# ExpatStateside > The community website for Americans living abroad: practical, sourced guides to the US rules that follow citizens abroad (tax returns, FBAR, FATCA, Social Security, Medicare, voting, passports) and to moving, money, health, schools, housing and getting around in 21 cities. Written in American English. General information, not legal, tax, immigration or financial advice. Site: https://expatstateside.com/ · Sitemap: https://expatstateside.com/sitemap.xml · Updated: 2026-11-07 ## Sections - [Cities](https://expatstateside.com/cities/): 21 city hubs with up to 20 guides each, by category - [Living abroad](https://expatstateside.com/living-abroad/): US tax, FBAR, banking, Social Security, Medicare, passports, voting and moving - [Money back home](https://expatstateside.com/money-back-home/): US mortgages, renting out or selling a US home, gifts, brokerage accounts - [Compare](https://expatstateside.com/compare/): buying where you live vs back in the US - [Vote from abroad](https://expatstateside.com/vote/): registering with the FPCA, ballots, deadlines and the FWAB backup (nonpartisan) - [Join](https://expatstateside.com/join/): community groups in 19 countries ## Vote from abroad - [Registering to vote from abroad: the FPCA, box by box](https://expatstateside.com/vote/how-to-register-to-vote-from-abroad-step-by-step): One form registers you and requests your ballot from anywhere in the world. Here's how to fill in the FPCA section by section, and why to send a fresh one every January. - [The overseas voting calendar: what to do and when, 2027 to 2028](https://expatstateside.com/vote/the-overseas-voting-calendar-2027-and-2028): The midterms are done, and the clock for 2028 is already running. Here's when to send your FPCA, when ballots go out and a month-by-month checklist. - [Getting and returning your ballot from abroad: email, fax or mail](https://expatstateside.com/vote/getting-and-returning-your-ballot-by-email-fax-or-mail): Your ballot can reach you by email in minutes. Getting it back is where the rules split: some states take email or fax, many insist on paper. Here's how it works. - [The FWAB: your backup ballot when yours hasn't arrived](https://expatstateside.com/vote/the-fwab-your-backup-ballot-when-yours-hasnt-arrived): Requested your ballot but it never came? The Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot lets you vote for federal offices anyway. Here's when and how to use it. - [Which state you vote in from abroad: your last US address decides](https://expatstateside.com/vote/which-state-you-vote-in-when-you-live-abroad): You don't pick your voting state from abroad. It's the last place you lived before you left. Here's how that works when life back home got complicated. - [Voting from abroad and state tax: what the federal rule protects](https://expatstateside.com/vote/does-voting-from-abroad-make-you-owe-state-tax): Voting for President from abroad won't put you back on your state's tax rolls. But your vote can still show up in a residency audit. Here's where the line is. - [Voting for the first time from abroad: turning 18 and born overseas](https://expatstateside.com/vote/voting-for-the-first-time-from-abroad): Turning 18 overseas, or never lived in the US at all? Here's how to tell if you can vote, which state's ballot you get, and how to send your very first FPCA. - [Primaries and caucuses from abroad: picking the nominees from overseas](https://expatstateside.com/vote/primaries-and-caucuses-from-abroad): Primaries decide who's on the November ballot, and you can vote in them from abroad. Here's how the party box on the FPCA works and what caucuses mean for you. - [Why overseas ballots get rejected: the common mistakes and how to fix them](https://expatstateside.com/vote/why-overseas-ballots-get-rejected-and-how-to-avoid-it): Most overseas ballots count. The ones that don't usually arrive late or miss a signature. Here's how to keep yours out of the reject pile. - [Where to get help voting abroad: embassies, FVAP and volunteers](https://expatstateside.com/vote/where-to-get-help-voting-abroad): Stuck on a form or worried your ballot won't make it home? Embassies, FVAP, your local election office and volunteer groups all help for free. Here's who does what. ## Living abroad - [Filing a US tax return from abroad: who must file, and by when](https://expatstateside.com/living-abroad/filing-a-us-tax-return-from-abroad): Living abroad doesn't end your US tax return. Here is who must file, the June 15 and October 15 deadlines, and what changes on the return once you live overseas. - [FBAR explained: the $10,000 rule every American abroad has to know](https://expatstateside.com/living-abroad/fbar-reporting-your-foreign-bank-accounts): If your foreign accounts together topped $10,000 at any point in the year, you owe FinCEN an FBAR. Who files, what counts, the deadlines and how to fix missed years. - [FATCA and Form 8938: what your foreign bank tells the IRS, and what you tell it](https://expatstateside.com/living-abroad/fatca-and-form-8938-for-americans-abroad): FATCA makes foreign banks report Americans' accounts, and makes you file Form 8938 above certain thresholds. Here's how it differs from the FBAR and the higher limits abroad. - [Foreign earned income exclusion vs foreign tax credit: which one cuts your US tax more](https://expatstateside.com/living-abroad/foreign-earned-income-exclusion-vs-foreign-tax-credit): The exclusion (Form 2555) and the foreign tax credit (Form 1116) both stop double tax. How each works, the 330-day test, the housing exclusion and which fits your country. - [Tax treaties and totalization agreements: what they really do for Americans abroad](https://expatstateside.com/living-abroad/tax-treaties-and-totalization-agreements): A US tax treaty rarely cuts a citizen's US tax, thanks to the saving clause. Totalization agreements are more useful: they stop you paying Social Security in two countries. - [State taxes after you move abroad: why your old state may still want a return](https://expatstateside.com/living-abroad/state-taxes-after-you-move-abroad): Your federal return follows you abroad by law. Your state return follows you only if you never really left. Here's how domicile works and how to cut the tie cleanly. - [Catching up on missed US tax returns: how the Streamlined procedures work](https://expatstateside.com/living-abroad/catching-up-on-missed-us-tax-returns-the-streamlined-procedures): Plenty of Americans abroad find out years late that they should have been filing. The IRS has a no-penalty route back for people who qualify. Here's how it works. - [PFICs: why that local index fund is a US tax headache](https://expatstateside.com/living-abroad/pfics-why-foreign-funds-hurt-americans): The low-cost index fund your local bank recommends is probably a PFIC under US tax law. Here's why that's costly for Americans and what people invest in instead. - [Self-employed abroad: why you can owe US tax on income you excluded](https://expatstateside.com/living-abroad/self-employed-abroad-us-self-employment-tax): Freelancers abroad are often surprised: income tax can be zero while US self-employment tax is still due. Here's how it works and when a totalization agreement helps. - [Married to a non-American: choosing your US filing status](https://expatstateside.com/living-abroad/married-to-a-non-american-filing-status-and-taxes): If your spouse isn't a US citizen or resident, your filing status is a real choice with real trade-offs. Here's how the options work and what each one pulls into the US system. - [Banking as an American abroad: why banks say no, and how to get a yes](https://expatstateside.com/living-abroad/banking-as-an-american-abroad-when-banks-say-no): FATCA makes US customers extra paperwork for foreign banks, so some refuse. Here's why it happens and how to find one that will take you. - [Keeping a US bank account and US address: what to tell your bank when you move](https://expatstateside.com/living-abroad/keeping-a-us-bank-account-and-us-address): Your US checking account is worth keeping. Here's why banks close accounts for customers abroad, and which address to give whom. - [Sending money between the US and abroad: wires, transfer services and the rules on big amounts](https://expatstateside.com/living-abroad/sending-money-between-the-us-and-abroad): The fee is only half the price of a transfer. Here's how to compare wires and transfer services, and which big transfers have to be reported. - [Keeping your US credit score alive from abroad: what counts, what doesn't, and how to come back](https://expatstateside.com/living-abroad/keeping-your-us-credit-score-alive-from-abroad): Your foreign mortgage won't help your US score. Here's how to keep a US credit file alive from abroad and rebuild it if it goes quiet. - [Student loans while living abroad: repayment plans, foreign income and PSLF](https://expatstateside.com/living-abroad/student-loans-while-living-abroad): Moving abroad doesn't pause your federal student loans. Here's how income-driven plans treat foreign income, and when work abroad counts for PSLF. - [Your 401(k) and IRA abroad: keep, contribute or cash out?](https://expatstateside.com/living-abroad/401k-and-ira-when-you-live-abroad): Your US retirement accounts can move abroad with you, but contributing, withdrawing and getting taxed in two countries all work differently once you leave. - [Social Security abroad: getting paid, where you can't, and what changed in 2025](https://expatstateside.com/living-abroad/social-security-abroad-payments-and-restrictions): US citizens can collect Social Security in most countries. Here's how payments reach you, where they can't, and what the 2025 Social Security Fairness Act changed. - [Medicare abroad: why it won't pay overseas, and whether to keep Part B](https://expatstateside.com/living-abroad/medicare-when-you-live-abroad): Medicare almost never pays for care overseas, but dropping Part B can cost you for life if you move back. Here's how to weigh it. - [Retiring abroad: how the main retirement visas work for Americans](https://expatstateside.com/living-abroad/retiring-abroad-the-main-retirement-visas-for-americans): Most retiree visas ask the same three things: steady income, health insurance and a clean record. Here's how Mexico, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Thailand, the Philippines and Panama compare. - [Renewing a US passport abroad: how it works from overseas](https://expatstateside.com/living-abroad/renewing-a-us-passport-abroad): Most Americans abroad renew through the local US embassy or consulate. Here's who can use Form DS-82, what children need, and what to do in an emergency. - [Registering a child born abroad: the CRBA, step by step](https://expatstateside.com/living-abroad/registering-a-child-born-abroad-the-crba): A baby born abroad to a US citizen may be American from birth, but you have to prove it. Here's how the CRBA works, who qualifies, and what to bring. - [Dual citizenship and US law: two passports, one set of US rules](https://expatstateside.com/living-abroad/dual-citizenship-and-us-law): The US lets you hold a second citizenship without asking permission. But it still expects its passport at the border and its tax return every year. - [Renouncing US citizenship: the process, the fee and the exit tax](https://expatstateside.com/living-abroad/renouncing-us-citizenship-the-facts): Renouncing is permanent and done in person at an embassy. Here's the consular process, the 2026 fee, the IRS exit tax rules and what stays the same afterward. - [STEP and US embassies: what help you can actually expect](https://expatstateside.com/living-abroad/step-and-help-from-us-embassies): STEP is free and takes ten minutes. Here's why residents abroad should enroll, and what a US embassy can and can't do when things go wrong. - [Voting from abroad: the FPCA, the backup ballot and your voting state](https://expatstateside.com/living-abroad/voting-from-abroad-the-fpca-and-fvap): Living abroad doesn't take away your vote. Send the FPCA every January, know your voting state, and keep the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot as a backup. - [Jury duty and Selective Service from abroad: the duties that follow you](https://expatstateside.com/living-abroad/jury-duty-selective-service-and-other-obligations-from-abroad): Moving abroad ends some US duties and not others. Here's how to answer a jury summons from overseas, register with Selective Service, and what else still applies. - [Moving abroad checklist: what Americans should do, and in what order](https://expatstateside.com/living-abroad/moving-abroad-checklist-for-americans): A step-by-step moving checklist for Americans: what to sort six months out, what to do the week you leave, and what to set up in your first month abroad. - [Shipping your things and pets abroad: container, air freight or suitcase?](https://expatstateside.com/living-abroad/shipping-your-things-and-pets-from-the-us): How to choose between a container, air freight and extra suitcases, how the USDA pet health certificate works, and what's not worth shipping overseas. - [Moving back to the US: the return checklist for taxes, health insurance and credit](https://expatstateside.com/living-abroad/moving-back-to-the-us-taxes-health-insurance-and-credit): Coming home has its own paperwork. Here's how to handle your final expat tax year, get health insurance from day one, rebuild your credit and wind down foreign accounts. - [Driving abroad on a US license: when it's enough and when you need a local one](https://expatstateside.com/living-abroad/driving-abroad-on-a-us-license): A US license works for visitors in many countries but rarely for residents. Here's how the IDP, license exchanges and state renewals from abroad actually work. - [The emotional move: what nobody tells American families about moving abroad](https://expatstateside.com/living-abroad/the-emotional-move): Your stuff ships in a container. Your friends, your routines and your kids' sense of home don't. Here's how American families get through the emotional side of moving abroad. ## Money back home - [US mortgages from abroad: why lenders balk and who still says yes](https://expatstateside.com/money-back-home/us-mortgages-for-americans-living-abroad): Foreign pay, a foreign address and no US credit activity make many US lenders nervous. Here's why, which lenders still say yes, and what paperwork they want. - [Refinancing your US mortgage from abroad: rates, occupancy and signing](https://expatstateside.com/money-back-home/refinancing-your-us-mortgage-from-abroad): Refinancing from overseas works, but your home is probably no longer your primary residence. Here's how that changes the loan, and how to close from abroad. - [Your US home after you move abroad: keep it, rent it or sell it?](https://expatstateside.com/money-back-home/keeping-or-renting-out-your-us-home-after-you-move-abroad): Renting out the house stateside can pay the mortgage while you're overseas. Here's what changes with insurance, your lender, a property manager and taxes. - [Rental income from a US property: how Americans abroad get taxed on it](https://expatstateside.com/money-back-home/rental-income-from-a-us-property-taxes-for-americans-abroad): Your US rent gets taxed by the IRS, often by the state where the house sits, and usually by your new country too. Here's how the pieces fit. - [Buying a US home from overseas: financing, remote closing and timing](https://expatstateside.com/money-back-home/buying-us-property-while-living-abroad): Buying a house in the States while you live overseas takes a good team on the ground and careful timing. Here's how financing, remote closing and POAs work. - [Selling your US home after moving abroad: the three-year clock and the tax](https://expatstateside.com/money-back-home/selling-your-us-home-after-moving-abroad-capital-gains): You have roughly three years after moving out to sell your US home and keep up to USD 250,000 (or USD 500,000 married) of gain tax-free. Here's how the clock works. - [Currency gains on a foreign mortgage: the US tax nobody warns you about](https://expatstateside.com/money-back-home/currency-gains-on-a-foreign-mortgage-the-hidden-us-tax): Pay back exactly what you borrowed in pounds or euros, and the IRS can still see a gain in dollars. Here's how the phantom gain on a foreign mortgage works. - [Gifts and inheritances: what Americans abroad owe, report and can give](https://expatstateside.com/money-back-home/gifts-and-inheritances-from-the-us-and-abroad): A big gift from your in-laws usually isn't taxable in the US, but missing Form 3520 can cost up to 25% of it. Here's how gifts and inheritances work across borders. - [Your US brokerage account abroad: why it gets frozen and what to do](https://expatstateside.com/money-back-home/us-brokerage-accounts-while-living-abroad): Moved overseas and got a letter from your broker? Here's why US firms restrict expat accounts, what the limits look like, and how to keep investing stateside. - [Managing US affairs from abroad: powers of attorney and notaries](https://expatstateside.com/money-back-home/managing-us-affairs-from-abroad-powers-of-attorney-and-notaries): Someone back home needs to sign for you. Here's how durable and limited powers of attorney work, where to get them notarized abroad, and where a POA won't help. - [Health insurance between countries: covering the move, visits home and the return](https://expatstateside.com/money-back-home/health-insurance-between-countries): Most coverage stops at a border. Here's how to stay insured on the move abroad, on trips back to the States, and when you come home to the ACA marketplace. - [Wills across two countries: why one will may not be enough](https://expatstateside.com/money-back-home/wills-and-estate-planning-across-two-countries): Your US will may not control what you own abroad. Here's how two-country estates work, from forced heirship to executors and guardians who live overseas. ## Mexico City - [Cost of living in Mexico City vs Houston: where your dollars stretch](https://expatstateside.com/cities/mexico-city/cost-of-living-in-mexico-city): Mexico City is cheaper than Houston on transit and most daily costs, but rent in the neighborhoods Americans like can rival Texas. Here's the comparison, in pesos and dollars. - [CURP and RFC: the two Mexican numbers every American resident ends up needing](https://expatstateside.com/cities/mexico-city/curp-and-rfc-mexicos-id-and-tax-numbers): Think of the CURP as Mexico's Social Security number and the RFC as its taxpayer ID. Here's how residents get each one, and when you'll need them. - [Earthquakes in Mexico City: the alert, your building and what to do when it shakes](https://expatstateside.com/cities/mexico-city/earthquakes-in-mexico-city-alerts-buildings-and-what-to-do): Mexico City has one of the world's oldest earthquake alerts. Learn what the siren means, how to pick a safer building and what to keep by the door. - [Safety in Mexico City: what the State Department advisory means for daily life](https://expatstateside.com/cities/mexico-city/safety-in-mexico-city-what-the-state-department-advisory-means-for-daily-life): Mexico City is at 'Exercise Increased Caution,' not 'Do Not Travel.' Here's what that means for your commute, your nights out, your taxi rides and your phone. - [Mexican taxes for Americans: how the SAT and the IRS fit together](https://expatstateside.com/cities/mexico-city/mexico-taxes-for-americans): Set up a home in Mexico and the SAT may tax your worldwide income, while the IRS still taxes you as a citizen. Here's how residency, the treaty and the credits fit together. - [Banking in Mexico as an American: the W-9, the CLABE and getting your dollars south](https://expatstateside.com/cities/mexico-city/banking-in-mexico-as-an-american): Mexican banks do open accounts for Americans. Bring your residence card, proof of address and a W-9, then learn SPEI and the CLABE. - [Remote work from Mexico City: the tax and visa reality for Americans](https://expatstateside.com/cities/mexico-city/remote-work-from-mexico-city-tax-and-visa-reality): Laptop in Condesa, paycheck from Chicago? Here's what Mexican immigration law, Mexico's tax residency rules and the IRS say about remote work from Mexico City. - [Renting in Mexico City: deposits, the aval and the new rent cap](https://expatstateside.com/cities/mexico-city/renting-in-mexico-city): What Americans pay to rent in Roma, Condesa, Polanco and Narvarte, how deposits and the aval work, what the 2024 rent cap means for you, and the scams to skip. - [Neighborhoods for Americans in Mexico City: Roma, Condesa and beyond](https://expatstateside.com/cities/mexico-city/neighborhoods-for-americans-in-mexico-city): Six Mexico City neighborhoods Americans actually move to, what living in each is like, and how to be a good neighbor in a city arguing about gentrification. - [Moving to Mexico City as an American: the visa routes that actually work](https://expatstateside.com/cities/mexico-city/moving-to-mexico-city-as-an-american): Most Americans in Mexico City live there on a residente temporal or permanente card. Here's how the consulate income test, work and family routes and the 30-day INM canje fit together. - [Residente temporal or permanente: how Mexico's income test really works](https://expatstateside.com/cities/mexico-city/residente-temporal-or-permanente-mexicos-income-test): Mexico's residency income test isn't one number. Each consulate publishes its own figure. Here's how it works in 2026, from the appointment to your card. - [Tourist stays in Mexico: the FMM, the 180-day myth and who decides your days](https://expatstateside.com/cities/mexico-city/tourist-stays-in-mexico-the-fmm-and-the-180-day-myth): There's no automatic 180 days for Americans in Mexico. The officer at the airport decides. Here's how the FMM works and why border runs are a bad plan. - [Healthcare in Mexico City: IMSS, private hospitals and the insurance gap Medicare leaves](https://expatstateside.com/cities/mexico-city/healthcare-in-mexico-city): Mexico City has excellent private hospitals and a public system you can buy into. Medicare won't cover either, so plan your insurance before you need it. - [Altitude, water and air in Mexico City: what your body and your car need to know](https://expatstateside.com/cities/mexico-city/altitude-water-and-air-in-mexico-city): Higher than Denver, with tap water most locals won't drink and ozone alerts that keep cars off the road. Here's how Americans adjust to Mexico City's altitude, water and air. - [Schools in Mexico City: American diplomas, IB and the road back to a US college](https://expatstateside.com/cities/mexico-city/schools-in-mexico-city): Mexico City has American-style schools with US diplomas and IB. Here's how they compare, how admissions work, and what changes when your teen applies to US colleges. - [Getting around Mexico City: your US license, Hoy No Circula and a 5-peso Metro ride](https://expatstateside.com/cities/mexico-city/driving-and-getting-around-mexico-city): Your US license works while you're a visitor. Once you're a resident, get a CDMX license, learn Hoy No Circula, and lean on a 5-peso Metro ride. - [Bringing a US car to Mexico: permits, plates and the permanent-resident catch](https://expatstateside.com/cities/mexico-city/bringing-a-us-car-to-mexico-permits-and-plates): Driving your US car to Mexico City is legal with the right permit, but the rules change when you become a permanent resident. Here's how the TIP, the deposit and nationalizing work. - [American life in Mexico City: Thanksgiving, the Fourth and finding your people](https://expatstateside.com/cities/mexico-city/american-life-in-mexico-city): Where Americans in Mexico City celebrate the Fourth and Thanksgiving, the long-running American groups in town, both political parties' expat groups and what the embassy does for you. - [American food in Mexico City: brisket, Sunday football and a Thanksgiving turkey](https://expatstateside.com/cities/mexico-city/american-food-in-mexico-city): Craving brisket, a Costco run or a bar showing the Sunday game? Mexico City has all three, plus everything you need for Thanksgiving dinner. - [Nightlife in Mexico City: cantinas, mezcal, clubs and a night at the lucha libre](https://expatstateside.com/cities/mexico-city/nightlife-in-mexico-city): Mexico City goes out late and goes out well. Here's where to start, what the closing-time rules really are, and how to get home safely. ## San Miguel de Allende - [Cost of living in San Miguel de Allende: what a peso budget looks like next to Austin](https://expatstateside.com/cities/san-miguel-de-allende/cost-of-living-in-san-miguel-de-allende): San Miguel isn't the bargain it was, but outside Centro a retiree or remote worker can still live well on far less than in Austin. Here are the 2026 numbers. - [Water, power and internet in San Miguel de Allende: CFE, tinacos and Wi-Fi](https://expatstateside.com/cities/san-miguel-de-allende/water-power-and-internet-in-san-miguel-de-allende): In San Miguel the water arrives in a rooftop tank, the power bill punishes heavy use, and your internet depends on the street. Here's how Americans keep it all running. - [Mexican taxes for Americans in San Miguel: Social Security, IRAs and selling your casa](https://expatstateside.com/cities/san-miguel-de-allende/mexico-taxes-for-americans): Your Social Security check is taxed only by the US under the treaty. Your IRA, pension and a future home sale are a different story. Here's how the two systems fit. - [Banking in San Miguel de Allende: getting your Social Security into a Mexican account](https://expatstateside.com/cities/san-miguel-de-allende/banking-in-mexico-as-an-american): Social Security can land straight in a Mexican peso account. Here's how retirees in San Miguel set that up, what to keep stateside, and the US forms that follow you. - [A Mexican will in San Miguel de Allende: why your US will isn't enough](https://expatstateside.com/cities/san-miguel-de-allende/a-mexican-will-for-americans-in-san-miguel-de-allende): Own a house or a bank account in San Miguel? A Mexican will, signed before a notario, saves your heirs months of hassle. Here's how it works with your US plan. - [Renting in San Miguel de Allende: colonias, contracts and the gringo price](https://expatstateside.com/cities/san-miguel-de-allende/renting-in-san-miguel-de-allende): San Miguel rents run from small casitas outside Centro to colonial houses that rival Austin prices. Here's where Americans live, what it costs and how leases work. - [Buying a home in San Miguel de Allende: the SRE permit, the notario and the escritura](https://expatstateside.com/cities/san-miguel-de-allende/buying-a-home-in-san-miguel-de-allende): San Miguel is far from any border or beach, so Americans can own a house outright, no bank trust needed. You do need the SRE convenio and a good notario. - [Moving to San Miguel de Allende: the residency routes that actually work](https://expatstateside.com/cities/san-miguel-de-allende/moving-to-san-miguel-de-allende-as-an-american): Most Americans in San Miguel get there the same way: a residence visa from a Mexican consulate back home, then a card from INM within 30 days. Here's the playbook. - [Retiring in San Miguel de Allende: residency, the income test and your first year](https://expatstateside.com/cities/san-miguel-de-allende/retiring-in-san-miguel-de-allende): Retiring to San Miguel starts at a Mexican consulate in the US, not in town. Here's the 2026 income test and what your first year actually looks like. - [Healthcare in San Miguel de Allende: hospitals, insurance and IMSS for Americans](https://expatstateside.com/cities/san-miguel-de-allende/healthcare-in-san-miguel-de-allende): San Miguel has two private hospitals, plenty of English-speaking doctors and Querétaro an hour away. Here's how Americans pay for care, from cash to IMSS. - [Healthcare for retirees in San Miguel de Allende: hospitals, IMSS and Medicare](https://expatstateside.com/cities/san-miguel-de-allende/healthcare-for-retirees-in-san-miguel-de-allende): San Miguel handles everyday care well, but serious cases often head to Querétaro or León, and Medicare won't pay for any of it. Here's how retirees plan around that. - [Schools in San Miguel de Allende: bilingual schools, homeschooling and the road to US college](https://expatstateside.com/cities/san-miguel-de-allende/schools-in-san-miguel-de-allende): San Miguel is a retirement town, but families do fine here. Here's what the bilingual schools offer, how homeschooling works, and how to keep US college plans on track. - [Art classes and Spanish schools in San Miguel de Allende: back to school, no grades](https://expatstateside.com/cities/san-miguel-de-allende/art-classes-and-spanish-schools-in-san-miguel-de-allende): San Miguel has drawn American students since GIs came to paint after World War II. Here are the established Spanish schools and art institutes, and how to pick one. - [Getting around San Miguel de Allende: cobblestones, taxis and driving on a US license](https://expatstateside.com/cities/san-miguel-de-allende/driving-and-getting-around-san-miguel-de-allende): In San Miguel your best ride is a good pair of shoes. Here's when to drive, when to grab a taxi, and how US and Guanajuato licenses work for residents. - [Getting to San Miguel de Allende: airports, shuttles, buses and the drive from Texas](https://expatstateside.com/cities/san-miguel-de-allende/getting-to-san-miguel-de-allende-airports-shuttles-and-buses): San Miguel has no commercial airport. Here's how to get there from QRO, BJX or Mexico City, what shuttles and buses cost, and what to know before driving from Laredo. - [American life in San Miguel de Allende: Thanksgiving, the library and the town hall](https://expatstateside.com/cities/san-miguel-de-allende/american-life-in-san-miguel-de-allende): San Miguel has hosted Americans since GI Bill art students arrived after World War II. Here's how the community works today, from Thanksgiving to town halls. - [Volunteering in San Miguel de Allende: where Americans pitch in](https://expatstateside.com/cities/san-miguel-de-allende/volunteering-and-nonprofits-in-san-miguel-de-allende): San Miguel runs on volunteers. Here's where Americans pitch in, from dog walking at the SPA to the Biblioteca, and what Uncle Sam says about deducting your gifts. - [American food in San Miguel de Allende: groceries, game day and Thanksgiving turkey](https://expatstateside.com/cities/san-miguel-de-allende/american-food-in-san-miguel-de-allende): Craving peanut butter, a Sunday NFL game or a proper Thanksgiving? San Miguel delivers more than you'd expect, and Costco is an hour down the road. - [Nightlife in San Miguel de Allende: rooftops, live music and the Jardín](https://expatstateside.com/cities/san-miguel-de-allende/nightlife-in-san-miguel-de-allende): San Miguel isn't a clubbing town. It's a sunset-on-a-rooftop, live-band-on-Umarán, stroll-the-Jardín town, and that suits most Americans here just fine. - [Fiestas and fireworks in San Miguel de Allende: the calendar, the Alborada and the 5 a.m. rockets](https://expatstateside.com/cities/san-miguel-de-allende/fiestas-and-fireworks-in-san-miguel-de-allende): San Miguel celebrates something most weeks, often with rockets at dawn. Here's the fiesta calendar, what the Alborada is like, and how to live with the noise. ## Toronto - [Cost of living in Toronto vs Chicago: where your dollar goes further](https://expatstateside.com/cities/toronto/cost-of-living-in-toronto): Toronto rents look a lot like Chicago's once you convert the loonie. Health care costs less out of pocket, taxes cost more. Here's the side-by-side, in CAD and USD. - [Your first weeks in Toronto: SIN, phone plan, photo ID and a family doctor](https://expatstateside.com/cities/toronto/your-first-weeks-in-toronto-sin-phone-and-paperwork): The first month in Toronto is a paperwork sprint. Here's the order we'd do it in: SIN, phone, health card, transit and a family doctor. - [Winter in Toronto: long, gray and slushy, and very doable](https://expatstateside.com/cities/toronto/winter-in-toronto-what-to-expect-and-what-to-buy): Toronto winters are long, gray and slushy more than brutal. Here are the real numbers, what to buy, the snow-shoveling rules, winter tires and how to handle the dark months. - [Canadian taxes for Americans: how the CRA and the IRS fit together](https://expatstateside.com/cities/toronto/canada-taxes-for-americans): Move to Toronto and the CRA taxes your worldwide income, while the IRS still taxes you as a citizen. Here's how residency, the treaty, credits and Social Security fit together. - [Banking in Canada as an American: the FATCA form, the big five and your US dollars](https://expatstateside.com/cities/toronto/banking-in-canada-as-an-american): Canadian banks open accounts for Americans every day. Expect a FATCA question, bring your passport and permit, and learn Interac e-Transfer fast. - [RRSP, TFSA and FHSA: which Canadian accounts work for Americans and which backfire](https://expatstateside.com/cities/toronto/rrsp-tfsa-and-fhsa-what-works-for-americans): Your Canadian coworkers swear by the TFSA. For a US citizen it can be a tax and paperwork headache. Here's what the IRS sees in each account. - [Building Canadian credit: why your 800 FICO stays at the border](https://expatstateside.com/cities/toronto/building-canadian-credit-as-an-american): Your US credit score doesn't cross the border. Here's how Equifax and TransUnion Canada work, how secured cards and newcomer programs help, and how fast you can build a file. - [Renting in Toronto: what Americans need to know before signing](https://expatstateside.com/cities/toronto/renting-in-toronto): Ontario caps deposits at one month's rent and makes landlords use a standard lease. Here's how Americans find an apartment in Toronto, what it costs and how to dodge the scams. - [Tenant rights in Ontario: rent control, the standard lease and the LTB](https://expatstateside.com/cities/toronto/tenant-rights-in-ontario-the-ltb-and-rent-rules): Ontario tenants get more protection than most Americans are used to. Here's how the standard lease, rent control and its 2018 loophole, N12 and N13 notices and the LTB work. - [Moving to Toronto as an American: the visa routes that actually work](https://expatstateside.com/cities/toronto/moving-to-toronto-as-an-american): Canada is next door, but you still need a legal route to live and work in Toronto. Here are the ones that work for Americans, from CUSMA permits to spousal sponsorship. - [Working in Canada as an American: CUSMA permits, LMIAs and the road to permanent residence](https://expatstateside.com/cities/toronto/working-in-canada-as-an-american-cusma-permits-and-express-entry): Americans have a fast lane into Canadian jobs: the CUSMA professional permit, often issued right at the border. Here's how it works and how to turn it into permanent residence. - [Healthcare in Toronto: how OHIP works day to day, and what it doesn't cover](https://expatstateside.com/cities/toronto/healthcare-in-toronto): OHIP means no bills at the doctor or the ER. It doesn't mean free prescriptions, dentists or glasses. Here's how to fill the gaps in Toronto. - [Getting OHIP: who qualifies, what to bring and how to cover the gap](https://expatstateside.com/cities/toronto/getting-ohip-ontario-health-coverage-for-newcomers): Ontario dropped its three-month wait, so OHIP can start as soon as you're approved. Here's who qualifies, what to bring and how to stay covered until then. - [Schools in Toronto: public boards, French immersion, private schools and the road to US colleges](https://expatstateside.com/cities/toronto/schools-in-toronto): Toronto's public schools are free for most work permit families. Here's how the four boards, French immersion and private schools work, and how kids apply to US colleges. - [University in Canada for Americans: OUAC, fees and your FAFSA](https://expatstateside.com/cities/toronto/university-in-canada-for-american-students): How American students apply to Ontario universities through OUAC, what international tuition really costs, how the study permit works and which Canadian schools take US federal loans. - [Driving in Toronto on a US license: the 60-day rule, the license swap and life without a car](https://expatstateside.com/cities/toronto/driving-and-getting-around-toronto): Your US license works for 60 days after you move to Ontario. Then you swap it, no road test needed for most. Here's that, plus insurance, tolls and transit. - [TTC, GO and the trip home: Toronto transit and the US border](https://expatstateside.com/cities/toronto/ttc-go-transit-and-trips-home-across-the-border): How to pay for the TTC and GO, get to Pearson or Billy Bishop, clear US customs before you fly, drive home via Buffalo or Detroit, and what you can bring back each way. - [American life in Toronto: two Thanksgivings, two national days and the Jays](https://expatstateside.com/cities/toronto/american-life-in-toronto): In Toronto you get two Thanksgivings, Canada Day before the Fourth, and a city that went all in on the Blue Jays. Here's how Americans find their people and keep their traditions. - [American food in Toronto: Costco runs, NFL Sundays and a turkey in November](https://expatstateside.com/cities/toronto/american-food-in-toronto): Toronto feels close to home in the grocery aisle, but a few things are different. Here's where to find US favorites, watch the NFL and score a November turkey. - [Nightlife in Toronto: neighborhoods, live music and Ontario's 2 a.m. last call](https://expatstateside.com/cities/toronto/nightlife-in-toronto): Toronto goes out hard on Queen West and Ossington, then stops on the dot at 2 a.m. Here's where to go, what the rules are and how to get home. ## Vancouver - [Cost of living in Vancouver vs Seattle: what your dollars really buy](https://expatstateside.com/cities/vancouver/cost-of-living-in-vancouver): Vancouver rent is close to Seattle's, health care is mostly covered and income tax is higher. Here is how the two cities and the US average compare in 2026. - [Earthquake preparedness in Vancouver: Cascadia, your building and the phone alert](https://expatstateside.com/cities/vancouver/earthquake-preparedness-in-vancouver): Vancouver sits in Canada's busiest earthquake zone. Here's what the Cascadia risk means, how the phone alert works and what Americans should keep by the door. - [Rain and dark winters in Vancouver: the real numbers, the gear and beating the gloom](https://expatstateside.com/cities/vancouver/rain-and-dark-winters-in-vancouver): Vancouver gets more rain than Seattle and less winter sun. Here are the real numbers, what to wear and how locals stay sane from November to March. - [Canadian taxes for Americans in BC: how your two returns fit together](https://expatstateside.com/cities/vancouver/canada-taxes-for-americans): Live in Vancouver and you file with the CRA and the IRS. Here is how BC and federal tax work, how the treaty and totalization agreement help, and why most Americans owe the IRS little. - [Banking in Vancouver as an American: credit unions, US-dollar accounts and the FATCA form](https://expatstateside.com/cities/vancouver/banking-in-canada-as-an-american): Canadian banks and BC credit unions open accounts for Americans every day. Expect a FATCA form, keep a US-dollar account, and know who insures what. - [Living in BC, working for a US employer: status, taxes, CPP and payroll](https://expatstateside.com/cities/vancouver/living-in-bc-working-for-a-us-employer): Your paycheck comes from Denver, your desk is in East Van. Here's what Canadian immigration, the CRA, the treaty and the US–Canada Social Security agreement say about that. - [Renting in Vancouver: deposits, the 2.3% cap and how to dodge scams](https://expatstateside.com/cities/vancouver/renting-in-vancouver): BC caps deposits at half a month's rent and limits 2026 increases to 2.3%. Here is how renting in Vancouver works, where Americans live and how to spot a fake listing. - [BC's housing taxes and the foreign buyer ban: what Americans can buy, and what it costs](https://expatstateside.com/cities/vancouver/bcs-housing-taxes-and-the-foreign-buyer-ban): Before you fall for a Kitsilano condo: who the federal ban covers, the 20% foreign buyer tax, two annual vacancy taxes, and the exemptions that matter for Americans. - [Moving to Vancouver as an American: the visa routes that actually work](https://expatstateside.com/cities/vancouver/moving-to-vancouver-as-an-american): Canada has no retirement or digital nomad visa, so most Americans move to Vancouver on a job, a degree or a Canadian partner. Here are the routes and the first steps. - [Moving to British Columbia: CUSMA work permits, the BC PNP and the road to PR](https://expatstateside.com/cities/vancouver/moving-to-british-columbia-work-permits-and-the-bc-pnp): Most Americans start in BC on a CUSMA work permit, then aim for permanent residence through Express Entry or the BC PNP, which changed a lot in 2026. - [Healthcare in Vancouver: finding a family doctor, using 8-1-1 and what MSP won't pay for](https://expatstateside.com/cities/vancouver/healthcare-in-vancouver): Once you're on MSP, the hard part is a family doctor. Here's how the Health Connect Registry, 8-1-1, walk-ins and pharmacists fill the gap, and what you still pay. - [BC's Medical Services Plan: how to enroll, the three-month wait and covering the gap](https://expatstateside.com/cities/vancouver/bc-health-coverage-msp-enrolling-and-the-wait): BC's public health plan doesn't start the day you land. Here's who qualifies for MSP, how to apply, how the wait is counted and how to cover the gap. - [Schools in Vancouver: catchments, French immersion and the road to a US college](https://expatstateside.com/cities/vancouver/schools-in-vancouver): Most American kids in Vancouver go to public school. Learn how VSB catchments, kindergarten registration and French immersion work, and how to keep US colleges in reach. - [UBC and SFU for Americans: fees, federal loans, study permits and work rules](https://expatstateside.com/cities/vancouver/ubc-and-sfu-for-americans-university-in-vancouver): UBC and SFU both take US federal Direct Loans, and both charge Americans international fees. Here's what a degree in Vancouver costs, how the study permit works and when you can work. - [Driving in BC on a US license, and getting around Vancouver without one](https://expatstateside.com/cities/vancouver/driving-and-getting-around-vancouver): Your US license is good for 90 days after you move to BC. Here's how the ICBC exchange works, what insurance costs you, and how to get around Vancouver without a car. - [Crossing the border from Vancouver: NEXUS, the train and trips to Seattle](https://expatstateside.com/cities/vancouver/crossing-the-border-from-vancouver-nexus-and-trips-to-seattle): Seattle is about 230 km (143 miles) down the road. Here's how Vancouver Americans cross: which crossing, NEXUS, the train, Bellingham flights and what you can bring back. - [American life in Vancouver: two Thanksgivings, Seattle sports and your people](https://expatstateside.com/cities/vancouver/american-life-in-vancouver): How Americans in Vancouver celebrate two Thanksgivings, follow Seattle teams across the border, connect with both parties' expat groups and use the US Consulate General. - [American food in Vancouver: Costco runs, Bellingham groceries, NFL Sundays and a November Thanksgiving](https://expatstateside.com/cities/vancouver/american-food-in-vancouver): Vancouver has Costco, wings and plenty of Seahawks fans. For Trader Joe's and US brands, Bellingham is a day trip. Here's how to eat American, and what customs lets you bring back. - [Nightlife in Vancouver: Granville, Gastown, Main Street and the brewery crawl](https://expatstateside.com/cities/vancouver/nightlife-in-vancouver): Vancouver's nightlife is smaller than you'd guess and better than its reputation. Here's where to go, when bars close and what BC's liquor rules mean for you. - [The outdoors in Vancouver: skiing, hiking and the North Shore without getting rescued](https://expatstateside.com/cities/vancouver/the-outdoors-in-vancouver-skiing-hiking-and-the-north-shore): Three ski hills within about 30 km (19 miles) of downtown, Whistler two hours up the road, and North Shore trails that humble visitors every year. Here's how to enjoy them safely. ## London - [Cost of living in London vs New York: rent, transit, food and health](https://expatstateside.com/cities/london/cost-of-living-in-london): London rent rivals Manhattan, but transit is capped, healthcare costs a fixed surcharge, and there are no surprise ER bills. Here's how the numbers stack up against New York and the US average. - [Getting a National Insurance number: the UK's answer to your Social Security number](https://expatstateside.com/cities/london/getting-a-national-insurance-number): Your National Insurance number tracks your UK tax and State Pension record. Here's how to apply online, why you can start work before it arrives, and what the 2026 rules mean if you leave. - [UK taxes for Americans: HMRC, the IRS and how the two returns fit together](https://expatstateside.com/cities/london/uk-taxes-for-americans): In London you answer to HMRC and the IRS. Here's how UK residence works, what replaced the remittance basis in 2025, and how the treaty and tax credits stop you paying twice. - [Banking in the UK as an American: FATCA forms, the address catch-22 and moving your money](https://expatstateside.com/cities/london/banking-in-the-uk-as-an-american): UK banks open accounts for Americans, but expect a FATCA form and a proof-of-address puzzle. Here's how to get set up in your first weeks in London. - [ISAs and US tax: why the UK's favorite tax shelter backfires on Americans](https://expatstateside.com/cities/london/isas-and-us-tax-why-they-dont-work-for-americans): Your British coworkers max out their ISA every April. For a US citizen, the tax-free wrapper doesn't exist in the IRS's eyes, and UK funds inside it can be a PFIC trap. - [UK pensions and US tax: workplace pensions, SIPPs, lump sums and the treaty](https://expatstateside.com/cities/london/uk-pensions-and-us-tax): UK pensions are the one British tax shelter the treaty mostly respects. But the 25% tax-free lump sum and self-funded SIPPs come with US catches. - [Renting in London: what Americans need to know before signing](https://expatstateside.com/cities/london/renting-in-london): London renting changed in May 2026: rolling tenancies, no bidding wars, capped deposits. Here's how Americans with no UK credit find a place and protect their deposit. - [Council tax in London: bands, who pays, discounts and how to appeal](https://expatstateside.com/cities/london/council-tax-in-london-explained): It's the UK's version of a property tax, but renters usually pay it. Here's how bands, discounts and appeals work, with real 2026/27 London figures. - [Moving to London as an American: the visa routes that actually work](https://expatstateside.com/cities/london/moving-to-london-as-an-american): No retirement visa, no digital nomad visa, but solid routes for workers, grads of top US schools, spouses and students. Here's how Americans get to London, with 2026 fees in pounds and dollars. - [Indefinite leave to remain and British citizenship: the long road to a UK passport](https://expatstateside.com/cities/london/indefinite-leave-to-remain-and-british-citizenship-for-americans): Settling in the UK is changing. Here's what the ILR rules say today, what the November 2026 earned settlement plans would change, what it costs and why you keep your US passport. - [Healthcare in London: how the NHS actually works day to day, and when to go private](https://expatstateside.com/cities/london/healthcare-in-london): No copays, no network, no EOBs. Here's how the NHS works day to day in London, what you still pay for, and when private cover is worth it. - [The NHS for Americans: paying the health surcharge and registering with a GP](https://expatstateside.com/cities/london/the-nhs-for-americans-registering-with-a-gp-and-the-health-surcharge): You pay for the NHS up front with your visa, then get care with no copays or deductibles. Here's what the surcharge costs in 2026 and how to register with a doctor. - [Schools in London: state schools, catchments, American and IB schools, and the road to US college](https://expatstateside.com/cities/london/schools-in-london): Free state schools, catchment math, American and IB schools, and how to keep a US college application on track from London. - [UK universities for American students: UCAS, fees, visas and federal loans](https://expatstateside.com/cities/london/uk-universities-for-american-students): Three-year degrees, five UCAS choices and federal loans that still work abroad. Here's how Americans apply to UK universities and pay for them in 2026 and 2027. - [Driving in the UK with a US license: the 12-month clock, ULEZ, and why most Londoners take the Tube](https://expatstateside.com/cities/london/driving-and-getting-around-london): Your US license works for your first year as a UK resident. After that it's a provisional license and two tests. Here's the plan, plus ULEZ and the Tube. - [The Tube, buses and contactless: how to pay for London transit in 2026](https://expatstateside.com/cities/london/the-tube-buses-and-contactless-in-london): Tap the same card every time and London's fare caps do the math for you. Here's how 2026 fares, zones, Railcards, the Night Tube and the Heathrow options work. - [American life in London: Thanksgiving, the NFL and the embassy at Nine Elms](https://expatstateside.com/cities/london/american-life-in-london): London has had an American community for well over a century. Here's how Americans keep Thanksgiving and the Fourth, catch NFL games in person, find their people and use the embassy at Nine Elms. - [Making friends in London: clubs, teams and getting past the British reserve](https://expatstateside.com/cities/london/making-friends-in-london-as-an-american): Londoners are friendly, just slower to open up than folks back home. Here's where Americans actually make friends: teams, parkrun, volunteering, clubs and the pub after. - [American food in London: where to find US groceries, NFL Sundays and a Thanksgiving turkey](https://expatstateside.com/cities/london/american-food-in-london): Craving Jif, a proper NFL Sunday or a November turkey? Here's where Americans in London find a taste of home, from St John's Wood delis to Costco runs. - [Nightlife in London: pubs, clubs, jazz and getting home on the Night Tube](https://expatstateside.com/cities/london/nightlife-in-london): There's no 2 a.m. last call in London, but there's no all-night subway on most lines either. Here's how a night out actually works, from the pub to the Night Tube. ## Berlin - [Cost of living in Berlin vs Chicago: where your money goes further](https://expatstateside.com/cities/berlin/cost-of-living-in-berlin): Berlin is no longer cheap, but it still beats Chicago on transit and often on rent. Here's how rent, groceries, health care and getting around compare, in euros and dollars. - [Anmeldung in Berlin: the 14-day rule, the landlord form and the letters that follow](https://expatstateside.com/cities/berlin/anmeldung-registering-your-address-in-berlin): In Berlin, almost everything starts with the Anmeldung. Here's how to book the Bürgeramt, what to bring and which letters land in your mailbox afterward. - [The Rundfunkbeitrag and German mail: the letters you can't ignore](https://expatstateside.com/cities/berlin/the-broadcasting-fee-and-germanys-official-letters): No TV? You still pay. Here's how Germany's EUR 18.36 broadcasting fee works, who's exempt, and how to read official letters, deadlines and the one-month objection window. - [German taxes for Americans: how the Finanzamt and the IRS fit together](https://expatstateside.com/cities/berlin/germany-taxes-for-americans): Move to Berlin and Germany taxes your worldwide income, while the IRS still taxes you as a citizen. Here's how residency, rates, the treaty, credits and Social Security fit together. - [Banking in Germany as an American: FATCA forms, the Girokonto and your right to a basic account](https://expatstateside.com/cities/berlin/banking-in-germany-as-an-american): German banks do open accounts for Americans. Expect a FATCA form, bring your passport and Anmeldung, and know that the law gives you a right to a basic account. - [German tax ID and tax classes: Steuer-ID, Steuerklassen and church tax for Americans](https://expatstateside.com/cities/berlin/german-tax-id-and-tax-classes-explained): Your German paycheck depends on two things: an 11-digit tax ID and a tax class. Here's how both work, plus when to file and how church tax sneaks in. - [Schufa explained: Germany's credit score and why your FICO doesn't count](https://expatstateside.com/cities/berlin/schufa-germanys-credit-score): Your 800 FICO means nothing to a Berlin landlord. Here's how Schufa works, how to get your free data copy, what landlords really want and how to build a German record fast. - [Renting in Berlin: what Americans need to know before they sign](https://expatstateside.com/cities/berlin/renting-in-berlin): Berlin's rental market is tight, and the rules are nothing like back home. Here's what rent really costs, how the rent brake and deposits work, and how to spot a scam. - [Moving to Berlin as an American: the residence permits that actually work](https://expatstateside.com/cities/berlin/moving-to-berlin-as-an-american): Americans can fly to Berlin without a visa and apply for a residence permit after they land. Here are the routes that work and how to get through the immigration office. - [Germany's freelance visa: how Americans get a Berlin freelancer permit](https://expatstateside.com/cities/berlin/germanys-freelance-visa-for-americans-in-berlin): Americans can land in Berlin visa-free and apply for a freelance permit here. Here's what the immigration office asks for, from letters of intent to pension proof. - [The EU Blue Card in Germany: 2026 salary thresholds and the fast track to settlement](https://expatstateside.com/cities/berlin/the-eu-blue-card-and-settlement-permit-in-germany): With a job offer paying €50,700 or more in 2026, Americans can get an EU Blue Card and permanent residence in as little as 21 months. Here's how it works. - [Healthcare in Berlin: public vs private insurance, finding a Hausarzt and booking a Termin](https://expatstateside.com/cities/berlin/healthcare-in-berlin): Health insurance is mandatory in Germany. Here's how public GKV and private PKV compare in 2026, how to find a family doctor in Berlin and when to call 116117. - [Schools in Berlin: local schools, bilingual Europa-Schulen, the JFK School and the road to US colleges](https://expatstateside.com/cities/berlin/schools-in-berlin): Berlin's public schools are free, and some teach in English and German. Here's how primary school, the grade 7 switch, the JFK School and US college plans fit together. - [Learning German in Berlin: integration courses, the VHS and the B1 you'll need](https://expatstateside.com/cities/berlin/learning-german-in-berlin-integration-and-language-courses): Berlin runs on English until it doesn't. Here's how integration courses and the Volkshochschule work, what they cost in 2026, and why B1 is the level your future in Germany hangs on. - [Kita in Berlin: free daycare, the Gutschein and the hunt for a spot](https://expatstateside.com/cities/berlin/kita-in-berlin-getting-a-daycare-place): Berlin daycare is free, which still feels unreal to American parents. Getting a spot is the hard part. Here's how the Kita-Gutschein works and how to find a place. - [Driving in Germany on a US license, and getting around Berlin without a car](https://expatstateside.com/cities/berlin/driving-and-getting-around-berlin): Your US license works in Germany for six months after you move. Whether you need a test to swap it depends on your state. Most Berliners skip the car anyway. - [American life in Berlin: Thanksgiving, football and the embassy by the Gate](https://expatstateside.com/cities/berlin/american-life-in-berlin): Berlin has a deep American history and a lively American crowd today. Here's how to celebrate Thanksgiving and the Fourth, catch football and find your people. - [Berlin's house rules: quiet hours, closed Sundays and the bottle deposit](https://expatstateside.com/cities/berlin/quiet-hours-sundays-and-recycling-berlins-unwritten-rules): Stores closed on Sunday, neighbors who care about 10 p.m., and a bottle deposit that pays for your coffee. Here are Berlin's everyday rules, written and unwritten. - [American food in Berlin: bagels, barbecue, NFL bars and how to find a Thanksgiving turkey](https://expatstateside.com/cities/berlin/american-food-in-berlin): Berlin has real bagels, Texas-style brisket and bars that open for Sunday Night Football. Here's where to find them, plus how to land a whole turkey for Thanksgiving. - [Nightlife in Berlin: club doors, camera stickers and no last call](https://expatstateside.com/cities/berlin/nightlife-in-berlin): Berlin has no official closing time, clubs that run from Friday to Monday and doors that turn away almost anyone. Here's how a night out actually works. ## Sydney - [Cost of living in Sydney vs Los Angeles: where your dollars go](https://expatstateside.com/cities/sydney/cost-of-living-in-sydney): Sydney and LA are both pricey beach cities, but the money leaks out in different places. Here's how rent, transit, groceries, health cover and eating out compare, in AUD and USD. - [Tax file number and the Medicare levy: an American's first Australian tax season](https://expatstateside.com/cities/sydney/tax-file-number-and-the-medicare-levy): Your tax file number is Australia's Social Security number for tax. Get one in your first week, then learn the Medicare levy rules before your first return. - [Bushfire, storm and heat season in Sydney: ratings, apps and a plan](https://expatstateside.com/cities/sydney/bushfire-storm-and-heat-season-in-sydney): Sydney summers bring fire danger days, heatwaves and violent storms. Here's how to read the ratings and warnings, which app to install, and how to prepare your home. - [Australian taxes for Americans: the ATO, the IRS and how the two returns fit](https://expatstateside.com/cities/sydney/australia-taxes-for-americans): In Sydney you answer to the ATO and the IRS. Here's how Australian residency works, why temporary residents get a break, and how the treaty and tax credits stop you paying twice. - [Banking in Australia as an American: FATCA forms, the 100-point check and moving your dollars](https://expatstateside.com/cities/sydney/banking-in-australia-as-an-american): Australian banks happily open accounts for Americans, and you can often start before your flight lands. Here's what they ask, what's protected and how to move your money. - [Superannuation and US tax: the 12% guarantee, the IRS gray zone and your forms](https://expatstateside.com/cities/sydney/superannuation-and-us-tax): Your Sydney employer pays 12% of your salary into super. Australia treats it like a 401(k). The IRS has never said how it sees it, and that's the problem. - [Renting in Sydney: what Americans need to know before signing](https://expatstateside.com/cities/sydney/renting-in-sydney): Sydney rents are quoted by the week, inspections are open houses with a crowd, and since 2025 landlords need a reason to end your lease. Here's how Americans land an apartment. - [Buying property in Australia as an American: FIRB, the ban and NSW surcharges](https://expatstateside.com/cities/sydney/buying-property-in-australia-as-an-american-firb-rules): On a temporary visa you can't buy an existing house in Australia until mid-2029. Here's what FIRB lets you buy, what it costs in fees and NSW surcharges, and who's exempt. - [Moving to Sydney as an American: the visa routes that actually work](https://expatstateside.com/cities/sydney/moving-to-sydney-as-an-american): No E-3 in reverse, no retirement visa and no digital nomad visa, but solid routes for workers, under-31s, partners of Australians and students. Here's how Americans get to Sydney. - [Australia's Work and Holiday visa (subclass 462): the American version, explained](https://expatstateside.com/cities/sydney/australias-work-and-holiday-visa-for-americans): Americans aged 18 to 30 can spend a year working and traveling in Australia on a subclass 462 visa, with no cap or ballot for US passports. Here's how it works. - [Healthcare in Sydney: GPs, emergency rooms and the insurance your visa requires](https://expatstateside.com/cities/sydney/healthcare-in-sydney): Most Americans in Sydney start without Medicare, so your private policy does the work. Here's how GPs, bulk billing, ERs and visa condition 8501 fit together. - [Medicare in Australia: why Americans aren't covered, and when that changes](https://expatstateside.com/cities/sydney/medicare-in-australia-why-americans-arent-covered): Australia's Medicare shares a name with the US program, but Americans on temporary visas can't use it. Here's why, what to buy instead and when you finally qualify. - [Sun, surf and safety in Sydney: UV, rips, sharks and the critters](https://expatstateside.com/cities/sydney/sun-surf-and-safety-in-sydney): Sydney's sun burns faster than you think and its rips are the real danger at the beach. Here's how to read the UV index, the flags and the wildlife risks. - [Schools in Sydney: catchments, visa fees and the road to a US college](https://expatstateside.com/cities/sydney/schools-in-sydney): NSW public schools are good and catchment-based, but many temporary visa holders pay tuition. Here's how enrollment, fees, selective schools and US college applications work. - [Australian universities for American students: applying, fees, visas and FAFSA](https://expatstateside.com/cities/sydney/australian-universities-for-american-students): Three-year degrees, direct applications and federal loans that can follow you to Sydney. Here's how Americans apply to Australian universities and pay for them. - [Driving in Australia with a US license: the NSW rules, tolls and getting around Sydney without a car](https://expatstateside.com/cities/sydney/driving-and-getting-around-sydney): Your US license works in NSW for three or six months depending on your visa, and the swap is easier than you'd think. Plus tolls, Opal, ferries and the Metro. - [American life in Sydney: Thanksgiving in summer, NFL at breakfast](https://expatstateside.com/cities/sydney/american-life-in-sydney): Thanksgiving falls in early summer, the Fourth of July in winter, and Sunday football airs on Monday morning. Here's how Americans in Sydney keep their traditions and find their people. - [American food in Sydney: Costco runs, NFL at breakfast and finding a Thanksgiving turkey](https://expatstateside.com/cities/sydney/american-food-in-sydney): Sydney does great burgers, but Reese's, canned pumpkin and a Sunday NFL slate take some planning. Here's where to shop, where to watch and what time kickoff really is. - [Nightlife in Sydney: after the lockouts, where Americans go out](https://expatstateside.com/cities/sydney/nightlife-in-sydney): Sydney's lockout era is over, and the city stays up later than its reputation. Here's where to go, how late things run and how to get home. - [Sports in Sydney: rugby league, AFL, cricket and where to catch the NFL](https://expatstateside.com/cities/sydney/sports-in-sydney-rugby-league-afl-cricket-and-the-nfl): Sydney is a rugby league town with an AFL habit and a summer of cricket. Here's how to pick a team, buy tickets, and catch the NFL, NBA and MLB at breakfast. ## Tel Aviv - [Cost of living in Tel Aviv: how it stacks up against New York and the US](https://expatstateside.com/cities/tel-aviv/cost-of-living-in-tel-aviv): Tel Aviv rents now rival New York's typical rent, groceries cost more than you'd expect and transit is a bargain. Here's the 2026 math in shekels and dollars against New York and the US average. - [Shelters and alerts in Tel Aviv: the mamad, the app and your 90 seconds](https://expatstateside.com/cities/tel-aviv/shelters-and-alerts-in-tel-aviv): Every apartment hunt in Tel Aviv should include one question: where's the nearest protected space? Here's how alerts, shelters and the 90-second rule work. - [Israeli taxes for Americans: how they fit with your US return](https://expatstateside.com/cities/tel-aviv/israel-taxes-for-americans): Live in Tel Aviv and Israel will likely tax your income while the IRS still wants a return. Here's how residency, the olim exemption, the treaty and the missing totalization deal fit together. - [Banking in Israel as an American: FATCA forms, checks and the apps everyone uses](https://expatstateside.com/cities/tel-aviv/banking-in-israel-as-an-american): Israeli banks open accounts for Americans every day, but expect a W-9, a checkbook you'll actually use and a payment app for splitting the falafel bill. - [Bituach Leumi: what Americans in Israel pay for national insurance](https://expatstateside.com/cities/tel-aviv/bituach-leumi-israels-national-insurance): Everyone resident in Israel pays into Bituach Leumi, working or not. Here are the 2026 rates, the new immigrant break, and why Americans can end up paying twice. - [Israeli pensions and keren hishtalmut: what the IRS sees that Israel doesn't](https://expatstateside.com/cities/tel-aviv/israeli-pensions-and-keren-hishtalmut-us-tax-issues): Your Israeli payslip quietly funds a pension and maybe a study fund. Israel taxes them gently. The IRS has its own view, and its own forms. - [Renting in Tel Aviv: what Americans need to know before signing](https://expatstateside.com/cities/tel-aviv/renting-in-tel-aviv): Tel Aviv rents run high and leases come with postdated checks, guarantors and a building committee. Here's how renting works for Americans, with 2026 rents in shekels and dollars. - [Arnona in Tel Aviv: how the city tax is calculated, cut and paid](https://expatstateside.com/cities/tel-aviv/arnona-tel-avivs-municipal-tax): Arnona is Tel Aviv's tax on the space you live in, and renters usually pay it. Here's how it's calculated, how olim cut it, and how to object to a bill. - [Moving to Tel Aviv as an American: the visa routes that actually work](https://expatstateside.com/cities/tel-aviv/moving-to-tel-aviv-as-an-american): Israel is easy to visit and harder to move to, unless you qualify under the Law of Return. Here are the real routes for Americans: aliyah, A/1, expert work visas, spouses and students. - [Aliyah for American Jews: the Law of Return, Nefesh B'Nefesh and your first year](https://expatstateside.com/cities/tel-aviv/aliyah-for-american-jews): Aliyah gives you Israeli citizenship and a starter package of benefits, and you can keep your US passport. Here's who qualifies, how the process works and what to do first. - [Healthcare in Tel Aviv: how the health funds work, where to go in an emergency and what to do before you're covered](https://expatstateside.com/cities/tel-aviv/healthcare-in-tel-aviv): Israel's health funds give residents solid, low-cost care. Here's how a doctor visit, a referral and an ER trip actually work in Tel Aviv, and how to stay covered before you join. - [Choosing a kupat holim: Clalit, Maccabi, Meuhedet and Leumit for Americans](https://expatstateside.com/cities/tel-aviv/choosing-a-kupat-holim-israels-health-funds): Every Israeli resident belongs to one of four health funds. Here's how they compare, how to register and switch, and when a supplementary plan is worth paying for. - [Schools in Tel Aviv: how Israeli public schools work, the American option and getting to a US college](https://expatstateside.com/cities/tel-aviv/schools-in-tel-aviv): Most American kids in Tel Aviv go to Israeli public school and pick up Hebrew fast. Here's how registration, Hebrew support, the American school option and US college applications work. - [Learning Hebrew in Tel Aviv: free ulpan for olim and the other options](https://expatstateside.com/cities/tel-aviv/learning-hebrew-ulpan-options-in-tel-aviv): You can live in Tel Aviv on English, but Hebrew opens doors. Here's how the free ulpan for olim works, the city's own ulpanim, university courses and what the levels mean. - [Driving in Israel with a US license, and getting around Tel Aviv without one](https://expatstateside.com/cities/tel-aviv/driving-and-getting-around-tel-aviv): Your US license buys you time in Israel, not forever. Here's how conversion works, and how to get around Tel Aviv by light rail, bus, bike and scooter in the meantime. - [Shabbat in Tel Aviv: what stops, what runs and how to plan your weekend](https://expatstateside.com/cities/tel-aviv/shabbat-in-tel-aviv-transport-and-shopping): From Friday afternoon to Saturday night, Tel Aviv's buses and trains stop, but the city doesn't. Here's what still runs and where you can still shop. - [American life in Tel Aviv: Thanksgiving, football and finding your people](https://expatstateside.com/cities/tel-aviv/american-life-in-tel-aviv): Tel Aviv has one of the biggest American communities anywhere outside the States. Here's how Americans celebrate Thanksgiving, catch the Super Bowl, vote and find each other. - [Army service for dual citizens in Israel: who's drafted, who isn't, and your US passport](https://expatstateside.com/cities/tel-aviv/army-service-for-dual-citizens-in-israel): Got an Israeli passport, or a kid with one? Here's who the IDF actually drafts, how age at arrival changes everything, and what US law says about serving. - [American food in Tel Aviv: game nights, grocery hunts and a Thanksgiving turkey](https://expatstateside.com/cities/tel-aviv/american-food-in-tel-aviv): Tel Aviv eats brilliantly, just not always the way you grew up eating. Here's how Americans find game-night bars, US groceries and a whole turkey for Thanksgiving. - [Nightlife in Tel Aviv: late nights, Rothschild, Florentin and the port](https://expatstateside.com/cities/tel-aviv/nightlife-in-tel-aviv): Tel Aviv starts late and finishes later. Here's how a night out works, from Thursday-night crowds to beach bars, plus the safety basics every American should know. ## Madrid - [Cost of living in Madrid vs Washington, DC: where your dollars go](https://expatstateside.com/cities/madrid/cost-of-living-in-madrid): Madrid costs far less than Washington for getting around, and rent can still beat DC. But inflation is running hot. Here's the math in euros and dollars. - [NIE and TIE: Spain's foreigner number, the card and the fingerprint appointment](https://expatstateside.com/cities/madrid/nie-and-tie-spains-foreigner-numbers-and-card): Your NIE is a number; your TIE is the card that carries it. Here's how Americans in Madrid get both, from the cita previa scramble to fingerprints and pickup. - [Empadronamiento: how Americans get on Madrid's padrón and why it matters](https://expatstateside.com/cities/madrid/empadronamiento-registering-in-madrid): Registering on Madrid's padrón is mandatory and the key to health care, schools and residence renewals. Here's how Americans get it done online or in person. - [Spanish taxes for Americans: how Hacienda and the IRS fit together](https://expatstateside.com/cities/madrid/spain-taxes-for-americans): Move to Madrid and you'll file with Hacienda and the IRS. Here's when Spain taxes you, what Madrid's rates look like, and how the treaty keeps you from paying twice. - [Banking in Spain as an American: FATCA forms, your NIE and the accounts that actually work](https://expatstateside.com/cities/madrid/banking-in-spain-as-an-american): Spanish banks do open accounts for Americans. Expect a FATCA form, get your NIE sorted, and know the difference between a resident and a non-resident account. - [Modelo 720 and Spain's wealth taxes: what Americans in Madrid report and pay](https://expatstateside.com/cities/madrid/modelo-720-and-spains-wealth-taxes-for-americans): Spain wants to see your US accounts, 401(k) and brokerage too. Here's how Modelo 720 works now, and why most Americans in Madrid owe no wealth tax at all. - [The Beckham law: how Spain's impatriate regime works for Americans](https://expatstateside.com/cities/madrid/the-beckham-law-spains-special-tax-regime): Spain's impatriate regime can cut tax on your salary to 24% for six years. Here's who qualifies since 2023, how to apply in time, and what it means for your US return. - [Renting in Madrid: leases, deposits and fees before you sign](https://expatstateside.com/cities/madrid/renting-in-madrid): Madrid rents keep climbing, but Spanish law gives tenants long leases and caps on deposits. Here's what rent costs, how the fianza works, and why the agent's fee isn't yours. - [Moving to Madrid as an American: which visa gets you there](https://expatstateside.com/cities/madrid/moving-to-madrid-as-an-american): Americans can stay in Spain 90 days without a visa. To live in Madrid you need a residence route. Here are the main ones, what they ask for, and where you apply. - [Spain's non-lucrative visa: how Americans move to Madrid without a job](https://expatstateside.com/cities/madrid/spains-non-lucrative-visa-for-americans): The non-lucrative visa lets Americans with savings or passive income live in Spain without working. Here's the 2026 money test, the paperwork and the catch on remote work. - [Spain's digital nomad visa: keeping your US job while living in Madrid](https://expatstateside.com/cities/madrid/spains-digital-nomad-visa): Spain's telework visa lets Americans live in Madrid while working for US employers or clients. Here's the 2026 income math, the two ways to apply and the tax angle. - [Healthcare in Madrid: getting into the public system, when you need private insurance, and finding care in English](https://expatstateside.com/cities/madrid/healthcare-in-madrid): Work in Madrid and you're in the public system. Come on a non-lucrative visa and you need private cover with no copays. Here's how the tarjeta sanitaria and the rest fit together. - [Spanish public healthcare for Americans: work, the convenio especial and private cover](https://expatstateside.com/cities/madrid/spanish-public-healthcare-for-americans-the-convenio-especial): Spain's public system covers you through a job, or for a monthly fee once you've lived here a year. Here's how the convenio especial works and what your visa needs first. - [Schools in Madrid: public, concertada, bilingual and American options for US families](https://expatstateside.com/cities/madrid/schools-in-madrid): Madrid's public bilingual program, the American School of Madrid and everything between. How the system works, when to apply, and how to keep US college options open. - [Learning Spanish in Madrid: the EOI, private schools, the DELE and the CCSE](https://expatstateside.com/cities/madrid/learning-spanish-in-madrid-and-the-dele): Your high school Spanish will get you a café con leche, not a lease. Here's how Americans learn Spanish in Madrid, and the two exams that stand between you and a Spanish passport. - [Driving in Spain with a US license, and getting around Madrid without a car](https://expatstateside.com/cities/madrid/driving-and-getting-around-madrid): Spain won't swap your US license for a Spanish one, so the six-month clock matters. The good news: Madrid's Metro and a EUR 32.70 (about USD 36.50) monthly pass mean you may not need a car. - [American life in Madrid: Thanksgiving, the Fourth and finding your people](https://expatstateside.com/cities/madrid/american-life-in-madrid): Madrid has a growing American crowd, an NFL game at the Bernabéu and a US Embassy on Calle Serrano. Here's how to keep a little bit of home while you settle in. - [Madrid's timetable: late dinners, August closings and the siesta myth](https://expatstateside.com/cities/madrid/madrids-timetable-late-dinners-and-long-summers): Dinner at 6 p.m.? You'll eat alone. Here's how Madrid's clock really works, from 2 p.m. lunches and 10 p.m. dinners to August closings and San Isidro. - [American food in Madrid: US groceries, Costco runs, NFL bars and how to pull off Thanksgiving](https://expatstateside.com/cities/madrid/american-food-in-madrid): Madrid has a US grocery store on Serrano, two Costcos, a bar built around the NFL and plenty of pancakes. Here's where to find them, plus a game plan for Thanksgiving. - [Nightlife in Madrid: dinner at ten, clubs at two, home at dawn](https://expatstateside.com/cities/madrid/nightlife-in-madrid): Madrid eats late, drinks late and dances later. Here's how the city's big night-out neighborhoods work, when places really close and how to get home. ## Tokyo - [Cost of living in Tokyo vs New York: what a weak yen buys you](https://expatstateside.com/cities/tokyo/cost-of-living-in-tokyo): With the dollar at about 157 yen, Tokyo feels like a bargain next to New York. Here's what rent, food, trains and healthcare really cost, with official numbers on both sides. - [Your residence card and My Number in Tokyo: the first two weeks](https://expatstateside.com/cities/tokyo/your-residence-card-and-my-number-in-tokyo): Your Japanese life runs on two cards: the residence card you get at the airport and the My Number card from your ward office. Here's the order to do things and the deadlines that matter. - [Earthquakes in Tokyo: the alerts, apps and home kit Americans need](https://expatstateside.com/cities/tokyo/earthquake-and-disaster-preparedness-in-tokyo): Tokyo will shake while you live there. Here's how the alerts work, which free apps to install in English, where to go, and why your building's age matters. - [Japanese taxes for Americans: the NTA, the IRS and how the two returns fit](https://expatstateside.com/cities/tokyo/japan-taxes-for-americans): In Tokyo you answer to the National Tax Agency, your ward office and the IRS. Here's how Japanese residency works, why the remittance rule matters and how to avoid paying twice. - [Banking in Japan as an American: getting an account when you're a US person](https://expatstateside.com/cities/tokyo/banking-in-japan-as-an-american): Japanese banks will take your money, but first they want a residence card, a W-9 and sometimes six months of patience. Here's how Americans in Tokyo get banked. - [Japan's pension and the lump-sum withdrawal: cash out or keep your years?](https://expatstateside.com/cities/tokyo/japans-pension-and-the-lump-sum-withdrawal): Leaving Japan? You can get part of your pension contributions back, up to five years' worth. But cashing out erases those years for the US–Japan agreement. Here's how to choose. - [Teaching English in Japan: JET, eikaiwa and the visa that fits](https://expatstateside.com/cities/tokyo/teaching-english-in-japan-jet-and-eikaiwa): JET pays about JPY 4.02 million in year one and handles your flight. Eikaiwa and dispatch jobs pay less but hire year-round. Here's how the jobs, pay and visas compare. - [Renting in Tokyo: neighborhoods, tiny floor plans and two-year contracts](https://expatstateside.com/cities/tokyo/renting-in-tokyo): Tokyo apartments are smaller, contracts run two years and some landlords still balk at foreigners. Here's how Americans find a place, read the listings and avoid surprises. - [Renting in Tokyo: key money, guarantor companies and the real move-in bill](https://expatstateside.com/cities/tokyo/renting-in-tokyo-guarantor-companies-and-key-money): In Tokyo you can owe four or five months' rent before you get the keys. Here's what each line on the bill means, what's capped by law, and how to cut it. - [Moving to Tokyo as an American: the visa routes that actually work](https://expatstateside.com/cities/tokyo/moving-to-tokyo-as-an-american): Japan has no visa you can simply buy your way into. Here's how Americans really get to Tokyo: a job and a COE, family, school, the HSP fast track or six months as a digital nomad. - [Japan's highly skilled professional visa: the points, the perks and permanent residency in a year](https://expatstateside.com/cities/tokyo/highly-skilled-professional-visa-and-permanent-residency-in-japan): Score 70 points and Japan's HSP visa gets you a 5-year stay and permanent residency after 3 years; score 80 and it's 1 year. Here's how the points, J-Skip and PR rules work. - [Healthcare in Tokyo: how to see a doctor, find English care and handle an emergency](https://expatstateside.com/cities/tokyo/healthcare-in-tokyo): In Tokyo you walk into a neighborhood clinic, not an urgent care. Here's how Americans find English-speaking doctors, avoid the no-referral fee and call for help. - [National Health Insurance in Japan: who joins, what it costs, what it covers](https://expatstateside.com/cities/tokyo/national-health-insurance-in-japan): If you live in Japan for more than three months, you're in the public health system. Here's how to tell if you're on NHI or your employer's plan, what Tokyo charges, and the cap on medical bills. - [Schools in Tokyo: public schools, the American School in Japan and the road to US colleges](https://expatstateside.com/cities/tokyo/schools-in-tokyo): Tokyo public schools are free and open to foreign kids, while international schools cost more than many US private schools. Here's how American families weigh the two. - [Learning Japanese in Tokyo: language schools, the JLPT and cheap ward classes](https://expatstateside.com/cities/tokyo/learning-japanese-in-tokyo-schools-and-the-jlpt): Full-time school on a student visa, the twice-a-year JLPT, or a JPY 2,000 volunteer class at the ward office: here's how Americans in Tokyo actually learn Japanese. - [Driving in Japan with a US license, and getting around Tokyo without a car](https://expatstateside.com/cities/tokyo/driving-and-getting-around-tokyo): Your US license won't get you far in Japan, but Tokyo's trains will. Here's the IDP one-year rule, license conversion by state, Suica basics and the new bike fines. - [American life in Tokyo: Thanksgiving, the Fourth and a ballgame at Jingu](https://expatstateside.com/cities/tokyo/american-life-in-tokyo): Tokyo's American community is big, spread out and easy to miss. Here's where to find it: holidays, ballgames, clubs, the embassy and political groups on both sides. - [Garbage rules in Tokyo: how to sort, when to put it out, and what to do with a sofa](https://expatstateside.com/cities/tokyo/garbage-rules-in-tokyo): In Tokyo your trash gets sorted, rinsed and put out by 8 a.m. on the right day, and a sofa needs a booking and a ticket. Here's how it works in your ward. - [American food in Tokyo: Costco runs, imported groceries, game-day bars and a Thanksgiving turkey](https://expatstateside.com/cities/tokyo/american-food-in-tokyo): Tokyo has the best food on earth, and sometimes you still want a Butterball. Here's where Americans find Costco, imported groceries, NFL bars and a November turkey. - [Nightlife in Tokyo: izakaya, karaoke and the last train home](https://expatstateside.com/cities/tokyo/nightlife-in-tokyo): Tokyo is one of the safest big cities you'll ever drink in, with a few traps. Here's where to go, how izakaya and karaoke work, and the scams the State Department warns about. ## Shanghai - [Cost of living in Shanghai vs New York: where your money goes further, and where it doesn't](https://expatstateside.com/cities/shanghai/cost-of-living-in-shanghai): Shanghai's everyday costs are far below New York's, but imported comforts, international schools and expat-style housing can close the gap fast. Here's what the official data shows. - [Internet in China: what's blocked, what the law says about VPNs, and staying in touch](https://expatstateside.com/cities/shanghai/internet-in-china-vpns-and-the-great-firewall): Google, YouTube, Instagram and WhatsApp don't work on a Chinese connection. Here's what's blocked, what the rules on VPNs actually say, and how Americans in Shanghai stay in touch with home. - [Keeping your US phone number and accounts working in China: 2FA codes, porting, bank apps and mail](https://expatstateside.com/cities/shanghai/keeping-your-us-phone-number-and-accounts-working-in-china): Lose your US number and you can get locked out of your bank. Here's how Americans in China keep two-factor codes coming, port a number, keep bank apps working and handle mail. - [Chinese taxes for Americans: the 183-day test, the six-year rule and your US return](https://expatstateside.com/cities/shanghai/china-taxes-for-americans): In Shanghai you answer to China's tax bureau and the IRS. Here's how Chinese residency and the six-year rule work, what happens to expat allowances, and how the two returns fit. - [Banking in China as an American: accounts, FATCA and the currency rules](https://expatstateside.com/cities/shanghai/banking-in-china-as-an-american): Opening the account is the easy part. Getting yuan back into dollars is where China's currency rules kick in. Here's how Americans in Shanghai handle both. - [Alipay and WeChat Pay: how Americans pay for everything in China](https://expatstateside.com/cities/shanghai/alipay-and-wechat-pay-for-americans-in-china): In Shanghai you'll pay for coffee, cabs and the subway by scanning a QR code. Here's how to link a US card to Alipay and WeChat Pay, what it costs, the limits, and when cash still works. - [China's social insurance for Americans: what comes out of your paycheck and what you get back](https://expatstateside.com/cities/shanghai/chinas-social-insurance-for-americans): Your Shanghai pay stub has deductions for pension, medical and unemployment insurance. Here's what they cost, what you can take home, and why the US and China have no totalization deal. - [Renting in Shanghai: agents, "pay three, deposit one" and the police registration](https://expatstateside.com/cities/shanghai/renting-in-shanghai): Shanghai rentals move fast and run through agents. Here's how deposits work, what to check before you sign, and why your lease matters for police registration. - [Police registration and housing paperwork in Shanghai: the 24-hour rule and the lease checks behind it](https://expatstateside.com/cities/shanghai/police-registration-and-housing-paperwork-in-shanghai): Every time you move in Shanghai, the police need to know within 24 hours. Here's how hotel and home registration work, the 2026 online option and the lease papers to check first. - [Moving to Shanghai as an American: the Z visa, family visas and what to do first](https://expatstateside.com/cities/shanghai/moving-to-shanghai-as-an-american): China has no retirement or digital nomad visa, so most Americans move to Shanghai for a job, a degree or family. Here's how each route works and the first steps. - [China's Z visa and residence permit: the steps from job offer to legal work](https://expatstateside.com/cities/shanghai/chinas-z-visa-and-residence-permit): Working in Shanghai takes a work permit notice, a Z visa, a health check and a residence permit within 30 days of arrival. Here's the order and what to apostille before you leave. - [Healthcare in Shanghai: public hospitals, international wards and insurance](https://expatstateside.com/cities/shanghai/healthcare-in-shanghai): Shanghai has some of China's best hospitals, but you pay before you're treated and the system runs on Chinese. Here's how Americans get care and cover. - [Air quality in Shanghai: reading the AQI and protecting your family](https://expatstateside.com/cities/shanghai/air-quality-in-shanghai): Shanghai's air is better than its old reputation, but winter still brings bad days. How to read the AQI, where the data comes from, and how families use purifiers and masks. - [Schools in Shanghai: American schools, international schools and getting to college](https://expatstateside.com/cities/shanghai/schools-in-shanghai): Shanghai has American-curriculum schools with AP, IB and US-style sports, but tuition rivals a private college. Here's what Americans should know before applying. - [Learning Mandarin in Shanghai: university programs, private classes, the HSK and the X1 visa](https://expatstateside.com/cities/shanghai/learning-mandarin-in-shanghai): Shanghai is a great place to learn Mandarin, as long as you leave your English bubble. Here's how university programs, private classes, the HSK and the X1 and X2 student visas work. - [Driving in China with a US license (you can't), and getting around Shanghai instead](https://expatstateside.com/cities/shanghai/driving-and-getting-around-shanghai): Your US license and an International Driving Permit won't let you drive in China. The good news: Shanghai's Metro, ride-hail apps and bullet trains mean many Americans never miss the car. - [American life in Shanghai: Thanksgiving, the Fourth and finding your crowd](https://expatstateside.com/cities/shanghai/american-life-in-shanghai): Shanghai's American community is easy to miss but still there: holiday dinners, a century-old chamber of commerce, school families and political groups on both sides. - [Meetups and volunteering in Shanghai: AmCham, clubs, giving back and the consulate calendar](https://expatstateside.com/cities/shanghai/meetups-and-volunteering-for-americans-in-shanghai): Shanghai is a big city to be new in. Here's where Americans find their people: AmCham Shanghai, sports and hobby groups, volunteering, consulate events and holiday get-togethers. - [American food in Shanghai: where to shop, what changed and how to watch the game](https://expatstateside.com/cities/shanghai/american-food-in-shanghai): Costco is here, City Shop is gone and the Super Bowl airs on a Monday morning. Here's how Americans in Shanghai keep the home comforts coming. - [Nightlife in Shanghai: the Bund, Xintiandi and the lane bars](https://expatstateside.com/cities/shanghai/nightlife-in-shanghai): Shanghai after dark runs from art deco jazz bars on the Bund to small cocktail bars in leafy lanes. Here's where to start, how to get home and the rules that catch foreigners out. ## Paris - [Cost of living in Paris vs New York: rent, transit, food and health](https://expatstateside.com/cities/paris/cost-of-living-in-paris): Paris rents are lower than Manhattan's, the monthly transit pass costs about a hundred bucks, and the doctor doesn't send surprise bills. Here's how it stacks up against New York and the US average. - [Strikes in Paris: how they're announced, what still runs and how to plan around them](https://expatstateside.com/cities/paris/strikes-in-paris-how-to-cope): Strikes in Paris are rarely a surprise if you know where to look. Here's how notice works, what minimum service really means, and a game plan for strike days. - [French taxes for Americans: the foyer fiscal, social charges and your US return](https://expatstateside.com/cities/paris/france-taxes-for-americans): Move to Paris and you'll answer to the French tax office and the IRS. Here's when France taxes you, how the household system works, what social charges cost and how the treaty helps. - [Banking in France as an American: getting past the FATCA no, and what to do if a bank won't budge](https://expatstateside.com/cities/paris/banking-in-france-as-an-american): French banks don't love US passports. Here's how Americans get an account anyway: FATCA forms, the RIB, the Banque de France droit au compte and the FGDR guarantee. - [The French tax return for Americans: your first filing, Form 3916 and your US accounts](https://expatstateside.com/cities/paris/the-french-tax-return-declaring-foreign-accounts): France wants a list of every US account you hold, every year, on top of what the IRS wants. Here's the first return, Form 3916, the fines and the deadlines. - [Assurance vie and the PEA: why France's favorite savings products can backfire on Americans](https://expatstateside.com/cities/paris/assurance-vie-and-pea-us-tax-traps): Your French banker will push an assurance vie and a PEA. For an American, the funds inside can be PFICs and the French tax breaks don't count with the IRS. Here's the fine print. - [Renting in Paris: rent control, leases and fees before you sign](https://expatstateside.com/cities/paris/renting-in-paris): Paris apartments are small and the competition is fierce, but French law caps rents, deposits and agency fees. Here's what the rules say and how to use them. - [The rental dossier in Paris: what landlords can ask for, guarantors and Visale](https://expatstateside.com/cities/paris/the-rental-dossier-in-paris-guarantors-and-visale): In Paris, the apartment goes to the best dossier. Here's the legal document list, how to show US income, the free Visale guarantee and the paid alternatives. - [Moving to Paris as an American: the long-stay visas that actually work](https://expatstateside.com/cities/paris/moving-to-paris-as-an-american): Ninety visa-free days is a vacation, not a move. Here are the French long-stay visas Americans really use, how France-Visas works, and the online step most newcomers forget. - [Titre de séjour for Americans: validating your visa, the OFII and the new French tests](https://expatstateside.com/cities/paris/titre-de-sejour-and-the-ofii-for-americans-in-france): Your long-stay visa is your first residence permit, but only once you validate it online. Here's the fee, the OFII step, renewal and the new language rules. - [Healthcare in Paris: how French medicine works day to day, from your médecin traitant to the ER](https://expatstateside.com/cities/paris/healthcare-in-paris): A €30 doctor visit, pharmacists who actually diagnose, and a 15 for the ambulance. Here's how healthcare in Paris works day to day for Americans. - [Carte Vitale and PUMa: how Americans in France get into the public health system](https://expatstateside.com/cities/paris/carte-vitale-and-french-health-coverage): French public health coverage is open to legal residents, but there's a wait and a form. Here's how PUMa, the carte Vitale, the app and the mutuelle fit together. - [Schools in Paris: French public school, American sections and international schools for US kids](https://expatstateside.com/cities/paris/schools-in-paris): School starts at 3 in France, and it's free. Here's how American families in Paris weigh French public school, American sections, bilingual schools and US college plans. - [Learning French in Paris: where to study, the DELF and the levels you need to stay](https://expatstateside.com/cities/paris/learning-french-in-paris-and-the-delf): French isn't optional anymore if you want to stay: B1 for a 10-year card, B2 for citizenship. Here's where to study in Paris and which exams the prefecture accepts. - [Driving in France on a US license, and getting around Paris without a car](https://expatstateside.com/cities/paris/driving-and-getting-around-paris): Your US license is good for a year after you move to France. Then it depends on your state. Here's the exchange, Crit'Air, and how Parisians actually get around. - [Navigo and the Paris metro: passes, 2026 fares, airport trains and night buses](https://expatstateside.com/cities/paris/navigo-and-the-paris-metro): One ticket now covers the metro, RER and suburban trains across the region. Here's what a Navigo pass costs in 2026, which card to get, and how to reach CDG and Orly. - [American life in Paris: Thanksgiving, the Fourth and where Americans gather](https://expatstateside.com/cities/paris/american-life-in-paris): Paris has been home to Americans for more than a century, and the institutions show it. Here's where to find Thanksgiving, a library card, a Sunday service and your fellow voters. - [August, public holidays and French customs: the unwritten rules Americans learn the hard way](https://expatstateside.com/cities/paris/august-holidays-and-french-customs): Paris empties in August, May is full of long weekends, and forgetting to say bonjour is a real faux pas. Here's the calendar and the manners that make life easier. - [American food in Paris: where to find pancakes, US groceries, NFL nights and a Thanksgiving turkey](https://expatstateside.com/cities/paris/american-food-in-paris): Paris has the best bread on earth and almost no canned pumpkin. Here's where Americans find pancakes, Costco runs, NFL nights and a November turkey. - [Nightlife in Paris: jazz cellars, Pigalle and how to get home after the last Metro](https://expatstateside.com/cities/paris/nightlife-in-paris): Paris goes out late, drinks slowly and loves live jazz. Here's where to go, which clubs we checked, and how to get home once the Metro shuts. ## Seoul - [Cost of living in Seoul vs Los Angeles: where your dollars stretch](https://expatstateside.com/cities/seoul/cost-of-living-in-seoul): Seoul's monthly rent and subway fares look cheap next to LA, but the deposit and imported groceries bite. Here's the side-by-side, with official numbers from both countries. - [Your alien registration card in Korea: the 90-day deadline and what comes after](https://expatstateside.com/cities/seoul/alien-registration-card-in-korea): Staying in Korea longer than 90 days means registering with immigration. Here's the deadline, what to bring, what it costs, and the 15-day rules that trip people up later. - [Phone and identity verification in Korea: why every app wants your number, and how to pass](https://expatstateside.com/cities/seoul/phone-and-identity-verification-in-korea): In Korea your phone number is your ID. Here's how Americans get a plan that passes identity checks, what breaks verification, and how to keep a US number. - [South Korean taxes for Americans: the 19% option, residency and your US return](https://expatstateside.com/cities/seoul/south-korea-taxes-for-americans): Korea taxes you once you're resident, and Uncle Sam never stops. Here's how the two systems fit together, including Korea's 19% option for foreign employees. - [Banking in South Korea as an American: from limited account to fully banked](https://expatstateside.com/cities/seoul/banking-in-south-korea-as-an-american): Korean banks will open your account, but at first it comes with training wheels. Here's how Americans in Seoul get from a capped account to full banking. - [Korea's National Pension and the lump-sum refund: what Americans pay in and how to get it back](https://expatstateside.com/cities/seoul/koreas-national-pension-and-the-lump-sum-refund): Americans working in Korea pay into the National Pension. Thanks to the US-Korea agreement, you can usually get it back as a lump sum when you leave. Here's how. - [Renting in Seoul: big deposits, small studios and how to protect your money](https://expatstateside.com/cities/seoul/renting-in-seoul): In Seoul the deposit is the deal. Here's where Americans live, how to find an apartment, what a lease looks like, and the two filings that protect your deposit. - [Jeonse and wolse: how Seoul's giant rental deposits work, and how to protect yours](https://expatstateside.com/cities/seoul/jeonse-and-wolse-renting-in-seoul): In Seoul you can pay a huge deposit and no rent, or a smaller deposit plus monthly rent. Either way, your deposit needs protecting. Here's how jeonse, wolse and the paperwork work. - [Moving to Seoul as an American: the visa routes that actually work](https://expatstateside.com/cities/seoul/moving-to-seoul-as-an-american): Americans can land in Seoul visa-free for 90 days, but staying means picking the right visa. Here are the realistic routes, plus a to-do list for your first month. - [Teaching English in Korea on the E-2 visa: what Americans need, step by step](https://expatstateside.com/cities/seoul/teaching-english-in-korea-the-e-2-visa): The E-2 is how Americans teach English in Korea. Here's what to bring from home, how the FBI check and apostille work, and which contracts to walk away from. - [Healthcare in Seoul: how Americans see a doctor, find English care and handle an emergency](https://expatstateside.com/cities/seoul/healthcare-in-seoul): Seoul has some of the best hospitals in Asia and short waits. Here's how Americans find English-speaking care, use pharmacies and get help fast in an emergency. - [National Health Insurance in Korea: who must join, what it costs, and why it matters for your visa](https://expatstateside.com/cities/seoul/national-health-insurance-in-korea): After six months in Korea, health insurance isn't optional. Here's how employee and regional coverage work, what the 2026 premiums look like, and how unpaid bills can follow you to immigration. - [Schools in Seoul: international schools, Korean public schools and what Americans pay](https://expatstateside.com/cities/seoul/schools-in-seoul): Seoul has dozens of foreign schools, many on a US model, but the fees come in two currencies. Here's what American families pay and what the other options look like. - [Learning Korean in Seoul: university institutes, free classes, KIIP and the TOPIK](https://expatstateside.com/cities/seoul/learning-korean-in-seoul): From full-time university institutes to free weekend classes, here's how Americans learn Korean in Seoul, what it costs in 2026 and which tests matter. - [Driving in South Korea with a US license, and getting around Seoul without one](https://expatstateside.com/cities/seoul/driving-and-getting-around-seoul): Your US license won't work on its own in Korea, but an IDP and a trip to the license office will. Or skip the car: Seoul's subway is one of the best deals in town. - [Naver Map, Kakao and getting around Seoul: the apps that replace Google Maps and Uber](https://expatstateside.com/cities/seoul/naver-map-kakao-and-getting-around-seoul): Google Maps won't get you far in Seoul yet. Here's how Americans get around with Naver Map, Kakao Map, Kakao T taxis, a T-money card and KakaoTalk. - [American life in Seoul: Thanksgiving, the Fourth and a night at Jamsil](https://expatstateside.com/cities/seoul/american-life-in-seoul): Seoul's American community runs from English teachers to executives to Korean Americans coming home. Here's where to find it: holidays, ballgames, churches, clubs and politics on both sides. - [The US military community in Seoul: from Yongsan to Camp Humphreys, and what civilians can use](https://expatstateside.com/cities/seoul/the-us-military-community-in-seoul): Most of the US military left Seoul for Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek. Here's where the community lives now, what SOFA status covers and what's open to other Americans. - [American food in Seoul: burgers, sports bars, Costco runs and Thanksgiving turkey](https://expatstateside.com/cities/seoul/american-food-in-seoul): Seoul now has Chipotle, Five Guys and a giant Costco. Here's where Americans watch the Super Bowl on a Monday morning and track down a Thanksgiving turkey. - [Nightlife in Seoul: Itaewon, Hongdae, Gangnam and the ride home](https://expatstateside.com/cities/seoul/nightlife-in-seoul): Seoul stays up late and feels safe doing it. Here's how the big nightlife districts differ, where live music lives, how to get home after the subway stops, and what to know about crowds. ## Bangkok - [Cost of living in Bangkok vs Miami: what your dollars really buy](https://expatstateside.com/cities/bangkok/cost-of-living-in-bangkok): A Greater Bangkok household spends about USD 900 a month on average. A Miami-area household spends about USD 5,340. Here's what that gap means for rent, food, trains and healthcare. - [90-day reporting and TM30 in Thailand: how to report your address without paying a fine](https://expatstateside.com/cities/bangkok/90-day-reporting-and-tm30-in-thailand): Every 90 days, Thai immigration wants to know you're still at the same address. Here's how to file the TM.47 online, by mail or in person, and why your landlord's TM30 matters. - [Thai taxes for Americans: the 180-day rule, the remittance change and your US return](https://expatstateside.com/cities/bangkok/thailand-taxes-for-americans): Spend 180 days in Thailand and you're a Thai tax resident. Since 2024, foreign income you bring in can be taxed. Here's how that fits with the return Uncle Sam still wants. - [Banking in Thailand as an American: opening an account, FATCA and moving money](https://expatstateside.com/cities/bangkok/banking-in-thailand-as-an-american): A passport and the right visa get you a Thai bank account. The fine print is in the FATCA forms, the transfer paperwork and your own US filings. Here's how it works. - [Thai tax on foreign income: what changed in 2024 and what it means for Americans](https://expatstateside.com/cities/bangkok/thai-tax-on-foreign-income-the-remittance-rules): Since January 1, 2024, Thailand taxes residents on foreign income they bring in, whenever it was earned. Here's how the rules work for Americans, what's exempt, and where the US treaty helps. - [Renting in Bangkok: condos, deposits and the TM30 your landlord owes you](https://expatstateside.com/cities/bangkok/renting-in-bangkok): Most Americans in Bangkok rent a condo near the BTS. Here's how to pick a neighborhood, what the 2025 lease rules say about deposits, and why your landlord's TM30 matters to you. - [Buying a condo in Bangkok: the 49% rule, the FET and what you can't own](https://expatstateside.com/cities/bangkok/buying-a-condo-in-bangkok-as-an-american): Americans can own a Bangkok condo outright, but not the land under a house. Here's how the 49% foreign quota works, how to wire the money so it counts, and what the transfer costs. - [Moving to Bangkok as an American: the visa routes that actually work](https://expatstateside.com/cities/bangkok/moving-to-bangkok-as-an-american): Thailand cut its visa-free stay to 30 days in September 2026. Here's how Americans really stay in Bangkok: DTV, retirement, LTR, a job, school or family, plus your first-month checklist. - [Thailand's retirement visa: Non-O, O-A and O-X for Americans over 50](https://expatstateside.com/cities/bangkok/thailands-retirement-visa-for-americans): Retiring to Thailand is still one of the easier moves for Americans over 50. Here's how the Non-O, O-A and O-X visas differ, the money tests, the insurance rule and the yearly extension. - [Thailand's Long-Term Resident visa: 10 years, if you clear the bar](https://expatstateside.com/cities/bangkok/thailands-long-term-resident-visa): The LTR visa gives high earners, remote workers, retirees and investors 10 years in Thailand and real tax breaks. Here's who qualifies, what it costs and how to apply through the BOI. - [Healthcare in Bangkok: private hospitals, health insurance and what Medicare won't do](https://expatstateside.com/cities/bangkok/healthcare-in-bangkok): Bangkok's private hospitals are excellent and used to foreign patients. The catch is paying for them: Medicare stays home, so your insurance plan matters more than your doctor. - [Air pollution in Bangkok: when PM2.5 season hits, what the numbers mean and how to protect your lungs](https://expatstateside.com/cities/bangkok/air-pollution-in-bangkok-pm25-season): From about December to March, Bangkok's air can turn orange for days. Here's how to read Thai and US air quality numbers, what to buy and how families plan around smog. - [Schools in Bangkok: American and international schools, fees and the road to US college](https://expatstateside.com/cities/bangkok/schools-in-bangkok): Bangkok has a deep bench of international schools, including one that started on the US Embassy grounds. Here's what they cost in 2026/27 and how families choose. - [Learning Thai in Bangkok: the schools, the education visa and what it won't let you do](https://expatstateside.com/cities/bangkok/learning-thai-in-bangkok): Five tones, a 44-consonant alphabet and a city where English only gets you so far. Here's where Americans study Thai in Bangkok, how the ED visa works and where it stops. - [Driving in Thailand with a US license, and getting around Bangkok without one](https://expatstateside.com/cities/bangkok/driving-and-getting-around-bangkok): Your US license plus an International Driving Permit gets you started. Staying longer means a Thai license, and in Bangkok the Skytrain often beats the car anyway. - [BTS, MRT and river boats in Bangkok: lines, fares, cards and the boats that beat the traffic](https://expatstateside.com/cities/bangkok/bts-mrt-and-river-boats-in-bangkok): Bangkok traffic is legendary, so smart Americans go over it, under it or along the river. Here's how the BTS, MRT, airport trains and boats work, and which card to use where. - [American life in Bangkok: Thanksgiving, the Fourth and finding your people](https://expatstateside.com/cities/bangkok/american-life-in-bangkok): Bangkok has an American community that's been here for decades. Here's where to find it: holidays, AMCHAM and clubs, churches, sports, both party groups and the US Embassy. - [Expat and retiree clubs in Bangkok: where Americans find friends, networks and a reason to get out of the condo](https://expatstateside.com/cities/bangkok/expat-and-retiree-clubs-in-bangkok): Bangkok can be lonely at first, even in a city of millions. These established clubs, from the American Women's Club to AMCHAM and Rotary, are where Americans build a circle. - [American food in Bangkok: burgers, import grocers, the Super Bowl and Thanksgiving turkey](https://expatstateside.com/cities/bangkok/american-food-in-bangkok): You moved for the pad kra pao, but some days you want a ShackBurger and real peanut butter. Here's where Americans in Bangkok find US food, groceries and Thanksgiving dinner. - [Nightlife in Bangkok: rooftops, Sukhumvit and the rules that bite](https://expatstateside.com/cities/bangkok/nightlife-in-bangkok): Bangkok does nightlife at full volume, from 60th-floor rooftops to Thonglor cocktail bars. Here's where to go, when places close, and the laws and scams that catch Americans out. ## Rome - [Cost of living in Rome vs Boston: where your dollars stretch](https://expatstateside.com/cities/rome/cost-of-living-in-rome): Rome rent and transit cost far less than Boston's, but Italian energy prices spiked in 2026 and salaries are lower. Here's the math in euros and dollars. - [Codice fiscale: the 16-character code you'll need for everything in Italy](https://expatstateside.com/cities/rome/codice-fiscale-italys-tax-code): Italy's codice fiscale is the closest thing to a Social Security number, and you'll need it for a lease, a bank account and a doctor. Here's how to get one from the US or in Rome. - [Anagrafe: registering your residence in Rome, from the form to the vigili visit](https://expatstateside.com/cities/rome/anagrafe-registering-your-residence-in-rome): Your permesso lets you live in Italy; the anagrafe makes you a resident of Rome. Here's how to register, what the police check involves, and how to get your ID card. - [Italian taxes for Americans: how the Agenzia delle Entrate and the IRS fit together](https://expatstateside.com/cities/rome/italy-taxes-for-americans): Move to Rome and you'll answer to two tax offices. Here's when Italy taxes you, what the rates and special regimes look like, and how to avoid paying twice. - [Banking in Italy as an American: getting an IBAN when your passport makes banks nervous](https://expatstateside.com/cities/rome/banking-in-italy-as-an-american): Italian banks report US customers to the IRS, and some would rather skip the paperwork. Here's how Americans in Rome get an IBAN anyway, and what Uncle Sam wants to know. - [IVAFE and IVIE: the Italian taxes on your US accounts and house](https://expatstateside.com/cities/rome/ivafe-and-ivie-italys-taxes-on-foreign-assets): Move to Rome and Italy taxes the value of your US brokerage account and your house back home, every year. Here's how the IVAFE, the IVIE and the quadro RW work. - [Renting in Rome: 4+4, 3+2 and the fine print Americans miss](https://expatstateside.com/cities/rome/renting-in-rome): Rome leases come in a few legal flavors, and an unregistered one can sink your visa. Here's how contracts, deposits and neighborhoods work, in euros and dollars. - [Moving to Rome as an American: the visa routes that actually work](https://expatstateside.com/cities/rome/moving-to-rome-as-an-american): Ninety days on a US passport goes fast. Here are the Italian visas Americans really use to live in Rome, and what to do in your first month after you land. - [Italy's elective residence visa: retiring to Rome on passive income](https://expatstateside.com/cities/rome/italys-elective-residence-visa-for-americans): Italy's elective residence visa is the classic route for Americans who want to live in Rome on a pension or investments. Here's the income test, the paperwork and what happens once you land. - [Permesso di soggiorno: getting and renewing Italy's residence permit](https://expatstateside.com/cities/rome/permesso-di-soggiorno-italys-residence-permit): Your visa gets you into Italy; the permesso di soggiorno lets you stay. Here's the 8-day deadline, the post office kit, the fees, the questura visit and how renewals work. - [Italian citizenship by descent after 2025: who still qualifies, and how](https://expatstateside.com/cities/rome/italian-citizenship-by-descent-for-americans): Italy's 2025 law cut back citizenship by descent for most Italian-Americans. Here's who still qualifies, what happened to pending cases, and what Italy's Constitutional Court has said since. - [Healthcare in Rome: how Americans use the SSN, private hospitals and the pharmacy on the corner](https://expatstateside.com/cities/rome/healthcare-in-rome): Italy's public health service covers legal residents, and Rome has private hospitals for when you want English and short waits. Here's how the pieces fit, and which number to call. - [Registering with Italy's SSN in Rome: mandatory, voluntary, and the yearly fee](https://expatstateside.com/cities/rome/registering-with-italys-national-health-service): Workers and family members join the SSN free. Retirees on elective residence pay a yearly fee from EUR 2,000. Here's how registration at the ASL works in Rome. - [Schools in Rome: American and international schools, Italian public schools, and what they cost](https://expatstateside.com/cities/rome/schools-in-rome): Rome has American-style schools with AP and IB, and free Italian public schools. Here are the 2026-27 fees, how Italian enrollment works and what to know before applying to US colleges. - [Learning Italian in Rome: schools, exams, and the levels for residence and citizenship](https://expatstateside.com/cities/rome/learning-italian-in-rome): Ciao gets you through week one. For the EU long-term permit you'll need A2 Italian, and for citizenship B1. Here's how schools, exams and certificates work in Rome. - [Driving in Italy with a US license, and getting around Rome without one](https://expatstateside.com/cities/rome/driving-and-getting-around-rome): Your US license works in Italy for a year after you become a resident, and then it's done: no swap, just Italian driving tests. Here's the plan, plus what Rome's buses and metro cost. - [ZTL zones in Rome: the hours, the cameras, and how not to get a fine in the mail](https://expatstateside.com/cities/rome/ztl-zones-in-rome): Drive through an active ZTL gate in Rome and a camera reads your plate. Here are the 2026 hours for each zone, what rental drivers should know, and the Fascia Verde rules. - [American life in Rome: Thanksgiving, the Fourth and finding your people](https://expatstateside.com/cities/rome/american-life-in-rome): Rome has had an American community for over 150 years, with its own churches, clubs and even a football team nearby. Here's how to plug in and keep a little bit of home. - [American food in Rome: where to find a burger, pecans, the late game and a Thanksgiving turkey](https://expatstateside.com/cities/rome/american-food-in-rome): You live in the city of carbonara and you still want a cheeseburger and the Sunday game. Here's where Americans in Rome find US groceries, NFL nights and a November turkey. - [Nightlife in Rome: aperitivo at seven, piazza at midnight, owl bus home](https://expatstateside.com/cities/rome/nightlife-in-rome): Rome's nights start with aperitivo and end on a piazza. Here's how Trastevere, Testaccio, Pigneto and Monti differ, where to drink, and how to get home after the metro stops. ## Zurich - [Cost of living in Zurich vs San Francisco: rent, transit and the health insurance bill](https://expatstateside.com/cities/zurich/cost-of-living-in-zurich): Zurich has a reputation for sticker shock, but against San Francisco the picture is mixed. Here's how rent, transit and health insurance compare, line by line. - [Registering in Zurich: the 14-day rule at the old Kreisbüro, now the Personenmeldeamt](https://expatstateside.com/cities/zurich/registering-in-zurich-the-kreisbuero): Every Zurich resident registers within 14 days of moving in. Here's where to go now that the Kreisbüros are gone, what to bring, what it costs and how to sign out when you leave. - [Swiss taxes for Americans: withholding, wealth tax and your US return](https://expatstateside.com/cities/zurich/switzerland-taxes-for-americans): Switzerland taxes your paycheck at source, then may pull you into a full return, and it taxes your wealth too. Here's how it all fits with the return Uncle Sam still expects. - [Banking in Switzerland as an American: FATCA forms, PostFinance and the paperwork Uncle Sam still wants](https://expatstateside.com/cities/zurich/banking-in-switzerland-as-an-american): Swiss banks and US passports have history. Here's how Americans in Zurich get an account anyway: the W-9, the FATCA consent, what to bring, and the US forms that follow you. - [Why Swiss banks refuse Americans: the UBS scandal, FATCA and where you can still bank](https://expatstateside.com/cities/zurich/why-swiss-banks-refuse-americans-and-which-dont): A decade of US prosecutions taught Swiss banks that Americans are expensive clients. Here's the history, where FATCA stands in 2026, and where US citizens can still open an account. - [Pillar 3a and Swiss pensions: what the IRS sees when you save for retirement in Zurich](https://expatstateside.com/cities/zurich/pillar-3a-and-swiss-pensions-us-tax-issues): Pillar 3a is the Swiss answer to an IRA, and Swiss neighbors swear by it. For Americans, the US tax side is murky. Here's what's settled, what's debated, and where the PFIC trap is. - [Renting in Zurich: a 0.11% vacancy rate, and how Americans still find a place](https://expatstateside.com/cities/zurich/renting-in-zurich): Zurich has almost no empty apartments. Here's what rent really costs, how deposits and the reference rate work, and how to avoid the scams that target newcomers. - [Finding an apartment in Zurich: the dossier, the debt extract and the handover](https://expatstateside.com/cities/zurich/finding-an-apartment-in-zurich): Zurich's vacancy rate is close to zero, so the apartment goes to the best paperwork. Here's how to build a dossier, get your debt extract and survive the handover. - [Moving to Zurich as an American: the real routes in, and your first month](https://expatstateside.com/cities/zurich/moving-to-zurich-as-an-american): Switzerland caps work permits for Americans and has no remote-work visa. Here are the routes that actually work for US citizens, and what to do in your first month in Zurich. - [Swiss permits for Americans: how the L, B and C permits work, quotas and all](https://expatstateside.com/cities/zurich/swiss-permits-for-americans-l-b-and-c): Americans count as third-country nationals in Switzerland, so work permits are capped and your employer does the heavy lifting. Here's how the L, B and C permits fit together. - [Healthcare in Zurich: how the Swiss system works for Americans, from the basic plan to the ER](https://expatstateside.com/cities/zurich/healthcare-in-zurich): Switzerland makes everyone buy health insurance, and you pay a chunk of your bills yourself. Here's how the system works in Zurich, which hospitals to know, and who to call. - [Swiss health insurance: the mandatory basic plan, the three-month deadline and how to choose](https://expatstateside.com/cities/zurich/swiss-health-insurance-the-mandatory-basic-plan): Every Swiss resident must buy basic health insurance within three months of arriving. Here's how the deadline, deductibles, co-pays and premium subsidies work. - [Schools in Zurich: international school fees, Swiss public schools and German support for American kids](https://expatstateside.com/cities/zurich/schools-in-zurich): Zurich's international schools cost as much as a private college back home. Swiss public schools are free and take kids straight away. Here's how to weigh the two. - [Learning German in Zurich: Swiss German, High German and the levels your permit needs](https://expatstateside.com/cities/zurich/learning-german-in-zurich): Zurich speaks Swiss German but writes High German. Here's which one to learn first, where to find courses and the language levels Swiss permits ask of Americans. - [Driving in Switzerland with a US license, and getting around Zurich without one](https://expatstateside.com/cities/zurich/driving-and-getting-around-zurich): Your US license gets you 12 months on Swiss roads. Here's how to swap it for a Swiss one, what the vignette is, and why many Americans in Zurich barely drive at all. - [Swiss rail passes and the ZVV: Halbtax, GA and Zurich's zones explained](https://expatstateside.com/cities/zurich/swiss-rail-passes-and-the-zvv): In Zurich, a car is optional. Here's how the Halbtax, the GA and the ZVV zone system work, what they cost and which one fits your commute. - [American life in Zurich: Thanksgiving, football and a clubhouse since 1931](https://expatstateside.com/cities/zurich/american-life-in-zurich): Zurich's American community is smaller than London's but well organized. Here's where to find Thanksgiving, the Fourth, football, churches and your people. - [Quiet hours, recycling and the Züri-Sack: Zurich's house rules for Americans](https://expatstateside.com/cities/zurich/quiet-hours-recycling-and-fee-bags-in-zurich): In Zurich, trash goes in a paid blue bag, glass waits until Monday and the night is quiet from 10 p.m. Here's the rulebook nobody hands you at the airport. - [American food in Zurich: burgers, fried chicken, the NFL at odd hours and a Thanksgiving turkey](https://expatstateside.com/cities/zurich/american-food-in-zurich): Zurich does burgers well and Thanksgiving badly. Here's where Americans find US chains and groceries, how to watch the NFL, and how to land a whole turkey in November. - [Nightlife in Zurich: Langstrasse, Kreis 5 clubs and summer nights by the lake](https://expatstateside.com/cities/zurich/nightlife-in-zurich): Zurich looks buttoned-up by day and stays out late on weekends. Here's where to go, what we verified, and how the weekend night buses and trains get you home. ## Amsterdam - [Cost of living in Amsterdam vs Boston: rent bites, the bike saves you](https://expatstateside.com/cities/amsterdam/cost-of-living-in-amsterdam): Amsterdam rent rivals Boston's, but a bike and a transit pass replace the car. Here's how rent, transit, groceries and health insurance compare, in euros and dollars. - [BSN and registering in Amsterdam: the 5-day rule, the apostille and DigiD](https://expatstateside.com/cities/amsterdam/bsn-and-registering-in-amsterdam): Registering with the city is the first real step of your Dutch life. It gets you a BSN, which opens the door to your paycheck, health insurance and DigiD. Here's what to bring and what to expect. - [Dutch taxes for Americans: three boxes, the 30% ruling and your US return](https://expatstateside.com/cities/amsterdam/netherlands-taxes-for-americans): The Dutch sort your income into three boxes, and Box 3 taxes your savings and investments, US accounts included. Here's how it all fits with the return Uncle Sam still expects. - [Banking in the Netherlands as an American: the BSN, FATCA and the forms Uncle Sam still wants](https://expatstateside.com/cities/amsterdam/banking-in-the-netherlands-as-an-american): Dutch banks will usually open an account for an American who lives here. Bring a BSN, your Social Security number and some patience, then keep your FBAR in order. - [The 30% ruling for Americans: who qualifies, the 2026 salary test and the drop to 27%](https://expatstateside.com/cities/amsterdam/the-30-ruling-for-americans): The Dutch expat scheme can make up to 30% of your salary tax-free in the Netherlands. Here's who qualifies in 2026, what changes in 2027 and what Uncle Sam thinks of it. - [Box 3 for Americans: how the Dutch tax your savings, the court fights and the 2028 overhaul](https://expatstateside.com/cities/amsterdam/box-3-the-dutch-tax-on-savings-and-investments): The Netherlands taxes your savings and investments on an assumed return, not what you actually earned. Here's how Box 3 works in 2026, what the courts changed and what it means for your US accounts. - [Renting in Amsterdam: neighborhoods, deposits and dodging scams](https://expatstateside.com/cities/amsterdam/renting-in-amsterdam): Amsterdam is the priciest rental market in the Netherlands, and it's tight. Here's what apartments cost, which rules protect you, how big a deposit can be and how to avoid scams. - [Amsterdam's housing shortage: the points system, rent caps and how not to get scammed](https://expatstateside.com/cities/amsterdam/amsterdams-housing-shortage-the-points-system-and-rent): Amsterdam rent isn't a free-for-all. A points system caps rent on many homes, the Huurcommissie hears disputes for €25, and some homes need a city permit. Here's how it works. - [Moving to Amsterdam as an American: the visa routes that actually work](https://expatstateside.com/cities/amsterdam/moving-to-amsterdam-as-an-american): Most Americans get to Amsterdam through a job, DAFT, school, a partner or the orientation year. Here's how each permit works, what it costs and what to do in your first month. - [DAFT: how the Dutch-American Friendship Treaty lets Americans work for themselves in Amsterdam](https://expatstateside.com/cities/amsterdam/daft-the-dutch-american-friendship-treaty): DAFT is one of the easiest ways for an American to move to the Netherlands as a freelancer or small business owner. Here's what the IND asks for, what it costs and how renewal works. - [Healthcare in Amsterdam: how the Dutch system works, from your GP to the ER](https://expatstateside.com/cities/amsterdam/healthcare-in-amsterdam): In Amsterdam your family doctor runs the show: no GP referral, no specialist. Here's how Dutch insurance, the after-hours GP post and the hospitals work for Americans. - [Dutch health insurance: the basic plan, the eigen risico and your four-month clock](https://expatstateside.com/cities/amsterdam/dutch-health-insurance-the-basic-plan): Everyone who lives or works in the Netherlands needs a Dutch basic plan. Here's the four-month deadline, the 2026 deductible, the healthcare allowance and how to pick a GP. - [Schools in Amsterdam: international schools, free Dutch schools and the classes in between](https://expatstateside.com/cities/amsterdam/schools-in-amsterdam): Amsterdam has no American school, but it has IB schools, free Dutch public schools and newcomer classes for teens. Here's what each costs and how to get in. - [Learning Dutch in Amsterdam: courses, the inburgering exam and the A2 level you need](https://expatstateside.com/cities/amsterdam/learning-dutch-and-the-civic-integration-exam): Most Americans on work permits don't have to integrate, but you'll need the A2 exam for permanent residence or a Dutch passport. Here's who's exempt and where to learn. - [Driving in the Netherlands with a US license, and getting around Amsterdam without one](https://expatstateside.com/cities/amsterdam/driving-and-getting-around-amsterdam): Your US license is good for 185 days after you move. After that, most Americans have to retake the Dutch tests unless the 30% ruling applies. Here's the rest of the picture. - [Cycling in Amsterdam: buying a bike, beating thieves and riding like you live here](https://expatstateside.com/cities/amsterdam/cycling-in-amsterdam): In Amsterdam the bike is your car, your stroller and your grocery cart. How to buy one, keep it, park it legally and ride without annoying the locals. - [American life in Amsterdam: Pilgrims, football and turkey on a Saturday](https://expatstateside.com/cities/amsterdam/american-life-in-amsterdam): The Pilgrims lived in Leiden before the Mayflower, and Americans have been at home in Holland ever since. Here's how to celebrate, catch a game and find your people in Amsterdam. - [King's Day, Dutch directness and birthday circles: a field guide for Americans in Amsterdam](https://expatstateside.com/cities/amsterdam/kings-day-directness-and-dutch-customs): The whole city turns orange on April 27, Sinterklaas beats Santa to the punch, and your colleague will tell you exactly what they think. A friendly guide to Dutch customs. - [American food in Amsterdam: where to find tacos, Sunday football and a Thanksgiving turkey](https://expatstateside.com/cities/amsterdam/american-food-in-amsterdam): Amsterdam does great fries and better bread, but sometimes you want a Crunchwrap and the late game. Here's where Americans find US chains, NFL nights and a November turkey. - [Nightlife in Amsterdam: Leidseplein, Noord's late clubs and the rules that trip up visitors](https://expatstateside.com/cities/amsterdam/nightlife-in-amsterdam): Amsterdam goes out late, but the rules are different from back home. Here's where people actually go, what the Red Light District and coffeeshop rules say, and how to get home. ## Dublin - [Cost of living in Dublin vs Boston: rent bites, the rest is gentler](https://expatstateside.com/cities/dublin/cost-of-living-in-dublin): Dublin rent is right up there with Boston's, but transit is cheaper and groceries are reasonable. Here's the 2026 math in euros and dollars, against Boston and the US. - [Getting a PPS number in Dublin: Ireland's answer to your Social Security number](https://expatstateside.com/cities/dublin/getting-a-pps-number-in-dublin): Your PPS number is Ireland's version of a Social Security number. Here's how to apply through MyWelfare, what proof of address works and why you need it fast. - [Irish taxes for Americans: residence, domicile and your US return](https://expatstateside.com/cities/dublin/ireland-taxes-for-americans): Ireland taxes you once you're resident, the IRS taxes you because you're American. Here's how residence, domicile, the treaty and the foreign tax credit fit together. - [Banking in Ireland as an American: FATCA forms, the address loop and getting paid in euros](https://expatstateside.com/cities/dublin/banking-in-ireland-as-an-american): Irish banks open accounts for US citizens, but expect FATCA questions and a proof-of-address puzzle. Here's how to get an Irish IBAN in your first weeks in Dublin. - [Irish income tax, USC and PRSI: how your Dublin paycheck gets taxed](https://expatstateside.com/cities/dublin/irish-income-tax-usc-and-prsi-explained): Three deductions come off every Irish paycheck: income tax, USC and PRSI. Here are the 2026 rates, the Budget 2027 changes and how it all fits with your IRS return. - [Irish pensions and PRSAs: what the IRS sees when an American saves for retirement in Ireland](https://expatstateside.com/cities/dublin/irish-pensions-and-prsas-us-tax-issues): Ireland gives generous tax relief on pension saving, but the IRS doesn't automatically follow. Here's how Irish pensions, PRSAs and MyFutureFund look from a US tax return. - [Renting in Dublin: how Americans find a place and keep it](https://expatstateside.com/cities/dublin/renting-in-dublin): Dublin rents average over €2,300 a month for new tenancies, and good places go fast. Here's where to look, what you can be asked to pay, and how to spot a scam. - [Dublin's rental crisis: the RTB, the 2026 rent rules and how to protect yourself](https://expatstateside.com/cities/dublin/dublins-rental-crisis-rtb-and-rent-rules): Ireland rewrote its rent rules on March 1, 2026. Here's what six-year tenancies, the 2% cap and RTB registration mean for Americans renting in Dublin, plus how to dodge scams. - [Moving to Dublin as an American: the routes that actually work](https://expatstateside.com/cities/dublin/moving-to-dublin-as-an-american): Americans can land in Dublin without a visa, but living there takes a permission and an IRP card. Here are the real routes, from work permits to an Irish grandparent. - [Irish work permits for Americans: Critical Skills, General Employment and the road to Stamp 4](https://expatstateside.com/cities/dublin/irish-work-permits-for-americans): Most Americans work in Ireland on an employer-backed permit. Here are the 2026 salary floors, fees, the two-year shortcut to Stamp 4 and the option for students. - [Irish citizenship through your grandparents: how the Foreign Births Register works](https://expatstateside.com/cities/dublin/irish-citizenship-through-your-grandparents-the-foreign-births-register): An Irish-born grandparent can make you an Irish citizen, and an EU citizen. Here's who qualifies, which documents you need, what it costs and how long it takes. - [Healthcare in Dublin: how Americans use the HSE, find a GP and avoid the A&E bill](https://expatstateside.com/cities/dublin/healthcare-in-dublin): Ireland's public system covers residents, but GP visits cost money and the ER has a charge. Here's how the HSE, GPs, hospitals and private insurance fit together in Dublin. - [GP fees, medical cards and private health insurance in Ireland: what Americans pay](https://expatstateside.com/cities/dublin/gp-fees-medical-cards-and-private-health-insurance-in-ireland): Ireland's public hospitals are cheap, but the family doctor isn't free for most adults. Here's what you'll pay, who gets a card, and why to buy insurance within nine months. - [Schools in Dublin: international schools, Irish national schools and the Irish-language question](https://expatstateside.com/cities/dublin/schools-in-dublin): Dublin has an IB international school, fee-paying private schools and free State schools, most with a Catholic patron. Here's how Americans choose, what it costs and how Irish class works. - [Irish universities for American students: applying, fees, federal loans and Stamp 2](https://expatstateside.com/cities/dublin/irish-universities-for-american-students): Most Americans apply straight to the Irish university, not through the CAO. Here's how fees, federal Direct Loans, Stamp 2 and the IRP card work for US students in Dublin. - [Driving in Ireland with a US license: no exchange, the learner permit route and getting around Dublin by Leap card](https://expatstateside.com/cities/dublin/driving-and-getting-around-dublin): Your US license works for a visit, but not once you live here, and no US state can swap it for an Irish one. Here's the learner permit route, and how to get around Dublin without a car. - [American life in Dublin: Thanksgiving, touch football and finding your people](https://expatstateside.com/cities/dublin/american-life-in-dublin): Dublin doesn't have an American neighborhood, but it has Americans everywhere. Here's where they meet: Thanksgiving lunches, football and baseball leagues, and political groups. - [GAA and Irish sports for Americans: Gaelic football, hurling and joining a Dublin club](https://expatstateside.com/cities/dublin/gaa-and-irish-sports-for-americans): Gaelic football and hurling are Ireland's national obsession, and the local GAA club is the fastest way into Dublin life. Here's how the games work and how to join in. - [American food in Dublin: burgers, tacos, college football and a Thanksgiving turkey](https://expatstateside.com/cities/dublin/american-food-in-dublin): Craving a Five Guys burger, a Sunday NFL slate or a whole turkey in November? Here's what we could verify for Americans looking for a taste of home in Dublin. - [Nightlife in Dublin: Temple Bar, Camden Street, trad sessions and the ride home](https://expatstateside.com/cities/dublin/nightlife-in-dublin): Dublin runs on pubs, live music and early closing times. Here's where to go, which trad sessions we checked, and how to get home once last call hits. ## Auckland - [Cost of living in Auckland vs San Diego: where your dollars go](https://expatstateside.com/cities/auckland/cost-of-living-in-auckland): Auckland and San Diego are both sunny harbor cities with pricey housing, but the bills land differently. Rent, transit, groceries, power and eating out, in NZD and USD. - [Floods, storms and earthquakes in Auckland: what 2023 taught the city](https://expatstateside.com/cities/auckland/floods-storms-and-earthquakes-in-auckland): Auckland's 2023 floods showed that heavy rain is the city's everyday hazard. Here's how alerts work, what natural hazards insurance covers, and how to get your home ready. - [New Zealand taxes for Americans: Inland Revenue, the IRS and how the two fit](https://expatstateside.com/cities/auckland/new-zealand-taxes-for-americans): In Auckland you answer to Inland Revenue and the IRS. Here's how New Zealand residency works, why new arrivals get a 4-year break on foreign income, and how to avoid paying twice. - [Banking in New Zealand as an American: opening an account before you land, FATCA and your FBAR](https://expatstateside.com/cities/auckland/banking-in-new-zealand-as-an-american): New Zealand banks will take a US passport, and three of the big ones let you apply before you fly. Here's how to land in Auckland with a working account, and what Uncle Sam still expects. - [IRD number and KiwiSaver: what Americans in New Zealand need to know](https://expatstateside.com/cities/auckland/ird-number-and-kiwisaver-us-tax-issues): Your IRD number is the easy part. KiwiSaver is where New Zealand's retirement system and US tax rules collide, and the IRS has never said how it sees it. - [Renting in Auckland: weekly rent, capped bonds and the Healthy Homes rules](https://expatstateside.com/cities/auckland/renting-in-auckland): Auckland rents are quoted by the week, bonds are capped at four weeks and held by the government, and letting fees are banned. Here's what Americans need to know before signing. - [Buying a home in New Zealand as an American: the foreign buyer ban and its exceptions](https://expatstateside.com/cities/auckland/buying-a-home-in-new-zealand-foreign-buyer-rules): Since 2018, most foreigners can't buy an existing home in New Zealand. Here's who can, how Overseas Investment Office consent works, and the tax rules once you own. - [Moving to Auckland as an American: the visa routes that actually work](https://expatstateside.com/cities/auckland/moving-to-auckland-as-an-american): A US passport gets you into New Zealand on an NZeTA, but living in Auckland takes a real visa. Here are the routes that work for Americans, with 2026 fees in NZD and USD. - [New Zealand's work and skilled migrant visas: from a job offer to residence](https://expatstateside.com/cities/auckland/new-zealands-skilled-migrant-and-work-visas-for-americans): Most Americans who move to Auckland for work start on an employer-sponsored visa. Here's how the AEWV, the Skilled Migrant Category and the Green List fit together. - [New Zealand's working holiday visa for Americans: 12 months, ages 18 to 30](https://expatstateside.com/cities/auckland/new-zealands-working-holiday-visa-for-americans): If you're a US citizen aged 18 to 30, New Zealand will let you live and work here for up to a year without a job offer. Here's what the visa asks for. - [Healthcare in Auckland: how the public system, your GP and ACC fit together](https://expatstateside.com/cities/auckland/healthcare-in-auckland): New Zealand's public system covers residents and many work visa holders, ACC covers every accident, and a GP is your front door. Here's how it works for Americans in Auckland. - [Healthcare eligibility in New Zealand: the 2-year rule, ACC and private cover](https://expatstateside.com/cities/auckland/healthcare-eligibility-in-new-zealand): New Zealand's public health system isn't open to every newcomer. Your visa decides if you're in, and the magic number is 2 years. - [Schools in Auckland: private schools, school zones and who pays international fees](https://expatstateside.com/cities/auckland/schools-in-auckland): Most kids in Auckland go to free state schools, but your visa and your address decide which one. Here's how zoning, private school fees and international student rules work. - [NCEA and universities in Auckland: a guide for American families](https://expatstateside.com/cities/auckland/ncea-and-universities-in-auckland): No GPA, no SAT, no senior prom as you know it. Here's how NCEA and University Entrance work in Auckland, and whether your kid can use US federal student loans here. - [Driving in New Zealand with a US license: the 12-month clock, converting and getting around Auckland](https://expatstateside.com/cities/auckland/driving-and-getting-around-auckland): Your US license works in New Zealand for 12 months from your last arrival, and the US is on the list of countries that convert without a theory test. Here's the process, and how Auckland gets around. - [Auckland ferries, buses and the AT HOP card: getting around without a car](https://expatstateside.com/cities/auckland/auckland-ferries-buses-and-the-at-hop-card): Tap a card or your phone, ride the new City Rail Link and take the ferry to Devonport. Here's how Auckland public transport works, what it costs and when to skip the car. - [American life in Auckland: Thanksgiving in summer, the NFL at breakfast](https://expatstateside.com/cities/auckland/american-life-in-auckland): Being American in Auckland means Thanksgiving in shorts and the NFL with your Monday coffee. Here's how to keep your traditions, follow US politics and find other Americans. - [Rugby and Kiwi culture for Americans: the All Blacks, te reo and how things work here](https://expatstateside.com/cities/auckland/rugby-and-kiwi-culture-for-americans): Rugby is the national conversation, te reo Māori is everywhere and Kiwis are famously low-key. Here's a respectful primer for Americans settling into Auckland. - [American food in Auckland: Costco runs, NFL on Monday mornings and the Thanksgiving turkey hunt](https://expatstateside.com/cities/auckland/american-food-in-auckland): Auckland has a Costco, plenty of Taco Bells and Reese's in the supermarket. Canned pumpkin, root beer and a November turkey take more work. Here's what we found, and when kickoff really is. - [Nightlife in Auckland: K Road, Ponsonby and the late bus home](https://expatstateside.com/cities/auckland/nightlife-in-auckland): Auckland goes out in neighborhoods: K Road for clubs and gigs, Ponsonby for bars, the Viaduct for harbor views. Here's where to start and how to get home. ## Manila - [Cost of living in Manila vs Honolulu: what your dollars really buy](https://expatstateside.com/cities/manila/cost-of-living-in-manila): A Metro Manila family spends about USD 6,050 a year on average. A Honolulu household spends about USD 75,000. Here's what that gap means for rent, food, getting around and healthcare. - [ACR I-Card and annual report: the Philippine paperwork every resident American owes](https://expatstateside.com/cities/manila/acr-i-card-and-annual-report-in-the-philippines): Live in the Philippines on a visa and you carry an ACR I-Card and report to immigration every January or February. Here's who needs what, what it costs and what happens if you're late. - [Typhoon season in Manila: storm signals, floods, outages and how to get your home ready](https://expatstateside.com/cities/manila/typhoon-season-in-manila): Manila gets typhoons the way Florida gets hurricanes: often enough that you need a plan. Here's how to read PAGASA's storm signals, what floods do to the city, and what to stock. - [Philippine taxes for Americans: Philippine-source income, the 1976 treaty and your US return](https://expatstateside.com/cities/manila/philippines-taxes-for-americans): As a foreigner in the Philippines, you're generally taxed only on Philippine-source income. Uncle Sam still taxes everything. Here's how the two returns fit together. - [Banking in the Philippines as an American: accounts, IDs, GCash and the IRS](https://expatstateside.com/cities/manila/banking-in-the-philippines-as-an-american): A passport or ACR I-Card gets you in the door at a Philippine bank. Here's what to bring, how e-wallets fit in, how to move dollars over, and what Uncle Sam still expects. - [VA benefits in the Philippines: the Manila office, the clinic and the Foreign Medical Program](https://expatstateside.com/cities/manila/va-benefits-for-veterans-in-the-philippines): The Philippines is home to the only VA clinic outside the US. Here's who can use it, how the Foreign Medical Program pays for care, and how claims and C&P exams work from Manila. - [Renting in Manila: condos, post-dated checks and the fine print](https://expatstateside.com/cities/manila/renting-in-manila): Most Americans in Manila rent a condo in BGC, Makati, Ortigas or Alabang. Expect a year's lease, advance rent and a deposit, and a stack of post-dated checks. - [Owning property in the Philippines: condos yes, land no (with a few exceptions)](https://expatstateside.com/cities/manila/owning-property-in-the-philippines-as-an-american): Americans can buy a condo in Manila but not the land under a house. Here's how the condo cap, long leases, former-Filipino rights and dual citizenship actually work. - [Moving to Manila as an American: the visa routes that actually work](https://expatstateside.com/cities/manila/moving-to-manila-as-an-american): Americans can land in Manila without a visa and extend for months. Staying for good takes the SRRV, a 13A through marriage or a 9G work visa. Here's how each route works. - [The SRRV: how Americans retire to the Philippines on a deposit](https://expatstateside.com/cities/manila/the-srrv-retirement-visa-in-the-philippines): The SRRV gives Americans 40 and older permanent residence in the Philippines in exchange for a dollar deposit. Here's what each option costs, what you get and what to check first. - [The 13A visa: how Americans married to Filipinos get permanent residence](https://expatstateside.com/cities/manila/the-13a-visa-for-americans-married-to-filipinos): Married to a Filipino? The 13A visa gives you a year on probation, then permanent residence. Here's the paperwork, the fees and how the Bureau of Immigration process works. - [Healthcare in Manila: private hospitals, PhilHealth and the insurance you'll actually need](https://expatstateside.com/cities/manila/healthcare-in-manila): Manila's top private hospitals are good, but you pay as you go and Medicare doesn't come with you. Here's how the system works for Americans and how to cover yourself. - [PhilHealth and private hospitals in Manila: what foreigners can join and what it really covers](https://expatstateside.com/cities/manila/philhealth-and-private-hospitals-in-manila): PhilHealth is open to foreigners who live or work in the Philippines, but it pays only part of a private hospital bill. Here's how it fits with HMOs and Manila's big private hospitals. - [Schools in Manila: American-style international schools, fees and the Philippine K-12 system](https://expatstateside.com/cities/manila/schools-in-manila): Manila has one of Asia's oldest American-founded schools and a handful of strong IB options. Here's what they cost in 2026-27, how local schools work and what to plan for college. - [Driving in the Philippines with a US license: the 90-day rule, LTO conversion and Manila traffic](https://expatstateside.com/cities/manila/driving-and-getting-around-manila): Your US license works for your first 90 days. After that you need a Philippine license, and in Manila you'll also need to learn number coding and plenty of patience. - [Getting around Manila: Grab, the MRT and LRT, jeepneys and the EDSA crawl](https://expatstateside.com/cities/manila/getting-around-manila-grab-trains-and-traffic): Manila traffic makes LA look tame. Here's how Americans actually get around: Grab for door to door, the trains for beating EDSA, beep cards, jeepneys and what's still being built. - [American life in Manila: Thanksgiving, the Fourth and finding your people](https://expatstateside.com/cities/manila/american-life-in-manila): Around 375,000 Americans call the Philippines home. Here's where to find them in Manila: holidays, AmCham, churches, veterans, both party groups and the US Embassy. - [Filipino-American families in Manila: the balikbayan privilege, dual citizenship and the famous boxes](https://expatstateside.com/cities/manila/filipino-american-families-and-balikbayan-boxes): Married to a Filipino, or a former Filipino yourself? Here's how the balikbayan privilege, RA 9225 dual citizenship, US paperwork for the kids and balikbayan box customs rules fit together. - [American food in Manila: burgers, warehouse clubs, game day and Thanksgiving turkey](https://expatstateside.com/cities/manila/american-food-in-manila): Manila may be the easiest city in Asia to eat like an American. Here's where to find US chains, Costco-style warehouse clubs, NFL games at breakfast time and a Thanksgiving turkey. - [Nightlife in Manila: Poblacion, BGC, Malate and how to get home safe](https://expatstateside.com/cities/manila/nightlife-in-manila): Manila goes out late, from award-winning Makati cocktail bars to BGC's big clubs. Here's where to go, when things open, and the scams and spiking risks to know before your first night out. ## Singapore - [Cost of living in Singapore vs San Francisco: Bay Area prices, different bills](https://expatstateside.com/cities/singapore/cost-of-living-in-singapore-vs-san-francisco): Singapore costs about what the Bay Area costs, just in different places. Rent and cars hurt, lunch and the train don't. Here's the bill line by line, in SGD and dollars. - [Singapore laws and fines that surprise Americans: gum, vapes, drugs and late-night beers](https://expatstateside.com/cities/singapore/singapore-laws-and-fines-that-surprise-americans): Most of Singapore's famous rules are easy to live with once you know them. A few, like vaping and drugs, can end your stay. Here's what's actually enforced in 2026. - [Singapore taxes for Americans: low rates, no treaty, and a US return every year](https://expatstateside.com/cities/singapore/singapore-taxes-for-americans-how-they-fit-with-your-us-return): Singapore's tax bill is light, but it doesn't make your US return go away. Here's how residency, rates and IRAS filing work, and how the FEIE and foreign tax credit fit in. - [Banking in Singapore as an American: opening an account, FATCA and PayNow](https://expatstateside.com/cities/singapore/banking-in-singapore-as-an-american): Singapore banks will open your account, often from an app on day one of your pass. The fine print is FATCA, limits on investment products, and your own FBAR. - [CPF, SRS and retirement savings in Singapore: what an American can and can't use](https://expatstateside.com/cities/singapore/cpf-srs-and-retirement-savings-in-singapore): On an Employment Pass you're outside CPF, Singapore's big pension system. SRS is open to you, but the IRS doesn't see it the way IRAS does. Here's how to save without tax traps. - [Renting in Singapore: condos, HDB apartments and the clauses Americans should read twice](https://expatstateside.com/cities/singapore/renting-in-singapore): Most Americans in Singapore rent a condo, sign for two years and pay stamp duty on the lease. Here's how HDB rules, agents, deposits and the diplomatic clause actually work. - [Buying property in Singapore as an American: the ABSD break most foreigners don't get](https://expatstateside.com/cities/singapore/buying-property-in-singapore-as-an-american-absd): Most foreigners pay a 60% surcharge to buy a Singapore home. US citizens get Singaporean stamp duty treatment under the free trade agreement. Here's what that covers, and what it doesn't. - [Moving to Singapore as an American: the pass you need, and who gets it](https://expatstateside.com/cities/singapore/moving-to-singapore-as-an-american-visa-routes): Singapore doesn't sell residence to Americans. You get in through a job, a business, a family member or a school. Here's every route, its salary bar and who applies. - [Singapore's Employment Pass and COMPASS: the salary bar, the 40 points and the fine print](https://expatstateside.com/cities/singapore/employment-pass-and-compass-for-americans): Your Singapore job offer isn't a done deal until the Employment Pass clears two tests: an age-based salary floor and 40 points on COMPASS. Here's how both work. - [Singapore's Dependant's Pass: bringing your family, and what it takes for a spouse to work](https://expatstateside.com/cities/singapore/dependants-pass-and-working-as-a-trailing-spouse): Your family's Singapore passes hang off one salary, and a Dependant's Pass no longer lets a spouse take a job. Here's who qualifies, which pass fits, and the real routes to work. - [Healthcare and health insurance in Singapore: great care, unsubsidized prices](https://expatstateside.com/cities/singapore/healthcare-and-health-insurance-in-singapore): Singapore's hospitals are world class, but the subsidies are for citizens and PRs. On a work pass you pay full price, so your insurance plan is the real decision. - [Heat, haze and dengue in Singapore: staying well in the tropics](https://expatstateside.com/cities/singapore/heat-haze-and-dengue-in-singapore): Singapore is hot every single day, smoky some years and home to the mosquito that spreads dengue. None of it should keep you away, but each comes with a few habits worth learning early. - [Schools in Singapore: American and international schools, local places and what they cost](https://expatstateside.com/cities/singapore/schools-in-singapore-american-and-international-schools): Singapore has a big American school, several IB heavyweights and a strong public system with limited room for foreigners. Here's what each costs in 2026/27 and how to get in. - [Universities in Singapore for American students: NUS, NTU, SMU, SUTD and the tuition grant catch](https://expatstateside.com/cities/singapore/universities-in-singapore-for-american-students): A world-class degree in Singapore can cost less than out-of-state tuition back home. The tuition grant makes it cheaper still, but it comes with a three-year work bond. - [Driving in Singapore with a US license: the 12-month rule, the COE and the cheaper ways to ride](https://expatstateside.com/cities/singapore/driving-in-singapore-with-a-us-license-and-getting-around): Your US license works for your first year with an IDP. After that you convert. Then comes the real shock: a COE that costs more than most cars back home. - [MRT, buses and Grab in Singapore: tap your card, beat the heat, skip the car](https://expatstateside.com/cities/singapore/mrt-buses-and-grab-in-singapore): Tap your contactless card, ride a clean, air-conditioned train for about a dollar, and call a Grab when it pours. Here's how Singapore's transit works for Americans. - [American life in Singapore: Thanksgiving, the Fourth and a century-old community](https://expatstateside.com/cities/singapore/american-life-in-singapore): Americans have organized in Singapore for over a century. Here's where to find them: holidays, the American Association and Club, AmCham, sports, both parties and the embassy. - [Clubs and volunteering in Singapore: where Americans find their people](https://expatstateside.com/cities/singapore/clubs-associations-and-volunteering-in-singapore): Singapore's American groups go back more than a century. Here's who runs what, from softball and dragon boats to AmCham, and how to volunteer without breaking your pass rules. - [American food in Singapore: brisket, bagels and the Monday-morning Super Bowl](https://expatstateside.com/cities/singapore/american-food-restaurants-and-bars-in-singapore): You can get Texas-style brisket, a New York bagel and a Thanksgiving turkey in Singapore. The catch is the price of a beer and a Super Bowl that kicks off at breakfast. - [Nightlife in Singapore: rooftops, river bars and rules with teeth](https://expatstateside.com/cities/singapore/nightlife-in-singapore): Singapore's nightlife is better than its sleepy reputation: rooftop bars, shophouse cocktail dens and clubs on the river. The bills are big and the drug laws are bigger. ## Compare - [Buying in Mexico City vs back home: what Americans really pay](https://expatstateside.com/compare/buying-property-in-mexico-city-vs-the-us): Americans can own a Mexico City apartment outright, but the IRS still taxes the gain. Here's how buying in CDMX stacks up against a home back in the States. - [Buying in San Miguel de Allende vs back home: the full tab](https://expatstateside.com/compare/buying-property-in-san-miguel-de-allende-vs-the-us): San Miguel is outside Mexico's restricted zone, so Americans can own outright. The catch comes at sale time, when Mexico and the IRS both look at the gain. - [Buying in Toronto vs back home: two land transfer taxes and the IRS](https://expatstateside.com/compare/buying-property-in-toronto-vs-the-us): Toronto charges land transfer tax twice, and the federal foreign buyer ban may still apply to you. Here's how buying there compares with a home back in the States. - [Buying in Vancouver vs back home: BC's housing taxes meet the IRS](https://expatstateside.com/compare/buying-property-in-vancouver-vs-the-us): BC piles on housing taxes for foreign buyers and short holds, and the IRS still taxes your gain. Here's how a Vancouver purchase compares with a home stateside. - [Buying in London vs back home: what Americans really pay](https://expatstateside.com/compare/buying-property-in-london-vs-the-us): Americans can buy in London on the same terms as Brits, but stamp duty punishes anyone who still owns a home in the States, and the IRS taxes the gain. - [Buying in Berlin vs back home: what Americans really pay](https://expatstateside.com/compare/buying-property-in-berlin-vs-the-us): Germany lets Americans buy freely and may never tax your gain after ten years. The IRS isn't so patient. Here's how Berlin stacks up against a home back home. - [Buying in Sydney vs back home: what Americans really pay](https://expatstateside.com/compare/buying-property-in-sydney-vs-the-us): On a temporary visa, Australia treats you as a foreign buyer: no established homes for now and a 9% NSW surcharge. Here's how Sydney compares with back home. - [Buying in Tel Aviv vs back home: what Americans really pay](https://expatstateside.com/compare/buying-property-in-tel-aviv-vs-the-us): Israeli residency changes everything when you buy in Tel Aviv: a non-resident pays 8% purchase tax from the first shekel. Here's how it stacks up against back home. - [Buying in Madrid vs back home: what Americans really pay](https://expatstateside.com/compare/buying-property-in-madrid-vs-the-us): Spain lets Americans buy freely, but a Madrid purchase costs more up front than a DC closing. Here's how the taxes stack up on both sides when you buy and sell. - [Buying in Tokyo vs back home: what Americans really pay](https://expatstateside.com/compare/buying-property-in-tokyo-vs-the-us): Japan lets Americans buy freehold with no approval at all. Getting a loan is harder, and the IRS still wants its say. Here's Tokyo against a home back home. - [Buying in Shanghai vs back home: what Americans can and can't do](https://expatstateside.com/compare/buying-property-in-shanghai-vs-the-us): Shanghai lets an American buy one home to live in, after a year of work in the city, and you can't rent it out. Here's how that stacks up against a home back home. - [Buying in Paris vs back home: what Americans really pay](https://expatstateside.com/compare/buying-property-in-paris-vs-the-us): France lets Americans buy freely and never taxes the sale of your main home. The IRS has a cap, and the notary bill is steep. Here's Paris against back home. - [Buying in Seoul vs back home: permits, taxes and Uncle Sam](https://expatstateside.com/compare/buying-property-in-seoul-vs-the-us): Americans can still buy in Seoul, but since 2025 they need a permit first and must live in the place. Here's Seoul against keeping or buying a home back home. - [Buying in Bangkok vs back home: condos, quotas and the IRS](https://expatstateside.com/compare/buying-property-in-bangkok-vs-the-us): In Bangkok an American can own a condo, not the land under a house. Here's how the quota, the money rules and two tax systems stack up against a home back home. - [Buying in Rome vs back home: the prima casa, the notary and the IRS](https://expatstateside.com/compare/buying-property-in-rome-vs-the-us): Americans can buy in Rome with no permit, and a first home is taxed lightly. Here's how Rome stacks up against keeping or buying a home back in the States. - [Buying in Zurich vs back home: Lex Koller, gains tax and the IRS](https://expatstateside.com/compare/buying-property-in-zurich-vs-the-us): On a B permit you can buy one home in Zurich to live in; on a C permit you buy like a Swiss. Here's Zurich against keeping or buying a home back in the States. - [Buying in Amsterdam vs back home: what Americans really pay](https://expatstateside.com/compare/buying-property-in-amsterdam-vs-the-us): The Netherlands lets Americans buy freely and rarely taxes a home sale. The IRS still wants its share. Here's how Amsterdam stacks up against a home back home. - [Buying in Dublin vs back home: what Americans really pay](https://expatstateside.com/compare/buying-property-in-dublin-vs-the-us): Ireland lets Americans buy on the same terms as the Irish, with low stamp duty and tight loan limits. Here's how a Dublin home stacks up against one back home. - [Buying in Auckland vs back home: can Americans even buy?](https://expatstateside.com/compare/buying-property-in-auckland-vs-the-us): New Zealand bans most foreigners from buying homes, and a work visa won't get you past it. Here's who can buy in Auckland, and how it compares with a home back in the States. - [Buying in Manila vs back home: condos yes, land no](https://expatstateside.com/compare/buying-property-in-manila-vs-the-us): Americans can own a Manila condo but not the land under a house. Here's what buying in Makati or BGC really involves, and how it compares with a home back in the States. - [Buying in Singapore vs back home: stamp duties, condos and the IRS](https://expatstateside.com/compare/buying-property-in-singapore-vs-the-us): A US passport gets you Singaporean stamp duty rates, but the upfront bill is still steep. Here's how buying in Singapore stacks up against a home in San Francisco.