Last year, 2020, was an unprecedented disaster for many Americans and the rest of the world. Covid-19 ravaged the globe and dealt the United States, in particular, a heavy kick in the groin.
It was terrible. The pandemic caused many anxiety and stress for many Americans and resulted in others wanting to take that trip or move abroad. Why? Because life is too short.
At present, more than 9 million American ex-pats are living abroad, according to recent data provided by the State Department of the US. An ex-pat is someone living in another country and pays taxes there, most often not paying taxes at home.
Many Americans move to other countries for various reasons: favorable cost of living, politically stable environment for business, economic stability, appreciable quality of life and access to rich culture, and good climate.
Many countries fit the bill for these conditions and make a compelling case for one to move there. According to SDC International Shipping Company, those are the top 5 countries for an American ex-pat to consider living.
Canada
Canada, the USA’s neighbor, with its high living standards, is one of the countries an American expatriate should consider moving to. It offers a lot of safety, exceptional political and economic stability, and exquisite health care. It ranks highly amongst every country in these categories.
Oh, and did I mention the average salary of a skilled worker in Canada? Well, as you can guess, salaries for ex-pats are pretty significant, averaging around a whopping $111,000 per year. With similar cultural norms and customs as the USA, Americans should not find it hard settling in and making a comfortable living for themselves and their family.
If you’re planning an international move to Canada, keep in mind that you can ship your car instead of driving it.
Costa Rica
Fed up of the quick pace of the always-bustling New York City or Los Angeles, or stress of the pandemic in general? Welcome to Costa Rica, then! “Pura Vida,” which translates to “simple life,” is the collectively accepted tenets of the majority of the Costa Rican people. It is a way of life that promotes you to relax, slow down and enjoy life.
No wonder it is widely accepted as one of the happiest countries in the world. Also, it boasts a vibrant culture, with exciting foods and a different language. Like San Jose and Limon, its cities are laced with all that an American would want in a city, featuring mainly a thriving art scene. As a result, this peaceful nation is a top place for ex-pats from the USA to live in.
Vietnam
Few countries would struggle to make a good fit for the average American, but not Vietnam. Beaming with a colorful culture promoted by friendly locals, Vietnam is a top destination for an American ex-pat. It has an excellent quality of life, not only amongst Asian countries but also higher than other countries due to its booming economy.
In addition, the environment promotes a good leisure and work balance, making it enticing for an American ex-pat. Surveys conducted by those already there agree that they settled in Vietnam in a few months and can call it home. Great culture, quality of life, and an overall beautiful country, who wouldn’t?
Portugal
Europe is the next most popular destination for American ex-pats after the Americas, mainly due to the relatively similar quality of life and infrastructure. Portugal offers all these, and in addition, it has the advantage of being one of the countries with the lowest cost of living on the continent. As a result, the average ex-pat will have more money to enjoy life in Portugal.
More so in its comfortable weather (mostly a cool and sunny climate that many Americans will drool for). Healthcare delivery, while very effective, still costs much lesser than in the USA. If you can get citizenship, public health care is even free. It is one of the safest countries globally and ranks far higher than the US in that respect. Hence your security is more than assured.
Ghana
Ah yes, Ghana, one of West Africa’s bustling countries, is a no-brainer for American expatriates. It quickly becomes a beacon for rich culture, political stability, peace, safety, low crime rates while having an affordable cost of living in the sub-region. There is a program to smoothen and ease citizenships for African Americans looking to leave the States.
The Ghanaian people are one of the most peaceful, welcoming, and smiley locals globally. They do their best to receive foreigners and ex-pats. The city of Accra offers numerous opportunities for businesses to be set up. It provides most of the things provided in most cities around the world.
The tropical region has a mostly stable and tantalizing climate, one that is highly regarded. The people of Ghana are ready to tell you “akwaaba!” (Local term meaning “Most Welcome”). What are you waiting for?
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