Opinion: Oh, the places you’ll go! Part I

Many Americans are choosing to live their lives in countries other than the United States. This is not a new phenomenon, although it’s more prevalent now than in the past. It’s hard for us — especially people of my generation — to imagine that fellow citizens prefer to live anywhere else. 

However, in the 21st Century world, the planet is a global village. The 2024 Expat Insider Survey indicates that 75 percent of expatriates say that they relocated abroad for an “improved quality of life,” and 68 percent identified a “better work-life” balance as the deciding factor. The survey also revealed that moving to another country was facilitated by financial factors, like income tax policies and tax breaks for professionals. The authors of the report state, “We’ve chosen the top countries for expats in 2025 based on economic stability, favorable tax structures, high-quality healthcare, and cultural openness.” 

10. Switzerland. Switzerland, known for the Alps, seems to be a natural aesthetic choice. Employment opportunities that offer a balance between work and personal life are many. In the annual Quality-of-Living survey, Zurich and Geneva consistently score high. The authors note, “For families, Switzerland offers a safe and clean environment, with a wealth of international schooling options.”