There are thousands of blogs out there that claim to list the “best countries” to live in (full disclosure: we have one too). That doesn’t mean that they’re the best countries for you. Are economic and political stability important to you? What about work-life balance and affordable housing? Who made the World Happiness Report’s top 10 last year? How close is the beach?
How do you find the best country to live in?
It may seem like an impossible task; a great country for someone else might be a disaster for you. You might want low cost of living with universal healthcare and income equality like you see in Costa Rica. Maybe personal safety in an attractive destination where English is widely spoken is your preference—see the Nordic countries, then. Perhaps you want a small country offering quality education in an international school system. That could be Singapore.
With nearly 200 countries to choose from, picking your top countries gets tough quickly. Here are a few ways to find the lifestyle that suits your needs:
1) See what expats are saying on YouTube & TikTok
One way to find your best country to live in is by getting opinions from expats who already live there. YouTube and TikTok offer informative content from people just like you, making videos about the various countries they’ve immigrated to. Overall quality can be a bit hit-or-miss, so here’s how to find the best content:
YouTube works best when you search for phrases. To find out about life in capital city San Jose, you’d search “Costa Rica expat life” and sample the creators’ channels there. TikTok, on the other hand, works best with hashtags; terms like “#expatinspain” or “#americanexpat” can help you find creators showing their daily lives in a new country. Be sure to look for expats who actually live in the country; they understand the quality of life better than travelers who post pretty videos as they’re just passing through a foreign country. The good news is that once you find a few sources you like, YouTube and TikTok will gladly serve you similar content.
2) Read expat blogs
Blogs can also help you find other countries that are best for you. Bloggers can give you the real inside scoop on what that beautiful country is really like. What quality education options are available for your kids? Is life near the city center worth the higher cost of living? How does the free healthcare plan work? Do Americans have job opportunities and job security, or should I look somewhere else? A thoughtful blogger provides better quality content about living expenses and lifestyle than any U.S. News & World Report or New York Times reporter ever could.
3) Talk to other expats on Reddit or Facebook
If you’d rather interact with other immigrants in a forum-style environment, consider Facebook & Reddit. There are subreddits and Facebook groups for every combination of country and personal interest you can think of, so you can quickly find your peers and pick their brains. Talk to residents online to get impressions of a country’s healthcare system, public transportation, education system, cost of living, job opportunities, and more.
4) Take the Expatsi Test
The previous suggestions are well and good if you’ve identified your shortlist of countries. If you’ve got no idea what countries may be right for you, then take the Expatsi Test. This free assessment will recommend the top 10 countries for you based on your preferences for cost of living, quality of healthcare, degree of safety, weather, lifestyle, language, what’s legal there, and many more factors.
5) Read Expatsi Country Guides
Once you’ve finished the test, our country guides have links to the relevant resources mentioned here—like TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram creators, blogs, subreddits, and Facebook groups—along with additional tools like healthcare reports. While it can’t tell you one best country for everyone to live in, the Expatsi Test can identify the best fits for you.
6) Take scouting trips
Ultimately, deciding the best country to live in comes down to finding where you feel comfortable. Read the World Happiness Report and expat content all you want—none of them can tell you where you’ll feel at home more than visiting those top countries in person and checking the vibes.
Scouting trips are less about relaxation and more about exploring. Instead of (or in addition to!) lounging on island shores, you’d buy produce at the market and visit the local hospital. You can discuss the education system with other expats and tour neighborhoods to get a sense of income equality. You might even embark on our guided scouting trip with other expats to western Europe, making new friends even before you’ve made your move.
Vacation vs Scouting Trip: What’s the Difference?
It’s a tricky divide between the two paths. Here’s how a scouting trip looks different than a vacation:
How to Leave America: 6 Steps to Your New Life
Are you thinking about leaving the United States? You’re not alone; as many as 15% percent of Americans say they want to leave the country permanently.
