The 9 Best Countries to Move to From USA in 2024

Americans should consider moving abroad for a fresh perspective, cultural immersion, and diverse experiences. Living in another country broadens horizons, and offers a chance to appreciate alternative lifestyles.

In this article, we’ll take a look at how embracing international living can enhance one’s worldview, which countries provide unique opportunities for career and personal development, and what your options are for emigrating from the US.

Why move abroad?

People choose to move abroad for myriad reasons, each shaped by personal dreams, professional ambitions, and a yearning for change.

A key driver is often career advancement, with individuals venturing across borders to seize job opportunities that promise growth, competitive salaries, or specialization in niche fields.

This is particularly magnetic in globally-operating industries, where working abroad not only means achieving professional milestones but also acquiring unique skills and experiences.

Here are some of the best reasons people emigrate from the USA.

Cultural Enrichment

Living in a foreign country provides a unique opportunity to immerse oneself in a new culture. Exposure to different traditions, languages, and perspectives can broaden one’s horizons and foster growth. It encourages tolerance and adaptability while expanding one’s worldview.

Career Opportunities and Education

Plenty of Americans find lucrative job prospects overseas, particularly in industries like technology, finance, and education. Working abroad can enhance your professional skills, boost your resume, and open doors to global networking opportunities. International education is often highly regarded and can be more affordable in some countries. Sending your children to schools abroad can provide them with a well-rounded education and exposure to diverse perspectives.

Healthcare and Quality of Life

Some countries offer excellent and affordable healthcare systems, relieving the financial burden of medical expenses that can be challenging in the United States. Different countries may offer a higher quality of life in terms of work-life balance, safety, healthcare, and social services. Access to beautiful natural landscapes, diverse cuisines, and unique experiences can significantly enhance your day-to-day life.

Adventure and Exploration

Moving abroad can be an exciting adventure. Exploring new landscapes, trying new foods, and embarking on cultural adventures can be incredibly enriching and fulfilling.

Personal Growth

Living abroad often necessitates stepping out of one’s comfort zone, which can lead to personal growth, increased self-confidence, and resilience. You’ll learn to adapt to new challenges, become more independent, and gain a broader perspective on life.

Escape from Political or Social Issues

Some Americans may choose to move abroad to escape political instability, social unrest, or other issues affecting their homeland. A change of environment can provide a fresh start and peace of mind.

The Best Countries for Americans to Move to in 2024

Moving to a foreign country is challenging, whether it is from Central America or Southeast Asia. That’s why many people prefer to do it only once in their lives, ensuring that they thoroughly explore their options before deciding on the best and easiest countries to move to.

For digital nomads, this isn’t too much of a concern, as they can freely move from one country to the next. But when you decide to put down roots in a new country, you must pick livable cities that won’t you long for home. Luckily, there are a few excellent options that should tick all your boxes, which include countries with great food, universal healthcare and affordable living expenses.

While most of the countries don’t have English as their official language, many expats in these regions are more than willing to lend a hand. Whether you need help with deciphering housing prices, are concerned about personal safety or are unsure how you’ll handle the culture shock, fellow expats are only a call away.

Here is a selection of some of the best countries to move to from the USA, particularly if you are looking for a laid-back lifestyle, excellent quality of life and low crime.

Portugal

According to our Global Intelligence Report on retirement for US citizens, Portugal is one of the safest countries in the world. It also boasts of a thriving economy, great standards of living, top class healthcare, welcoming and warm people and great work and business opportunities.

The country is also affordable in comparison to other European countries. The cost of living in Portugal is around 30% less when compared with the United States of America. All these factors make Portugal one of the best countries for Americans to live in.

If you are an American, it is quite easy to move to Portugal via the D7 Visa program or the Portugal Golden Visa Scheme. The country offers tax-free crypto regulations, making Portugal a popular destination among US based crypto currency traders.

Benefits of Portugal

Americans moving to Portugal can enjoy the following advantages:

• Through the Portugal Golden Visa Program, American expats can obtain a five year residency visa in Portugal in return for an economic investment. Therefore, it is convenient for Americans to move to Portugal.
• The country has great weather throughout the year
• World class education and healthcare system
• Low cost of living and comparatively more affordable than many other western countries when it comes to real-estate costs. In addition to this, the expenditure on rent is around 50% lower than that of the United States.
• Portugal is relatively safe and has lower crime rates than the United States
• The cost of food, especially in terms of restaurant prices, is around 42% lower in comparison to the United States.

Language

If you are in the capital city of Lisbon or in another popular tourist destination, you will easily come across English speakers. So if you are an American expat living in Portugal, you can easily communicate with people around you. If you are traveling to the interior parts of the country, finding English speakers might be a little difficult, so understanding and learning a little bit of Portuguese might come in very handy.

Spain

Be it the picturesque topography, rich history and culture, mind-blowing food scenes, excellent international schools, economic opportunities, relaxed lifestyle, and welcoming people, Spain has it all.

With the introduction of the Spain Golden Visa scheme, the country has emerged as a favourite among international expats.

As per the Spanish Golden Visa program, international expats can obtain Spanish residency in return of an economic investment in the country, which can ultimately lead to Spanish citizenship.

Since the Spanish passport is among one of the strongest passport in the world, it has emerged as one of the most suitable countries for relocation.

Benefits of Spain

• High standard of living and quality of life
• You can get citizenship to Spain in exchange for an economic investment
• Diverse investment opportunities
• Access to visa-free travel across the Schengen area
• The rent prices in Spain are almost 50% less than in the United States
• Restaurant prices in Spain are around 24% lower than in the United States

Language

More than half of the population in Spain doesn’t speak English. However, if you are traveling across popular tourist spots or important cities in the country, you will definitely come across English-speaking people in Spain.

However, the main language of Catalonia (where Barcelona is), an autonomous community in Spain, is Catalan. While Spanish is also widely spoken, Catalan is the region’s distinct language, deeply ingrained in its cultural and social identity.

Cyprus

Nestled between Greece and Turkey, Cyprus is a small Mediterranean country. From its beautiful coastal landscape, pleasant climate, exquisite beach lifestyle, and low cost of living, to tax benefits and political stability, Cyprus offers its citizens a high quality of life.

This is why the country is gaining enormous popularity among international expats, especially US citizens, and is certainly amongst the best countries to move to.

Expats must note that Cyprus no longer offers the Citizenship by Investment program.

Benefits of Cyprus

• Amazing climate all year long
• Thriving economy and exciting commerce opportunities
• Numerous international schools and top-class healthcare infrastructure
• Access to quality lifestyle
• Has one of the lowest income tax rates in comparison to other countries in the European Union
• Low crime rates

Language

English is widely spoken in the country. So if you are an American citizen, you will find it easy to communicate in the country.

Malta

This island in the European Union has world famous diving spots, a rich cultural legacy, a beautiful climate, delectable cuisines, excellent healthcare, a large expat community, and more.

Also, the Malta Citizenship By Naturalization For Exceptional Service By Direct Investment program makes it one of the easiest countries for US citizens to move to.

Benefits of Malta

• The country has a politically stable environment
• A booming economy with numerous investment opportunities
• Economical cost of living but high quality of life
• Amazing weather and culture

In addition to all these, English is the official language of Malta and the majority of the population in the country is well-versed in English, making it highly suitable for American expats and often considered the easiest European country to move to from USA.

Dominica

Dominica, officially the Commonwealth of Dominica, is an island nation in the Caribbean Sea.

Not to be confused with the Dominican Republic, Dominica is known for its lush natural beauty, including rainforests, waterfalls, and rare plant and animal life.

It’s often called the “Nature Isle of the Caribbean” due to its unspoiled environment. The capital, Roseau, is a blend of modern and colonial architecture. The island has a rich cultural heritage influenced by African, European, and indigenous Carib peoples.

Its economy primarily depends on agriculture and tourism, and the official language is English, reflecting its history as a former British colony.

Benefits of living in Dominica

• Safe and secure country with almost no crime
• Low cost of living in comparison to the United States
• Welcoming population
• Access to a healthy and calm lifestyle
• You don’t have to pay any global income, wealth and inheritance tax
• You can avail expat health insurance schemes in this country
• As Dominica is located very near to the United States, relocation for American expats is comparatively easier
• You can obtain the Dominica passport through the Dominica Citizenship by Investment program.

For more details on Dominica, you can visit our blog: What You Need To Know About Moving to Dominica and Citizenship by Investment in Dominica.

Language

As English is the official language of the country, it is widely spoken across Dominica. So, if you are an American, you will hardly have any problem exploring Dominica.

Antigua and Barbuda

Famous for its gorgeous white sand beaches, beautiful sunny weather and natural wonders, the island of Antigua and Barbuda is a peaceful haven for Americans looking to relocate.

If you obtain a passport in this country, you can also travel visa-free to around 130 countries across the world.

Through the Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment program, you can acquire a passport within a very short period of time and enjoy many benefits.

These include the fact that – there are no travel requirements that you need to fulfill, you can include your family in the passport application process, and you can acquire citizenship in return for a minimum investment of $100,000. 

Benefits of living in Antigua and Barbuda

• Beautiful beaches, stunning landscapes and mesmerizing views across the country
• The citizens of the country are friendly and warm
• The country reports less crimes  compared to the US
• You can obtain a passport in this country easily through the Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship By Investment Program
• Tax-friendly country

Language

English is the official language in this country, making it extremely easy for American expats to navigate the island.

St Kitts and Nevis

Located in the Caribbean region, this beautiful dual-island nation of St Kitts and Nevis has stunning beaches, an amazing tropical climate, and spectacular topography.

The small country offers a good life to its citizens and the culmination of nature and modern infrastructure in the country ensures a perfect work-life balance for its residents.

Through the St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment Program, a US citizen and citizens from other international countries can obtain second citizenship and become a permanent resident in St Kitts and Nevis.

The citizenship by investment program offered by the country has various advantages, such as:-

• You don’t have to stay for a particular period of time to seek permanent residency.
• You can include your entire family in this process.
• You can obtain the passport for St Kitts and Nevis in exchange for a minimum investment of $150,000.
• You can obtain a Caribbean passport within a very short period of time – around two months.

Benefits of living in St Kitts and Nevis

• With a St Kitts and Nevis passport, you can travel to more than 156 countries in the world.
• If you are a citizen of St Kitts and Nevis, future generations can get citizenship by descent.
• As one of the member nations of the Commonwealth, St Kitts and Nevis offers certain benefits to its citizens which is applicable in the UK and other countries that are members of the Commonwealth.
• St Kitts and Nevis allows dual citizenship. Therefore, US citizens can choose to not renounce their US passport if they become a citizen of this country.
• A Thriving economy.

Language

English is the official language of the island nation and is therefore commonly spoken across the country. You will very easily find people speaking English in the country who can help you in your day to day life.

Grenada

Grenada, an island in the Caribbean, is part of the Grenadines in the southeastern Caribbean Sea.

Known as the “Island of Spice,” Grenada is one of the world’s largest exporters of nutmeg and mace. Its capital, St. George’s, is famed for its colorful homes, Georgian buildings, and early-18th-century Fort George.

The island’s landscape includes gorgeous beaches, fragrant spice plantations, and lush rainforests. Grenada’s culture is a vibrant blend of African, East Indian, and European influences, evident in its music, festivals, and cuisine.

The economy is primarily based on agriculture, tourism, and manufacturing.

Moreover, the Grenada Citizenship by Investment program has numerous benefits:

• You don’t have to fulfill any residency requirement
• You can obtain Grenada citizenship in exchange for a qualifying economic investment of $150,000.
• You can include your entire family in the citizenship application process.
• The turnaround time is very quick for the citizenship process. You can get citizenship within a very short period of two months. All these factors make Grenada one of the best countries to move to for US citizens

Benefits of living in Grenada

• Beautiful and safe Caribbean nation
• Like most countries in the Caribbean region, Grenada also has a loving and welcoming population
• US citizens can avail direct flights to Grenada
• High standards of living
• Have various tax exemptions for American expats
• Day to day expenses are lower in comparison to the United States of America
• Thriving economy and real-estate market

These important elements make Grenada one of the best countries for Americans to retire to.

Language

If you are living abroad, the language barrier can make it hard to integrate into the culture of the country. Therefore, if you are an American, Grenada is one of the best countries to move to, as English is the official language in the country. If you are interested in learning more about Grenada, you can read this article: Moving to Grenada From US Guide.

Saint Lucia

St Lucia is a sovereign island country in the eastern Caribbean Sea, known for its dramatic landscape of mountains, rainforests, and golden beaches.

It’s particularly famous for the Pitons, two striking volcanic peaks and a UNESCO World Heritage site. The capital, Castries, is a popular cruise ship port with vibrant markets and colonial architecture.

The island’s rich cultural heritage is a blend of African, French, and British influences, evident in its Creole cuisine, music, and festivals like the annual Jazz Festival. The economy relies heavily on tourism, banana production, and light manufacturing.

All these make the country’s fairly newly introduced Citizenship by Investment program one of the most popular schemes among international citizens, including American expats.

The citizenship by investment program has numerous benefits, such as:

• There are no residency requirements
• You can obtain citizenship in exchange for an economic investment of $100,000.
• You can also include your whole family in the application. But do note that additional family members will require additional fees.
• You can get a permanent residence and obtain Caribbean citizenship within a time frame of just four months.

Benefits

• The country is close to the United States and is well-connected
• There are various tax exemptions for American expats
• The cost of living is low in comparison to the United States
• Access to high quality of life
• Access to private health insurance

After obtaining residency in the country, you will need to wait for two years to apply for citizenship.

Language

The official language of the country is English, making it one of the best countries for expats to retire, especially if they are Americans. 

If you are an American planning to relocate to a different country, you should check out the following article:

• Best places for Americans to live abroad

How Can Global Citizen Solutions Help You?

Global Citizen Solutions is a boutique migration consultancy firm with years of experience delivering bespoke residence and citizenship by investment solutions for international families. With offices worldwide and an experienced, hands-on team, we have helped hundreds of clients worldwide acquire citizenship, residence visas, or homes while diversifying their portfolios with robust investments. 

We guide you from start to finish, taking you beyond your citizenship or residency by investment application. 

Frequently Asked Questions About What Countries Can Americans Move To

Best country to move to with a family?

When it comes to the best countries for American families, Portugal is a top choice.

In terms of safety, standard of living, cost of living, world class education and healthcare, economic ventures, and more, the major cities in Portugal are definitely suitable for American expats to relocate and live.

What are the best European countries to move to from USA?

Owing to its safety, political stability and thriving economy, Portugal, Spain, Finland and Ireland are some of the best European countries to move to from the United States of America.

What country is easiest to move to from USA?

Portugal, Malta and Spain are some of the easiest countries to relocate to from the United States. Americans can either gain permanent residency or apply for citizenships via each country’s Citizenship by Invest programs.

Which are some of the best countries for expats to retire?

Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, Canada, and New Zealand are some of the best countries for American expats to retire in.

What country do most US citizens move to?

As per the Association of American Residents Overseas (AARO), around 40% of US citizens are moving to the western hemisphere — Canada, Central and South America. 26% of Americans are moving to EU countries and around 14% of people are moving to East Asia and the Middle East.

What are best countries to move to from US that speak English?

Some of the best countries for Americans to immigrate to that speak English are Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, and Singapore.