Why More Americans Are Moving Abroad—and How to Know if It’s Right for You

Is leaving the United States for life overseas becoming the new American dream?

For a growing number of individuals and families, the answer is yes. Rising housing costs, political division, and limited access to affordable healthcare are pushing Americans to reimagine where—and how—they want to live. And for many, that vision leads outside U.S. borders.

But while the idea of international relocation may sound like the ultimate life reset, the process is more complex than simply booking a one-way ticket. The decision to move abroad is deeply personal, highly logistical, and often transformational.

The Rise of the Modern Expat

Interest in living abroad has increased significantly in recent years. Tools like country match quizzes and relocation assessments have attracted hundreds of thousands of users, with people exploring moves to countries such as Portugal, Spain, Mexico, and Costa Rica. While some are motivated by political unrest, the more common drivers include cost of living, healthcare, work flexibility, and overall quality of life.

Remote work has played a significant role in this shift. With many professionals no longer tied to a physical office, the idea of working from a beach town in Mexico or a walkable European city has become not only possible—but practical. For others, especially retirees, it’s about making fixed incomes go further while enjoying a slower, more intentional lifestyle.

What Living Abroad Really Looks Like

Life in another country can offer real improvements in quality of life—though it’s not without its trade-offs. One of the most appealing benefits for many is the cost of living. In places like Mérida, Mexico, or Valencia, Spain, residents report being able to rent modern homes—often with amenities like pools or courtyards—for a fraction of the price they’d pay in the U.S. Dining out, wellness services, and utilities are often more affordable as well, making day-to-day life feel more accessible.

Healthcare is another major draw. In many countries, services are not only lower in cost but also more transparent and easier to schedule. It’s common to find medical facilities where patients can book appointments via smartphone apps, see pricing upfront, and walk away with immediate results—without the bureaucracy or inflated pricing that’s typical in the U.S.

Safety is also frequently cited as a benefit. Despite misconceptions, many international cities report lower crime rates than major American cities. Combined with the opportunity for a more balanced, community-oriented lifestyle, it’s easy to see why more people are considering the move.

That said, transitioning to life abroad isn’t always seamless. Cultural norms, infrastructure quality, language barriers, and even things like inconsistent internet access can take some getting used to. For example, central air conditioning—common in the U.S.—is rare in many countries. In Europe, for instance, it’s typical to find mini-split AC units that only cool specific rooms.

How to Prepare: A Phased Approach

Successfully relocating to another country isn’t something that happens overnight. Experts recommend breaking the process into six key stages to reduce stress and avoid common missteps.

The first stage is ideation—simply entertaining the idea that life abroad could be possible. This is followed by planning, which involves identifying how you would support yourself overseas, whether through remote work, retirement, or finding a job abroad. Once a basic plan is in place, the third stage is exploration. This is when you travel to one or more countries to test the waters, not as a tourist, but as someone genuinely considering daily life there. This phase includes everything from visiting grocery stores and pharmacies to using public transportation and joining local events or hobby groups.

Once you’ve decided on a destination, the paperwork stage begins. This is where you’ll handle visa requirements, immigration forms, and possibly legal consultations. Logistics follow—deciding what to pack, whether to sell or rent out your current home, how to relocate pets, and what possessions to bring. Finally, you enter the settling-in phase, where real-life adjustment begins: setting up utilities, finding community, learning the language, and creating new routines.

It’s important not to skip steps or try to do them all at once. Attempting to juggle visas, sell belongings, learn a language, and scout housing simultaneously is a fast track to burnout. A staged, intentional approach helps reduce emotional and financial strain.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

One of the most frequent mistakes people make is romanticizing a country they’ve only seen on vacation. While a short trip can provide a glimpse into a new lifestyle, it’s not a full picture. Life abroad involves mundane, sometimes frustrating tasks—like setting up a bank account, figuring out how to refill a prescription, or dealing with utilities in another language. Choosing a destination based solely on its Instagram appeal can lead to serious regrets.

Another major issue is visa compatibility. Some countries, while beautiful and culturally rich, are difficult for Americans to move to without specific career paths, income levels, or ancestral ties. Without a viable visa route, your plans could come to a halt. It’s also important to be realistic about your ability to adapt. If problem-solving, ambiguity, or language challenges regularly throw you off, moving to a new country might be more stressful than freeing.

Finally, it’s essential to avoid making relocation decisions from a place of crisis. While it may feel urgent to leave the U.S. for emotional or political reasons, long-term planning requires a clear, regulated mindset. If necessary, a temporary stay in a nearby country (like Mexico or Costa Rica) can provide space to think clearly and plan properly for a more permanent move.

Is This Lifestyle Right for You?

Before committing to a move abroad, take time to reflect on what you actually want from the experience. What would your day-to-day life look like? What comforts are non-negotiable, and where are you willing to adapt? Are you seeking novelty and adventure, or hoping to regain stability? Do you have the financial, legal, and emotional bandwidth to follow through?

If you can answer these questions honestly—and they align with the realities of expat life—then it might be time to start exploring your options seriously.

Wanting to know more about Expat life as an American and details on what to expect and how to prepare take a list to our podcast episode below. Jen from Expatsi explains in detail how she made the transition and how she’s help thousands of Americans do the same.