Source: US News —
With streaming shows like Netflix’s “Emily in Paris” or the romantic image of working remotely from an Italian villa, U.S. travelers are showing renewed interest in moving to Europe to see what life would be like in another country.
There are a variety of reasons why an international move to Europe from the United States is more affordable and attractive than ever before. For example, the U.S. dollar has been strong in terms of the exchange rate of both the euro and the pound. Home prices in certain countries are more affordable than in large U.S. cities, so it is affordable to rent a flat, buy a townhouse or condo, or purchase a single-family home in Europe.
European countries such as Portugal, Spain and Italy are considered the hottest areas for U.S. consumers to buy real estate. Americans looking to downsize or renovate a home will find opportunities in these countries, experts say, which also benefit from attractive weather, beautiful landscapes, waterfront property, and an overall good quality of life. Portugal also has something known as the Retirement Visa or Passive Income Visa, which makes moving there easier for Americas.
Some things to consider when thinking about a move from the U.S. to Europe:
Some challenges are creating lower real-estate prices in some parts of Europe. Housing costs may be lower because of pandemic-related economic downturns and reduced tourism. Another issue is the war in Ukraine, the uncertainty of which is slowing the European real estate market overall.
With so many variables in play, this may be a good time to look into moving to Europe. With slower real estate sales, finding affordable rent or a good price on a two- or three-bedroom home comparable to a U.S. residence may be relatively easy to find and finance.
People who have made the move to Europe in the past few years say there are many pros and cons to consider when making such a significant move. Among the pros are accessible and affordable transportation between European cities, allowing for less expensive tourism; a strong exchange rate; more cost-effective home prices; and an overall healthier lifestyle, ex-pats say.
Nathan Heinrich married a native Italian, and they moved from New York to the Prosecco Valley near Venice in 2020. Heinrich says he tried to research this kind of move before they left only to find limited information. So, two years ago, Heinrich debuted his own podcast on the subject, aptly named “I’m Moving to Italy.”
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