- Edmund Taylor
Tokyo has so much to offer and InterNations made it much easier to become acclimated to life in this bustling city.
Connect with American Expats Worldwide
According to the US State Department, around 9 million Americans live abroad, and popular destinations for American expats include Mexico and Germany. But what’s the experience of living abroad as an American really like?
It’s common to feel a mix of emotions: excitement about discovering a new culture and way of life, but also homesickness at the same time. You’ll most likely bond with other American expats over what you miss from home: favorite foods like ranch dressing, peanut butter, and mac and cheese from the box, or traditions like Halloween and Thanksgiving.
How to Meet Other American Expats
As you embark on the adventure of living in a new country, it can be very helpful to find others going through similar experiences. That’s why getting to know fellow American expats is so important when you move abroad. Established in 2007, InterNations is the largest expat network with over 4 million members. It’s a trusted community offering a range of experiences that bring global minds together, and Americans are one of the largest nationalities!
Attending InterNations events is a great way to connect with other Americans abroad. You’ll find varied networking opportunities and activities tailored to your hobbies and interests, available both online and in person. The events have a laid-back vibe where you can exchange tips about expat life in your destination and make new friends.
A Few Facts about American Expats
InterNations conducts an annual survey of expats worldwide called Expat Insider, looking at questions like why they moved abroad, how long they plan to stay, and how happy they are.
Here’s what American expats shared about their experiences:
Most American expats move abroad for love: the top reason for relocating was to live in a partner’s home country.
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75% of American expats feel at home in their destination, compared to the global average of 67%.
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82% of American expats were satisfied with life abroad, compared to the global average of 76%.
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43% of American expats say they intend to stay abroad “possibly forever”, compared to the global average of 33%.
Find Other American Expats in Your Country
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The Top Countries for American Expats
So where can you find other Americans living abroad? InterNations has 420 communities in 166 countries. These countries are the most popular destinations for American expats:
- United Arab Emirates
- Germany
- Singapore
- United Kingdom
- Canada
- China
- Mexico
- Spain
- Italy
- Australia
- New Zealand
- Saudi Arabia
- Switzerland
American Expat Communities in Asia
Diverse and welcoming, Asia boasts a wide array of opportunities for expats and people seeking new experiences. Many American expats of all ages choose cities all across Asia as their new home for good reason.
- Bangladesh
- Brunei
- Cambodia
- China
- Hong Kong
- India
- Indonesia
- Japan
- Kiribati
- Laos
- Malaysia
- Myanmar
- Nepal
- Pakistan
- The Philippines
- Singapore
- South Korea
- Sri Lanka
- Taiwan
- Thailand
- Vietnam
American Expat Communities in Europe
With beautiful landscapes and cities to explore, Europe is a great place to live, work, or retire. Americans love the ease of traveling around the continent – the hardest part may be deciding which country to choose as your base.
Western Europe
- Austria
- Belgium
- Denmark
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Italy
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Monaco
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Portugal
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- United Kingdom
Eastern Europe
- Albania
- Belarus
- Bosnia-Herzegovina
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Estonia
- Greece
- Hungary
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Moldova
- Montenegro
- Poland
- Romania
- Russia
- Serbia
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Turkey
- Ukraine
American Expat Communities in North America
From neighboring Canada in the north, to the warmer destinations south of the border including Mexico and Costa Rica, you don’t have to leave the continent to find great places for expat adventures.
American Expat Communities in Oceania
While reaching countries like Australia and New Zealand may require serious long-haul travel there’s lots to love about relocating to Oceania: great climate, laid-back friendliness, and a high quality of life.
American Expat Communities in South- & Middle America
The combination of an affordable cost of living, friendly people, and delicious cuisine make many countries in South America a popular choice among American expats.
- Argentina
- Bahamas, the
- Bermuda
- Bolivia
- Brazil
- Cayman Islands
- Chile
- Colombia
- Cuba
- Dominican Republic
- Ecuador
- El Salvador
- Guatemala
- Guyana
- Haiti
- Honduras
- Jamaica
- Nicaragua
- Panama
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Puerto Rico
- Suriname
- Uruguay
- Venezuela
American Expat Communities in Africa
There are many destinations in Africa where you can meet fellow Americans who were drawn to the rich cultural and geographical variety across this vast and exciting continent — including both newcomers and long-time expats.
- Algeria
- Angola
- Benin
- Botswana
- Burkina Faso
- Burundi
- Cameroon
- Chad
- Congo
- Congo, DR
- Côte d'Ivoire
- Djibouti
- Egypt
- Eritrea
- Ethiopia
- Gabon
- Gambia, the
- Ghana
- Guinea
- Kenya
- Lesotho
- Liberia
- Libya
- Madagascar
- Malawi
- Mali
- Mauritania
- Mauritius
- Morocco
- Mozambique
- Namibia
- Niger
- Nigeria
- Rwanda
- Senegal
- Sierra Leone
- Somalia
- South Africa
- Sudan
- Tanzania
- Togo
- Tunisia
- Uganda
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe