South Korea and Vietnam for many years as a tourist before eventually transitioning to a more permanent visa.
twixxyfans@reddit
I second this. I'm American currently living in South Korea on a tourist visa. I've been here for a year doing border runs every 90 days and I also did the same thing back in 2017 here.
itsmemario02@reddit (OP)
I definitely understand that part.
roxykraz@reddit
Expatsi has a free test to find out what countries you should move to.
itsmemario02@reddit (OP)
I'm in the process of moving to Portugal
Lonely_Replacement39@reddit
Keep us updated!! Hope it’s going well
Flashy_Database3398@reddit
Well… did you ever move? If so, where did you end up? If no, are in process?
curbstompedkirby_@reddit
They said portugal
curbstompedkirby_@reddit
Me too! I wanna know
blackkettle@reddit
That sounds like a nice dream.
curbstompedkirby_@reddit
They asked a question gooner. Answer politely or perish
itsmemario02@reddit (OP)
gotta start somewhere, right
Mysterious-Low-3294@reddit
Why does OP keep getting down voted for literally no reason, like when he's literally agreeing with the person
Jesus_Fart@reddit
it seems like this sub is fully committed to preaching to people and shutting down their aspirations. oh wait that's all of reddit. what a sick and strange place
curbstompedkirby_@reddit
Hey this is old but i agree with you! Reddit users hide behind a screen and act like god complexs on their little keyboard. Its super frustrating. People are asking a question and want to be educated. Half of these assholes would never show their face.
ahnotme@reddit
Anywhere in Western Europe, but not the UK. Its economic outlook isn’t that good after Brexit. It doesn’t snow a lot anywhere below the North Sea and West of the Rhine. Taxation is an overrated issue. You need to trade it off against the increased level of service you get. Lots of things you never have to worry about.
BubbaZ00@reddit
Taxation is a major consideration should you decide to live in France. Income tax, inheritance tax, and property ownership issues are all complex matters. I highly recommend that anyone considering living in France consult a specialist before making a permanent move. A realistic option: Living there 6 months out of the year (actually 5 months and 29 days). That way you're not considered a resident in the eyes of French or US law.
babylemurman@reddit
Generally Southeast Asia is the best region of the world in terms of price, safety, quality of life, and available visa options.
scottiebumich@reddit
I live in Bali (was planning on moving to Thailand next year) with my family (me, wife, son, and baby on the way). I will say that coming from the US SE Asia is where I always wanted to live, after having traveled for 4+ years backpacking before. However I will say that Living in SE Asia has so many limitations it may not be worth it. Lack of parks, most people you will 'connect' to are expats and come and go a lot to making lasting friends is close to impossible (which is becoming more important as I get older). Also, the sun is so intense as is the humidity so if you like avoiding the outdoors from 10-3 every day then you might like it. I miss forests, rivers, camping, and 'enjoying the outdoors' vs. trying to escape it. Not really wanting to return to the states, but you can always live in the North East in a small town near the mountains (think Maine or Vermont). People are liberal and outdoorsy. America can be an amazing place if you have money and don't have to live in a Suburb or City.
StarBudget6498@reddit
American move to trinidad
Mother_Background_79@reddit
There are many options, depending on several factors: why you want to move, where you're from, and what you're looking for. Check out this video https://youtu.be/hqDzIPJ83MY — it might be very helpful.
LyleLanleysMonorail@reddit
No country makes family reunion as easy like the US so you have to be prepared for the idea that you may never get the chance to move your older family member on a permanent basis with you.
simp_4_a_guy@reddit
I’m Asian American with some distant family there, so Singapore has actually been a consideration of mine, thank you for the advice
GreedyInspection6346@reddit
How about South of France? Sicily or the Canary Islands? I'm also thinking about Portugal.
I feel like the best places to get a Mediterranean climate, well is in closest to that sea! \^_\^
TonightAdventurous76@reddit
Malta, Corsica, Portugal
fromwayuphigh@reddit
Honestly, your list should start with "where do I have a good chance of achieving the right to work and residency" and proceed quickly to "what languages do I now speak passably or can learn" before anything else.
itsmemario02@reddit (OP)
that's fair
ShowerPrudent7320@reddit
I have read many forums because I am looking to help a friend in the US to emigrate, and well, let me tell you that your list is well made since, based on the answers of pros and cons, I came up with that country. Now, I would also take into consideration what they told you above, since each answer depended on whether they worked remotely, whether they knew the language (Spain), or whether they were retired. Based on the English language I saw the United Kingdom, Australia and Canada, others like Switzerland in that order, but in my personal opinion, I would choose one from the European Union. An older couple said Portugal, But Keeping your job remotely from the US. Since having European nationality you could travel to all the countries of the European Union.
akohhh@reddit
Obviously first for anywhere—is there a visa you are eligible for? Can’t live somewhere that won’t let you stay beyond a tourist visit.
My experience is with Australia and NZ, and the big thing will be that especially in Sydney and Auckland, housing availability and affordability are dire at this point. Do you have confidence that you can earn well above average income or have significant assets to liquidate for housing? Family reunion visas are expensive and long wait for Australia, don’t know about NZ, so you’d need to figure out a timeline that might be 10 years.
babylemurman@reddit
It amuses me that people think you can't live on a tourist visa. You can. Many countries do not at all prevent you from just doing border runs and resetting the clock. You can live somewhere for years like this before eventually finding a way to transition to a more long-term visa.
itsmemario02@reddit (OP)
thanks
DiBalls@reddit
Reminder we're ever you end up don't forget to file those US tax returns and work with FATCA.
Head-Truck-5955@reddit
You’re telling me I’d still have to pay US taxes whilst working abroad ?
DiBalls@reddit
You have to file, good old US the only country in the world that can tax it's citizens world wide. If you owe taxes that depends on your filed US tax paperwork.
sharrison17@reddit
Love the user name btw!!
dak0taaaa@reddit
is there a way to have a sticky thread for questions like these?
The answer is to figure out what countries you’re even eligible to work in.
itsmemario02@reddit (OP)
As you can tell I am in the very early stages of this process and a novice.
I am financially not worried about working for up to a year, but not opposed to being a digital nomad, or even finding work before I move.
I speak Spanish and could learn a new language if needed.
carltanzler@reddit
What field are you in? That would determine if you have any shot at landing a work/residence permit anywhere.
From the listed countries, only Spain and Portugal have something resembling a digital nomad visa (not sure about Costa Rica).
Most countries won't allow you to reside in their territory for more than 90 days, even if you can support yourself.
Most countries don't allow you to sponsor an elderly family member, so they would somehow need tp qualify for a residence permit in their own right. If they're retired, that would need to be some kind of retirement visa, which most countries don't have.
Pretty sure you can strike UK, Ireland, AUS, NZ off your list due to the above.
PCTOAT@reddit
Costa Rica is great, still property available and food is good but cheap. My one concern is the recent movement of drug cartels and the crackdown efforts that sound a little like they could change things there a bit.
BAFUdaGreat@reddit
r/IWantOut
Incredible__Lobster@reddit
If you ever wanna get laid - your only option is Costa Rica (from the ones you’ve presented).
sturgis252@reddit
Sometimes you can want to go somewhere but you won't find a job. Apply to a bunch of different countries and see which one sticks.
DifferentWindow1436@reddit
Starting with Costa Rica - since you speak Spanish and were eligible to live there - why not there?
Sydney - wonderful place, but insanely expensive in terms of housing. And you will realize as you get older that you don't want to (or can't afford to) be doing long haul flights everywhere. It's not really near anything.
NZ - same on distance and I am struggling to think of what industry you would work in.
Portugal - ok, closer to the US, very popular with DNs but I think they changed their visa so you would have to look into that if that is the way in. It's been one of the really popular places and good food, good wine, seems nice.
The UK isn't going to fit your bill on weather, like at all. And the NHS has been struggling.
Really it comes down to a) visa and b) job/job opps. I have had a great time being an expat for close to 20 years (PR in Japan), but tbh, if I didn't have a good job and income I would just rather have stayed in the US.
Wizerud@reddit
You need to figure out which countries have visas that you’d even qualify for first.
Rsanta7@reddit
It’s hard to recommend a place when you don’t say what type of visa you’re looking for (retirement, digital nomad, work, student, etc.). Also, great healthcare and low taxes? Choose one.