A recent report shows that foreign nationals residing in the United States cite abundant job opportunities as the biggest advantage of living there. However, for many, the high cost of living makes this lifestyle challenging.
According to a report by InterNations, the world’s largest expatriate community, the United States ranks 35th among 53 countries preferred (or disliked) by expats, as reported by CNBC’s “Make It” section.
The report, titled Expat Insider, considered feedback from over 12,500 foreign expats worldwide, evaluating their satisfaction across five key indicators: quality of life, ease of settling in, working abroad, personal finance, and “necessary criteria for expatriates,” such as finding housing and mastering the local language.
Among these indicators, the United States ranks highest in “working abroad.”
Survey respondents highlighted the local job market and career prospects for foreigners as standout features of the US. Sixty-five percent of expats reported satisfaction with their work, compared to 60% globally, attributing this to the local business culture that supports flexibility.
However, expats noted that the work culture in the US is not ideal. Foreigners working full-time in the US reported an average of 43.7 hours worked per week, slightly higher than the global average of 42.5 hours. Limited vacation time was also cited as a factor affecting their work experience.
In addition to work indicators, around half (52%) of expats living in the US expressed dissatisfaction with the overall cost of living, compared to 39% globally.
The biggest economic hurdles cited were housing, healthcare, and transportation costs, especially in areas lacking robust public transportation where reliance on cars is necessary. Only 31% of expats in the US were satisfied with their cost of living, lower than the global average of 40%.
Newcomers mentioned that Americans are generally friendly, but also pointed out challenges in making friends and integrating into social life in the US.
Overall, foreign nationals in the US highly praised the country for its strong digital infrastructure (ranging from high-speed internet to digital payment usage), easy-to-master local language, diverse leisure options, and welcoming culture.