Cepee Tabibian, a US expat in Spain, shared what she believes Americans need to think about when choosing their ideal country to move to, including language barriers and visas
The US expat shared her experiences of living in Europe (stock)(Image: Getty Images/Tetra images RF)
An American expat residing in Europe has revealed her top five picks for US citizens considering a move overseas.
Cepee Tabibian, founder of She Hit Refresh – a firm aimed at aiding women over 30 with international relocation – echoed her long-held aspiration to emigrate since she was a mere 17 years of age.
While living across the pond, the US expatriate, who presently resides in Spain but is originally from Texas, shed light on various factors that Americans ought to contemplate before deciding on their perfect abode abroad, such as overcoming language hurdles and navigating visa requirements.
This disclosure follows a report by The Guardian highlighting an increasing trend of American celebrities choosing to settle in European countries, amongst them Courtney Love, who is purportedly seeking UK citizenship.
Moreover, other notables like Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi, together with Ryan Gosling, Eva Mendes and their offspring have made the UK their home, whilst ‘Desperate Housewives‘ actress Eva Longoria now divides her time between Spain and Mexico.
The expat said she later moved to Spain with “doubts and no clear plan” (stock) (Image: Getty Images)
Penning her thoughts for CNBC, Cepee shared: “I knew I wanted to live abroad as soon as I set foot in the Netherlands on a trip at 17.”
She continued, charting her journey: “I chased that dream for years – studying Spanish in Spain at 21, teaching English there at 26, and pursuing a master’s there at 29 – but I kept ending up back in Texas.”
She shared that she relocated to Spain with “doubts and no clear plan” but soon experienced a “positive shift”. She went on to establish her own firm, and a decade later, she continues to reside in the European country.
When considering a move abroad, Cepee recommends contemplating five crucial factors: favourable visa options, cost of living, language barriers, the local attitude towards visitors, and the presence of an expat community for support.
Interestingly, she identified five countries that she believes are ideal for Americans considering emigration, notably excluding the UK, where English is predominantly spoken.
She listed five countries she believes would best serve Americans (stock)(Image: Getty Images)1. Spain
Spain, according to Cepee, is particularly appealing to Americans due to its visa options, affordable healthcare, and culture. She noted that smaller towns are welcoming to expats, although English isn’t widely spoken throughout the country.
She began her Spanish adventure in Madrid and now resides in Málaga, which boasts an “established expat scene”.
2. Portugal
Portugal, she emphasised, is exceptionally welcoming to expats and offers attractive visa options. Cepee also suggested that Portugal is a viable choice for retirees, solo women, and families due to its affordability, reported safety, and well-established expat community.
3. France
In addition to its affordable healthcare, she claimed that France could be a good option for families as it offers family tax breaks and reasonable childcare.
However, the nation does not currently offer a digital nomad visa, meaning remote workers may encounter issues if they wish to stay for longer periods.
4. The Netherlands
Another welcoming nation, English is commonly spoken in The Netherlands, and public transport is reportedly top-notch. In addition, it offers the US-specific DAFT visa, which stands for Dutch-American Friendship Treaty.
It enables self-employed US expats to enjoy living in the country simply by registering a firm locally and making a bank deposit.
5. Albania
Expats travelling to Albania can stay in the country for an entire year without a visa, and it’s reportedly an affordable place to live, making it a decent choice for people who wish to cut costs.