Moving Abroad from the US: How to Find Your Ideal Country
Have you ever dreamed of living abroad but felt overwhelmed by the endless possibilities? Choosing the right country can feel like the biggest barrier between you and your new life overseas. That's exactly the challenge Jen Barnett, co-founder of Expatsi, set out to solve. In this episode of Passport To Wealth®, host Arielle Tucker, CFP®, EA, speaks with Jen about her journey from Alabama to Mérida, Mexico, and how Expatsi is empowering Americans to confidently choose, and prepare for, life abroad.
Why Finding the Right Country Matters
For many aspiring expats, the hardest question isn't if they should move abroad, it's where. With over 190 countries to choose from, each with its own visa rules, cultural quirks, and cost of living, the decision can feel paralyzing.
Jen and her husband faced this challenge firsthand when they left Alabama. They didn't just want to escape, they wanted to build a life that aligned with their values of family, affordability, safety, and community. That search eventually led them to Mérida, Mexico, where they found a slower pace of life and a supportive environment. Through that experience, Jen realized many Americans were craving tools to help them make this decision more intentionally, and Expatsi was born.
The Expatsi Test: Matching Values to Countries
The Expatsi Test is designed to help Americans narrow down their best-fit countries. By answering a series of lifestyle, value, and preference-based questions, users receive personalized matches that reflect what matters most to them, not just visa rules or headlines.
"It's not about finding the perfect country on paper. It's about finding the country where you can truly thrive."
To date, thousands have taken the test, and the results speak for themselves. Some discover that a familiar choice like Portugal or Spain makes sense, while others realize they're better suited to unexpected destinations in Latin America, Eastern Europe, or Asia.
Beyond the Test: The Expatsi App and Scouting Trips
Expatsi isn't stopping with the test. Jen and her team are developing a new app that will serve as a digital companion for the expat journey, offering tools for planning, connecting, and even booking scouting trips. Scouting trips, Jen notes, are one of the smartest steps an aspiring expat can take. Spending time on the ground allows people to test daily life, experience the culture firsthand, and decide whether it feels like home.
Adapting Abroad: Lessons from Mérida
Jen's personal story adds depth to her work. Moving from Alabama to Mérida wasn't just about changing location, it was about shifting perspective. She found herself embracing flexibility, learning to slow down, and appreciating a community that values connection over hustle.
"Living abroad isn't about replicating your U.S. life somewhere else. It's about creating a life that aligns with who you want to be."
Key Takeaways for Americans Considering a Move Abroad
Start with values: the right country isn't the trendiest destination, it's the one aligned with your priorities. Use tools wisely, since the Expatsi Test and app can save time and provide clarity for overwhelmed expats-in-the-making. Plan a scouting trip, because nothing replaces experiencing daily life in your potential new home. And expect to adapt, since moving abroad isn't just about visas and housing, it's about embracing cultural shifts and personal growth.
Once the country question is settled, though, a different kind of matching exercise begins. Working with a financial advisor for Americans abroad is how you translate "this country fits my values" into a plan for your taxes, retirement accounts, and cash flow once you're actually there. And if your shortlist includes multiple countries, expat wealth management gets more complicated the more borders your life touches, so it's worth mapping that out early rather than after you've already chosen.
Connect with Our Guest
Jen Barnett is the co-founder of Expatsi, a platform designed to help Americans evaluate, plan, and take actionable steps toward moving abroad through the Expatsi Test, curated scouting trips, and a soon-to-launch app. Learn more at Expatsi or connect with her on LinkedIn.
You May Also Like
- U.S. Expats: Say Goodbye to Citizenship Based Taxation and Join the Tax Fairness Movement, on why every American abroad still has to file, no matter where they live
- Planning Your Move to Italy: U.S. Expat Life, Taxes, and Family Insights, for a look at how another European country handles expat taxation differently
- George Kinder on Mindfulness, Life Planning, and Becoming a US Expat in London, on choosing a country for purpose rather than logistics alone
About the Author
Arielle Tucker, CFP®, EA, is a cross-border financial planner, founder of Connected Financial Planning and the host of Passport To Wealth®, helping U.S. expats simplify their finances while building intentional, global lives. She brings firsthand experience navigating cross-border tax and relocation planning to every client conversation. Ready to build your own financial roadmap for life abroad? Schedule a paid expat expert coaching call with her directly.