Expats Pursue Cheaper Living Abroad: Unveiling Hidden Costs

Record numbers of Americans left the United States in 2025. Many cited cheaper housing, education, and health care abroad as the main draw.

But moving overseas can bring large upfront and unexpected bills. Expats report costs ranging from pet transport to private medical care.

Why people go abroad

Affordability drives migration. Housing and schooling top the list of reasons Americans relocate.

Still, hidden costs often appear after arrival. Plane tickets, vehicle purchases, and inflation can erase early savings.

Turkey: big savings, surprising expenses

A woman from Ann Arbor returned to Turkey in 2021 to escape a paycheck-to-paycheck life. Her U.S. rent had been $1,200 per month.

She used credit-card miles for flights and sold their car for a few thousand dollars. They initially lived with family in a one-bedroom farmhouse.

She found remote ed-tech work that paid about $700 weekly before taxes. Net take-home was roughly $400 to $500 per week.

• Early rent for a private villa near the coast was about $300 per month.
• Later rent rose to approximately $500–$600 per month.
• Veterinary care and state health care were inexpensive or free.

But some costs surprised them. Older cars in Turkey can be expensive; they paid about $4,000 for a 1997 model.

Inflation also surged, topping 70 percent at one point. Savings eroded and job prospects improved back in the United States.

Moving home carried a steep animal-transport bill. Bringing four cats back required two flights and cost about $6,000.

After the return, they had roughly $12,000 left in savings. The husband later found work as a driver.

Italy: lower tuition, constrained finances

A woman from Vermont moved to Italy about 15 years ago to study archaeology and history. She attended the American University of Rome.

Her U.S. federal loans totaled about $18,000 for a bachelor’s degree. She later borrowed roughly $25,000 for a one-year master’s in business.

Combined debt sat near $40,000 to $45,000. She has repaid about $10,000 so far, using income-based repayment.

Living costs were modest, and state health care covered most services. She sometimes paid privately for quicker care.

• A private neurologist visit and scans cost about €200.
• A DNA test cost roughly €650.
• A recent two-week trip to the U.S. exceeded €3,000.

She and her Italian husband now earn the equivalent of about $50,000 to $60,000 after taxes. Housing is provided through inherited rental property.

By U.S. standards, their income would be low. They found returning to the United States financially impractical.

London: expensive living, strategic borrowing

A 22-year-old from San Francisco moved to London for graduate school. She graduated early and worked multiple part-time jobs.

In San Francisco, her monthly basic costs approached $3,000. Rent alone was about $1,650 per person for a two-bedroom.

She chose a U.K. master’s that cost about $55,000 instead of a Columbia program priced near $120,000. She borrowed $90,000 through Sallie Mae.

Health care through the NHS required a student visa surcharge of about £700. Dental care and specialist access were limited by long waits.

• A dental crown cost the equivalent of about $500.
• A private hearing-aid option quoted £1,500.
• Rent in South Kensington runs roughly $1,800 per month.

She projects post-grad starting salaries in San Francisco near $100,000 to $120,000. Those figures inform her loan repayment plan.

Many peers consider staying in the U.K. after graduation. She plans to return to the United States because U.K. salaries are lower.

Common hidden costs

Interviewees listed recurring unexpected expenses. These included pet relocation, retrofitted vehicles, inflation, and private medical fees.

Visa-related health surcharges and differences in credit systems also mattered. In some countries, credit cards and financing remain uncommon.

These realities show that cheaper living abroad is not always straightforward. Prospective expats should budget for both visible and hidden expenses.

Filmogaz.com conducted interviews and compiled these firsthand accounts. They highlight trade-offs that accompany moves aimed at cheaper living abroad.