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Here are the Best Places to Live in Europe if you want to Leave the US

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Thinking about moving abroad and want to know what are the best places to live in Europe? There are 9 million US citizens living abroad and 800,000 residing in the European Union. 800,000 American expats are enough to assume that Europe may have a few gems to offer.

If you’re thinking to move it can be quite overwhelming knowing where to start. Firstly, this really depends on personal preference and the criteria you make. Do you want to live close to nature, somewhere where the climate is temperate or in a bustling city? What is most important to you? An active social life, integrating into the culture, and learning the local language. To make it a bit easier I’ve provided a list of four of the best places to live in Europe. this is arranged by the following metrics: quality of life, cost of living, employment rate, and access to transportation.

The Netherlands

beThe Netherlands is the best places to live in Europe

After living in four countries the Netherlands comes out as the best place to live in Europe. The pros outway the cons and it’s the most ideal place I’ve migrated to. Perhaps that’s why The UN World Happiness Report ranked the Netherlands as #6! What isn’t there to like? The healthcare system is great and has many options and benefits. The work-life balance is one of the best, if not in the world. According to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, the Netherlands scored a 9.5 out of 10. English is widely spoken in the Netherlands, and in my opinion, the Dutch speak better English than any non-native English-speaking country.

When it comes to transportation the Netherlands is easy to traverse and has great public transportation. Located in Western Europe and bordered by Belgium and Germany, the Netherlands is very well connected to many European cities and countries. Public transport is easily accessible (and very clean) and the infamous Schiphol airport can have you at any major European city within an hour or two. Also, let’s not forget about cycling which is a major part of Dutch culture. Everyone and I mean literally everyone cycles to work, school, the store…you name it. Not only is it good for the environment, but your health and you’ll be able to save you money on your commute! Keep in mind that owning a car is expensive but there really is no reason to with such great transit options.

Which European city has the best quality of life?

Overall, the quality and standard of living in the Netherlands are high and I am glad to call it my home. My top Dutch cities of choice to move to would be Utrecht, Rotterdam, or Eindhoven because of affordability, employment, things to and a buzzing food and drinking scene. If you want more information on Dutch cities, check out the top 5 places to live in the Netherlands.

United Kingdom

The UK is one of the best European Places to Live

The Better Life Index ranks the UK as above average for education, health status, income, social life, etc. Having lived here myself I cannot agree more. As an American, the UK may be the easiest to adapt to when considering cultural and language aspects. moving to an English-speaking country gives you a greater advantage especially in terms of job prospects. Getting around in the UK varies according to where you live. London has an excellent public transport system. There is the tube and bus system. There are also regional trains that come from outer zones and Greater London all throughout the day.

In terms of cost of living, evidently the bigger the city the more expensive it will be. I lived in London twice and the major setback is how expensive everything is. The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the city center is about £2,000 pounds. Going out to eat and meeting up with friends is costly. Keep in mind that London is one of the most expensive cities in the world to live in. If you’re thinking of emigrating to the UK, check out more affordable places such as Birmingham, Leeds, or Manchester. 

Germany

Germany is a great place to live in Europe

For any list regarding the best countries to live in, Germany typically makes an appearance (especially for the best places to live in Europe). According to Worldwide Population Review, Germany scores an 8 in the 2020 Quality of life ranking. There are wonderful historical sights, green spaces, bumping music, and a cultural scene – truly something for everyone. It’s also one of the best places to live in Europe for expats. Over 120,000 expats came from America alone in 2018. Many make the move over to Germany for the job opportunities and high salaries. And even with the impact of COVID taken into account, Germany still remains the strongest economy in the European Union. English is also widely spoken here especially in cities like Berlin. Learning the local language never hurts to have under your belt.

In Germany, public transport is totally dependable. Metropolitan cities are accessible by underground train lines. You can take the commuter rail if you are going between suburbs and close by towns. There are many bus systems, trams, etc. making traveling, sightseeing, or commuting in Germany very easy. 

Portugal

Portugal is a great place to live in Europe

Lovely beaches, warm weather, a laid-back vibe, and a low cost of living. This makes Portugal a great choice for one of the best places to live in Europe. It’s a popular choice amongst expats because it has so much to offer. On the Happy Planet Index score Portugal achieves a 24.8 and scores 79 out of all countries in the world (that is not bad at all). It can be quite expensive living in Western Europe but luckily Portugal is very affordable and reasonably priced for expats. You and your partner can live quite comfortably in a smaller Portuguese city for about $1,700 each month. Having such a temperate climate means that utilities won’t be that expensive year round especially for the colder months. There are many options for public transport like metro, bus or train that are quite reliable and modern.

Portugal exudes warmth and embraces a slower pace of life. That being said the work-life balance is rated positively amongst expats. However, keep in mind that career prospects and salaries are low in Portugal. If you’re a highly skilled migrant and a company pays for sponsorship; it would be best to come as an entrepreneur or digital nomad.

Final Thoughts on the best places to live in Europe

Does Europe sound like the place for you? If so, you need to be realistic and figure out how your relocation is going to take place. I always recommend taking a few trips to your potential place of residence. This way you can get a feel of the place, what daily life is like, and whether you envision yourself living there. In this case, here are some helpful tips to better equip you if this will be your first-time visit to Europe.

As a US citizen, the longest time you are legally permitted to stay in the Schengen area is 90 days. However, don’t be discouraged. Check out this list of legitimate visas you can apply to as an American. Options such as: pursuing higher education, asking your company to relocate, proving to international companies that you are a highly skilled migrant, research opportunities, and entrepreneurship visas.

If you’ve already decided where to live in Europe I recommend checking out my moving abroad checklist to help streamline the process of your move. Overall, this is my take on the best places to live in Europe for an American. If you have any to add to the list please feel free to share.

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Hannah Scott

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31 comments
  1. Morgan says:
    August 7, 2020 at 2:31 pm

    Germany here I cooooome!

    Reply
    1. Hannah Scott says:
      August 7, 2020 at 9:59 pm

      Yes hahaha!

      Reply
  2. Kileen says:
    August 7, 2020 at 5:55 pm

    I would love to live in the Netherlands or Germany! They sound so amazing and are so central to so many amazing places!

    Kileen
    cute & little

    Reply
  3. Marie Phillips says:
    August 8, 2020 at 3:42 am

    Sometimes I think that just about every American has gotten frustrated with life and thought they could do better in another country! Life in America is pretty crazy right now, and I have to say Sweden actually was on my mind! This was great information on the countries that you chose and why you chose them. Gives me something to think about.

    Reply
  4. Kathleen Cregg says:
    August 8, 2020 at 4:25 am

    Technically my job is remote now, so I feel like I can work from anywhere in the world as long as there is wifi! Thanks for the inspiration!

    Reply
  5. Chei says:
    August 8, 2020 at 4:41 am

    If i am going to chose one of this place, i am going to chose Germany because i heard a lot of many things in here.

    Reply
  6. Lyanna Soria says:
    August 8, 2020 at 11:30 am

    Very informative and I love it! I’ll keep this in mind when the time comes. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  7. Everything Enchanting says:
    August 8, 2020 at 9:18 pm

    This is such an informative and useful article for the ones who are currently thinking of moving to a different country! Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  8. tweenselmom says:
    August 9, 2020 at 1:04 pm

    These are really nice places! These are great suggestions for those interested in living in Europe, thanks for sharing them with us, it was a wonderful read!

    Reply
  9. Alexis says:
    August 9, 2020 at 3:09 pm

    I’d love to live in any of these countries. They are all amazing!

    Reply
  10. Jackline A says:
    August 10, 2020 at 9:33 am

    I have never been to any of these places but they are on my bucket list to try.

    Reply
  11. pranita deshpande says:
    August 11, 2020 at 12:25 pm

    Super stories .

    Reply
  12. Jessa Bonelli says:
    August 13, 2020 at 1:36 am

    UK please! i prefer an active lifestyle with many possibilities for relaxation <3

    Reply
  13. thehappymommie says:
    August 25, 2020 at 8:35 am

    I dont know about living but I really want to travel Europe with my family soon 😀👍

    Reply
  14. Stella says:
    August 25, 2020 at 4:29 pm

    I would definitely go for Portugal. You had me at $1700 a month :). And it is sunny. The Netherlands sounds inviting, too. I think that it is such a privilege to be able to even consider relocating somewhere else for a while or for good. These four countries seem like a brilliant choice.

    Reply
  15. Knycx Journeying says:
    August 25, 2020 at 6:37 pm

    Thanks for the list, and I think my choice would probably be Copenhagen or Vienna. 🙂 Knycx Journeying

    Reply
  16. Kenneth says:
    August 26, 2020 at 5:12 am

    Any of these would be hard for us due to language, we know we can learn that but just hard I guess? UK is a good choice though

    Reply
  17. Magen says:
    August 26, 2020 at 5:52 am

    I can’t really see myself moving outside of the US but if I am talking about dreams… I’d probably move to either the Netherlands or Germany. I love the rich culture and history and the people seem so amazing.

    Reply
    1. Jairos says:
      February 27, 2021 at 12:56 pm

      I’m currently living in Germany for about 8 months now and I love it. The people here are amazing and learning German Isn’t that hard. They also speak a good amount of English.

      Reply
  18. Thuy-Linh Phan says:
    August 26, 2020 at 2:50 pm

    I’d definitely go to the U.K. if I wanted to migrate to Europe. I’d at least want to visit if not stay for a while on visa.

    Reply
  19. Nkem says:
    August 26, 2020 at 3:07 pm

    I’ve been thinking a lot about moving to the EU for some time. I moved out of the US almost 4 years ago but there’s always time for a change. Portugal, maybe??

    Reply
  20. Henri says:
    August 26, 2020 at 11:29 pm

    I love your list! No one can blame folks for wanting to leave the USA…especially these days. I’m totally intrigued by Portugal and the Netherlands! Hopefully they speak English?

    Reply
    1. Jairos says:
      February 27, 2021 at 12:59 pm

      Yes! Netherlands do have English speakers:) I am planning on visiting soon, I live in Germany, I’m an American.

      Reply
  21. Anne says:
    August 27, 2020 at 12:16 am

    If seriously thinking of emigrating to the UK why not consider Edinburgh, Scotland? Hehe. I never live from other EU, although been there from some part as tourist. Being a migrant from the Philippines to Edinburgh, I can say that Edinburgh is far better of course. From the rest of the world, I can say that I’m blessed to live now in Scotland. Free healthcare and free medication compare to other part of the U.K. Being in the city centre with huge and loads of stores in the high street, offices and care homes, hotels etc , I can say that it won’t be hard to find a job. And oh I love the transportation here. Mostly in Europe transportation is one of the good thing anyway.

    Reply
  22. siennylovesdrawing says:
    August 27, 2020 at 8:11 am

    Thanks for sharing this & I have a good read. Personally I have been to The Netherlands & love its environment, so if i have a choice in the future, I would like to live there : D
    cheers, siennylovesdrawing

    Reply
  23. Michele says:
    August 27, 2020 at 8:56 pm

    OOOO you are tempting me so bad. I have been thinking about leaving the US. It would definitely be between the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.

    Reply
  24. Lauren says:
    August 27, 2020 at 11:08 pm

    If I could I would totally move to the UK in a heartbeat! I personally lived in Italy for a period and had the best time

    Reply
  25. Roshunda says:
    October 26, 2020 at 6:32 pm

    I love living in the United Kingdom because of the culture, history, and a bonus that they speak English. If I could go somewhere to live next it’ll definitely be Germany since it’s in mainland Europe.

    Reply
  26. Jessica | Babble Mama Babble Blog says:
    October 28, 2020 at 5:38 am

    Wow. It’s so pretty over there. I need to go ASAP.

    Reply
  27. Mikkel says:
    February 15, 2021 at 3:32 pm

    Ranking best places to live are always countries in Scandinavia. Denmark, Norway or Finland. Rich, progressive and safe universal wellfare states.

    France and Italy also have high scores when it comes to living, food, culture.

    The Netherlands and Germany are also fine places but there are differences between north and South Germany when it comes to social culture, etc.

    The UK would not be my first, second or third choice. Social inquality is high, London is expensiv and housing is poor.

    Reply
  28. Michael Ervin says:
    December 25, 2021 at 6:08 am

    I would really like to live in Germany! It sounds outstanding as there are a lot of awesome locations!

    Reply

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