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Key Takeaways
- Weather shapes daily life abroad more than many expats expect, affecting costs, routines, and how much time you spend outside.
- Portugal and Mexico are obvious draws for weather-focused expats, but they’re not the only places offering year-round comfort.
- No country has perfect weather everywhere, but each place on this list has well-known expat hubs with mild conditions most of the year.
For many expats, the appeal of living abroad isn’t just about lower costs or better healthcare—it’s about finding a place where daily life feels comfortable. Weather plays a bigger role than many people expect, shaping everything from how often you go outside to how much you rely on heating or air conditioning.
To build this list, we started with countries that consistently appear across international quality-of-life and livability rankings, based on factors such as healthcare access, safety, and overall living standards. From there, we narrowed the list using long-term climate data to focus on places with mild temperatures and no prolonged seasons of extreme heat, cold, or humidity.
Why This Matters
There are many factors to weigh when moving abroad, from the cost of living to healthcare and visas. But if day-to-day comfort and sunshine are important to you, choosing a place with reliably mild weather can have a real impact on how happy you feel living there.
Countries Expats Love for Their Mild, Year-Round Weather
Whether you’re moving abroad for work, embracing the digital nomad life, or retiring overseas, where you live can shape your day-to-day comfort more than you expect.
Portugal
Portugal consistently ranks as a top destination for expats, thanks to its quality of life, accessible healthcare, and strong infrastructure, along with a culture that still prioritizes outdoor, everyday living.
Climate records for southern and coastal Portugal show relatively narrow temperature swings, where winters are gentle and summers are warm without frequent extremes. Atlantic breezes help keep heat and humidity in check for much of the year.
France
France draws expats with its healthcare system, public services, and overall quality of life, shaped by a culture that treats daily routines—meals, walks, time outside—as essential rather than optional.
Western and southern regions of the country benefit from ocean influence that moderates temperatures, keeping summers from becoming oppressive and winters from turning severe. Long-term weather patterns point to clear seasons that generally stay within a comfortable range.
Colombia
Colombia has become increasingly popular with expats for its affordable cost of living, improving healthcare access, and well-developed cities, many of them set in the lush coffee regions of the Andes.
Many cities that attract expats sit at higher elevations, where temperatures tend to stay remarkably consistent throughout the year. Climate data show little variation from month to month, creating what’s often described in relocation guides as an “eternal spring.”
Uruguay
Uruguay appeals to expats seeking stability, safety, and a slower, more predictable pace of life, where walkable neighborhoods and unhurried daily routines are common.
Its ocean-moderated climate brings warm but rarely extreme summers and cool winters that typically avoid harsh cold. Long-term weather averages show relatively even conditions across the year, without dramatic seasonal swings.
Ecuador
Ecuador frequently appears in expat rankings for its affordability, straightforward residency options, and access to private healthcare, alongside a culture built around local markets and close-knit neighborhoods.
In the inland regions where expats most often settle, higher elevations help keep temperatures mild and consistent year-round. Historical climate data show minimal seasonal variation compared with coastal or lowland areas.
Spain
Spain remains one of Europe’s most popular destinations for expats, supported by a strong healthcare system and a social culture that keeps daily life centered around time outdoors.
While summer heat can be intense in parts of the country, many expat-favorite regions—particularly along the Mediterranean coast and in the north—maintain relatively mild conditions. Climate data show warm, dry summers and generally comfortable winters in these areas, without prolonged cold.
Mexico
Mexico draws expats with its affordability, proximity to the U.S., and well-established expat communities, as well as a strong tradition of neighborhood life and everyday social connection.
Many expats choose inland cities at higher elevations, where you can avoid the heat and humidity common in coastal and lowland regions. Long-term climate averages in these areas show modest temperature swings across the year.
Costa Rica
Costa Rica is widely known among expats for its political stability, accessible healthcare options, and welcoming policies for digital nomads and residency.
Climate comfort varies by region, but many expats gravitate toward the Central Valley, where higher elevation moderates temperatures throughout the year. Even with a defined rainy season, average temperatures in these areas tend to stay within a comfortable range.

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