Americans

Americans assume a lot about Europe—but locals say these 20 common beliefs are completely wrong. See what travelers keep getting wrong.

Some countries feel completely foreign the moment you arrive. Others create a stranger sensation, especially for Americans: everything is different, yet somehow familiar enough that you can imagine living there.

For plenty of Americans, moving abroad has shifted from a daydream to something they are actively researching. Expatsi’s 2024 report drew responses from 116,363 Americans interested in leaving the country, with 54% hoping to relocate within six months to two years. Their preferred destinations range from nearby Canada and Mexico to Mediterranean favorites and some much farther-flung possibilities.

Small-town Quebec can look recognizable at first: farms, highways, diners, convenience stores, and quiet main streets. But while he differences aren't always dramatic, they pile up quickly.