Best Places for Americans to Live in 2026 (Top 22 Countries)

Most countries look great in photos, but fail the "real life" test. ????

Last week, we talked about the countries that don't work. Today, we’re shifting the focus to the winners. These are the 22 countries that passed our filter for safety, healthcare, affordability, and—most importantly—a realistic path to staying long-term in 2026.

Whether it’s the tax treaties in France, the 7% flat tax in Italy, or the new DTV visa in Thailand, we’re breaking down the fundamentals that make these places more than just vacation spots.

In this video, we cover:

The "Slower Pace" Factor: Why Americans struggle with it at first, then never want to leave.

Healthcare Peace of Mind: Comparing the cost of U.S. premiums to world-class care abroad.

Purchasing Power: How to stop sprinting just to stay in place.

The Top 22: A deep dive into Southern Europe, The Americas, and Asia/Oceania.

Moving abroad isn't about luck—it's about choosing a country that makes sense even after the "honeymoon phase" is over. As we always say: We should have done this sooner.

Get The Ultimate Moving Abroad Program www.itllbefunretirement.com/movingabroad-1

Schedule a 1-on-1 "Move Abroad" Meetup www.itllbefunretirement.com/movingabroad1to1meeting

???? How We Help You Move Abroad At It’ll Be Fun, we specialize in making international relocation easy!
Whether you're:
✅ Planning a GAP Year ✈️
✅ Moving to Portugal permanently ????
✅ Exploring a digital nomad lifestyle ????

We’ve got the resources, connections, and expert guidance to help you every step of the way!

???? Join Our Community

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✨ Our Trusted Partners & Relocation Resources
A list of the services and people we trust to make your move smooth and stress-free.

???? Housing & Real Estate (Portugal)
LCL Real Homes (Claudia Ribeiro)
???? LCLRealHomes@gmail.com
???? +351 967 440 896

???? Visa & Immigration Assistance
Sandra Fernandes Consultancy (Save 10%)
???? sandra.jfernandes@sjf.pt | contact@sjf.pt

EI Migration Agency (Save 10%)
???? gilda.pereira@eimigrante.pt | geral@eimigrante.pt
???? www.EImigrante.PT

???? Taxes & Financial Planning
Taxes for Expats (20+ Yrs Experience)
➡ www.taxesforexpats.com/ref/277

Bordr (Portuguese Tax Services)
➡ bordr.com/portugal/tax-filing?via=itllbefun

Filomena Silva (Portuguese Tax Expert) - This is who we use in PT
???? filomenasilva@zacariasdasilva.pt
???? +351 965 013 674

???? Money Transfers & Banking
Wise (International Money Transfer)
➡ wise.prf.hn/click/camref:1100lqeJX

Spartan FX (Best Exchange Rates)
➡ www.spartanfx.co.uk/fx-partner.php?sfxtrack=madeira

???? Transportation & Car Rentals
Discover Cars
➡ www.discovercars.com/?a_aid=Itllbefun

???? US Mail Services
Traveling Mailbox (Virtual Mailbox)
➡ travelingmailbox.com/?ref=1351&campaign=It'llBeFun

???? VPN for Safe Browsing Abroad - Protect Your Financial Accounts
Surfshark VPN (82% Off + 3 Free Months)
➡ https://get.surfshark.net/aff_c?offer_id=926&aff_id=17139

DISCLAIMER: The information provided on this channel is for entertainment and informational purposes only. We are not financial, legal, or immigration professionals. All information is based on our personal experiences and research. Please consult with qualified professionals (attorneys, tax advisors, etc.) for advice tailored to your unique situation. Some links are affiliates, which means we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
#moveabroad #livingabroad #expatlife #retireabroad #movingoverseas #digitalnomad

0:00 — Why 70% of People Never Move
1:15 — The Filter: How We Picked These 22
2:10 — Why Move? Reclaiming Your Time
3:45 — Healthcare & Purchasing Power
5:02 — Southern Europe: Portugal & Spain
6:30 — France: The Tax Treaty Advantage
7:15 — Italy’s 7% Flat Tax & Greece
8:25 — The Americas: Mexico to Panama
9:40 — Asia & Oceania: New 2026 Visa Rules
10:35 — Who Should Go Where?
11:05 — Managing Your Mail & Next Steps