With travel and tourism red-hot again in most countries, more people than ever are looking to live abroad or travel abroad for extended periods. Many in the United States are looking to Europe as the possible place to find the next country for their move, as Europe tends to have visa requirements or traveler-friendly stipulations in place to make it an attractive place for Americans to come and visit and live in.
Many areas in Europe enjoy nationalized healthcare systems, international schools, high quality of life, low crime rates, and active expat communities which make them ideal locations for many Americans looking to begin their journey and life abroad.
But which ones have the easiest rules for Americans to follow, or offer the best quality of life for travelers? We’ve compiled a complete list of the best places in Europe for Americans with this complete guide.
When compiling this list, we took into account not only larger-picture things like quality of life, style of living, healthcare, and location but also things like best quality internet connections for remote working and convenience of public transportation systems.
Having access to the best connections for both exploration and for your job (if you have the opportunity to retain your remote job in the United States while putting down roots elsewhere) will allow you to have the best of both worlds throughout your time abroad. So where are the best places for American Expats in Europe? Let’s get into our complete list.
Madrid is the capital city of Spain and has a lot to offer both locals and travelers alike. At a glance, Madrid offers a very high quality of life, a reasonable cost of living, a low crime rate, and a very active Expat community for those looking to make like-minded friends.
Spain is constantly evolving and is a dynamic country with an incredibly rich cultural scene that will leave you constantly immersed and in wonder. It also has great weather, an excellent healthcare system, and good schooling. Madrid’s cost of living is also less expensive than many other European capitals like Vienna or Paris.
For Americans looking to move to a country where you’ll be able to learn a language quickly, Spain will be ideal for you. Because Spanish is widely taught in the United States and many resources are available to learn the language, you’ll be able to learn the language quickly, especially once immersed in the country. Additionally, many locals speak English, which will make it still easy to get around if you’re still rocky with your language skills.
If you’re looking to move to Europe but don’t want to learn a new language in the process, relocating to the south-coast city of Brighton in the United Kingdom could be a great option. Less expensive than London but remaining open-minded, tolerant, and with climate-focused city policies, Brighton has a very high-quality life. Not to mention, Brighton is located directly seaside, which allows you to enjoy not only all of its vibrant culture but great beaches and views as well.
On top of its quality of life, Brighton is also a great spot for both remote workers and those looking to gain opportunities with startups or in an artistic community.
Hamburg is a great option for those looking to benefit from Germany’s quality of life, industrial spirit, low crime rate, high employment rates, and stability.
Though Berlin might be more suited for younger Expats looking to experience its nightlife and active lifestyles, Hamburg is the perfect option for those with families who are looking to put down roots.
Athens is a vibrant cultural hub that has become a very popular spot amongst digital nomads and expats alike. It offers lower rents than many capitals in Europe and has a very high quality of life and lower cost of living. It also is rich in culture, and of course, has incredibly historic landmarks that many will want to experience.
Athens is also located just seaside so you can have access to its beautiful beaches, and ports, and can access its renowned islands through a ferry ride or short plane ride. Athens also has good internet connections, and many of its residents are proficient in English, which will make it easier for expats to get around while they become more familiar with Greek.
Portugal is known to be a vibrant and stunning country with affordable costs of living and high quality of life. Braga is a center for startups in the country and offers lower costs of living than Lisbon.
It’s also full of opportunities for those looking for professional opportunities in the country thanks to its plethora of start-ups and the presence of many high-tech companies like Bosch and Continental, which have headquarters there.
A vibrant and artistic city, Brussels has a lot to offer expats and international travelers. Still a bustling capital city but with a more laid-back lifestyle in comparison to cities like Paris or London, Brussels is affordable and English is widely spoken.
This city is a hotspot for digital nomads, and they benefit from the immersion into rich Belgian culture, diversity, culture, and nightlife to enjoy. For those with children, Brussels also offers very high-quality international schools that will provide them with a great education.
Known for its high quality of life and low crime rates, Vienna is a hotspot for Expats and for Americans looking to relocate abroad. Offering a rich cultural atmosphere, an affordable cost of living, and security, there’s no question as to why Vienna is so popular amongst Americans and international travelers.
On top of its high quality of life and enjoyable lifestyle, Vienna and Austria as a whole are extremely environmentally conscious and very conscious of ethical and social causes and issues.
Vienna is also pretty easy for many English speakers to adjust to, as they can take their time learning German due to the widespread knowledge of English in the country.
When looking to move abroad, take careful consideration into where you’re moving and why. You should also make sure you have the right international moving company on your side to ensure that you have the best and most complete moving experience possible. See what Allied International can do for you today to make your international move easy and stress-free today.
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Our aim is to have your belongings safely and quickly transported to your new location, with a focus on customer service and your utmost satisfaction.
We provide you with a personal moving coordinator. You can check in any time you wish, connecting to the same person who will be very familiar with your particular custom moving plan.
