Destinations

Where Americans are moving, and how to get there

Each guide covers the legal routes to residency with current income requirements, healthcare, housing, taxes, the neighborhoods expats choose, and the trade-offs nobody puts in the brochure.

A palm-lined tropical beach with turquoise water

Country guides

Not sure where to start? The Country Matcher ranks these destinations against your budget, climate, and language preferences.

PortugalSafe, mild, and affordable by Western European standards, with a D7 visa a modest pension can qualify for.

Europe
Portuguese
EUR

Read the guide →SpainExcellent infrastructure and healthcare, with clear routes for retirees and remote workers; the golden visa ended in 2025.

Europe
Spanish
EUR

Read the guide →ItalyUnmatched daily quality of life and affordable small towns, for people with solid passive income and patience for paperwork.

Europe
Italian
EUR

Read the guide →MexicoClose to home with highland, beach and big-city options; residency income rules vary by consulate and safety varies sharply by state.

Latin America
Spanish
MXN

Read the guide →Costa RicaNature, a spring-like highland climate, and clear income-based residency, at prices higher than many neighbors.

Central America
Spanish
CRC

Read the guide →PanamaDollar-based, close to the US, with a simple $1,000-a-month retiree visa and no tax on foreign income.

Central America
Spanish
USD

Read the guide →ColombiaSpring-like cities and low visa income thresholds tied to the minimum wage, balanced against a Level 3 safety advisory.

Latin America
Spanish
COP

Read the guide →EcuadorDollar economy with some of the lowest retiree income thresholds anywhere and mild Andean cities; check coastal security zones.

Latin America
Spanish
USD

Read the guide →Dominican RepublicCaribbean living a short flight from the East Coast, with a retiree incentive law offering real tax breaks.

Caribbean
Spanish
DOP

Read the guide →ThailandExcellent private hospitals and an easy daily life on several long-stay visas, but far from the US and no land ownership.

Asia
Thai
THB

Read the guide →GhanaEnglish-speaking West African nation with a Right of Abode law welcoming people of African descent; plan for paperwork, land-lease rules and upfront rent.

Africa
English
GHS

Read the guide →

Ranked

Best Places to Retire Abroad

Our editorial ranking weighs cost, healthcare, ease of residency, safety, and distance from home, and shows exactly how each score was set.

See the ranking

Common questions

Which country is easiest for Americans to move to?

It depends on how you'll support yourself. Retirees with steady pension or Social Security income often find Panama, Mexico, Ecuador, Costa Rica, and Portugal approachable, while remote workers have more options through digital nomad visas. Compare requirements with the Visa Income Checker.

How much money do I need to move abroad?

Plan for two numbers: the monthly cost of living in your destination, and a one-time moving budget for visas, travel, deposits, furniture, and a cash cushion. The Budget Calculator helps you estimate both.