Guides, research, and firsthand reporting on moving abroad from the US.
Language ·
You’re getting ready for your trip to Portugal — maybe a short trip, maybe a big move — and amid all the preparing and planning, there’s that one detail you wish you wouldn’t have to deal with: Do I really have to learn Portuguese? Have to? Technically, no. People live in Portugal without ever getting
Lisbon, Portugal, is hugely popular with American tourists and immigrants, and it’s deserving of all the love it gets. Portugal’s capital city is stunning — pastel buildings, cobblestone streets, river views. It’s a modern city with historic vibes, great culture, and livability. If you got off the plane and decided you’d found your new home,
Tell any parent it’s expensive to raise a family in today’s economy, and they won’t laugh at you, because they’re too tired. But believe me, they already know. One survey shows that to raise a family of four in 2025, you’ll need a six-figure income in more than half the states in the U.S. And
Visas, Residency, & Citizenship ·
Rumors of the death of Portugal’s Golden Visa have been greatly exaggerated. Spoiler: Despite rumors, fears, and even overwrought headlines to the contrary, the Portuguese Golden Visa has not been eliminated. Some changes have been made, some changes might be made, but none of the changes come nearly to the level of anything that could
Safety ·
One of the most frequent questions asked when a person is considering a move to Mexico: “Is it safe?” It’s a fair, instinctive question to ask – instinctive because we like to protect ourselves, and fair because a lot of what we see and hear puts Mexico in a negative light. The news always seems
Taxes ·
Thank you to our friends at MyExpatTaxes for compiling this data! These are all the countries we visit on our group scouting trips, and they shared this info so you could make the best choice about where to visit. Join us for a free Q&A session to learn more! —Jen If you’ve ever considered retiring
LGBTQIA ·
When you’re planning, or even just considering, a move to another country, there are always questions — What kind of visa will I need? Can I afford it? Will I be able to learn the language? But when you’re LGBTQ, those questions come with a few very specific, very important extras. Because while great weather,
Discover the most affordable countries for expats, compare cost of living, and find cheap places to live overseas with expert guidance for smart relocation
Shopping ·
Constantly changing tariffs on countries including Mexico have left a lot of plans up in the air. Where are prices going to go? What plans are going to change? That party you’re planning to throw — is it going to suck? Some of your favorite items in your fridge, your pantry, your liquor cabinet, and
Visas, Residency, & Citizenship ·
Mexico is famous – and beloved among immigrants – for its climate options, its food, its beaches, its welcoming neighbors, and its low cost of living, just to name a few. But it’s also famous in one other, very specific sphere: As countries go, Mexico is a famously easy one for getting a visa –
Inside and outside the U.S., tariffs are on a lot of minds. Despite what some people believe, tariffs are basically taxes on imported goods that are paid by the importer. And then the importer usually passes the cost on to the consumer. The impact on business worldwide is already considerable. If you’re a digital nomad,
Language ·
It really applies to any non-English-speaking country, but one of the best things you can do in preparation for a trip to Spain is to learn the language. You’ll often find Spain’s famously warm welcome becomes that much warmer when your new neighbor sees you’re making an effort to engage with them on their terms
Visas, Residency, & Citizenship ·
Friendly, welcoming locals. Great food. A comfortable climate essentially everywhere in the country. A reasonable cost of living, and a world-class healthcare system. There are countless reasons Spain is a popular retirement destination, coming in at #6 on International Living’s list of Top 10 Retirement Destinations for 2025 and at #11 on Cigna Healthcare’s list,
Expats relocating from the U.S. to warmer climates often put Costa Rica and Panama at the top of their list. And for good reason — both offer warm climates, stunning natural beauty, and thriving expat communities. In fact, it can be hard to decide which tropical nation will be the best for your new home.
Visas, Residency, & Citizenship ·
Recent anti-tourism protests might create an image that Spain isn’t a warm and welcoming place to outsiders. And it’s true that in some of the more tourism-heavy areas of the country, tourists might see banners telling them, in no uncertain terms, to go home. But if you’re planning a longer stay — for instance, leaving
There’s a reason Spain is a favorite destination for aspiring expats looking to move abroad. The pace of life is slower, the climate is gorgeous, the cost of living is lower. The food is unbelievable. And the people, in general, are warm, friendly, and welcoming. In recent months, however, that welcome has started to feel
You may have seen this story over the weekend. Hundreds of demonstrators protested in Mexico City against foreigners, and the headlines are scary. They vandalized buildings and attacked people. When things like this happen, or protesters squirt tourists with water guns in Barcelona, people often turn to me for simple answers. Unfortunately, simple answers are
The process of gaining residency in a foreign country can be a long one, with lots of steps involved. But many prospective expats don’t plan on waiting long — our own Expatsi Report revealed that 12% of respondents planned to move in six months or less. And even without that tight timeline, circumstances can change suddenly
We talk about the happiest country in the world (it’s Finland), or the most prosperous (Denmark), or the one with the best healthcare (depending on the definition of “best,” it could be Norway, the Netherlands, or Australia). The Expatsi test essentially exists to help sort through the most important qualities of each potential country. But
To answer the big question first: No, you’re not automatically granted citizenship of a foreign country without knowing it. But you could qualify for citizenship without knowing it, through citizenship by descent or jus sanguinis — when a country offers the option to apply for citizenship based on the fact that one of your direct