Moving to America – Expat hot-spots to call home

If you’re considering a move stateside, whether to retire or start a new life chasing a dream job, there are plenty of locations to choose from. No matter why you are moving to America, relocating to a new country has its challenges. And even if you know the area you’re moving to (from travelling and holidays), the reality of living somewhere new can be isolating at first.

For many, moving to somewhere with a strong expat community can be a real benefit. It’s nice to be able to reach out to a community of people who have made the same big change and who can understand what you’re experiencing. With this in mind, we’ve looked at US locations with strong expat communities. Who knows, one of these could be the perfect location for your new expat home.

Texas

The State of Texas, in south central America, is home to a large number of expats from around the globe. The major cities in the State – Austin, Houston and Dallas – have seen their economy and job markets boom over the last few years. And this has attracted many ambitious and adventurous job seekers. Dallas is actually considered the fastest growing city in the US with people moving in from overseas and from other American States. So if you move to any of the major cities in Texas you will be in great expat company.

Florida

Exceptionally popular with UK expats, the east coast US State of Florida is home to some of the most thriving expat communities in America. Thanks to its excellent climate, quick and frequent flights to Europe, and very competitive housing market, Florida is an expat dream.

The bustling cities of Miami, Tampa, Orlando and Fort Lauderdale offer strong job opportunities which attract expats from around the globe. And the smaller towns and beach areas draw expats looking to soak up the sun and revel in the laid-back lifestyle. This is all bolstered by the State’s very favourable income tax laws. If you’re moving to Florida, you can be certain of discovering a booming and supportive expat community.

Colorado

Colorado, and specifically Denver, is considered one of the best places to live in the US. Expats are attracted to the outdoors lifestyle: skiing and snowboarding, mountain climbing, off road biking and hiking are all common hobbies here. Coupled with excellent employment opportunities (such as Google) and seasonal climate, Colorado has been popular with expats for some time. So if you move here, you’ll enjoy the long established expat social scene.

Arizona

Arizona has its thriving cities, excellent food and bar scene, and dramatic landscape to thank for attracting waves of expats every year. Whether you move to Phoenix or a suburb like Scottsdale, you are sure to find a support system and expat groups to help you settle-in. Arizona makes an excellent home for anyone who loves the outdoors: from exploring the parks and trails to playing golf, life is lived outside here. And expats in Arizona enjoy not just the excellent climate, but fantastic transport links thanks to Phoenix airport.

Washington

Home to the Senate, multiple headquarters of international organisations and WHO’s, as well as major military bases, Washington has long attracted people from overseas. And thanks to the international nature of the city, there’s hubs of expats here from almost every part of the world.

With more seasonal weather than a lot of the rest of the US, the temperate climate is attractive to those looking to avoid the sweltering heat of elsewhere. The State also enjoys booming industries offering excellent job opportunities and an impressive tax situation.

If you’re considering a move to the USA, your international move can be made even more enjoyable by sharing it with a strong expat community. If you’d like help and advice on your US relocation, we’re here to help. With over 120 years of international moving experience, and dedicated teams in America, we make moving home easy for you.