Leaving America Without Feeling Completely Lost
If you had to leave America tomorrow, where would you go? Americans were asked which countries would feel the most like home without actually being the U.S.—and some of their choices might surprise you. Here’s what they said.
#25. Thailand
Thailand certainly doesn't look much like America, but something interesting happens after foreigners settle in: many become extremely comfortable.
In InterNations' 2026 Expat Insider survey, Thailand ranked third overall, while 86% of expats said they were happy with their lives there. Expats also ranked Thailand first for feeling at home.
Affordable living, friendly locals and established expat communities can make a very different culture feel surprisingly comfortable.
Milei.vencel, Wikimedia Commons
#24. Brazil
Brazil doesn't immediately scream "just like America," but there are similarities Americans may recognize quickly.
It's enormous, culturally diverse, sports-obsessed and filled with sprawling cities, beaches and dramatically different regions. InterNations ranked Brazil fourth for Ease of Settling In in 2026, including particularly strong results for local friendliness.
The language requires adjustment, but Americans who thrive on outgoing social cultures may settle in surprisingly quickly.
#23. Malaysia
Malaysia offers Americans an interesting combination of Southeast Asian culture and relatively easy everyday living.
English is widely used, particularly in business and major cities, while Kuala Lumpur offers enormous shopping centers, modern high-rises and plenty of recognizable international brands.
Malaysia also made InterNations' top 10 expat destinations for 2026.
You definitely know you're abroad—you just don't have to struggle every time you order lunch.
#22. United Arab Emirates
Few places look less like suburban America than Dubai's skyline, but the UAE can be remarkably easy for Americans to navigate.
English is widely used in international business and everyday interactions, and American restaurants, stores and companies are everywhere.
The UAE ranked fourth overall among expat destinations in InterNations' 2026 survey and first for Expat Essentials.
It feels foreign, but it's foreign with plenty of familiar conveniences.
#21. Switzerland
Switzerland offers Americans many comforts they recognize: modern infrastructure, international companies, prosperous communities and spectacular outdoor recreation.
The cultural differences become more noticeable after settling in, especially when language and local customs enter the equation.
Still, Switzerland ranked eighth for quality of life among expats in 2026.
The biggest shock might simply be discovering new and exciting ways to complain about prices.
Gabriel Garcia Marengo, Unsplash
#20. Germany
Germany and the United States have been closely connected for generations.
Large numbers of Americans have German ancestry, while American military communities have maintained a significant presence in Germany for decades. Major cities also contain international employers where English is frequently used professionally.
The language, Sunday shopping rules and recycling system may take some homework, but Germany rarely feels completely unfamiliar.
#19. France
Americans have been fantasizing about moving to France for so long that it has practically become its own literary genre.
Paris has a huge international population, American entertainment is familiar, and parts of southern France have long attracted foreign residents and retirees.
France also ranked ninth worldwide for expat quality of life in InterNations' 2026 survey, including first place for healthcare.
Just don't expect everyone to indulge your high-school French.
#18. Belgium
Belgium is an underrated option for Americans who want Europe without feeling completely disconnected from an international environment.
Brussels is packed with multinational companies, diplomats and international organizations, meaning English is commonly heard in professional circles.
Belgium also ranked seventh in InterNations' 2026 Working Abroad Index.
Americans may struggle with Belgium's linguistic complexities, but fries, waffles and chocolate require very little explanation.
#17. Netherlands
For Americans worried about a language barrier, the Netherlands can offer a fairly gentle introduction to continental Europe.
English proficiency is widespread, particularly in cities and international workplaces, while Amsterdam and other urban areas are packed with familiar global businesses and brands.
The Netherlands also ranked sixth in InterNations' 2026 Working Abroad Index.
The American pickup truck, however, might want to stay home. Dutch streets have other ideas.
Javier M. jmelpri, Wikimedia Commons
#16. Denmark
Denmark combines modern cities, widespread English skills and a lifestyle that can feel accessible to Americans surprisingly quickly.
Work-life balance is a particularly strong selling point. Denmark ranked second worldwide in InterNations' 2026 Working Abroad Index and seventh for overall quality of life.
The main adjustment may be realizing that bicycles aren't recreational equipment. They're transportation.
#15. Sweden
Sweden can feel familiar to Americans who value modern cities, technology, suburban comforts and outdoor space.
American entertainment is everywhere, English is widely understood, and many everyday conveniences require little explanation.
The differences are subtler. Social customs can seem reserved, winters are dark and long, and your definition of "personal space" may suddenly become much more generous.
Susanne Jutzeler, suju-foto, Pexels
#14. Singapore
Singapore may be thousands of miles from the United States, but daily life can be surprisingly easy for an American newcomer.
English is one of its official languages and is deeply embedded in education, business and government. International companies, familiar restaurants and enormous shopping centers are everywhere.
Singapore ranked second worldwide for expat quality of life in 2026.
The startling part may be discovering just how efficiently a giant city can operate.
Aatu Dorochenko, Wikimedia Commons
#13. Panama
Panama has a particularly long connection with the United States, thanks largely to the history of the Panama Canal.
That American influence remains noticeable, while Panama has also developed into a major destination for international retirees.
InterNations ranked Panama the best expat destination overall in 2026, with 87% of respondents happy with life there. Ninety percent also described locals as generally friendly.
Apparently, feeling at home doesn't always require staying north.
#12. Portugal
Portugal has become increasingly attractive to Americans searching for sunshine, coastline and a slower pace of life.
Lisbon, Porto and the Algarve all contain sizable international communities, and English is commonly encountered in areas popular with foreigners.
Portugal ranked eighth overall among expat destinations in InterNations' 2026 survey and fourth for personal finance.
For Americans escaping colder climates, winter might suddenly become their favorite season.
NorbertNagel, Wikimedia Commons
#11. Spain
Spain offers Americans plenty that's different—but rarely in an intimidating way.
Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia and Spain's Mediterranean coast have large international communities, while restaurants, shopping and entertainment can feel comfortably accessible.
Spain ranked first worldwide for expat quality of life in 2026 and sixth overall among expat destinations.
The hardest adjustment may be discovering that 7 p.m. is apparently much too early for dinner.
#10. Mexico
Few foreign countries are woven into American everyday life as deeply as Mexico.
The two countries share a massive border along with countless business, family and cultural connections. Mexican cuisine has become so thoroughly integrated into American life that moving south won't exactly require learning what a taco is.
Mexico ranked first for Ease of Settling In in InterNations' 2026 survey, with 84% of expats saying they felt at home there.
Different country? Absolutely. Completely unfamiliar? Not remotely.
#9. Japan
Japan seems like an unusual choice for a list about familiarity until you consider how intertwined Japanese and American popular culture have become.
Generations of Americans have grown up with Japanese cars, electronics, video games, anime and food. American brands and entertainment are similarly visible throughout Japan.
The social rules and language can create serious culture shock, but many individual pieces of everyday life will already feel strangely recognizable.
#8. Malta
Malta offers a combination Americans don't encounter often: Mediterranean island life in a country where English is an official language.
British influence remains visible in institutions and daily life, while Malta's international economy attracts people from throughout Europe and beyond.
Americans can spend the afternoon wandering around centuries-old Mediterranean streets and still conduct plenty of everyday business in English.
That's a pretty gentle form of culture shock.
#7. South Africa
South Africa is geographically distant from the United States, but Americans can find parts of everyday life surprisingly recognizable.
English is widely used, car culture is significant, and major cities contain sprawling suburbs, shopping centers and neighborhoods that won't feel completely foreign.
South Africa ranked tenth for Ease of Settling In among expats in 2026 and fifth for finding friends.
The country is enormously different from America—but getting comfortable may happen faster than expected.
#6. Ireland
Ireland gives Americans one enormous advantage from the moment they arrive: everyone is already speaking English.
Then there's the deeper cultural connection. Generations of Irish immigration profoundly influenced American cities, holidays, music and family histories.
Ireland ranked eighth for Ease of Settling In and fifth in the Working Abroad Index in InterNations' 2026 survey.
For many Irish Americans, moving there may even feel a little like going somewhere they've heard about their entire lives.
#5. United Kingdom
Americans and Britons spend an impressive amount of time pointing out their differences for two countries with so much in common.
Language removes the largest barrier immediately. Television, movies, music, books, businesses and news constantly cross the Atlantic, while the countries share centuries of cultural connections.
Americans will still encounter plenty of surprises.
Driving on the left may be the first one. Discovering that "pants" can mean something very different may be the funnier one.
#4. New Zealand
New Zealand is extremely far away geographically and surprisingly close culturally.
English is dominant, suburban life is recognizable, American entertainment is familiar and road trips are practically a national pastime.
The country's outdoor culture may also appeal immediately to Americans accustomed to national parks, hiking, camping and dramatic scenery.
The biggest adjustment isn't living there. It's realizing how ridiculously long the flight home is.
#3. Australia
Australia can feel like America's long-lost cousin who moved to the opposite side of the planet and developed a much better accent.
English, sprawling suburbs, road trips, beaches, barbecues, sports culture and an informal social style all provide familiar touchstones. Australia also ranked eighth in InterNations' 2026 Working Abroad Index, scoring especially well for flexible work and working hours.
Even the enormous distances between cities can make Americans feel strangely at home.
Queensland, Australia, Unsplash
#2. Belize
Belize may look completely different from America, but it offers one enormous advantage over most tropical relocation destinations: English is the official language.
Its historical ties to Britain distinguish it from its Spanish-speaking Central American neighbors, while long-standing tourism and retirement connections bring plenty of North Americans into the country.
For an American dreaming of palm trees without also dreaming of language lessons, Belize makes an unusually easy case.
#1. Canada
There really couldn't be another winner.
Canada and the United States share the world's longest international border, along with professional sports leagues, television, music, retailers, suburban lifestyles, road-trip culture and countless family and business connections.
Cross from Michigan into Ontario or Washington into British Columbia and the immediate culture shock can be remarkably small.
The accents change a little. The money gets more colorful. Distances suddenly appear in kilometers.
And eventually somebody will introduce you to bagged milk.
But for an American trying to live outside America while retaining the greatest number of familiar comforts, Canada is about as close to home as "abroad" gets.
Sometimes Familiar Is Exactly What You Want
Moving overseas—or simply across the northern border—doesn't necessarily mean abandoning everything familiar.
For some Americans, shared language would matter most, pushing Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Britain and Ireland toward the top. Others might care more about how welcoming a country feels to newcomers, which helps explain the strong showing of Mexico and Panama. InterNations' 2026 survey of 7,786 expats representing 162 nationalities shows just how differently people experience settling abroad.
The destination may look different, sound different and serve dinner at a completely different hour.
But sometimes it doesn't take very long before somewhere new starts feeling suspiciously like home.
