Let’s clear something up right away — I’m Australian, not American.
But I know why you’re here. You’re curious about life in Europe, maybe even thinking about packing up and starting fresh across the Atlantic. If that sounds like you, you’re not alone.
Plenty of Americans dream about living in Europe — teaching English, chasing new career paths, or just soaking in the change of pace. Every year, thousands make it happen.
To bring you something more than my own perspective, I reached out to people from the USA who’ve already made the move. Friends, friends of friends, and even strangers who shared their stories of life on this side of the pond. The insights of many American expatriates in Europe have shaped this list of top European destinations for Americans.
But let’s not pretend “best” means the same thing to everyone.
Do you want low living costs?
Better quality of life??
An interesting cultural life?
The happiest country in the world?
Your version of “best” is personal, and that’s exactly why this list exists — to help you figure out where you’d feel most at home.
There are a lot of cities and countries mentioned, so jump to a specific one here:
Best place to live in Europe as an American:
Croatia
For 7 of those years, I’ve educated foreigners (predominantly Americans) on how to move to and live in Croatia on my site.
I moved to Split because I wanted to live somewhere in Europe with a low cost of living. At the time of my move, I was launching my own freelancing business. The low cost of living (and great internet) helped me get on my feet, both with my business and in a new country with less risk than if I’d chosen a Western European country.
Split substantially increased my quality of life. Croatians place a very high value on in-person socializing, getting out into nature, and moving your body. Additionally, Croatia has excellent affordable health care, and living here without a car is very easy. These are all things that are hard to achieve as part of daily life in the US.
There are a number of expat communities where Americans can connect with other foreigners and Croatians, which vary by interest. The Croatian community is very welcoming and deeply honoured when Americans move to their country. The country is great but it’s the people that make Croatia one of the best European countries for expats.
Poland
If asked which European city has been crowned ‘Best City Break’ for three years running, the answer is clear — Krakow.
This Polish treasure offers the best value for money, making it an ideal choice for travelers looking to experience more for less.
A week in this historic city is enough to cover its main sights and surrounding attractions. Once the capital of Poland, Krakow remains a contender for the best cultural city in Europe. Its Old Town square, one of the most picturesque in the region, draws millions annually with its medieval charm and lively atmosphere.
Compared to other Western European destinations, Krakow delivers exceptional value. Dining here is a highlight, with some of the best restaurants in Europe serving high-quality meals at affordable prices. From local Polish cuisine to international dishes, food lovers are spoiled for choice.
Hotels, bars, and entertainment venues line the city streets, offering visitors stylish, budget-friendly options that often surpass what’s available elsewhere. Travelers can explore museums, historical sites, and even the local zoo without straining their budget.
For anyone planning a move to Europe, Krakow stands out as a place where cultural richness meets everyday affordability.
The locals are friendly, and the majority of the population speaks English, so even if you don’t know the local language, you’ll be able to communicate in English. The architecture is stunning, and it’s definitely one reason I moved to Poland; I’d recommend American expats do the same.
Also worth mentioning is the low to non-existent crime rate in Polish capital cities.
Click here to learn more about moving to Poland.
Bulgaria
Bulgaria offers an incredibly affordable place to live and doesn’t fall short of offering outdoor adventures from skiing to hiking to mountain biking.
No matter the season, there are beautiful spots for mountain and beach lovers. It also has a growing number of co-working spaces and digital nomads, so it’s a wonderful place to meet like-minded individuals.
Some of my favourite towns are Bansko for skiing, Plovdiv for a bit of hipster city life, and Sinemorets for a quiet beach town. It’s one of the best European destinations for Americans who want to live in Europe as you can easily get by with English and the dollar travels far.
Serbia
In 2020, I found a stunning, affordable place to live — Eastern Europe, specifically Serbia. It’s one of the best destinations for American expats looking to save money while avoiding tourist crowds.
Keeping income in US dollars gave me a major advantage. The exchange rate works in your favor, making Serbia a budget-friendly option. To make the most of it, follow one rule: “Bring Your Own Job.”
Living costs are incredibly low. Rent in downtown Belgrade rarely tops $300 per month, and fresh produce from local markets costs far less than in other European countries. Serbia’s non-EU status means food is more natural, often free of GMOs.
Dining out is equally affordable. Grill houses serve massive, high-quality burgers for just a few dollars, while traditional Serbian meals offer big portions at low prices. Western options like Starbucks and sushi are available too, though pricier.
Daily living costs, including rent, utilities, internet, and food, stayed under $500. Co-working spaces, cafes, and fast internet made life easy as a digital nomad. This balance of low expenses and modern amenities made it possible to save while living comfortably.
Belgrade offers rich cultural experiences. Historic fortresses, catacombs, and lively outdoor spaces give it the feel of a classic European capital without the high price tag of Paris or Vienna. Nightlife thrives on floating “club boats” along the Danube, while locals’ strong English skills make integration easier.
Summers invite exploration beyond the city. Serbia’s lakes, rivers, and mountains provide scenic getaways, with Croatia’s stunning beaches just a short trip away. Affordable all-inclusive packages to Greece make seaside escapes easy too.
After nine months in Serbia, I saved significantly. The country offers a safe, affordable lifestyle for digital nomads, freelancers, expats, and retirees — and it’s a great fit for families as well.
Hungary
Living in Budapest for two years was, without question, the best and most transformative two years of my life. Budapest offers the perfect mix for American expats in Europe. It’s off the beaten path in so many ways without entirely overwhelming you with culture shock.
Living there isn’t exactly “easy,” but the small challenges that accompany its inevitable challenges, difficult language, and pervasive cultural disparities make expat experiences much more rewarding to me.
I personally connected with the city, its culture, and its people. Though more popular in recent years than ever, Budapest is an unexpected goldmine of a European capital: stunning unique architecture, beautiful scenery, vibrant culture, and fast-paced energy that always offers something to do.
The English level in the centre is more than comfortable to get by, and almost everyone under the age of 35 is fluent. The city has a top-notch foodie and entertainment scene, which also seems to grow by the day.
Budapest is also home to the best (in my humble opinion) budget airline, Wizzair, and has dirt-cheap flight routes everywhere you can imagine, making it an ideal home base for exploration. While a bit pricier than its central and eastern European counterparts, Budapest is still very affordable compared to the West. For expats making American salaries, the world is your oyster. An American expat willing to put themselves out there will fall in love with the city, its culture, and its people (both Hungarian and international), but they also must be willing to put in the work.
Norway
Moving there from the United States was a culture shock regarding the prices, but I found that to be the toughest challenge.
The language is fairly easy if you dive right into it, but the locals speak incredibly good English so that never presented a problem as large as I had anticipated.
Films and TV are not dubbed, and you will find a lot of knowledge about US culture in Norwegian society. The daylight can present a problem for many people moving there as the winters are dark and the summers are very light!
But, it is nothing you can’t get used to- as long as you learn to ski or pick up a hobby to make the winters pass by a little quicker.
Taxes, banking, healthcare, and many other things are far simpler in Norwegian society, and the government does a good job of protecting residents and expats. I’d argue that it’s also the best place to invest anywhere in Europe.
Norway consistently ranks as one of the happiest places on the planet, and after four years of living there, I know why! Nature, a sound system, and people caring for each other all play a role in this Scandinavian society.
Finland
For Americans, Finland is a good place to live in Europe because it is a monochronic culture like America.
Other European countries with polychronic cultures, such as Greece or Italy, are nice vacation destinations; however, the culture shock from moving from an extremely monochronic culture such as America might not be pleasant.
If you’re looking for job opportunities in Finland or any other monochronic European country, it will be based on your education, skills, and attitude. In polychronic European countries, finding a job will be based on who you know and what family ties you have.
Living in another country requires you to work to support your stay. The best advice I could give to my fellow Americans who are considering living in Europe is to move to a country that has a monochronic culture.
This way, you can achieve security with a job, and then you will be free to travel around Europe!
Scotland
Amanda is an American who has lived in Scotland intermittently since 2015. She has also lived in Malta, Northern Spain, and Ireland, but she swears that Scotland takes the cake!
I’m originally from the Boston area of the US but have been living abroad since 2012. After meeting my husband in Honduras and deciding to move together back to the country where he grew up, I now call Scotland home.
He’s not Scottish (he’s Irish-Colombian), but his immediate family and all his friends are here in the Edinburgh area.
Leaving the US for Scotland is one of the easiest transitions an expat can make. That doesn’t mean the two countries are exactly alike, however. I’ve had my fair share of language mix-ups, cultural missteps, and downright confusion since I moved here in 2015! However, adjusting to the accents and learning the local cadence of life is easy enough for most Americans.
Overall, life in Scotland is a much happier balance for me. Work is not all-encompassing like it is in the US; there’s a very healthy balance here. You can absolutely take your vacation time (which is plentiful) without feeling guilty or checking emails during your break.
Finally, there is an extensive network of US expats in Scotland who are welcoming and helpful as newcomers try to navigate everything from visas to office culture to finding elusive US labels folks miss from back home. It’s effortless for Americans to adapt to life in Scotland. I know I’m fortunate to call this country home.
Belgium
It’s centrally located in mainland Europe. London, Amsterdam, and Paris are all within a 1-2 hour train ride. That makes day trips possible and is especially nice if you have to regularly go to 2 or more of these major cities for business meetings.
Trains are much easier to take than planes and will drop you in a central location instead of an airport outside the city.
You can get by in English. Brussels is Europe’s political capital, so all 26 other European Union member states have embassies and diplomatic staff in the city, all of whom speak English.
French is what you will hear in the Brussels streets, but because of the influx of people from all over Europe, most people you will contact will speak English (and some will speak it better than you!) And if you need some help with the local languages (French or Dutch), for example, to decipher a parking ticket, friends are always standing by to help.
Brussels has a really laid-back lifestyle compared to most American cities. There isn’t much hustle and bustle here. Many people work shorter workweeks of only 35 hours, and five weeks of vacation and paid days off are often standard.
Belgium has a lively bar, cafe, and restaurant culture, so you might gain a few pounds. Belgium is famous for beer and chocolate, but the locals are quite the foodies.
Morocco
II’ve lived in France (Tours), Morocco (Rabat), Japan (near Osaka), and Turkey (Istanbul) for 6 years total. I am partial to France and Morocco but speak French, so that helps. Great quality of life in both areas: health care is great in France, adequate in Morocco, food markets are everywhere, and fresh produce brings so much joy. Plus, because public transport is so good, it isn’t necessary to own a car when I can also rent one. I walked more, and quite frankly, the pace of life is different, so I let go of my “American stress level.”
I passed rug shopkeepers, vegetable markets, and old women selling mint. I speak French (and some Moroccan Arabic) so I could get around and converse. French and Arabic, while not necessary, definitely enhance your living experience. As an American, I crave a slower pace of life without expecting everything to be done “right now.”
Once, I was going to have lunch with some family friends. They showed up the next day at 5 pm. (So, letting go of “right now” is necessary.)
Morocco is so hospitable; it is impossible not to meet people. Once, I was in the south near Tafraoute, walking on my own through various villages. Not once, but three times, women invited me into their homes for tea. That would rarely happen here in the U.S.
As a woman, there are definitely challenges (constant cat calling and men following on occasion), so bring sunglasses and earbuds. Also, it helps to know the word “Shooma,” which means “shame on you.” Generally, though, I felt safe.
Spain
What makes Spain great for Americans?
For young professionals, the Spanish government’s English Language and Culture Assistants program is a wonderful opportunity for college graduates to work part-time as an English teaching assistant and make enough money to experience life in Spain.
Plus, this country in Europe has a lot of similarities to some elements of American culture.
Working to live instead of living to work.
Americans who work at a Spanish company can enjoy perks like daily coffee breaks with colleagues, Friday afternoons off, and a summer schedule that gets you out of the office by 3 p.m. every day.
Employees are also entitled to at least 22 paid vacation days per year, and they happily use every last one with no hesitation.
When you tell people here that around half of Americans do not use all their paid vacation days, they don’t believe you.
Social connections, family life, and having a good time are important priorities in Spanish society.
Living this way is a true joy, and moving back to the States is not a temptation.
Madrid is a vibrant, international city with a magical magnetism. It isn’t showy or touristy, so it’s easy to get into the heart of it and find where you belong.
Art, culture, food, sports—Madrid has them all in spades. Plus, living in another language provides endless possibilities for learning and surprises.
Denmark
Mike was working at their Philadelphia headquarters then, and I left my job as a teacher to move to Denmark.
We love living in Copenhagen, and it’s one of the best destinations in Europe for American expats. It’s easy to live here because Danes are fluent in English, and the government provides Danish lessons for free. We took a few months for them to learn basic phrases, but the best part was meeting other expats.
Besides the ease of language, daily life is simple to navigate with superior public transportation and a social safety net that we could never have imagined in America. As soon as our paperwork was filed, we had healthcare cards and a doctor.
I was able to take a course for foreigners finding a job in Denmark, which is a bit unique, and I was hired at a startup – Denmark has a thriving startup scene. Even with the higher taxes, we take home more money than we did in the States because salaries are higher. The required 5 weeks of vacation and strict work-life balance are also perks. Overall, our standard of living is higher in Denmark, and we couldn’t be happier.
Portugal
I found Portimao, Portugal (where I stayed for two years), to be one of the best places to live and work as an American. What did I love about it there?
Affordability: Living 5 minutes from the beach in a fully furnished 2-bedroom condo with lots of amenities (heated pool, tennis courts, etc.) only costs me 800 Euros per month(including utilities).
– English: It’s very easy to get around with English, and even though I speak Portuguese, I felt I was better received by speaking English, so I typically defaulted to doing so.
The Netherlands
The Netherlands was my home for three years. Its charming cities and towns are comfortable for expats for a variety of reasons—English is everywhere, everything is unnervingly well organized, and there are loads of foreigners in cities—but there’s one particular aspect of living in the Netherlands that I found dreamy as an American: transportation.
You can easily take a train from virtually any town in the country and travel across the country in less than 3 hours.
Cycle paths are ubiquitous, well-marked, and respected by drivers—unlike in the United States, where cycling is a death wish. Thus, you never have to set foot in a vehicle to run errands.
Buses and trams are clean and timely, and all public transportation is linked to one card you can reload online.
For Americans tired of driving everywhere, the Netherlands is the place to be.
England
I have been living in the UK with my British husband since 2015. I used to work full-time as a clinical psychologist in California, but I now work full-time as a travel blogger and writer.
My husband also works full-time as a travel blogger (he has his site Finding the Universe) and travel photographer. We moved to a village outside of Edinburgh, Scotland, in 2015 and lived there for a few years before moving to Bath, England, about 1 year ago.
Since my husband and I were from different countries with different passports, we had to decide between the U.S. and the U.K. if we wanted to work towards sharing the same citizenship.
We decided to start our married lives together in the UK. Since we both work remotely and travel a lot, the UK’s specific location was not that important to us, but we have enjoyed living in different parts of the UK.
It has been easy to live and work here as an American as there are no language barriers (just tricky accents!).. There are a large number of Americans living in the UK, and the cultures are fairly similar.
The two countries also have a tax treaty, allow dual citizenship, and generally have a good political relationship, which makes it easier for Americans to live and work here. The UK is probably the easiest place for Americans to live and work in Europe.
France
Caroline is an American living in Lyon, the food capital of France. She has a fantastic blog about wine tasting in keeping with all things French.
I LOVE living in Lyon. I’ve been here for 3 years and am totally living up to my French fantasy. Lyon just won #2 in Conde Naste Traveller’s list of the world’s best cities, and I couldn’t agree more. It’s awesome for many reasons, not just because it’s the gastronomic capital of France.
I’m a wine teacher, so it’s a natural choice for me, in between Burgundy and the Rhône. It’s stunningly beautiful, an ancient city full of Roman ruins and Medieval secret passageways.
We’re a stone’s throw from the Alps, and on a clear day, you can see Mont Blanc. Unlike Paris, this city isn’t saturated with Americans, and the locals don’t hate us.
Maybe I shouldn’t recommend it! People are nice here, and the size of the city is perfect. We call it “human-sized”; it’s big enough to have everything a big city could want but small enough to be intimate. I’m obsessed. I’ve never been happier.
Germany
Germany’s cost of living will pretty much be a huge stress reliever to any American. The price of living is incredibly fair. I’m talking about rent for 150-400 euros a month in big cities like Berlin. What I also realized about Germany is that there’s a giant American expat community. Join some. It’s an easier way to make friends abroad and a place to reference when you have questions. You can find these groups on Facebook and meetup.
Let’s take note of how AMAZING their public transportation is. I’m talking about one of the most efficient in the world. Germans aren’t late, ever. It is just a thing there. They are not late, and for them to get to places on time, they need their public transportation organized all the time.
In addition to cheap rent, Germany has one of the best economies in Europe. This means it is much easier to find a traditional job there than in Spain or Italy.
People also speak very good English in Germany, so if you haven’t learned German yet, don’t fret; you can take affordable classes when you arrive and get by.
Italy
After living abroad for more than five years in Italy, France, Spain, and China (plus stints in Nicaragua and New Zealand), the place I recommend for American expats may surprise you. Most Americans view Italy solely as a vacation destination, but I think it’s a perfect place to stay and discover a culture we all think we know.
My first move abroad was to Spain, then China, where I began TiltedMap, my travel blog about sustainability, food culture, and life abroad. China was the most exotic place I’d ever lived – and that’s exactly what I expected it to be before moving.
But when I met an Italian man and moved to Milan, I didn’t expect as much culture shock. Back home in the US, I grew up eating lasagna and spaghetti for dinner, had friends who had visited the Colosseum, and knew countless people with Italian last names. What could there be to truly discover Italy?
But after living there for three years, learning the language, going to graduate school, and marrying an Italian, it turned out that most of my assumptions about the country were wrong. Knowing it as a vacation destination had masked just how little I understood Italy and how different it was from what I expected and from US culture. This juxtaposition – this departure from the expected – makes Italy an ideal place for Americans to slow down and discover the diversity of European culture.
Conclusion
Throughout my life, one thing I’ve learned about America is that each and every one of the 50 states is unique and has its own way of life. It’s said that the only thing shared by someone from Seattle and someone from Miami is the president, language, and currency.
The truth is that Europe is a bit like that, too, but the languages are different.
So are the people.
And the currencies. And the leaders.
Even more than the U.S., every part of Europe is different.
That’s what makes it a fantastic place to live for Americans, Australians, and, well, just about anyone.
If you’re interested in learning more about Poland, check out the rest of my blog. If other parts of Europe look like places you want to live, be sure to check out the sites of the bloggers mentioned in this article and reach out to them if you want any more advice!
