Thinking about packing up your life and starting fresh in another country? You’re not alone. Every year, thousands of people from around the world, including Australia, the UK, and across Europe, are making the leap to live overseas. Some chase adventure, others seek a better quality of life, and for many, it’s simply about making their money stretch further.
So, what motivates so many people to throw everything they know away and start over as an expat?
In this article we dive into key reasons people are making this life-changing decision.
1. Career Growth & New Opportunities
In many Western countries, stagnant wages, shrinking industries, and increasing automation have made career advancement difficult. For some, especially young professionals in IT, finance, and engineering, moving abroad offers a fast-track to higher salaries, greater responsibility, and the chance to work on exciting projects.
For example, an ambitious software developer in the UK might find themselves struggling to progress in a saturated job market. However, relocating to Singapore or Dubai could mean securing a higher-paying position with significant perks, including tax-free income or employer-sponsored housing. In many cases, companies in growing economies actively seek international talent and are willing to offer generous packages to skilled professionals.
Beyond salary, working abroad can provide invaluable experience. Employers often prefer candidates with international exposure, as it demonstrates adaptability, cultural intelligence, and a willingness to embrace challenges.
2. Cost of Living & Financial Freedom
Ever feel like you’re working just to survive? Many Western cities have become unaffordable, with soaring rent prices and high living costs consuming most of a person’s salary. Younger generations, in particular, are feeling the pressure, as homeownership seems like a distant dream.
Take Sydney, London, or New York, where rent alone can eat up 50 percent or more of an average salary. Now compare that to places like Thailand, Vietnam, or Mexico, where you can rent a modern apartment for a fraction of the cost and enjoy a far better quality of life. Many expats find that by moving abroad, they can work fewer hours, save more money, and still afford luxuries that would be out of reach back home.
For digital nomads, this is particularly appealing. A remote worker earning in USD or GBP can live comfortably in popular expat locations places like Bali, Bangkok or Medellín while spending significantly less than they would in their home country.
3. A Change in Lifestyle & Quality of Life
COVID-19 was a wake-up call for many, prompting people to reevaluate their priorities. Lockdowns forced millions to work from home, proving that being tied to an office in an expensive city wasn’t always necessary. Many realised they wanted more freedom, better weather, and a lifestyle that prioritises well-being over the daily grind to make shareholder profit.
For some, this means moving to a country with better work-life balance, less stress, and more opportunities to enjoy outdoor activities. Imagine swapping your two-hour daily commute for a morning surf session in Costa Rica or a leisurely breakfast on a terrace in Portugal.
Others seek safety, a sense of community, and an environment where family life is more affordable and enjoyable. Some Western expats move to places where crime is lower, people are friendlier, and life moves at a slower pace, allowing them to reconnect with their passions and spend more time with loved ones.
4. Adventure & Personal Growth
For many, moving abroad is less about practical reasons and more about the thrill of the unknown.
Living in a foreign country forces you out of your comfort zone. You’ll navigate new languages, adapt to different customs, and broaden your worldview. From figuring out how to rent an apartment in a country where you don’t speak the language to mastering the art of bargaining in a street market, every day becomes an opportunity to learn and grow.
Many expats also use the experience as a way to pivot into a new career. Some discover a passion for teaching, start their own businesses, or transition into entirely new industries they never considered before.
For those who thrive on challenges and excitement, becoming an expat is one of the most rewarding life choices imaginable.
5. Love & Relationships
Let’s not ignore one of the biggest reasons people relocate. Love.
Sometimes, the motivation is as simple as falling for someone from another country. Whether you met your partner while traveling, online, or through work, international relationships often lead to one person moving abroad to be with their significant other.
Then there are those who actively seek relationships abroad, believing that dating culture in other countries better aligns with their values. Terms like Passport Bros have emerged to describe men who travel in search of partners who prioritize family and traditional relationship dynamics. While this can be a controversial topic, the reality is that many expats move for love, hoping to build a life with someone who shares their vision for the future.
6. Frustration with Home Country Issues
Not everyone leaves their home country by choice. Some feel they have to.
Rising living costs, high taxes, political instability, and concerns about the encroachment of personal freedoms have led many to seek out a fresh start elsewhere. However the reasons do vary.
For example in recent years, some Americans vocally moved to Latin America and Canada to escape perceived political instability after the latest round of elections. Similarly many Europeans frustrated by heavy taxation, bureaucracy of the EU and the threat of seizure of wealth have moved to greener pasture. After the draconian covid measures in Australia, a large number felt both betrayed and ostracised by the government’s actions, subsequently leaving and slamming the door behind them as they left.
Another growing reason that many that is spoken silently is the increasing crime and shifting social dynamics throughout the West due to mass uncontrolled migration which has left many expats to seek destinations where they feel safer, more valued, and a more positive environment to raise a family.
7. Retirement in a Better Climate
Why struggle to retire in an expensive Western country when you can enjoy your golden years in paradise?
Many Western retirees are choosing to settle in places like Thailand, Spain, or the Philippines, where their pensions stretch significantly further. With low-cost, high-quality healthcare, affordable housing, and warm weather year-round, these destinations provide an attractive alternative to spending retirement years in a country where expenses continue to rise.
For many, it’s not just about finances. It’s about quality of life. A retiree in Spain might spend their days sipping wine by the Mediterranean, while one in Thailand enjoys fresh seafood on the beach. Compared to struggling to afford heating bills over a freezing UK winter, it’s easy to see why so many make the move.
Is Becoming an Expat Right for You?
Moving abroad isn’t for everyone. It requires adaptability, patience, and a willingness to embrace a new culture and certainly has its challenges. Some people thrive in new environments, while others struggle.
Are you thinking about making the move or have you? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.