You can gravitate towards one of the big cities like Madrid, Barcelona, Bilbao, and Seville, or consider a slower pace on one of two archipelagos in the Mediterranean (Balearic) or Atlantic (Canaries). Spain also has great public healthcare (and health care reimbursements), international schools, and self-employment visas that appeal to entrepreneurs, freelancers, and digital nomads. For starters, Spain has one of the lowest costs of living in Western Europe, so you can find both affordable housing and quality bottles of Rioja costing only a few euros.
Sunny Spain is always a convincing choice for those who wish to live a sophisticated working life or retirement amongst passionate and tolerant locals. If the cost of living is an issue, you can also consider Thailand and Vietnam-both excellent alternatives for Americans who want to live in Southeast Asia. Now let's be clear: Singapore is not cheap. With this abundance of lush greenery injected into new buildings and terminals, Singapore's "City in a Garden" moniker is coming to life in a new, big way. When you're ready to travel (Thailand, Vietnam, and Bali are a hop, skip, and jump away), you'll fly through Changi Airport and see the "Rain Vortex," the world's tallest indoor waterfall and five-story garden featuring thousands of tropical plants, trees, and shrubs. Add to that an incredible food scene, thanks to its melting pot of cultures, from night markets to hawker centers to Michelin-starred restaurants, as well as incredible shopping malls, sustainable skyscrapers, and endless walks in the remarkable botanical gardens, the best in Southeast Asia. There's no doubt that this is an exciting place to live and work. The upscale city-state of Singapore often ranks among the best countries for expats to live and work, thanks to job security, high-quality schools, and one of the world's most efficient public transport systems that can get you all over the city in a jiffy. An additional plus: Ghana uses English as its official language. On weekends, take your pick between the country's beautiful beaches, national parks, and waterfalls, as well as one of the many UNESCO-listed forts and castles on the Atlantic. The vibrant capital of Accra offers a great quality of life for skilled workers, while job hunters and digital nomads will have their pick of social support groups, networking events, and associations to join. The program includes a fast-track citizenship for African Americans planning to leave the U.S., and a program that entices residents to keep their talents in the country for at least 10 years. In 2019, the country celebrated the Year of Return, 400 years since the first enslaved Africans were brought to America, kicking off a multiyear program to welcome American expats who seek booming business opportunities, low crime rates, and stable democracy. This West African nation's diverse expat community continues to grow each year with access to friendly locals and a laid-back culture. If you prioritize a healthy, laid-back lifestyle surrounded by natural beauty with an evergreen cool factor that is hard to imitate anywhere else, then this might be the place for you. While the capital of San Jose has a notable food and arts scene, expats can head to either coast for long stretches of undeveloped beaches, seaside villages, surfing and yoga classes, neighborly expat communities, and business ventures often tied to eco-tourism. Sweetening the deal, the country offers a straightforward residence program, affordable dental and healthcare, a stable democracy, and easy flights to the U.S.
More than that, it's the Pura Vida ("Pure Life") philosophy for good living, which sums up this peaceful Spanish-speaking gem.
Situated between the Pacific and Caribbean coasts, this utopic Central American nation wins people over with its exotic volcanoes, cloud forests, and wildlife, like sloths, capuchin monkeys, and toucans. Relocating to well-trodden Costa Rica isn't a novel idea for anyone who has ever visited the country (and likely met a few friendly expats along the way), but there's a reason for its persisting popularity.