Relocating to another country isn’t just about packing bags or finding a job, it starts with choosing the right destination for your goals, lifestyle, and long-term wellbeing. This guide explores the key factors to consider when deciding where to live abroad, from visa restrictions and healthcare access to cultural fit, financial planning, and personal priorities.
Moving abroad is one of the most life-changing and stressful decisions a person can make. Whether you're relocating for work, family, retirement, lifestyle or just because it’s something you’ve always wanted to do, choosing the most suitable country is the single most important decision, and the one that is hardest to get right.
In fact, it’s so difficult that this single decision is the biggest inhibitor for people who remain undecided and ultimately end up staying put.
This guide is designed to help you navigate the complexities of selecting a destination, weighing your personal circumstances against practical realities, and setting the foundations for a successful international move, no matter where you're coming from or where you're thinking of going.
By the end of this article, you should be able to start researching and be able to draw up your shortlist of destinations.
Before looking at maps, comparing visa requirements or reminiscing about your wonderful holiday, spend time identifying what really matters to you.
Every relocation has trade-offs, and different countries offer different combinations of lifestyle, costs, opportunities and culture.
Your first task is to ask yourself the following questions, and it is vital to be honest with yourself:
Listing and ranking these priorities will help you avoid decision paralysis later.
It also stops you from falling into the trap of choosing a country for superficial reasons (such as trying to recreate a dream holiday), only to realise it doesn't support your physiological and emotional needs.
Once you've identified and scored your personal priorities, the next step is to narrow down a shortlist of countries or cities that can realistically meet your needs.
This is the critical stage where emotion often meets complexity.
You might dream of living by the sea, but can you find work there? You may love a particular city’s culture, but will your children thrive in the education system?
Rather than relying solely on subjective opinions or hearsay, you can use global indices to add an objective layer to your decision-making:
The World Happiness Report ranks countries based on overall wellbeing, social support, life expectancy, and freedom. Nordic countries typically top the list, but you may be surprised by high-ranking options outside Europe. Visit: https://www.worldhappiness.report/
Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) helps assess how likely you are to face bureaucratic hurdles, bribes, or opaque regulations. Low corruption often correlates with stronger institutions and legal protections. Visit: https://www.transparency.org/en/cpi
InterNations Expat Insider Survey (https://www.internations.org/expat-insider) and HSBC Expat Explorer Report offer annual insights from thousands of expats around the world. They rank countries based on ease of settling in, personal finances, working abroad, and family life. These are especially useful for identifying expat-friendly countries that may not score as highly on traditional economic measures.
To turn all this research into something personalised and actionable, a tool like Newroot.ai can be a powerful ally.
For a small fee, it lets you input your personal preferences, such as income level, family status, remote work flexibility, lifestyle goals, and long-term ambitions and matches them with data on tax regimes, healthcare access, visa types, climate, infrastructure, and expat integration.
You’ll receive a customised relocation report suggesting countries and cities that fit your profile, helping you confidently focus your attention on locations that align with both your dreams and your reality.
While no tool or survey can make the decision for you, combining your instincts with structured data dramatically improves the quality, and confidence, of your final shortlist.
We’ve partnered with the team at Newroots.ai and can offer a 20% discount to people who visit from Experts for Expats using the code: E4E20. Visit their website now for more information: https://newroots.ai/
No matter how attractive a country may seem, your ability to live there long-term will usually depend on whether you meet strict visa or residency criteria. These differ enormously across jurisdictions and can affect:
Visa types range from work and family visas to investment and retirement routes, and many countries impose conditions based on age, income, qualifications, or national origin.
A digital nomad visa, for example, may offer flexibility, but often limits your rights to local services, permanent residence and future employment options.
Failing to align your plans with legal requirements can cause unnecessary stress and potentially force you to abandon your move altogether.
Always research immigration policies at the same time as exploring lifestyle factors.
Cost of living is often one of the first things people compare when choosing a new country, but looking at general figures alone can be misleading. Focus instead on specific expenses that match your lifestyle. The best way to do this is to visit the particular countries and areas you are considering moving.
For example:
Try to factor in currency volatility and how your home-country income or assets will translate into the new system.
Cultural compatibility is easy to overlook in the excitement of relocation planning but it’s a major factor in long-term satisfaction and minimising loneliness and homesickness.
A country may offer sunshine and cheap housing, but will you thrive there if you struggle with the language, or feel culturally isolated?
Even if a country may seem similar on the outside, such as the UK and the US, there are major cultural differences that may be overlooked on the basis of the things we have in common (eg. language).
Think about:
Some countries are easier than others to integrate into as a foreigner, while others may require a more deliberate effort to avoid loneliness or culture shock.
Where possible, spend time in potential countries before you make your move permanent. Short visits can help you evaluate how the reality compares to the idea and even though this is expensive and time consuming, it can significantly increase the likelihood of finding your perfect place to settle.
When visiting, you should consider:
This kind of reconnaissance can give you invaluable insight into day-to-day life and either confirm your decision or highlight challenges you hadn’t considered.
Beyond lifestyle, you’ll need to think about the systems that affect your quality of life. Research the following questions:
Some countries offer universal healthcare to residents, while others rely on private cover or charge foreigners full price for services. Education systems vary widely too, and expat-friendly options can be limited or expensive.
Check the facts early so you’re not caught off-guard after arrival.
Relocating abroad will almost always trigger changes to your tax position.
Whether you’re employed, self-employed, retired or investing, you’ll need to understand how tax residency, double tax agreements, social security contributions and pension access may be affected.
Some questions to explore include:
Tax advice is essential for many movers, especially those with complex finances or dual incomes. The right structure can protect your savings and avoid expensive compliance issues.
Unless you are relocating withing the EU, currency exchange is a crucial but often overlooked aspect of moving abroad.
Fluctuating exchange rates can significantly impact your income, savings, and day-to-day expenses, especially if you're earning in one currency and spending in another.
Even small percentage changes can add up over time, affecting everything from rent payments to pension transfers. It’s important to understand how exchange rates work, explore options like multi-currency bank accounts or international money transfer services, and consider using forward contracts or regular payment plans to reduce volatility.
Finally, it’s important to look past the logistics of relocation and think about the long-term. What happens six months after you move, once the novelty fades? Do you have a plan for building a social life, navigating bureaucracy, and staying mentally well?
Relocation success isn’t just about ticking tasks off a list,it’s about ensuring the life you’re creating abroad is one you actually want to live.
Choosing the right country for your international move comes down to aligning your personal goals with practical constraints.
Start by clearly defining your priorities including career ambitions, language, climate, culture, healthcare, schools, and community.
Then research destinations that meet both your lifestyle needs and visa eligibility. Don’t rely on high-level comparisons: dive into local costs, visa rules, healthcare access, and everyday logistics, and assess whether you can integrate culturally and emotionally.
Plan a trial stay to test your assumptions, engage with expat networks, and get comfortable handling bureaucracy.
Developing a realistic budget, understanding your tax and financial implications, and preparing for right-of-way hurdles will keep your transition smooth.
Ultimately, success lies in combining enthusiastic exploration with grounded pragmatism, giving yourself the space to try before committing while having the knowledge to build a fulfilling life abroad.
Always remember that moving abroad is the most stressful life change you can proactively make, getting these first steps right must not be underestimated. Remember to always seek help wherever possible, speak to people who have made the move and experts who can help you achieve your goals.
Most importantly, take your time and don’t try to do it alone.
Choosing a country to move to can feel overwhelming, especially with so many factors to weigh up. At Experts for Expats, we help people from all backgrounds make confident decisions about international relocation with introductions to trusted advisors for visas, tax, and financial planning. Check out the range of introduction services we offer here: https://www.expertsforexpats.com/advisors
For a comprehensive overview of what you need to know when moving abroad, check out our Moving Abroad Checklist
