Americans love the idea of work-life balance. They write books about it, listen to podcasts about it, and then quietly open their laptops at 9 p.m. anyway. So when they start reading about life in the Netherlands – where the average workweek is 29 hours, part-time work is the norm, and people
You’ve done your research on the Netherlands. You know about the tulips and the windmills and the Rijksmuseum and the very reasonable cost of a beer. You know the country ranks near the top of basically every quality-of-life list ever published. You may have noticed that the Dutch are, on
Portugal keeps appearing on every “best places to relocate” list, and that’s not by accident: The climate is mild, the food is excellent, and the country is genuinely welcoming. But moving there involves real decisions: where to settle, how taxes work, what healthcare looks like, and whether your budget holds
You might not have heard yet about the “Donald Dash,” but you’ve definitely experienced the reason for it, and you’re probably experiencing the impact of it. You’re possibly considering it yourself right now. People are leaving the U.S. by the hundreds of thousands — 180,000 just in 2025, with numbers
Spend any amount of time researching the expense involved in a move to Uruguay, and you’ll learn two things: 1. Uruguay is a great, budget-friendly option for a move to Latin America. 2. Uruguay isn’t just some budget-friendly option for a move to Latin America. And which one is right?
One does not simply move to Uruguay. Which is to say, people don’t just up and move to Uruguay (or most places, really) — it’s not an impulsive decision. It involves lots of research and consideration and planning. And then you get there and you’re surprised at what you find,
It’s laid-back, but not boring. It’s modern and active, but not chaotic. It’s welcoming, but not performative. (It’s also not a tiny little Argentina stuck to the side of the regular Argentina, in case you were wondering.) Uruguay is an under-appreciated gem that checks a lot of boxes for prospective expats. But,
It’s easy to look at your household expenses, sitting at home in the U.S., and think, “That’s okay, if I only turn the lights on on Thursdays, this budget might actually balance.” (That’s possibly why you’re considering moving abroad in the first place — for a lot of people, it
Panama has a well-earned reputation as one of the most expat-friendly countries in the world — it’s known for its stable economy, gorgeous scenery, and relatively affordable cost of living, among many other attractions. It also has some of the most approachable, accessible residency options that appeal to immigrants. Whether you’re
Are you looking forward to retirement? Do you imagine peaceful days spent socializing with family and friends, pursuing hobbies, and catching up on things you put off during a long career with limited time off? While we all long for those days, you may look at your bank account and
You hear it all the time from vacationers in Costa Rica: “God, this is the best.” And from vacationers who just got home from Costa Rica and can’t stop telling everyone who didn’t get to go to Costa Rica: “Costa Rica was the best.” But of course anyone who’s just spent
Did you miss our country comparo last year? We’ve revived it, reviewed it, and refreshed it for Costa Rica/Panama Country of the Month 2026. Enjoy! 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 —
Despite Americans who claim it’s the greatest country on earth, the United States is not exceptional when it comes to healthcare. It is, however, the most expensive. According to a 2023 report from the Commonwealth Fund, U.S. healthcare ranks highest worldwide in terms of costs, spending nearly 18 percent of
When people talk about moving abroad, there’s lots of focus on the where. Where will you live? Where will you work? Where will you travel once you’re there? And of course how is going to be a huge part of it — how to apply for a visa, how to move with pets
Paperwork is one of the surest sources of stress in an international move. You know you’re going to need it, you know it can make a huge difference in how smoothly the process will go, and if the founder of Expatsi can find herself sitting in a hotel in Belize, wearing
We can say with great certainty you’re already on the path to moving abroad. You might not realize that, because we’ve outlined the 6 Stages of Moving Abroad, and you might not see yourself on it, even at Stage 1. There’s “making a shortlist of countries you could move to,”
For aspiring expats who want to work while they move, being a digital nomad can be an excellent choice. More than 50 countries offer digital nomad visas, and it’s a lifestyle that can work whether you’re settling in one place or working from the road. And it’s a great way
Visas. Healthcare. As you prepare for your big international move, dozens of questions and concerns are spinning around in your head. Passports. Financial papers. Peanut butter. Legal fees. No, the availability of peanut butter isn’t likely to top your list of concerns when it comes to choosing or moving to
In bustling cities or quiet small towns, as a family or going solo, Portugal is full of reasons to fall in love and want to stay forever. Great healthcare, fantastic food, beautiful mountains and beaches, lovely weather, warm and welcoming locals, a reasonable cost of living — Portugal is just
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
