Moving to Canada? Consider These 10 Other Countries As Well

Looking to move north of the border? While Canada is great and all, there are plenty of alternatives around the world. From Belgium’s food to Ireland’s drinks, here are our ten suggestions for countries you can move to if you want to look beyond the Great White North.

1. Belgium

While the weather can be a bit iffy, most citizens speak English as a second language, love Americans, and really love their beer. They make over 800 varieties of it. In fact, there’s not really a better reason to move to Belgium: beer, waffles, frites, and chocolate. Don’t forget to pack your appetite.

2. Japan

Japan is another great option for relocation. Not only will you be able to find American fashion knock-offs for incredible prices, but you’ll get your hands on some really amazing Japanese fashions before the rest of the world. And who wouldn’t love a diet of sushi, ramen, and sake? The Japanese value simplicity in all things. Bonus: Sumo wrestling is the national sport.

3. England

Although it’s the Motherland for English speakers, you may have some trouble with the wide variety of accents. The English are pretty chill and tend to mind their own business. When it comes to food, you can never have too much shepherd’s pie or fish and chips, right?

4. Ireland

Guinness.

Oh, ok, fine. They also speak English, and if you like wild, stormy nights in the company of some genuinely kind people, this country is for you. Plus they love to dance and play some mighty fine dancing music (They gave us U2 and Hozier, y’know). The Irish also adore golf, so if you’re keen on a round of 9 holes followed by a pint or two, you’re going to want to keep Ireland’s 300+ greens in mind.

5. Norway

Architects, designers, decorators – listen up! This place is a mecca of Scandinavian design. Your mid-mod sensibilities and passion for shades of white will meet their equal in Norway. Not to mention your love of cross-country skiing. Norway has lightning-fast Internet speeds. And fjords.

6. Belize

In Belize, not only is English the first language, but the temperature rarely drops below 50 degrees. While living in a tropical rainforest may not sound ideal, just think: the beach is only 60 miles away in almost any direction! And if one of your biggest complaints in America is the traffic, then Belize is definitely for you. They only have 4 highways.

7. Sweden

This country is for the competitive among you – the Swedes are born winners. No, seriously – the whole country has 612 Olympic medals. Imagine how they do on their high school exams! Sweden has the second fastest Internet speeds in the world. It is home to ABBA, Ace of Base, and IKEA. And in the summer, you can attend traditional crayfish parties! Yum!

8. Cayman Islands

What’s better than a turtle farm and preserve, with over 16,000 turtles? Pirate Week! And what goes well with pirating? Money! The Cayman Islands are the world’s fifth largest financial center (ahem, offshore accounts). Not only will you be living on an island while you’re pirating and turtle-watching, you’ll add to the adventure by driving on the left-hand side of the road.

9. Australia

Are you just sick of people? Perfect – Australia has three times more sheep than people. And Aussies speak their own version of English that’s pretty easy to pick up on (here’s a tutorial). They make really good wine, have annual cockroach races and the Great Barrier Reef, and are a very relaxed bunch of folks. Plus, they invented rugby, which is like American football only better because play never stops, even if someone gets injured. And kangaroos.

10. Panama

Why move north of the border when there are plenty of countries to choose from south of the border? Just to name one, Panama has year round amazing weather, with temperatures dropping below 75 very rarely. You can own a car if you’d like, but the public transportation in the country is superior to most other countries. And the people of Panama are always friendly and inviting, giving you more “patacones” than you can probably handle.