How to Choose the Perfect Place to Live Abroad: A Step-by-Step Guide for Expats
Are you dreaming of moving abroad but unsure where to go?
Choosing the right country, city, or even neighborhood is one of the most important decisions you'll make in your relocation journey. Where you choose to live will shape your lifestyle, budget, career opportunities, and even your day-to-day happiness.
Hi, I’m Danielle Py-Salas: attorney, entrepreneur, mom of four, and the founder of Expat Livin. Four years ago, my family and I moved to Spain, and that experience inspired me to help others make the leap to a better life abroad.
In this post, I’ll break down exactly how to find the perfect place to live abroad based on your unique needs and priorities, so you can stop dreaming and start planning your next chapter.
1. Define Your Priorities First
Before you get deep into researching destinations, stop and ask yourself:
What kind of lifestyle do I want?
Am I more urban or rural?
Do I want a fast-paced city life or a relaxed beach town vibe?
What’s my budget?
Do I prioritize luxury, or do I need affordability?
What amenities do I need (healthcare, schools, public transport)?
What kind of climate suits me best, warm beaches, cool mountain air, or four seasons?
✨ Pro Tip: Create a “Must-Haves vs. Nice-to-Haves” list. This will keep you focused as you research and help you make trade-offs more easily.
2. Consider the Cost of Living
Let’s be honest: your budget will play a major role in where you can realistically live.
Some countries offer incredible quality of life for a fraction of what you’d spend in the U.S. or U.K., while others may be more expensive but provide better infrastructure or job markets.
Think about:
Housing: Rent vs. buy? Urban vs. rural prices?
Utilities: Water, electricity, internet; are they reliable and affordable?
Neighborhood differences: Are there safer, more connected, or more family-friendly areas?
Daily expenses: Groceries, transportation, dining out, entertainment.
Hidden costs: Import taxes, visa fees, healthcare contributions.
✨ Pro Tip: Use cost-of-living comparison tools like Numbeo, Expatistan, or local expat blogs to get real-time insights.
3. Check the Climate (Year-Round!)
A place may look dreamy in travel photos, but can you live there all year?
Some tropical destinations have unbearable humidity in the summer, others might face monsoons or flooding. Some areas that look perfect in the fall might have harsh winters or limited sunlight.
Ask yourself:
Do I prefer sunshine or cool weather?
Can I handle extreme seasonal shifts?
Are there any natural disaster risks (earthquakes, hurricanes, flooding)?
✨ Pro Tip: Look up year-round climate data, not just tourist-season weather. You want a full picture of what life there really looks like.
4. Choose Your Environment: City, Suburbs, or Small Town?
Each option has pros and cons depending on your lifestyle, budget, and family situation.
Big Cities
✅ Access to jobs, public transport, culture, and entertainment
❌ May be more expensive, crowded, and overwhelming
Suburbs
✅ Balance between access to city life and quieter living
❌ Often require a car and longer commutes
Small Towns
✅ Affordable, peaceful, often safer
❌ May lack amenities, international schools, or English-speaking doctors
I live in a very high-traffic area, and while we didn’t choose the suburbs (because we didn’t want to rely on a car), it really depends on your priorities.
5. Find the Right Community
Living abroad can feel isolating if you don’t have community.
One of the first things to consider is whether there’s an active expat community in the area. Having people around you who’ve been through the same transition can provide emotional support, friendships, and practical help.
Also consider:
Are the locals welcoming to newcomers?
Do you need to learn the language to integrate?
Is it a good place for families, retirees, singles, or remote workers?
✨ Pro Tip: Check Facebook groups, Reddit threads, and forums like Expat.com, or even our Expat Livin community, to see what people are saying about daily life in different areas.
6. Evaluate Infrastructure and Daily Convenience
You’ve probably seen gorgeous pictures online, but what is daily life really like there?
Infrastructure Checklist:
Transportation: Is there public transport, or will you need a car?
Internet/Wi-Fi: Is it reliable for remote work or schooling?
Healthcare: Are hospitals and clinics accessible and high-quality?
Shopping & Services: Are your basic needs nearby: groceries, pharmacies, gyms, etc.?
✨ Pro Tip: Use Google Maps to check what services are available in the area. Explore the surroundings as if you were already living there.
7. Visit If You Can or Do a Virtual Deep Dive
If possible, plan a scouting trip.
Stay in an Airbnb or vacation rental in the neighborhood you’re considering. Live like a local: cook your meals, go grocery shopping, try local transportation, and chat with people in the area. Talk to both locals and expats, you’ll get honest feedback from both sides.
If visiting isn’t an option right now, no worries. There are plenty of other ways to research:
Watch YouTube vlogs from real expats
Read blogs, forums, and relocation guides
Join online community meetups or live Q&As
In Summary: It’s About Finding Your Fit
The truth is, there’s no one “perfect” place to live abroad. There’s only the perfect place for you.
Take your time. Prioritize what matters most to you, whether that’s cost of living, community, weather, job opportunities, or lifestyle.
When you align your destination with your values and goals, that’s when everything clicks.
🎁 Ready to Find Your Ideal Destination?
We’ve created a free interactive quiz to help you discover which country best fits your lifestyle, goals, and budget.
👉 Take the "Choose Your Country" Quiz Here
And as always:
✅ Join our Expat Livin community for more information on moving abroad
✅ Subscribe to our YouTube channel for more expat tips and stories
