Something has quietly shifted in how Americans think about where to live. Among Americans surveyed by Expatsi throughout 2024, more than half said the U.S. feels “too divided,” over half cited political polarization, and roughly two in five pointed to financial relief as a primary driver for considering a move abroad. Those aren’t just poll numbers. They reflect a real and measurable wave of people actually packing up and leaving.
Results from a February 2025 survey conducted in partnership with Harris Poll revealed that nearly half of Americans have considered leaving the U.S. in the next two years. The cities drawing the most arrivals aren’t random. They tend to share a specific mix of accessible visa pathways, lower costs, and the kind of daily life that feels like a genuine upgrade. Here are the six international cities seeing the biggest surge of Americans arriving right now.
1. Lisbon, Portugal
Portugal’s immigration agency recorded over 19,000 U.S. citizens living in the country at the end of 2024, up from roughly 14,000 in 2023, a jump of more than a third. Around 4,800 U.S. residents obtained Portuguese residence permits in 2024 alone. Lisbon is where the overwhelming majority of those new arrivals land first. Lisbon remains the easiest on-ramp for many Americans because it combines international energy with strong infrastructure, good public transport, and the widest range of English-speaking services, and for those moving from U.S. cities, it often feels like the least jarring landing point.
Consumer prices in Portugal are, on average, roughly half those in the United States, while the average monthly cost of living for a couple in Lisbon runs about $2,500. Safety is another draw: Portugal ranked 7th on the Global Peace Index’s list of the safest countries in 2024. Portugal’s Digital Nomad Visa has been updated for 2026 with a minimum monthly income threshold for individuals, making it a structured option for remote workers. The trade-off worth noting is that demand has increased in popular cities like Lisbon and Porto, which has driven up housing competition and made affordable rentals harder to secure.
2. Mexico City, Mexico
Mexico leads all international destinations for American emigrants, with nearly 800,000 U.S. citizens making the move in 2024 alone. Proximity to the United States, a lower cost of living, and established expatriate communities make it a convenient and attractive choice. Mexico City in particular has become the urban center of that surge, drawing remote workers, creatives, and younger professionals who want a cosmopolitan city without a U.S. price tag. Mexico’s proximity to the U.S. and affordability make it a top expat choice, with Mexico City’s cosmopolitan buzz contrasting with Mérida’s safety and Yucatán character, while San Miguel de Allende and Lake Chapala host long-standing expat communities with active social scenes.
From the bustling streets of Mexico City to the serene beaches of Tulum, Mexico offers a diverse cultural experience, while the Lake Chapala area is home to one of the largest North American expat communities in the world, particularly among retirees, known for its pleasant climate and established expat services. The residency process is well-trodden. U.S. citizens can stay in Mexico for up to 90 days without a visa or 180 days with a tourist visa, but those seeking longer-term residency typically begin by applying for a temporary residency visa.
3. Barcelona, Spain
Spain absorbed the largest U.S. permit cohort in the European Union, according to Eurostat data. Barcelona leads that surge on the city level, drawing Americans with its mix of Mediterranean lifestyle, international infrastructure, and a growing portfolio of visa options. Spain is a top choice for Americans seeking a balance of culture, affordability, and lifestyle, and digital nomad and retirement visa options make it accessible, while cities like Barcelona and Valencia offer strong public transit and walkability.
Spain has emerged as a European favorite among American expats seeking a Mediterranean lifestyle combined with modern amenities, and has shown impressive growth in the American expat population, reflecting new visa incentives and lifestyle appeal, positioning itself as a premier destination for those seeking work-life balance. Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa requires income of at least around twice the minimum wage per month and offers tax incentives for the first few years, along with flexibility for regional living. One honest caveat: administrative processes in Spain can be slow, and navigating residency paperwork often takes longer than applicants expect.
4. Chiang Mai, Thailand
Thailand is a top destination for Americans seeking affordability, warm weather, and a flexible lifestyle, and is especially popular among digital nomads, retirees, and remote workers thanks to its low cost of living, strong internet infrastructure, and well-established expat communities in cities like Bangkok and Chiang Mai. Chiang Mai specifically has carved out a distinct identity. Chiang Mai, in the north, is a favorite for its cooler climate and laid-back lifestyle, and many digital nomads prefer this city for its vibrant tech scene and coworking spaces.
Healthcare quality in Thailand often surprises American expats with its combination of advanced medical technology and affordable pricing. Private hospitals in Bangkok and other major cities provide world-class care at fractions of American costs, while the country’s medical tourism industry has elevated standards across the board. Thailand’s Long-Term Resident visa offers a ten-year option for retirees, remote workers, high-net-worth individuals, and professionals, making it one of the more forward-thinking residency programs in Southeast Asia. The cost of daily living remains significantly lower than most U.S. cities, which continues to be the primary pull for relocating Americans.
5. Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Researchers estimate that more than 40,000 Americans now call the UAE home, drawn by Dubai’s zero personal income tax, English-language business environment, and a range of long-term residence options including the Golden Visa and Remote Work Visa. The numbers keep climbing. Recruiters report a roughly one-quarter year-on-year rise in U.S. passport holders using Dubai coworking spaces, while relocation agencies say demand for international schools has created waiting lists in popular districts.
The UAE continues to attract U.S. citizens with its zero income tax, Golden Visa opportunities, and modern infrastructure, with Dubai in particular serving as a favorite for business owners, remote professionals, and high-net-worth individuals. The trend is especially strong among tech, finance, and healthcare professionals whose employers allow location-agnostic work. It’s worth noting that Dubai is not a budget relocation. Housing, private health insurance, and schooling costs are substantial. The city rewards those who arrive with a clear financial plan and strong professional income.
6. Rome and Milan, Italy
Italy’s Elective Residency Visa is ideal for retirees and financially independent individuals, while its new Digital Nomad Visa, launched in 2025, supports remote workers. Cities like Rome, Milan, and Florence remain popular among American expats. Italy has long attracted Americans who arrive as tourists and quietly start looking at apartment listings. Rome remains the anchor, offering deep cultural infrastructure and a pace of life that feels fundamentally different from major U.S. metros. France, Italy, Spain, and Portugal are sometimes referred to in immigration circles as Europe’s Big Four, consistently drawing the largest numbers of American arrivals.
Even without full residency, Americans in Europe often enjoy access to affordable, high-quality healthcare, and countries like Spain, Portugal, and Germany offer public healthcare systems and private insurance options that cost a fraction of U.S. rates. Italy follows a similar pattern. The practical hurdles, navigating Italian bureaucracy, proving sufficient income, and managing tax obligations, are real and deserve research before committing. Still, Italy’s combination of cultural weight, geographic beauty, and a genuinely lower cost of living outside the major cities continues to pull Americans in growing numbers.
The broader trend connecting all six cities is straightforward. In recent years, more Americans have been considering moving abroad, driven by a desire for new experiences, better quality of life, and, sometimes, more affordable living. What has changed is that more people are acting on it. Visa programs have become more accessible, remote work has eliminated the old barrier of needing a local employer, and a growing network of American expat communities in each of these cities makes the first year considerably less daunting than it once was.
