From Panama’s jungles to Vietnam’s buzzing cities, these five countries offer expats the best mix of affordability, friendliness and quality of life.
More people than ever are living outside of their country of origin: according to the World Migration Report, 3.6% of the global population are considered international migrants. Moving abroad brings both challenges and rewards, but one recent survey suggests a single factor is shaping expat happiness more than ever right now: money.
Internations, a global community for people living and working overseas, surveyed more than 10,000 expats across 172 nationalities. This year, the countries that scored highest for overall happiness also ranked near the top in the survey’s Personal Finance index, alongside strong results for quality of life and ease of settling in.
We spoke to expats in each of the top five destinations to understand the best parts about living there – and their advice for others considering an international move.
1. Panama
Ranking 1st out of 46 countries overall, Panama placed in the top three across all five of the survey’s major indexes – including first in Working Abroad, second in Ease of Settling in and Expat Essentials (like digital life and housing), and third in Quality of Life and Personal Finance. Popular with freelancers, digital nomads and retirees, Panama attracts people who appreciate its natural beauty and outdoor activities.
“I love beyond words being surrounded by this lush jungle landscape where we see toucans, monkeys, iguanas, agoutis, birds, butterflies every day,” says Cari Mackey, an American who owns and operates Morrillo Beach Eco Resort. “Our area is so remote that we rarely see anyone else on our beach other than our own guests of the resort so, the waves are never crowded and the vibes are always nice.”
Mackey warns, however, that deforestation is an issue and urges expats to respect the environment. “A lot of people move to Panama and before getting to know the land, [they] start cutting down trees or the understory of the forest and then [we] lose that eco system forever,” she said.
The top 10 countries for expats, according to Internations:
1. Panama
2. Colombia 3. Mexico
4. Thailand
5. Vietnam
6. China
7. UAE
8. Indonesia
9. Spain
10. Malaysia
Bureaucracy can also be a challenge, she says, and hiring professional help like lawyers can go a long way when navigating the systems; even renewing vehicle license plates can require complex paperwork.
To appreciate Panama’s beauty, Mackey recommends visiting Cerro Hoyas National Park. “The park is home to endemic species of plants and animals that I didn’t know existed,” she said. “It is a dream for birders, a challenge for hikers and an all-round inspiring place to explore with waterfalls everywhere!”
2. Colombia
Ranking second overall, Colombia scored particularly well in Personal Finance (second) and Ease of Settling In (third). A cheaper cost of living also had a major impact, with nearly four out of five expats saying they were happy with their financial situation here. That satisfaction also extended to a sense of belonging, with 80% feeling at welcomed and home in the country.
“Colombians are warm, welcoming and curious, which makes them wonderful neighbours and friends,” said Portia Hart, who moved to Cartagena 10 years ago from the UK and now owns boutique hotel Townhouse Cartagena. “The most charming aspects of life here revolve around family, so my best recommendation is: find a big, loud Colombian family and get yourself adopted.” The sooner you can drop the expat label, the easier it is to integrate and adapt, she adds.
She describes Colombia as having a true spirit of opportunity and purpose. “Colombia’s complex modern history means there is a tangible spirit of hope and collective effort toward a better future,” she said. Hospitality, especially in rural areas, has created opportunities and social development, she adds, which makes life rewarding and meaningful.
Her favourite place to holiday is Barichara, a preserved rural village in north-east Colombia, for its year-round perfect weather and some of country’s best restaurants. She also recommends visiting the coffee region, and horse riding in the plains of Los Llanos, which remains relatively untouched by mass tourism.
3. Mexico
Mexico is at number three, with its ranking boosted by its highly friendly culture. Expats here report feeling welcome at a rate more than 20% higher than the global average, and say that making connections is easy.
“The people, the culture, the food, the amazing beauty, the cost of living, the healthcare all are great reasons to live here,” said American David B Wright, who lives in Playa del Carmen and owns a marketing agency. “I can work from practically anywhere, so why not live in paradise?”
He notes that while many areas of the country, especially tourist-heavy regions, speak English, it’s important to learn Spanish to become part of the community. “Learning another language isn’t just learning another way to say things; it’s learning another way to view the world,” he said. “If you live here for 5, 10, 20 years and don’t bother to learn anything beyond the very basics, you’re expecting others to accommodate you but aren’t showing the desire to accommodate others.”
The biggest adjustment for him was not being able to drink the tap water, and says many older houses have small pipes so you can’t flush toilet paper. He also notes that the perception and value of time is expressed differently here. “Mañana doesn’t necessarily mean ‘tomorrow’. It could mean anytime between the morning and two weeks or so out,” he said. “Similarly, ahora and ahorita don’t always mean ‘now’ or ‘right now’.”
US expat Lynn Pierce, based in Cabo San Lucas, adds that Mexico can be more affordable than most American cities. “And if you’re lucky, that lower cost of living comes with an ocean view,” she says. She also mentions that the reliable internet connectivity, which makes working remotely easy, has attracted more digital nomads in recent years.
While Wright recommends exploring the Yucatan peninsula for its cenotes, haciendas and Mayan sites like Chichen Itza, Pierce names west-coast Cabo as “the world’s aquarium” for its marine life and whale sightings right off the coast.
4. Thailand
Thailand placed 4th overall, scoring particularly well in Overall Happiness (ranked second) and Personal Finance (third). Expats also find it easy to settle in here, ranking it in the top 10 for finding friends and local friendliness.
“I do not know any other country that is as welcoming, safe and beautiful to travel around in,” said Natasha Eldred, who lived in Koh Tao for a year and built a successful travel PR and marketing agency in Phuket. For her, Phuket’s combination of infrastructure – like hospitals, schools, shops and an airport – with easy access to jungle hikes and quiet beaches made it ideal.
Amy Poulton, who writes the blog Page Traveller and worked in Bangkok during Covid, highlights Thailand’s expat community as large and supportive. She adds that the hot weather, food, friendly people and relaxed way of life all appealed to her.
While English is widely spoken, expats caution that cultural awareness is paramount here. “Thai work culture can be quite hierarchical,” said Poulton. “‘Saving face’ and being non-confrontational are especially important.” Foreigners also typically have much higher wages than locals, and aren’t as affected by the country’s strict laws and social norms.
“My Thai friends found it annoying when expats would talk about how amazing Thailand is when local people have a very different experience,” said Poulton. “Keep yourself informed and aware that your experience is very different to local people.” Eldred echoes that Western ideals are best left at home. “Respect the culture, respect the Kingdom and have an open heart and a broad mind,” she says.
Thailand has no shortage of attractions in Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Phuket, but visiting lesser-known islands or the countryside can be just as fulfilling. Eldred particularly loved sailing Phang Nga Bay and visiting Khao Sok National Park in southern Thailand, where she spent a few nights in a tree house. Poulton also recommends attending local festivals like the Phuket Vegetarian Festival.
5. Vietnam
Vietnam rounded out the top five, ranking first in the Personal Finance index and eight in overall happiness. With one of the world’s fastest growing economies, expats describe a palpable energy and dynamism.
“Life here moves fast, there’s so much growth everywhere and people are incredibly warm and helpful,” said Bertha Pesik, who moved here from Indonesia and works at New World Phu Quoc Resort.
Pesik particularly loves the cuisine for its freshness, abundance of greens and minimal oil. Her favourites include bún chả, a Hanoi specialty of grilled pork served with rice noodles, herbs and dipping sauce; and bánh cuốn, a northern dish of steamed rice rolls filled with minced pork and mushrooms, topped with crispy shallots. The country can also be a dream for coffee lovers. “Vietnamese coffee is a must; it’s famously strong, and salted coffee is a unique twist I love,” she said.
Expats learn quickly to check the weather before travelling or deciding where to settle as the north, central and south regions all have very different climates. And learning basic Vietnamese phrases like xin chào (hello) and cảm ơn (thank you) can go a long way when integrating with local residents.
Pesik’s favourite things to do on Phu Quoc include sunbathing on Bai Kem Beach or watching fireworks at the Kiss of the Sea show at Sunset Town. She also loves heading to Da Nang for its city-and-coast vibe and nearby Ba Na Hills’ Golden Bridge for the feeling of walking among the clouds.
Sourse: BBC
