11 Reasons to Live in the US

So you want to move to a new country and are considering the United States?

While it can be hard to sift through all the pros and cons of living in America (and I’m usually the first to knock living here), there are actually some very enticing reasons to live in the US! 

I’ve lived in over a dozen countries, including the US, so not only can I share my experience living here, but I can also compare it to numerous other countries around the world.  

Here are my honest thoughts on the benefits of living in the United States of America. 

I’ll cover everything from job opportunities to the country’s housing and economic status to entertainment industries.

1. Strong Economy

The strength of the US dollar is a huge positive for living in the United States because it’s the primary currency for reserves worldwide. 

This trickles down to make groceries relatively affordable and available throughout the United States. Food security, affordability, and safety rank extremely high for the US. While living in California, I begged to differ, but the truth is that most states have really affordable food. 

Inflation is lower in the US than anywhere else in the G7, and the country has the highest worldwide average for household income. 

Another way that the United States shows a strong economy is with its gross domestic product (GDP), which is the value of goods and services produced in the US. America is #1 by far. 

The exchange rates around the world are very favorable to USD, too. These conversion rates and high salaries in the US mean that every dollar goes even farther when traveling abroad! It’s a huge reason that even though I’m Canadian, I love earning USD!

2. Cultural Diversity

The American culture is a melting pot of many cultures, so you can find diverse festivals, food, and languages wherever you move! 

Every city has numerous cultural festivals each year. There’s a huge Chinese New Year celebration in San Francisco’s Chinatown and the largest Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans, and even Cincinnati (a smaller city) hosts German Oktoberfest every year! 

Cities like LA, New York, and Chicago are a foodie paradise, with authentic international dishes like Japanese sushi, Vietnamese pho, and Moroccan tagine. 

You also have cultural fusion, like Tex-Mex food. Fajitas and Loaded nachos are amazing in Texas.

Another reason to love the food in the US is that generous portions are the norm! Expect to take home leftovers any time you eat out!

3. Great Career Opportunities

The opportunity for career progression is a huge reason expats choose to move to the US. 

If you’re a non-US citizen, you will need a green card (residency visa) to live in the US, but once you get residency, you can apply for citizenship after 3-5 years of residency.

If you work in a skilled labor field, there’s even a chance that your job will pay you to relocate! New York City has lots of opportunity in the financial industry, while Silicon Valley in California offers plenty of tech options. Texas is known as the energy capital of the world, both in fossil fuels and renewable energy.

Many jobs in the United States also have continuing education stipends to help employees obtain college degrees.

I have friends in the United States who could get an Associate’s Degree, complete their Bachelor’s Degree, and even pursue their Master’s degree because work paid a percentage of their tuition.

The United States has career opportunities nationwide, which is very different from Canada,  where you almost have to move to a large city like Toronto to further your career.

4. Outdoor Recreation & National Parks

After getting a new job, you should also start researching your first road trip in the US. It’s seriously stunning, and the US does a great job protecting its most beautiful regions.

In 1872, the United States created Yellowstone National Park, the world’s first National Park, and has since designated 62 more protected parks. In addition to national parks, monuments, and forests, each US state has its network of state parks and outdoor recreation areas.

That’s one of the most compelling reasons to live in a state like Utah, which has five National Parks and loads of outdoor activities like whitewater rafting, mountain biking, and rock climbing.

You can also go surfing off the coast of California or skiing/snowboarding in the mountains of Colorado.

Whatever your interest, there is easily a state in the US that offers recreation opportunities in the great outdoors. I’ve visited a few of the most beautiful states in the US, and almost all of them would make a fantastic place to live.

5. Entertainment Industry and Theme Parks

The expansive entertainment and theme park industries are another reason to live in the US if you like thrill rides, theater, music, and movies.

For example, New York is famous for its live theater on Broadway. On the opposite coast, Hollywood, California, is considered the oldest film industry in the world, paving the way for multiple film genres, such as comedy, action, and drama.

One of the reasons to live in Tennessee is the live music scene. It’s known as “Music City, USA,” and is home to the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Florida is another super popular area to settle in the US for entertainment. It’s home to Walt Disney World, Legoland, and Universal Studios.

6. Excellent Healthcare

The country’s contribution to medical innovations and top-notch hospitals is one of the advantages of living in the USA. 

Since 1966, Americans have almost exclusively won the Nobel Prize in Medicine. 

That said, healthcare can be quite expensive in the United States if you have a job with quality health benefits. 

The average company pays 73-83% of its employees for health benefits, but you will have a small co-pay and a minimum out-of-pocket expense before insurance kicks in to cover the rest. Insurance also tends to refuse to pay for alternative/holistic medicine. 

As long as you have a stable job with benefits or extra funds for your health, moving overseas to the US means you’ll have access to the best medicine on the planet.

7. Professional Sports

I’m not a big sports fan myself, so this is not one of the most compelling reasons for me to move to the US. But if you love sports, you’ll be glad to know they’re a big part of American culture. 

Greatest Sporting Nation (GSN) ranked the US as the top country based on the results of international tournaments in 75 different sports. Some sports ranking number one in the United States include beach volleyball, tennis, lacrosse, surfing, swimming, and figure skating.

The United States doesn’t have as much professional football (or soccer) following, but it’s quickly gaining popularity, and famous international players joining the MLS definitely helps! 

The top three sports watched in the United States are American Football, Basketball, and Baseball. Can you believe 74.5% of people in the US watch American Football? 

Also, if you enjoy watching women’s professional sports, the US is among the first to address the pay gap between male and female professional athletes with the Equal Pay for Equal Pay Act.

8. Science and Technology

The United States is a world leader in Science and technology, too. 

Remember how Tony Stark mentions his labs being a real R&D candyland when talking with Bruce Banner in the “Avengers” movie? Well, R&D stands for Research and Development, which the US views as a cornerstone of the economy.

The government is committed to advancing scientific research and developing innovative technology. These fields have plenty of career opportunities, particularly for AI, supercomputers, and human biology. 

NASA’s space exploration is also moving full speed ahead. They have mapped the dark side of the moon, launched satellites, and done much more in space exploration.

9. Travel Opportunities

The United States offers plenty of travel opportunities and diverse landscapes/cities to explore. 

I like a blend of city and countryside, which is perfect for me. I can live in a quieter rural town but still visit the big cities when I want to go out (you’ll also save a ton of money living in the country)!

Flights are typically accessible, too. Almost every state has multiple airports within driving distance, and many airports throughout the USA fly internationally.

My friend in San Diego often compares flights out of Los Angeles, San Diego, and even Tijuana. The Tijuana airport in Mexico is super easy to get to from the US side of the Mexican border and has great budget flights to other places in Mexico. 

The point is that, while it’s not always cheap, there are always plenty of flight options, rental car availability, and many destinations to choose from in the US.

10. High Education Standards

Public school ratings can vary depending on location, but the USA is known for its Ivy League colleges and choice between private and public schools. 

Most of the top universities in the world are in the United States, such as Harvard, Cal Tech, Stanford, and MIT.

Also, more and more K-12 elementary schools are becoming STEAM schools. STEAM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics. 

Adding the “A” for Art into STEM helps students learn creativity alongside the more technical subjects. It includes topics like music, performing arts, and language arts.

11. Spacious Housing

The United States is second on the list of the most significant house sizes, averaging 1,900 square feet, and American houses are well known for their spacious layouts. 

It’s like they put cultural value on large living rooms, tall ceilings, and open floor plans.

I also could get a significant discount on the cost of housing, depending on where I was in the US. For example, Las Vegas has way cheaper housing than California. You can get a mansion for the price of a much smaller home in Los Angeles. 

The cost of property is cheaper in Texas, so it’s common to buy the land and build your house how you want it. One of my friends built a home movie theater into their floor plan!

Another common aspect of US houses is a furnished basement, which adds even more space. This third floor often acts as a game room or TV room, with a spare bedroom and bath. 

Reasons to Live in the US Summary

There are many reasons to live in the US, but the best place to settle in the states will vary based on your priorities and why you want to move.

Are you looking for better job opportunities? There are plenty of options in states with big cities and more niche jobs in rural states with farmland.

Want easy access to the outdoors? You can find hiking trails and outdoor areas almost everywhere, but it’s way easier to start a National Park Road trip if you live out west, especially in California, Colorado, and Utah.

Other reasons to live in the US aren’t restricted by geography. No matter what city you choose, finding abundant international food is easy. You can get Pho one day, sushi another day, and empanadas the next.

Ready to pack your bags? Take this quiz to see if the US is the right country for you to move to!