Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

This Is the No. 1 Country Americans Want to Move to in 2026 for Cost of Living, Safety, and Health Care
Travel + Leisure ^ | November 13, 2025 | Kristine Hansen

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...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Travel
KEYWORDS: canada; relocate; travel

Click here: to donate by Credit Card

Or here: to donate by PayPal

Or by mail to: Free Republic, LLC - PO Box 9771 - Fresno, CA 93794

Thank you very much and God bless you.


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-8081-87 next last
To: Mastador1

[I don’t think of Canaduh as being a nexus of Broads...]


61 posted on 11/13/2025 5:37:52 PM PST by Paladin2 (YMMV)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 24 | View Replies]

To: Diana in Wisconsin

Yeah, right. Did they poll 100% Democrat Socialist party members? Poll paid by the Ontario Canada Government?


62 posted on 11/13/2025 5:41:12 PM PST by DAC21
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: BookmanTheJanitor

Really! Why isn’t South Africa on the list?


63 posted on 11/13/2025 6:02:35 PM PST by ProtectOurFreedom
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: montag813

Good Reference Map - Even if you just want to visit. Thanks!

;-)


64 posted on 11/13/2025 6:05:17 PM PST by Tunehead54 (Nothing funny here ;-)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 39 | View Replies]

To: Diana in Wisconsin

The Great White North. No, I am staying here in Texas.


65 posted on 11/13/2025 6:18:06 PM PST by mfish13 ( )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Georgia Girl 2

Hush your mouth! I cringe at the sight of certain license plates for that very reason.


66 posted on 11/13/2025 6:19:06 PM PST by liberalh8ter ( This tagline has taken the month off to attend the inauguration.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 26 | View Replies]

To: Diana in Wisconsin

One of my ancestors was born in Texas during the Republic of Texas.

This county was cut up in 1885. My family moved from Coryell County to this county in 1889. We have owned and operated farms here ever since then.

I will be planted here. There is no other place on earth that I want to live in.

Travel? Not much interested, but there are a very few places I would like to see.


67 posted on 11/13/2025 6:28:56 PM PST by Texas Fossil (Texas is not about where you were born, but a Free State of Heart, Mind and Attitude.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Diana in Wisconsin

Those lefty young women really are idiots.


68 posted on 11/13/2025 6:29:15 PM PST by 9YearLurker
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SkyDancer

North Georgia is where I live.
I’ve been to Japan, Vietnam,Okinawa but now my roots are here I think if anyone wants to move me they better bring a crowbar and be prepared to die.

Slip those surly bonds of earth...

Tet68


69 posted on 11/13/2025 6:36:21 PM PST by tet68 ("We would not die in that man's company that fears his fellowship to die with us." Henry V.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 46 | View Replies]

To: Diana in Wisconsin

Baaaawwwaasshhhhh...coming up for air....bbaaaawwwaaaahhhhh

CANADUH!

Lived in Canada in late 90s, early 2000...for about 3 years...not a bad time....Now??? Never.


70 posted on 11/13/2025 6:43:52 PM PST by goodnesswins (Make educ institutions return to the Mission...reading, writing, math...not Opinions & propaganda)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: AppyPappy

Yes...Americans cannot have jobs in Canada more than 5 years


71 posted on 11/13/2025 6:46:05 PM PST by goodnesswins (Make educ institutions return to the Mission...reading, writing, math...not Opinions & propaganda)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 50 | View Replies]

To: Diana in Wisconsin

I urge every rat voter in the country to immediately move to Canada. And make it a one way trip.


72 posted on 11/13/2025 7:04:24 PM PST by Some Fat Guy in L.A. (Still bitterly clinging to rational thought despite its unfashionability)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: dfwgator

I’ve heard that as well. I wonder if Portugal is in the same predicament.


73 posted on 11/13/2025 7:19:44 PM PST by ducttape45 (Jeremiah 17:9, "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 21 | View Replies]

To: mikey_hates_everything

Canada is not “abroad”. I’ve been and anyone who retired there thinking it would be better than the States would end up disappointed.


They’re not even a real country, anyway.


74 posted on 11/13/2025 7:22:32 PM PST by dfwgator ("I am Charlie Kirk!")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 60 | View Replies]

To: Diana in Wisconsin

Why not Somalia or Eritrea?


75 posted on 11/13/2025 9:01:58 PM PST by Organic Panic ('Was I molested. I think so' - Ashley Biden in response to her father joining her in the shower.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Diana in Wisconsin
My top pics, in no particular order ... Uruguay, Bariloche Argentina, Azores or El Salvador (their current President has done wonders for the country). Hat tip to Panama.

In any expat situation, however, I would always have a quick exit plan.

76 posted on 11/13/2025 10:33:12 PM PST by The Duke (Not without incident)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: CondoleezzaProtege; Liz; GOPJ; mass55th; jacknhoo; rlmorel; sushiman; Candor7
Here's a question for everyone: What countries do Americans retire to?

Actually we don't need any fancy new research study to answer that question.

Social security statistics give us the answer.  The chart shows the number of bank deposits and checks the SSA is sending overseas by country.

And here the top Social Security payment destinations:

111,096 Japan
108,941 Canada
 62,028 Mexico
 40,369 United Kingdom
 38,109 Germany
 37,509 Poland
 35,328 Philippines
 26,210 Italy
 22,012 Greece
 18,502 France
 17,378 Australia
 17,060 Israel
 15,864 Portugal
 14,611 Spain
 11,293 South Korea

One of the biggest factors, I surmise, is that many of the top countries have U.S. military bases.  I was stationed in Sasebo, Japan where I met my wife.  And now after 40+ years living in the USA, we returned 3 years ago as resident aliens in Japan, an advanced country where the U.S. dollar goes far.

As long as you have a Japanese spouse to navigate city hall, banks, and immigration offices, you can have a great life here.  And the bonus is the Japanese love Americans.

So come on over!  And bring your pickleball racket :-)

77 posted on 11/14/2025 3:24:45 AM PST by poconopundit
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 47 | View Replies]

To: poconopundit

I envy you, LOL.


78 posted on 11/14/2025 3:36:07 AM PST by Candor7 (Ask not for whom the Trump Trolls,He trolls for thee!<img src="" width=500</img><a href="">tag</a>) )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 77 | View Replies]

To: poconopundit

That looks like MUCH more reliable data than asking 1,000 random, America-hating losers. Thanks! :)


79 posted on 11/14/2025 4:25:17 AM PST by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have, 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 77 | View Replies]

To: dfwgator

Governor Trudeau would beg to differ.


80 posted on 11/14/2025 4:51:35 AM PST by ClarityGuy
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 74 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-8081-87 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson