Ask HN: Good countries for American expats

#1

Post by gregd » Fri, Jul 18, 2014, 2:17 PM UTC

Looking to move a family to a different country for a few years, that may lead to permanent residence in that country.

What has your experience been?

What is your particular career?

What were your moving expenses?

How much is your rent or did you buy?

Where did you move to/from?

How are the schools?

Have you become fluent in the native language and was the language barrier difficult to overcome?

How long have you lived in this country? Are you a permanent resident or do you plan on moving back to the US?

What was the process like to become a permanent resident?

Did you have to already have a job when you moved to that country?

What's the cost of living compared to where you moved from? Has your quality of life improved or not? How and why?

Re: Ask HN: Good countries for American expats

#2

Post by modoc » Fri, Jul 18, 2014, 2:29 PM UTC

Not an actual expat, but travel a lot.

Lived in a small beach town in Mexico for a month. There were a lot of expats there, super cheap, safe, friendly town. Everyone there spoke enough English that I could get along easily without any Spanish. Quality of life was fantastic. Only downside was very slow/unstable internet access.

I'd seriously consider South Africa, a place like Durban. Great city, everyone speaks English, low cost of living, lots of culture/resources/fast internet, tons to do. Was just there for two weeks. Super nice people, very health focused society.

Re: Ask HN: Good countries for American expats

#3

Post by gregd » Fri, Jul 18, 2014, 2:32 PM UTC

modoc wrote: post #2

Not an actual expat, but travel a lot. Lived in a small beach town in Mexico for a month. There were a lot of expats there, super cheap, safe, friendly town. Everyone there spoke enough English that I could get along easily without any Spanish. Quality of life was fantastic. Only downside was very slow/unstable internet access. I'd seriously consider South Africa, a place like Durban. Great city, everyone speaks Engl…

Since I currently work remotely, stable/fast internet is a must...

Re: Ask HN: Good countries for American expats

#4

Post by ialex » Fri, Jul 18, 2014, 2:36 PM UTC

modoc wrote: post #2

Not an actual expat, but travel a lot. Lived in a small beach town in Mexico for a month. There were a lot of expats there, super cheap, safe, friendly town. Everyone there spoke enough English that I could get along easily without any Spanish. Quality of life was fantastic. Only downside was very slow/unstable internet access. I'd seriously consider South Africa, a place like Durban. Great city, everyone speaks Engl…

I live in Playa del Carmen, MX a lot of expats live here and recently i have been meeting programmers or remote Startup devs working here, internet is unstable once in a while in depends where you live. There are a couple of coworking spaces and plenty of coffee shops where you can work close to beach.

Re: Ask HN: Good countries for American expats

#5

Post by mynegation » Fri, Jul 18, 2014, 2:38 PM UTC

You are asking a lot of questions but it would help people to understand what you are looking for (or what you are moving away from).

If you are looking for almost USA that is not USA, then Canada. If you are looking for a good climate outside of USA then Australia. Or France, or Italy, but then you will need to learn the language. If you are looking for low expenses, then India, Thailand, or Vietnam. If you are looking for great social stability then Northern Europe countries, but these are notoriously hard to emigrate to... etc etc

(Creds: moved from Russia to Canada, travel a lot)

Re: Ask HN: Good countries for American expats

#6

Post by s_dev » Fri, Jul 18, 2014, 2:39 PM UTC

I've noticed a lot of Americans moving here to Dublin, Ireland the past few years - most seem to be 30+ though and career focussed. I suspect younger Americans are attracted to destinations like California, China and Continental Europe.

I guess Americans who don't mind the rain and grey skies would find it easy to settle here - English speaking, high quality of life, great education prospects for children. I have to say though tech wages here seem to be about half what they are in CA but even within the US, tech wages are much lower than CA.

Re: Ask HN: Good countries for American expats

#7

Post by gmays » Fri, Jul 18, 2014, 2:39 PM UTC

The Tropical MBA podcast talks about places like this quite frequently, so it's worth a listen. Here's a list of their top cities, most are international: http://www.tropicalmba.com/2014lifestyeldesigncities/

Re: Ask HN: Good countries for American expats

#8

Post by asadotzler » Fri, Jul 18, 2014, 2:41 PM UTC

We have good friends that moved to Costa Rica a decade ago. The climate is nice, the scenery is amazing, the country is a stable democracy with no standing army. Land and housing was very affordable.

Re: Ask HN: Good countries for American expats

#9

Post by gregd » Fri, Jul 18, 2014, 2:43 PM UTC

mynegation wrote: post #5

You are asking a lot of questions but it would help people to understand what you are looking for (or what you are moving away from). If you are looking for almost USA that is not USA, then Canada. If you are looking for a good climate outside of USA then Australia. Or France, or Italy, but then you will need to learn the language. If you are looking for low expenses, then India, Thailand, or Vietnam. If you are look…

I want to experience another culture and I want my family to have a similar experience. Since I have really no idea what I'd be in for, I was looking for input on what others experienced. I haven't traveled much outside of the US but am really, really attracted to Europe. I work remotely currently so stable/fast internet is pretty much my only requirement and the country has to be expat friendly.

Re: Ask HN: Good countries for American expats

#10

Post by [deleted] » Fri, Jul 18, 2014, 2:45 PM UTC

[deleted]