The 9 best places to visit if you’re relocating internationally
Koh Samui, Thailand (Hotel prices)
Koh Samui and the surrounding islands are just an hour from Bangkok, but it’s the perfect place to escape the crowds. The idyllic vision of a tropical getaway offers golden sands that sit on the edge of sparkling waters in every shade of blue and green imaginable. It was a place that somehow managed to remain a secret until the 20th century there were no roads until the 1940s, and even today much of the mountainous interior on this large island remains jungle. In the 1970s, the hippies discovered it, and a decade later they were followed, which means that now you’ll find everything that Thailand offers and then some, including modern comforts. Enjoy lively bars, beach bungalows, Thai massage, and delicious $2 noodle bowls.
La Paz, Baja California, Mexico (Hotel prices)
Once destined to become the next Acapulco, La Paz’s laid-back and unpretentious Baja vibe was mostly left alone by tourists until recently, with resorts opening just outside the city for travelers seeking luxury once only found in Cancun and Cabo. For now, the capital’s essential nature hasn’t changed, and you can still enjoy the atmosphere of a Mexican provincial town along with postcard-perfect beaches, lively squares, and city streets nestled among coconut palms, old laurel trees, and date palms. Not to mention the average of 340 days of sunshine and the maximum smorgasbord of fish. It’s so charming that some who have come decided they never want to leave. Crime statistics are low, as are home prices – plus, it’s the only city on the Sea of Cortez that Jacques Cousteau called “the aquarium of the world,” home to 900 different species of fish and a third of the world’s marine mammal species.
Roatan, Honduras (Prices)
Most people have never heard of Roatan, but this is starting to change, thanks to its irresistibly clear aquamarine waters, beautiful beaches, and rugged, lush jungle terrain. More and more travelers are heading here, not only to enjoy a vacation but to live out their dreams. While still largely undeveloped, boredom is a word rarely heard here. The charming Caribbean and Mesoamerican coral reef that surrounds the island is renowned for some of the world’s best diving and snorkeling and is teeming with colorful fish and brilliant corals. On land, opportunities include golf, hiking, zip-lining, and more. Plus, most residents here speak English, making it much easier to get around and get to know the locals. You can also mingle with a lot of ex-pats; there is a very close-knit population of American (and Canadian) ex-pats here who are particularly welcoming and willing to offer advice.
New Zealand (Hotel prices)
New Zealand has it all as one of the world’s top destinations for spectacular scenery, with everything from soaring mountains and glaciers to stunning beaches, thermal regions, and fjords, along with charming villages and cosmopolitan cities. While it should be on every traveler’s bucket list, it’s also a place that might lure you for the long term. The locals are incredibly friendly and you won’t have to worry about fighting crowds unless they’re sheep: New Zealand hosts six times more sheep than people. Wellington has recently been named one of the most livable cities for ex-pats, and if you’re a U.S. citizen between the ages of 18 and 30, you can apply for a working holiday visa and live and work anywhere in the country for up to a year. There are other visas for Americans of all ages who want to stay around.
Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada (Hotel Prices)
The Cape Breton Island of Nova Scotia is not only stunning with breathtaking scenery along the Atlantic coast, but it became famous when it offered to provide refuge to Americans in case Trump was elected president. While that may have been a bit ironic since there is no special program and the immigration process hasn’t changed, it was more of a marketing ploy to show that Cape Breton Island would be a place that would welcome visitors with open arms. Canadians are particularly welcoming and, in either case, Nova Scotia, particularly Cape Breton, is a fabulous place to visit with its magnificent Cabot Trail, Scottish Highlands heritage, fiddlers, and close bond with nature. Take a scenic drive around the Cabot Trail, stopping at one of the many town seafood stops serving succulent fresh lobsters and fish soup. You can also spend the night at Munroe Point Lighthouse, an old house with a private non-working lighthouse.
Exuma, Bahamas (Hotel Prices)
One of the lesser-visited islands in the Bahamas, Exuma offers a laid-back lifestyle just 250 miles from Miami, making it ideal if you want to stay relatively close to the United States, but want to immerse yourself in a different culture. As you might imagine, surrounded by water, this is a paradise for water sports, with fantastic fishing, especially bonefishing in the world-renowned Exuma flats, as well as swimming, kayaking, sailing, and pretty much anything you can imagine doing in the clear turquoise waters. If you’re planning to retire or work remotely online, it’s an excellent tropical island option for a permanent move as residency laws are open to anyone who can support themselves without working for a local employer.
Ecuador (Hotel prices)
Ecuador is one of the most affordable countries in Latin America to visit or live in. Additionally, it’s consistently warm and beautiful, providing the perfect backdrop for many different outdoor adventures. You can enjoy an amazing range of wonders from charming colonial centers and gorgeous beaches to the lush Amazon rainforest full of wildlife and the breathtaking heights of the Andes. It’s also very safe, with some of the lowest crime rates on the continent. If you move here, you’ll likely seriously improve your lifestyle as daily life costs a fraction of what it does in the United States – and you’ll also have access to high-quality, low-cost healthcare. A rental visa offers the opportunity to stay, provided you’ve reached the minimum monthly income of $800 (USD).
Ireland (Hotel prices)
The Emerald Isle is at the top of every traveler’s wish list, and many who go never want to leave. The Irish are some of the friendliest people you’ll ever meet, and also some of the funniest – even in the face of great challenges, they always seem to find humor somewhere. And then there’s the scenery, those endless, lush green hills, incredibly rugged coasts, sparkling lakes, and mountains that stretch up into the sky. The fertile land also produces an extraordinary range of delicious fresh foods Ireland has a modern and thriving gastronomic scene. Of course, you can enjoy a perfectly poured Guinness to accompany any meal you desire. The country offers a working holiday visa program with no age limit, although you must be enrolled in post-secondary education or have graduated within the last year, and you may also have citizenship by descent if you have a grandparent born here.
Argentina (Prices and hotel)
Argentina offers a very diverse landscape, with anything from beautiful beaches and rocky coastal villages to spectacular mountain peaks and lush jungles. It also has an increasingly popular wine region. From skiing and hiking to horseback riding, winery tours, mountain climbing, boating or just lounging on the beach, there is no shortage of fun. If you like excitement, check out the cosmopolitan Argentine capital where you can dance all night, reinventing yourself at a completely different pace. Bariloche, famous for its chocolate, is a summer paradise for adventurers and a true winter wonderland for snow bunnies in the colder months of the year. No matter where you go, Argentine cuisine is to die for, as one of the most celebrated in South America.
Although cities like Buenos Aires may resemble European destinations like Paris, the cost of living is much lower, allowing residents to enjoy a high quality of life at more affordable costs.
