Which US City is Best for Expat Life?

Choosing the best city to expat in the U.S. can depend on what you are seeking from your home. Different cities offer diverse environments and opportunities for expatriates. In my experience, living in a multicultural and easily accessible city can vastly improve the quality of expatriate life.

California: The Multicultural Option

As someone who was raised in Los Angeles, I witnessed firsthand the high number of expatriates in my school. Countries like the UK, Germany, Korea, Iran, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia were all represented in my high school alone. Thus, my first inclination for expatriates would be to look at California. It's a place that embraces diversity, making it an easy city to both get involved in and observe.

Popular US Cities for Expats

After Community for Expatriates and InterNations weighed in on the question, the consensus pointed towards several major cities:

New York Los Angeles Chicago San Francisco Boston Houston Miami Dallas

Based on the significant expat population in these cities, they seem to be the go-to choices for expatriates.

Considerations for Non-US Citizens

While these cities are often considered the best in the U.S. for expatriates, they might not always be the best for every person. For non-U.S. citizens, the United States is the country with the largest number of citizens living abroad. Mexico, in fact, leads the list, making it a highly represented expat community within the U.S.

Alternative Areas to Consider

For those seeking different kinds of experiences, I have a few recommendations:

To Visit

Any country that has some level of English language understanding and good governance, excluding many due to various reasons

To Work

Australia, Japan, Germany, and North Europe in general Singapore for those with a specific budget or field of work South Africa, depending on your budget and field

To Retire

Non-American options: Nova Scotia, British Columbia, Newfoundland, Mexico on the Pacific side, or Argentina, Chile Central America options: Puerto Rico or the Bahamas Asian options: Thailand or Japan (both seem quite expensive on the main island, but Okinawa might be an exception)

A Personal Note

Currently, I am a U.S. expat living in Sydney, Australia, where I can proudly sing the praises of Sydney. It's a beautiful city with mild climate and a wonderful, diverse culture that is hard to find in many places. As a scuba enthusiast, Sydney offers many opportunities for diving and photography. However, the matter of finding the best place to live is highly subjective. For many young individuals, cities like Australia or Japan might be great options, but for me, I often find myself nostalgic for home. Relationships and being near loved ones play a significant role in deciding where to call home.

Explore and try many places as you can! You might find that the place you call home never leaves your heart.