Top 10 Reasons to Move to the USA

Whether you’re chasing a job, a loved one or simply the American Dream, the USA remains one of the most popular destinations for Brits abroad. The original ‘melting pot’ nation, America has a long tradition of welcoming all cultures and backgrounds and is a truly great place to be an expat. It is very much still the land of opportunity. There are so many benefits to life over the pond, but here are our top 10 reasons to move to the USA.

1. Their ‘Can Do’ Attitude

Positivity runs through the veins of almost every American. Where some see problems, they see opportunity. The country was founded on the idea that anyone can achieve anything they set their mind to, so it is no surprise that most Americans seem entirely void of self-doubt or negativity. For expats, this means a friendly, welcoming population ready to help new arrivals settle in. Most towns have a strong sense of community and don’t be surprised to find neighbours offering help and strangers saying hi in the street. They may even give you a hand with your removals to USA!

With almost 200 different nationalities currently calling the USA home, it is a country that has learnt to accept and celebrate diversity. You will not only make plenty of new American friends, but you will meet people from all over the world. You might even meet a few expats hailing from your neck of the woods. This positivity and tolerance is essential to a good expat experience and justifiably earns the top spot in our top 10 reasons to move to the USA.

2. Healthcare

Healthcare in US is amongst the very best in the world. Well funded hospitals, well trained staff and world leading medical innovation means you can be confident you will receive the very best treatment should you need it. Since 1975 90% of all medical innovations can be credited to the US. America also leads the world in dental care and proudly boasts some of the whitest, straightest smiles in the world.

Naturally, this standard of care comes at a cost and many potential expats worry about the cost of healthcare in the USA. Employers will, however, often offer generous medical and dental care policies as part of your salary package that may even cover partners and dependent children.

3. Education

If you are moving to the USA with children, ensuring they get the best education will be a top priority. Rest assured, the standard of schooling is so high in America, it’s one of our top 10 reasons to move to the USA. You can choose to send your child to a public or state school and find institutions following the British or International Baccalaureate curriculum should you wish. Whatever you choose, you can be confident your child will receive a good education and qualifications recognised around the world.

If your children are a little older, or perhaps you are considering furthering your own education, the American college system is also world-renowned. According to the QS World University rankings, half of the top 20 colleges on the planet are in America.

4. Economic Strength

Her economic strength has helped the USA weather the storms of global depression and financial crises. The US dollar is the World’s primary reserve currency, a sure sign of stability and respect. A survey of all OECD countries revealed that Americans enjoy the highest average household income in the world.

America is also a surprisingly inexpensive country. The US was ranked number one for the affordability and security of food in a Global Food Security Index. British expats will certainly find their fuel and food bill substantially reduced. Housing is also cheaper than many other wealthy nations due to comparative abundance and low cost of land.

5. Career Opportunities

America is a country that works hard and takes pride in what they do. Earning a living is something Americans take pride in and do well with only 5.5% of the population unemployed. The US also regularly ranks in the top five countries in the world for workforce productivity.

Employers are willing to look overseas for the very best talent to boost their business. If you have a skill that a US company is in need of, they will often help in any way they can, from organising visas to helping you find a home. Once there, you can enjoy good job security and satisfaction and, providing you demonstrate a good work ethic and continue to be an asset, your career can flourish. British employees are particularly attractive due to the (almost) shared language.

6. Space to Breathe

There’s no denying it. The USA is big. So enormous, in fact, that Texas alone is three times the size of the UK. As a result, Americans enjoy more than twice the average living space of EU residents. This also means land prices, and subsequently property prices, are generally more affordable, with notable exceptions such as New York City.

All this room also means lots more to see and explore. There are over 200,000 square miles of National Parkland and protected areas to hike and ride your way around. Whenever you feel like getting away from it all, the US will provide the space.

7. Natural Beauty

While we’re on the subject of America’s wide-open spaces, they’re not just abundant, they’re also spectacularly beautiful. There are vast lakes the size of a small country, rugged mountain ranges to ski and climb and coastlines spanning two oceans. From the Grand Canyon to the Everglades, there are so many natural wonders to explore, the difficult choice is where to start.

The USA’s 58 National Parks and countless managed parks and wilderness areas are populated by an incredibly diverse ecosystem. It is home to 784 different species of birds, 428 different mammals and 606 different reptiles and amphibians.

8. Weather

America’s vast size means you’ll find a climate to suit your needs. From the year round sunshine of California to the ice bound winters of Alaska, the USA has it all. There are even desert plains and tropical regions, if that’s your cup of tea. Of course, there is no guarantee your barbeque won’t be rained off, but it is far less likely to happen in Miami than Manchester.

9. Culinary Culture

Food and drink is a serious business across the USA. There are over 600,000 restaurants serving recipes from every corner of the world to suit every taste and budget. Even small towns will have serious, independent restaurateurs serving delicious food in a friendly environment.

This is most definitely a country that takes pride in its food and sees even the humble breakfast as an opportunity for culinary exploration. America’s national dishes may seem laughably simple, but achieving the perfect hamburger and fries or macaroni cheese is a feat few other countries have mastered. The USA is also the gold standard for customer service. Well-mannered staff are invariably happy to meet every need and whim with speedy service and a smile.

10. Travel Opportunities

There is so much to see and do in the USA you may never want to leave. From city breaks in New York or Seattle to relaxing on the coast of Florida or California, you’ll find plenty to occupy your precious holiday time. If that sounds a little predictable, how about skiing in the Rockies, horse riding through Yosemite or admiring the autumnal foliage in New England?

If you fancy giving your passport an airing, there are many exotic destinations just a short hop away. Canada, Central and South America and the beautiful islands of the Caribbean are all an hour or two from the USA and ideal for a longer getaway.

If our top 10 reasons to move to the USA have convinced you to make the transatlantic leap, check out our country guide to find out more.