Escape Artist
  • Features
    • Interviews
    • News
    • Field Notes
    • Trending
  • Your Escape Plan
    • Finance
    • Real Estate
    • Second Citizenship
    • Digital Nomadism
  • Destinations
    • Europe
      • Spain
      • Portugal
      • Italy
      • France
      • UK
      • Rest of Europe
    • Central America
      • Panama
      • Costa Rica
      • Nicaragua
      • Honduras
      • Belize
      • El Salvador
      • Guatemala
    • Others
      • North America
      • South America
      • Australia
      • Africa
      • Asia
  • Travel Tips
    • Know Before You Go
    • Packing List
    • Food + Culture
    • Health + Wellness
  • Subscribe
Escape Artist
  • Features
    • Interviews
    • News
    • Field Notes
    • Trending
  • Your Escape Plan
    • Finance
    • Real Estate
    • Second Citizenship
    • Digital Nomadism
  • Destinations
    • Europe
      • Spain
      • Portugal
      • Italy
      • France
      • UK
      • Rest of Europe
    • Central America
      • Panama
      • Costa Rica
      • Nicaragua
      • Honduras
      • Belize
      • El Salvador
      • Guatemala
    • Others
      • North America
      • South America
      • Australia
      • Africa
      • Asia
  • Travel Tips
    • Know Before You Go
    • Packing List
    • Food + Culture
    • Health + Wellness
  • Subscribe
👤

LIFE WITHOUT BOUNDARIES

THE NUMBER ONE SOURCE FOR EXPATS, DIGITAL NOMADS, AND DREAMERS.

  • Digital Nomadism

Is It Easy To Live Overseas For Americans?

  • December 14, 2017
  • BY EA Editors
Total
0
Shares
0
0
0

The task of calculating how many Americans live abroad is often referred to as “counting the uncountable.” Indeed, no one knows for sure how many U.S. citizens have chosen to reside in a foreign country. There are some estimations, but official ones are outdated because the country doesn’t compile official numbers.

For example, the 1999 report released by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs (CA) provided the following picture that should not be dramatically different from the present one (except for the numbers):

Is it Easy to Live Overseas for Americans?

According to these estimates, approximately 4 million Americans lived in others countries in 1999. How about now? Given that official data is virtually non-existent, one can only use the information by CA. One of the most recent reports released by the organization in 2016 provided the following data:

  • number of Americans living overseas (including military personnel): about 9 million
  • 70,666 registered overseas births of U.S. citizens in 2016
  • 10,992 U.S. citizens died while overseas in 2016.

So, as these numbers show, a lot of Americans live abroad. In this article, let’s find out just how easy it is for them? Clearly, quality of living is different, and one may be deprived of many benefits, so why did they make the decision to move?

Assessing the Quality of Life of Americans Living Overseas

Obviously, one cannot say for sure whether each individual American citizen lives comfortably, but one can certainly make reasonable predictions. We are going to do that by assessing the cost of living in some destinations with a high number of American citizens living there, including Germany, France, Canada, and Mexico.

We used the newly calculated price index from Expatistan which recently claimed that Zurich, Switzerland, was the most expensive city to live in with the index as high as $295 – while Kyiv, Ukraine, had the lowest price index of $65.

Is it Easy to Live Overseas for Americans?

Berlin, Germany (Pixabay image)

Germany

Number of Americans living in Germany: about 110,000 (Eurostat estimates)

Share of English speakers: up to 70 percent

Cost of living in Berlin: price index 161, which is equal to living in Salt Lake City

Let’s begin with a popular destination: Germany. The country has a lot to offer to an American, including stunning architecture, reasonable prices compared to the U.S., an access to all Western European countries (a two-hour flight will get you anywhere), friendly people, and even a good job.

Is it Easy to Live Overseas for Americans?

Paris, France (Pixabay image)

France

Number of Americans living in France: about 50,000 (Eurostat estimates)

Share of English speakers: up to 60 percent

Cost of living in Paris: price index 216, which is comparable to living in Seattle

Most of Americans living in France came there to work or live life fully. What does that mean? In terms of working, the country has a lot to offer; for example, Paris is the world’s capital of fashion, so a lot of American citizens interested in this industry work here. Living life in France is also something that many American admire. “I fell in love with this country long before I decided to move there,” says Brian Shklanski, an American expatriate living in Paris. “And it started when my son asked me: “Would you help to write my essay on Parisian architecture?” Since then, the only city I preferred for life was the French capital.”

The beaches of Cannes, the museums and architecture of Paris, the restaurants of Lyon, the vineyards in Champagne… you get the idea.

 

Is it Easy to Live Overseas for Americans?

Toronto, Canada (Pixabay image)

Canada

Number of Americans living in Canada: 300,000+ (government estimates)

Share of English speakers: 99 percent

Cost of living in Montreal: price index is 153, which is less expensive than cities like Tulsa

Canada has an amazingly open immigration policy, so a lot of Americans have chosen to live abroad there. Compared to American cities, Canadian ones are a bit cheaper but provide almost the same living conditions. So, it’s safe to assume that living in this country is reasonably easy for an American.

Is it Easy to Live Overseas for Americans?

Mexico City, Mexico (Pixabay Image)

Mexico

Number of Americans living in Mexico: up to 1 million (unofficial estimates)

Share of English speakers: up to 13 percent

Cost of living in Mexico City: price index of 83 makes it 52 percent cheaper than living in Chicago

In the recent years, Mexico emerged as the most popular destination for Americans living abroad, with some sources identifying the number of immigrants as high as 1 million. However, it should be noted that a large share of this number is American retirees who move there (often illegally) to enjoy the warm weather, good food, and lower cost of living.

The Verdict

Having reviewed some popular destinations of Americans overseas, it is clear that they are drawn to some unique opportunities offered by foreign countries. We think it is safe to suggest that living overseas is reasonably easy for many Americans, but this doesn’t mean you should grab your passport and head for the airport.

To make an important choice of living in a foreign country, you still need to take care of such things as work. In destinations like Berlin, Paris, and Toronto, the labor market is highly competitive, even for native English speakers. So, plan everything ahead, especially if you want to move to Europe or another overseas destination.

 

Author Bio:

Diana Clark once gave up her educator career for something she always dreamed about – writing. Diana is a freelance writer at Awriter. She discovers the world of digital nomads and believes that someday people will become location independent. 

 

 

Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Previous Article
  • Digital Nomadism

Investing in Japan

  • November 22, 2017
  • BY EA Editors
View Post
Next Article
  • Portugal

Portugal’s Golden Visa

  • January 31, 2018
  • BY staffwriter
View Post
You May Also Like
The first glimpse of possibility—abandoned, broken, waiting.
View Post
  • Field Notes
How an Abandoned House in Spain Changed Everything
  • BY Isha Sesay
  • July 7, 2025
View Post
  • Africa
The New Africa Travel List for 2025
  • BY Emily Draper
  • June 20, 2025
best place to retire
View Post
  • Plan B
Retiring Abroad: Where Can You Actually Afford to Live?
  • BY EA Editorial Staff
  • June 18, 2025
Healthcare systems
View Post
  • Health
What You Need to Know About Healthcare and Insurance Abroad
  • BY Isha Sesay
  • June 11, 2025
Tourist visas remain the simplest path to setting foot abroad.
View Post
  • Plan B
Living on a Tourist Visa – How Long Can You Stay?
  • BY EA Editorial Staff
  • June 4, 2025
View Post
  • Digital Nomadism
Top 5 Places To Live In Portugal
  • BY Mikkel Thorup
  • June 1, 2025
Moving abroad can be a fresh start—but only if you do it with your eyes wide open.
View Post
  • Plan B
Moving Abroad to Reinvent Yourself
  • BY EA Editorial Staff
  • May 28, 2025
Lush landscapes define the island’s everyday beauty.
View Post
  • Bali
Top 10 Things to Know if You’re Moving to Bali
  • BY Emily Draper
  • May 19, 2025
Trending Posts
  • The True Cost of Leaving America 1
    • Interviews
    The True Cost of Leaving America
    • June 25, 2025
  • 20 Reasons Not to Move to Dubai (In No Particular Order) 2
    • Field Notes
    20 Reasons Not to Move to Dubai
    • June 27, 2025
  • Nordic chapter of adventure 3
    • Rest of Europe
    The Nordic Blueprint for Happiness
    • June 30, 2025
  • Long days, wild spaces, and the calm of the North. 4
    • Rest of Europe
    Scandinavian Summers Are the New Escape
    • July 3, 2025
  • Dating Abroad: Love Across Borders 5
    • Spain
    Love, Loss, and Language Barriers
    • June 27, 2025
Subscribe
Know Before You Go
  • The True Cost of Leaving America 1
    • Interviews
    The True Cost of Leaving America
    • June 25, 2025
  • 2
    • Africa
    The New Africa Travel List for 2025
    • June 20, 2025
  • Rolling emerald fields and soft skies in County Kerry. 3
    • Ireland
    Top 10 Things to Know If You’re Moving to Ireland
    • June 13, 2025
  • A new generation claims space through movement. 4
    • Africa
    How Ethiopia’s Girls Are Rewriting the Rules on Wheels
    • May 30, 2025
  • Residency programs worldwide are undergoing rapid transformation. 5
    • Second Citizenship
    Beyond the Golden Visa – The Future of Residency
    • May 7, 2025
Learn More
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Subscribe
Why Subscribe

The newly imagined Escape Artist brings you fresh content with a global focus, and sharp, up-to-the-minute coverage of the joys, challenges, and opportunities of life abroad.

For a limited time, we’re offering a special discount on all subscription deals, so be sure to lock-in these incredible savings and start receiving top-notch travel and expat content today!

Sign up for the EA Newsletter

Get important news delivered directly to your inbox and stay connected!

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Escape Artist
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookies Policy
  • Disclaimer

Input your search keywords and press Enter.

Newsletter Subscription

Our Spring Sale Has Started

You can see how this popup was set up in our step-by-step guide: https://wppopupmaker.com/guides/auto-opening-announcement-popups/