A growing number of Americans are ready to pack their bags, not just for vacation, but for good. A new report from moveBuddha reveals that one in three Americans, including 62% of Gen Z, say they want to move abroad, and their Google searches paint a clear picture of where they’re headed.
The study identifies four distinct “expat profiles” driving the movement: healthcare migrants (favoring Europe), comfort exiters (looking north to Canada), lifestyle seekers (targeting Costa Rica and Thailand), and adventure expats (setting their sights on Japan and New Zealand).
Canada tops the list in Vermont, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, reflecting a growing interest in proximity, stability, and accessible healthcare. The report also notes a 102% jump in U.S. citizenship renunciations this year, suggesting Americans are increasingly serious about their international plans.
In Florida and Virginia, Costa Rica leads the way. The Central American country’s laid-back lifestyle, affordable healthcare, and new remote work visa program have made it especially popular among digital nomads and retirees.
Across Hawaii, Alaska, and Oregon, residents are searching most for Japan and New Zealand, drawn to destinations that offer natural beauty, safety, and cultural familiarity across the Pacific.
Meanwhile, France, Portugal, and the United Kingdom dominate searches in major states like Texas, New York, and Alabama, where travelers are enticed by strong healthcare systems, work-life balance, and a more relaxed pace of living.
Where Americans want to move to: State-by-state
- Alabama: France
- Alaska: Switzerland
- Arizona: Costa Rica
- Arkansas: Ireland
- California: France
- Colorado: Portugal, Costa Rica (tie)
- Connecticut: England
- Delaware: Germany
- District of Columbia: France
- Florida: Costa Rica
- Georgia: France
- Hawaii: Japan, Thailand (tie)
- Idaho: Switzerland
- Illinois: Portugal
- Indiana: England
- Iowa: New Zealand
- Kansas: Thailand
- Kentucky: Switzerland
- Louisiana: France
- Maine: Ireland
- Maryland: Costa Rica
- Massachusetts: France
- Michigan: Canada, France (tie)
- Minnesota: Canada
- Mississippi: England
- Missouri: Thailand
- Montana: Ireland
- Nebraska: Thailand
- Nevada: Thailand
- New Hampshire: England
- New Jersey: England
- New Mexico: Germany, France, Costa Rica, Mexico (tie)
- New York: Switzerland
- North Carolina: England, Costa Rica (tie)
- North Dakota: Germany
- Ohio: Switzerland
- Oklahoma: France
- Oregon: New Zealand
- Pennsylvania: France
- Rhode Island: Ireland
- South Carolina: Thailand
- South Dakota: Canada
- Tennessee: France
- Texas: France
- Utah: France
- Vermont: Canada
- Virginia: Costa Rica
- Washington: Portugal
- West Virginia: England
- Wisconsin: Canada
- Wyoming: Canada
