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Want to move out of the US? These are the best places to live abroad, expats say

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carolinakid

carolinakid

Joined
Oct 20, 2021
Messages
39,046
Flight canceled due to weather? Here’s what to do
According to InterNations, Mexico has been in the top five of its annual ranking since 2014.

There are some cons, however, such as political instability. About 18% of expats said they don’t feel safe in the country either. The U.S. State Department noted in a travel advisory, last updated in August 2023, that violent crime is widespread in Mexico.

The department said emergency services are limited in certain areas and urged travelers not to visit the following states: Colima, Guerrero, Michoacan, Sinaloa, Tamaulipas, and Zacatecas.

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Panorama of València, Spain, from an elevated point. (Getty Images)

Panorama of València, Spain, from an elevated point. (Getty Images)© Provided by WETM Elmira
Similar to Mexico, runner-up Spain received high marks for how easy it is for foreigners to settle in (80% of expats said they feel right at home). Many expats there also love Spain’s nightlife and sports scene, as well as the cost of living. Overall, 87% of expats are pleased with their life there.


On the negative side, 36% said they are unhappy with the job market while only 49% believe moving there improved their career prospects.

The U.S. State Department has also issued a Level 2 travel advisory for Spain, encouraging visitors to use increased caution due to “terrorism and civil unrest.” The advisory warned people to avoid demonstrations and to be on alert when visiting tourist attractions or crowded areas.

French tourist finds 7.46-carat diamond at Crater of Diamonds State Park
Portugal is the only other European country to make the top 10, while the others are in Asia and the Americas:

  1. Mexico
  2. Spain
  3. Panama
  4. Malaysia
  5. Taiwan
  6. Thailand
  7. Costa Rica
  8. Philippines
  9. Bahrain
  10. Portugal
For its survey, InterNations – which represents the world’s largest expat community – polled more than 12,000 people of varying nationalities living in 172 countries or territories.

Participants rated different aspects of expat life, from healthcare and safety to work culture, housing and more. Click here to see the full report.
 

thefix

thefix

Joined
Feb 17, 2023
Messages
422
Haha imagine moving to Mexico and that somehow improving your lifestyle, maybe this is a list for broke gamblers. Moreso a top 10 list of locations to hide from your bookie. Safety and healthcare in the majority of those countries is laughable.
 

quantumleap

quantumleap

Joined
Apr 10, 2022
Messages
3,695
I've watched YouTube videos of retirees who have moved to Mexico. You can get a nice, cheap place in Puerto Vallarta just a few blocks from the ocean. Lots of people speak English there. Other people live in other cheap coastal communities.
 

RRsilver

RRsilver

Joined
Nov 2, 2021
Messages
5,807
A girl I went to school with, all 12 years, moved to Mexico and stayed for several years. She used to post these long stories on Facebook about how things were different there than they are here. I loved reading her stories they were very interesting. She lived in a low crime part of the country. Not one of the bigger cities or where tourist go.
 
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