Best English-speaking Countries to Live In

While English remains the established global lingua franca, meaning that it is generally well represented across regions that might otherwise have different primary languages, it nevertheless makes sense to seriously consider how the distribution of language in any viable region might affect your life, from navigating essential tasks to enjoying day-to-day experiences and community.

While it is difficult to give a definite ranking of the best English-speaking countries globally due to the many factors that may make one place more suitable than another based on individual preferences and needs, here is a general overview of countries that you might want to consider when planning a move to an English-speaking region.

Page Contents

• Top 10 English-speaking Countries to Move
• The United Kingdom
• Ireland
• Canada
• Australia
• New Zealand
• The United States of America
• The Netherlands
• Norway
• Singapore
• Sweden
• How can London Immigration Lawyers Help?
• Frequently Asked Questions

First, we can list some of the definite contenders where English is the primary language, or distinctly noted as one of them. This includes some of the more obvious choices, such as the following:

• The United Kingdom
• Ireland
• Canada
• Australia
• New Zealand
• The United States of America

Beyond these options, some additional choices may be found when considering the EF English Proficiency Index, also called the EF EPI, which notes English language skills in countries where English is not a primary language.

Moving to a region with a high EF EPI score means that you should have few problems getting by with speaking English, though it is of course still a good idea to try and learn some of the local language for an even more immersive experience.

Countries with the highest global EF EPI scores include:

• The Netherlands
• Norway
• Singapore
• Sweden

Naturally, there are many more countries with a fairly high English proficiency score that might speak to you more than the options on this list.

While not a surprising mention on this list, the UK continues to hold solid appeal for individuals wishing to move to an English-speaking country due to its convenient location, cultural diversity and overall balance between opportunities, experience, and lifestyle options.

With thriving professional sectors in a wide range of leading fields, the UK offers great professional trajectories that commonly offer support for international talent who may be able to obtain a visa based on sponsored employment.Beyond this, the UK offers a great variety in terms of lifestyle experience, from major cities to little hamlets; there are options for most lifestyle preferences to be found. While the climate remains mostly moderate, offering security in the absence of many extreme weather events and a healthy balance between warm days and milder overcast climates.

One of the UK’s winning features can be found in its mesmerising landscape that tends to sit accessible to most residential areas, due to its overall fairly compact size. From the famous Peak or Lake Districts to the dramatic scenery of Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland, life in the UK offers some of the most unique and mesmerising scenery while remaining reasonably well connected to urbanity.

Nevertheless, the relative spatial restriction also poses challenges most keenly felt in the housing sector. While homes of different calibres are generally available to buy or rent, there has been a continuous push in the housing market, leading to increased costs and challenges in the effort to secure your dream home. Beyond this, a notable trend in the UK can be found in its long-established tradition of attached houses, which might pose a lifestyle adjustment due to a reduction of separation from neighbours, as might be the norm in other regions. Still, this should not be a deterrent and all it takes to make your life in the UK just right for you is some research and forethought.

While recent changes have been slightly more restrictive in terms of immigration and free movement between other regions, particularly the EU, the overall immigration process to the UK is still fairly accessible and offers the convenience of access to other EU and EEA regions, even with the recent changes.

Ireland, also called the Republic of Ireland, is a distinct region from Northern Ireland, and as such, not part of the UK but rather belongs to the European countries.

While the country’s official language is Irish (Gaeilge), continued trajectories show that English has overtaken it as the most commonly spoken language including the number of native English speakers, which means that you will be able to integrate well even if you are unfamiliar with the national language.

Lifestyle-wise, Ireland offers a distinctly smaller space than the aforementioned options, but despite its smaller size, it will not leave you wanting for rich cultural heritage and landscape, while its connection to the EU will facilitate further travel and also professional opportunities that stretch beyond the island.

Furthermore, despite its separation from the UK, there are still travel agreements to the UK as part of the CTA or Common Travel Area that both countries share. As such, Ireland truly offers a little bit of everything when it comes to opportunity and convenience.

Ireland itself is known for offering excellent education and good healthcare, making it a very desirable location to live in.Nevertheless, it should be noted that the cost of living might be somewhat higher in some regions, particularly in Dublin, which is the capital and largest city in Ireland.

Moving across the pond, Canada is an interesting option for English speakers who are looking for maybe even a more diverse experience in terms of languages. While English is perhaps the most dominant language, the Official Languages Act (OLA has made it so that both English and French are ranked equally as Canada’s official languages.

The language you are more likely to encounter may depend on the region that you are planning to move to, with the province of Quebec being fairly French-leaning in terms of residents’ primary language, while Ontario might be more English-leaning, with the exception of some of its more eastern parts. Overall, the language distribution is fairly nuanced, which means that you can absolutely get by if you only speak English.

Beyond its languages, Canada offers a diverse professional landscape that offers opportunities in all core sectors while additionally thriving in resource-based industries. Paired with this, you may want to consider the implications of living in one of its larger cities versus one of the more remote locations, as available work might be regionally affected.

Known for its impressive landscape, which includes the Rocky Mountains and Niagara Falls, life in Canada can offer a scenic experience that sets itself apart from the other options on this list. As such, it is also the region where you might find the most remote areas, while its most settled provinces remain well connected. However, a key consideration has to be made for its climate, which can range from milder temperatures mainly along the westernmost coastline, to harsh Arctic conditions and extremely low temperatures that might take some adjusting to.

Nevertheless, quality of life is generally regarded as fairly high, with housing being available (if significantly more expensive in the cities) and well adjusted to the local climate conditions. Canada tends to offer a healthy focus on work-life balance, with a strong emphasis on its nature as a point for regeneration and activities. Beyond this, its national healthcare system offers security as it is publicly funded, offering residents access to necessary medical services viaMedicare.

Australia offers plenty of unique selling points for those considering it as their new country of residence, not limited to its location in the Southern Hemisphere.

Unique as the smallest continent and yet the sixth-largest country in terms of land area, Australia is famous for its unique nature, hot weather, and fascinating wildlife. Home to some of our natural wonders, such as the Great Barrier Reef, expansive landscapes with distinct characteristics, including rainforests, deserts, and savannahs, life in Australia can easily feel like an adventure. It is the perfect place for exploration and for those who value an outdoorsy type of experience.

Nevertheless, Australia is anything but limited in the kind of life it can offer its residents, with its thriving cities that are mostly dotted around the Eastern coast offering the hustle and modernity that can compete with other capitals of the world.

While the wilderness and distance that defines a lot of Australia can seem intimidating, it is one of the countries that is known for its high quality of life, with cities such as Sydney and Melbourne achieving consistent top ranks in global surveys.

Key factors that speak for Australia as a top option for relocation are its thriving economy with plenty of professional opportunities, especially in its urban areas, paired with top healthcare and education.

Australia has continuously experienced a population boom, driven largely by other individuals who have sought it out as the destination of their relocation, making for a very diverse and welcoming multicultural community that will let you fit right in.

Ranking as one of the countries with the cleanest air, globally, New Zealand is easily set apart from other options on this list by its unique environment and foundations that can offer a happy and healthy living, while additionally scoring points as sitting third on the global peace index.
While seemingly comparable to Australia, based on location, New Zealand can sometimes be regarded as the younger regional sibling, but there are notable differences between the two regions.

Due to its more southern latitude, New Zealand generally offers a much more diverse and often wetter climate than Australia, making it a good choice for individuals who don’t like the hot and dry climate of Australia but still want relative cultural similarities or perhaps even the proximity to Australia.

With its more mountainous terrain, New Zealand offers a more diverse terrain and a more maritime climate than stretches of Australia, offering an exciting region to explore, despite its more limited size.

Lifestyle-wise, New Zealand generally achieves even higher rankings than Australia, especially when considering the average work-life balance, which tends to be more leisurely. Nevertheless, there are plenty of professional opportunities that mean life in New Zealand won’t come at the expense of your general option for growth and professional development.

Beyond career trajectory, New Zealand boasts an excellent track record for its education system, both at foundational and continued levels. New Zealand continues to uphold competitive and innovative educational strategies while prioritising support and inclusivity.

Finally, New Zealand offers free or reasonably inexpensive healthcare to its residents, based on a publicly funded system and government subsidies that are supported via taxation.

As a longstanding mention of desirable places to move to, the United States of America retain a significant draw when it comes to English-speaking countries to move to. A global hub in almost all aspects, the US offers opportunities and experiences in most desirable aspects, from innovation and career opportunities, to lifestyle, entertainment and general experience of a region that offers as much in unique landscape as it does in culture.

Notably, as the country with the largest population of English speakers (both native and as a secondary language), the US also offers a significant draw in terms of location and diversity of the experience you might have when choosing to move there.

From the East to the West Coast regions to the midwestern and southern regions, there is no lack of range when it comes to what the US has to offer. Due to its size, you can find a lot of choice in terms of climate and environment that you might prefer, as well as a choice between the bustle of big cities or the peace of truly remote locations to call your home.

Depending on where you end up, you might notice regional differences in dialect as well as other language representations, particularly Spanish, which is the most prominent secondary language. But overall, English remains clearly accessible in all regions.

Nevertheless, it cannot be ignored that recent trajectories in the US have made it a somewhat less certain candidate when considering immigration locations. This is not to say that it is no longer a viable and desirable option, but you should be sure to inform yourself before starting your immigration process.

While overall immigration procedures remain in place and you can still qualify over the most accessible channels, it has been a time of recalibration for the States, which means that some long-established procedures might be slowed down or less straightforward than they have been.

If you want to explore your immigration options for the US, our specialists at London Immigration Lawyers can help you understand the available pathways. You can call us today at 0204 502 8582 to get support.

Outside of countries where English is considered an official language, the Netherlands consistently rank as a top choice for English speakers, leading on the global EF EPI scale.

Life in the Netherlands generally offers a lot of positives, thanks to the country’s generally well-maintained infrastructure, such as housing and public transportation accessibility. On top of that, its strong economy means that the job market is reasonably stable, offering plenty of opportunities for professional growth while nonetheless maintaining a healthy focus on a good work-life balance.

While the Netherlands might feel restrictive due to its relatively small size, there is nevertheless a lot to be found, from beautiful scenery in nature to modern urban areas. It is a very safe place to live and explore, and generally reports high overall satisfaction for residents.

One of the more unique lifestyle factors in the Netherlands is its famous cycling culture, which is heavily considered in infrastructure and day-to-day life. While not a necessity, this offers opportunities for a more novel experience while supporting community and a healthy lifestyle.

Moving further up north, Norway follows the Netherlands on the global EPI scale, making it another good choice for English speakers wanting a change of scenery.

With one of the highest global GDPs per capita, life in Norway is generally considered to be of very high quality, factoring in the quality of housing and education that is available, as well as its low crime rate, welcoming culture, and access to excellent universal healthcare.

While Norway’s geographical location can suggest it to be one of the more challenging climates, it actually offers a reasonably mild maritime climate compared to other regions on a similar latitude. On average, the winters in Norway are reasonably warm, while the summers remain fairly cool.

Singapore leads as a desirable country for relocation due to its overall quality of infrastructure and thriving job market, which, paired with its stunning scenery, offers the cornerstones to a great quality of life.

With its strong economy and low crime rate, moving to Singapore can be a great opportunity to establish a satisfying and secure life with a great trajectory, both for professional opportunities and general experience.

While the healthcare system is not as free as it might be in other regions, many companies will offer healthcare coverage as part of their employment plan, and there is a range of other subsidies and support available for residents.

Outside of that, the cost of living, while high for housing and transportation, remains reasonably accessible for everyday expenses, allowing for an overall balance.

Similarly to Norway, life in Sweden is generally considered to offer a very high satisfaction rate, offering brilliant work-life balance, safety and well-maintained infrastructure as its cornerstones.

The Swedish mentality towards life and its many aspects can generally be summed up as a healthy one, placing great value on the local relationship to nature and its magnificent scenery, while offering a reasonably balanced approach to work, where, while overall productivity has been found to be quite high, the idea of working overtime and extreme hours is not generally that common.

Residents in Sweden benefit from generous holiday availability as well as publicly funded and decentralised healthcare, which further supports a good quality of life.

Furthermore, Sweden has a strong focus on shaping a positive future for new generations, placing emphasis on top-quality and free and accessible education for residents, making this an especially good option for families or those who wish to start one.