Best Countries for Americans to Move to in 2025
If you’re thinking about moving from the USA, some of the best places for expats from the USA include Thailand, Singapore, China, Mexico, Costa Rica, and more. Moving to a new place can be the start of a new chapter in your life, so making the right choice is important.
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Are you looking for a place to start a new chapter in your expat life? In this article, we will go through 5 of the best places for expats from the US to move to. Wherever your journey may take you, having a comprehensive international health insurance plan is key to giving you peace of mind.
Top 5 Countries for Expats from USA
Thailand, China, Mexico, Singapore, and Brazil are among the top places for expats from the US to move to. What makes these places the top places for Americans is a combination of cost of living, career opportunities, and ease of access.
Thailand
The tropical paradise of Thailand attracts expats from all over the world and is one of the best expat locations for Americans. Job opportunities are ample in major cities like Bangkok.
Thailand offers diverse career opportunities for expats. The education industry, tourism industry, and insurance industry are high-demand industries in the country. Job opportunities in the tech industry are also on the rise.
If you’re interested in working in Thailand, our guide for Expats Moving to Thailand may give you more information you need before you make the final decision.
Pros
- The cost of living in Thailand is about 57% lower (including rent) than in the US.
- Great healthcare in major hubs. Whilst public healthcare is open to everyone in Thailand, the robust private healthcare sector in Thailand is recommended for expats.
- Great food and a combination of bustling city life and tropical retreats.
Cons
- The tropical climate of Thailand can be very different from what you may be used to in the US. In addition to being hot, Thailand is also very humid. During the hot seasons, the combination of high temperatures and humidity can be hard to get used to.
- The air quality in Thailand can be worrying especially for those suffering from respiratory illnesses, as air pollution is one of the silent killers in Thailand.
China
China is the world’s second largest economy behind the US. Expats coming from the US can expect to be paid well for their expertise. Expats moving to China can also expect modern amenities that won’t fall behind the US in major hubs such as Shanghai and Beijing.
If you are interested in moving to China, some of the best places in China for expats include Shanghai, Beijing, Shenzhen, and Chengdu. These major hubs offer great career opportunities and have some of the best healthcare in the country.
Whilst healthcare costs are significantly lower in China when compared to the US, private healthcare fees can still add up very quickly. Expats looking to relocate to China are highly recommended to secure their own private health insurance.
Some of the top insurance providers in China include Ping An, ICBC-AXA, Cigna, and Allianz.
Pros
- Second largest economy with ample career opportunities for expats.
- The cost of living in China is about 58% lower than the US (including rent).
- China is among the safest countries in the world. Whilst petty crimes are still common, it is generally far safer than other countries in the world.
- Expats who enjoy traveling will find that China has a lot to explore, from modern cities to mesmerizing natural sceneries. China’s geographic location also allows easy access to other countries in Asia such as Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, and Japan.
Cons
- Whilst there are large expat communities in major cities, in general, American expats will find a significant language barrier as English is not as common in China than in other countries in Asia. Expats will have to be prepared to learn Mandarin to adapt to life in China.
- China is one of the few remaining communist countries in the world. Expats will have to adapt to the different culture and way of life.
- Complicated visa process
Mexico
Mexico is a popular expat destination for American expats due to its close proximity and favorable climate. The rich culture and many tourist attractions within the region makes it one of the best places for American expats.
Healthcare in Mexico is significantly lower than the US, which led to a booming medical tourism industry in the country. Despite the lower prices, expats are still recommended to secure their own private health insurance to gain access to the private healthcare sector.
When looking for an insurance plan in Mexico, expats should consider securing a plan from top insurance providers in Mexico like Allianz, Cigna, Now Health International, and VUMI.
If you are interested in starting an expat life in Mexico, check out our guides on Moving to Mexico from the US, and Banks and Bank Services in Mexico.
Pros
- The cost of living in Mexico is about 52% lower than the US (including rent).
- Friendly and welcoming people.
- Career opportunities in IT, tourism and hospitality, finance, and real estate.
Cons
- One of the biggest cons of working in Mexico as an American expat is that US citizens working in Mexico are still required to pay tax in the US.
- Safety in Mexico is a concern to many expats. Major expat hubs like Mexico City and tourist attractions are relatively safe for expats and tourists, expats should act responsibly to avoid conflict and take note of avoiding high-risk regions.
Singapore
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Singapore is a small country with booming expat communities. Whilst known for their strict visa requirements, Singapore is still a great place for American expats. Singapore has also been ranked the third best country to build multi-generational wealth.
The healthcare system in Singapore is among the best in the world but this quality healthcare comes at a steep price. Whilst locals can benefit from government subsidies when it comes to healthcare, expats can not benefit from them.
As such, it is crucial for expats to secure their own health insurance policy to avoid the expensive healthcare costs. Expats looking to secure their own health insurance plans can consider a plan from top insurance providers in Singapore such as Raffles, HSBC Life, Sompo, and Henner.
If you are interested in moving to Singapore, our guide on Singapore Visas for US Citizens may be helpful to you.
Pros
- Singapore’s Healthcare is among the best in the world. Expats will not have to worry about not having access to the treatments they require.
- The violent crime rate in Singapore is really low.
- Singapore is considered one of the cleanest cities in the world.
Cons
- Singapore is the only country in this list to have a higher cost of living than the US. The cost of living in the US is about 25.2% lower than in Singapore.
- Strict visa requirements.
Brazil
Brazil offers expats a vibrant culture full of life and passion. The Carnival in Rio is considered the largest carnival in the world. Expats looking to work in Brazil will find ample opportunities in high demand industries such as engineering, IT, and healthcare.
Healthcare in Brazil can be good in major hubs like Rio, however, expats in Brazil will find that the private healthcare sector will provide better services and have better facilities. Private facilities will generally be more catered towards expats and have English language support.
If you are interested in moving to Brazil, some of the best places in Brazil for expats include Rio, São Paulo, and Salvador. Expats may want to consider securing their own health insurance from top providers in Brazil like Cigna, Bupa, and Aetna.
Pros
- The cost of living in Brazil is about 66% lower than the US.
- Ample opportunities in engineering, IT, healthcare, and education.
- Vibrant and welcoming culture and people.
Cons
- Relatively high crime rate.
- Infrastructure including public transportation lags behind other countries.
Conclusion
Starting a new chapter as an expat in a different country can be both an exciting and challenging undertaking. Wherever your journey brings you it is important to give yourself a reliable safety net so you can pursue your career opportunities with peace of mind.
One way to do this is to secure a comprehensive international health insurance policy. Having the right international plan can give you peace of mind knowing you have access to quality healthcare services wherever your next challenge takes you.
Pacific Prime is a global insurance broker with over 25 years of experience in the insurance industry. Our insurance experts can help you filter through different insurance plans from our extensive list of insurance partners to help you find a plan that suits you.
Contact us today for impartial advice or an obligation-free quote!
Born and raised in the cultural melting pot that is Hong Kong, and having studied at an international school, Vista has developed a multicultural perspective that he uses in his writing and strives to connect to people of different backgrounds.
In his free time, Vista enjoys immersing himself in different worlds, from video games to light novels and movies. His hobbies help him expand his writing style by putting himself in the point-of-view of different people and characters.
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