Posted on 11/13/2025 3:20:47 PM PST by Diana in Wisconsin
A new study finds cost of living, safety, and health care are driving factors behind the growing interest in international relocation.
Becoming an expat is a big decision, and the list of where to relocate to can be very long. But turns out, the country Americans are drawn to the most isn't that far after all.
Canada was the top country Americans targeted when hoping to move abroad, according to a new study from moveBuddha, which serves as an online resource for moving and storage services. In fact, 24.4 percent of the survey’s respondents picked the neighbor to the north.
“We've helped thousands of people move across the country for all kinds of reasons—to chase a job, start a family, or just get closer to the beach. But what we're seeing now is very different,” Ryan Carrigan, moveBuddha’s founder, said in a statement shared with Travel + Leisure. “With rising costs, job uncertainty, and concerns about health care and safety, more people are looking for somewhere that just feels livable.”
Runner-up was England (another English speaking destination) with 12.2 percent of those surveyed picking the European country. That was followed by Japan, Ireland, and Switzerland rounding out the top five.
Overall, the company said nearly one in 10 Americans was "actively researching a move abroad" and nearly 60 percent said "they've considered leaving the country at some point."
When it comes to choosing a spot to land, the cost of living was the highest concern (34 percent said it was the No. 1 consideration), followed by financial security and political stability. And what are they hoping to escape? That would be high living costs in the United States, America's health care access, and crime.
For its survey, moveBuddha interviewed 1,000 U.S. residents in September.
More at link...
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If you want to own a handgun, Canada is one of the worst destinations.
I remember crossing the border into Canada 35 years ago. First question: “Do you have any handguns?”
I resisted the temptation to give the Steven Wright response, “whadya need?”
Yes they did. They mentioned Ireland.
Canada was the top country
Runner-up was England
Whoever these people are they are idiots and misinformed. Canada is a mess and England is gone.
I lived for five years in Panama and enjoyed it for the most part. I needed to return due to medical troubles. I do love Texas but I thought western Panama was wonderful for its combination of climate, tranquility, friendliness and ease of doing commerce. The U.S. dollar is their currency so I never had those currency conversion headaches.
Is there a GoFundMeEh? for these people?
I love the Pacific Northwest where I live. Oh, that’s in America BTW.
I’ve lived abroad...both English-speaking places and non.
Overcoming the language barrier is what requires the most commitment if you truly want to assimilate into certain places.
Personally the strip-mall aesthetic alone of much of America, I find stifling enough. Suburbia in general. I like places that are either/or: truly urban and metropolitan like NYC, or rugged/rural and in touch with nature without being overly sterile.
Another quintessentially American “thing” is drive-thru culture. (Fast food is globalized, but not drive-thru) - and I also don’t care for that...
But alas will remain for now. :)
I’m not for yours. For mine. And I like that Trump is president right now.
Canada is pretty strict about immigration by Americans.
I’d opt for Hungary.
To add: the one beautiful thing about the US that really sets it apart from other parts of the world — are the 50 unique states...And each region of the country being so distinctive. Different personalities can find a place to match their sensibilities...From climate to landscape, to politics, to religion, culture, food etc....
They will be back after their first winter.
I’d opt for Hungary.
The language would be tough. I actually know enough Polish to get by in most Slavic countries.
I had a friend who lived in Europe for a while. He said it is great if you have a lot of money. Taxes and fees are high in Europe compared to salaries. They are used to not having money. Savings isn’t as common there. Europeans in the US complain about waste here. That’s because they can barely afford what they have. They are just short of rationing.
He was explaining 401k’s to a coworker there and they were astonished that people could have that much money in retirement.
Poland: 0.2%
And the vast majority of those are Tartars who have lived there for centuries.
I’m in Illinois so I’d like to move to the USA.
I have heard that the reason our life expectancies are lower, is that we count from the moment of birth, including stillborns. Other countries do not.
Canada is not “abroad”. I’ve been and anyone who retired there thinking it would be better than the States would end up disappointed.
Portugal or Spain are not the States, either, or as good, but they are better than Canada to retire to and they are abroad.
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