Last update: May 30, 2026
THIS WEB SITE COMPILES INFORMATION FROM ACROSS THE INTERNET AND BOOKS ABOUT THE BEST (and worst) PLACES TO MOVE TO.
The highest productive locations... also have the highest "burn out" rate – Business Matters
High-output cities share a set of structural features that are simultaneously the source of their economic success and the engine of their burnout problem. Dense concentrations of competitive professionals. Industries — finance, technology, consulting, law — where long hours are normalised and performance expectations are exceptionally high. A culture where ambition is the baseline rather than the exception..."
This is a constant interrelated experience reported among expats who exit the Americas for, say, a European location: they discover just how much their life and identity is tied up in work and job concerns. Career-centric people retire or become a "digital nomad" and relocate, and then go through a metamorphosis of change when the new world around them isn't as obsessed with jobs and the time-clock of employment. Typically, that sounds like the ideal alteration that expats are seeking, but for some it can foster a feeling of identity-loss and nearly always it makes a significant alteration in how they few being "an American" and their view of the United States itself. Things that were taken for granted in the USA become more visible (and valuable) and things that seemed hidden (like the rush of productivity) now looks obvious (and exhausting!)
The change that often occurs after several years outside of the USA is seeing how much the USA is focused on innovation, entrepreneurship, economic dynamism, and business optimism. But the trade-off is also seeing how much work pressure, healthcare complexity, political polarization and cost of living takes a a toll.
Canadians: cam you retire abroad and still collect CPP and OAS?
Story at Money Canada
"The Great Escape" - ten countries for expats – Forbes Yahoo MSN
I sold everything. The furniture, the car and decades of accumulated stuff were all hauled away by strangers. Then I bought a one-way ticket to Italy. It was the most stressful thing I’ve ever done, but also the best..."
Where are Americans going in retirement?
For those leaving the country, the three most popular spots in 2026 are Portugal, Mexico and Greece. But inside the USA? They're going to Asheville (North Carolina, population est. 98,000, though the "metro area" is estimated at 470K), Scottsdale (Arizona, population est. 250,000, with a metro area pop. of 5.2 million) and Sarasota (Florida, population est. 60,000, with metro area pop. estimate of 935K).
The main drivers are obvious: climate and cost of living. Beyond that, "walkability" is the main keyword that pops up, indicating that simply getting around by bipedal locomotion is a hoped for situation, that is, exercise opportunities in a pleasant environment.
A little bit of research on this topic reveals certain factors. There is a "fashionableness" that goes into looking for a place to "expat," and areas can become a fad, and then become "old news," not long after. But it isn't just that the trend changes, it can be because a location has developed a reputation for crime and unreliable healthcare. These two issues are a real killer of interest for people looking for their "dream" destination.
An additional problem that is obvious: a place becomes too popular and too many move there. The surge of expats will drive up prices and and create all sorts of corollary problems.
Is Slovenia becoming a expat hotspot? – MSN Travel and Leisure
Ranking the easiest places for Americans to get foreign residency – AOL
Costa Rica's digital nomad visa – MSN Travel and Leisure
The growing numbers of American who want to be expats – INC.com
The IRS and the most common misconceptions for Americans living abroad – Fast Company
...just because assets are “foreign” doesn’t mean they’re hidden from the IRS. Under the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA), foreign financial institutions must report U.S. account holders to the IRS, so offshore assets are already visible to the IRS. Even if you don’t owe tax on a foreign asset, you may still be required to report it, and failure to disclose can result in penalties that exceed the asset’s value. For Americans living abroad, understanding what’s taxable versus what’s reportable helps you stay compliant and avoid surprises..."
Italy, Spain, Portugal, Ireland and Greece: they want American expats – Kiplinger
The super-tight rental market in Czechia - 25 applicants for every listing – Expats Czechia
Palm Trees on the Island of Paros, Greece
Planning a "minimalist overseas escape" – Money Talks
When to get international travel insurance
Story at Miami Herald
The "common errors" when going for Czech citizenship – Expats.cz
The rate of Brits retiring to Portugal has tripled in the last decade – MSN UK Daily Mail
The three main places Americans go to retire outside of the USA: Costa Rica, Mexico and Portugal – Motley Fool
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Places where a "cheaper life abroad" doesn't actually always work out
Story at MSN Mind Body Globe
These "budget-friendly" countries often hide costs that don't appear in typical cost-of-living calculators or travel blogs. Sometimes the reality hits when you arrive and discover that imported goods cost triple what you'd pay at home, or that decent housing exists in a completely different price bracket than advertised..."
Three of the most consequential facts for American expatriates living abroad
1. Many American expatriates report that their everyday life experience changes, that they become less car-dependent and less healthcare-cost-anxious. They become more socially communal in their life and it is generally a more "walkable" lifestyle. Other changes are having smaller living spaces and dealing with slower bureaucracies. They often evolve an entirely different set of assumptions about government, money, time, community, and personal freedom.
2. The “dual identity” effect: after years abroad, many say that they experience a "reverse culture shock" when coming back to the USA, that they've naturally evolved two different points of view on the USA, one of an insider and the other as an outside observer. The "U.S. feels simultaneously familiar and foreign."
3. Learning that United States taxes are based on citizenship, not just residence. That means no matter where you are, even if you're permanently living abroad, you've got to keep filing those tax returns. Depending on your situation, you may also need to file taxes in the country of residence. You may encounter complicated compliance rules about pensions, investments, and local bank accounts. The paperwork burden means filing reports referred to as FATCA, FBAR, Foreign Tax Credits, and FEIE - Foreign Earned Income Exclusion.
Buying an overseas home for under $100K – USA Money
The 25 best countries for expats?
Story at Travel and Leisure
...global expat community InterNations highlighted the destinations where international residents feel most satisfied, secure, and welcome. Countries were evaluated based on quality of life, ease of settling in, personal finance, and access to essential services, with a minimum of 50 responses required for inclusion in the report. For the second consecutive year, Panama claimed the top spot. In Panama, 94 percent of expats say they are happy with their life abroad, one of the highest rates in the survey. The country is particularly popular with retirees—more than one-third of respondents—who are drawn to the country’s high quality of life."
Best retirement places for Brit expat seniors – UK Daily Express
Leaving the USA for Mexico at the age of 50... mistakes and successes – Yahoo News
How Spain is the destination of choice for ... expat criminals – NDTV
Why Americans prefer Bangkok's chaos to the USA kind – The Thaiger
Why you should consider Malta – MSN Travel and Leisure
...consider Malta, an island nation where you can live comfortably for under $36,000 a year."
The "comfort trap" in Singapore for expats
Story at Money Control
AMAZON: The Expert Expat: Your Guide to Successful Relocation Abroad
Laughter with Comic Books and Cartoons comicatomic
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Virginia USA based Elder Care for bill payment, case management, prescriptions, tax records or support for caregivers - AllStar Care Solutions