Ever wondered where American workers dream of working if given a chance to relocate to Europe? Inspired by the upcoming release of the new "Emily in Paris" Netflix series, Kickresume surveyed 1,081 US workers to find out their dream European cities to work in, and the reasons behind their choices.
The results reveal fascinating insights into the aspirations and concerns of Americans considering a career move to Europe.
Here's a quick snapshot of the findings:
- London tops the list, with 17% of respondents eyeing the UK capital for work. It's followed by Rome (12%) and Barcelona (11%).
- Bucket lists are a major draw. 30% of respondents would choose to work in a city they've always wanted to visit.
- Culture and cuisine are also significant factors, drawing 27% of workers.
- Interestingly, job opportunities as a reason to work abroad are only at the 4th place, chosen by just 10% of respondents.
- 53% of respondents would stay for more than a year or even move permanently.
- The language barrier stands out as the top concern, worrying 35% of potential movers.
- If they could bring one thing from America, 33% would bring their pets.
London as the top dream city for American workers
A significant number of Americans have their hearts set on working in some of Europe’s most iconic cities.
Our survey shows a riveting trend: London's allure is difficult to resist. When we asked, "If you could work in your dream European city, which one would you choose?” a striking 17% of respondents chose London as their dream city, making it the top choice.
This indicates a strong preference for the UK capital, likely due to its global work opportunities, vibrant culture, and lack of a language barrier.
Close behind are Rome (12%) and Barcelona (11%), making them the top three dream destinations for American workers.
Paris, often romanticized in movies and TV shows like "Emily in Paris," is a popular choice as well, with 9% of respondents wanting to work there. It's interesting to see cities like Dublin (8%), Madrid (7%), and Copenhagen (6%) making the list too, showing that many Americans are drawn to a variety of cultural and lifestyle experiences.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the top 5 dream cities:
- London, UK: 17%
- Rome, Italy: 12%
- Barcelona, Spain: 11%
- Paris, France: 9%
- Dublin, Ireland: 8%
On the flip side, some cities are less popular among respondents. Sofia, Bulgaria, and Warsaw, Poland, were chosen by only a handful of people.
Why these cities? Bucket list dreams, culture, and cuisine top the list
When asked why they chose their dream city for work, the responses highlighted a curiosity and admiration for European destinations rather than work-related reasons.
The number one reason? Nearly 30% of respondents have always wanted to visit but never had the chance. This indicates that dreams and bucket lists play a significant role in their choice.
Here’s what mostly drives American workers to these cities:
- Always wanted to visit: 30% have long dreamed of exploring these cities but never got the opportunity.
- Fascination with culture and cuisine: Close behind, 27% are drawn by the culture and cuisine these cities offer. Whether it’s savoring a croissant in Paris or dining on tapas in Barcelona, the allure of new culinary experiences is strong.
- Past vacations: 15% of respondents have vacationed in these cities before, fell in love, and would go back for an extended stay and working.
- Job opportunities: Surprisingly, job opportunities are only the fourth most popular reason, with 10% of respondents highlighting this as a factor. While professional prospects are important, it appears that personal and cultural experiences hold more weight in the decision-making process.
- Personal recommendations: 6% chose their cities based on personal recommendations from friends and family.
- Media influence: Around 3% of respondents were influenced by TV shows or films set in these cities.
Special mentions include architecture, work-life balance, crime rate, or multiple respondents wanting to connect with their heritage.
These insights reveal that American workers are driven by a mix of lifelong dreams, cultural fascination, and past pleasant experiences when choosing their dream European city. While career opportunities are important, the chance to immerse themselves in a different culture seems to be the primary motivation.
How long would they stay? Many are in it for the long haul
Relocation dreams come with varying commitments, and our survey reveals that many American workers are serious about making a substantial move.
An impressive 53% of respondents are willing to stay for more than one year or even move permanently. Here’s how the duration preferences break down for long-term stayers:
- 19% are prepared to stay for over one year.
- 17% would stay two years or more.
- 17% would move permanently.
On the other hand, 34% prefer short-term stays:
- 14% would stay 12 months or less
- 12% would go only for less than 3 months
- 8% prefers less than 6 months
However, 13% remain undecided, indicating that the duration might depend on various personal or professional factors, or how they'd actually like living and working there.
Biggest concerns: Language barriers and missing loved ones
When considering living and working in a European city, American workers have a variety of concerns that weigh on their minds.
A significant 35% of respondents cited the language barrier as their biggest worry. Adjusting to a new language can be daunting and potentially isolating, making it the top concern for those dreaming of a European relocation. This might also explain why London, with no language barrier for English speakers, tops the list of dream cities.
Close behind language challenges, missing friends and family is a significant concern for 25% of respondents. The emotional sacrifices that come with moving abroad — like maintaining close relationships from a distance — are understandably hard to overlook.
Housing emerged as the third primary concern, with 18% of participants worried about finding suitable accommodation in their new European city. Whether it's the cost, availability, or the process of house hunting in a foreign country, this issue presents another layer of complexity to moving abroad.
Other notable worries include cultural differences (8%) and missing pets (5%). Interestingly enough, 1% of respondents are apprehensive about the local cuisine.
What Americans would bring from home: Pets lead the pack
When it comes to relocating to Europe, many American workers want a piece of home to take with them.
Pets top the list, with 33% of participants saying they would bring their beloved animals with them. No wonder — pets provide companionship and a semblance of home.
Access to American TV shows and streaming services, such as Netflix and Hulu, ranks second, with 22% of respondents listing it as their top comfort item. Entertainment from home can offer significant comfort and familiarity in an entirely new place.
One in ten respondents would also bring their car along, highlighting the convenience and freedom that comes with having personal transportation. Similarly, the longing to celebrate American holidays like Thanksgiving and the 4th of July is shared by 10% of those surveyed, emphasizing the emotional and cultural ties to American traditions.
Here are some other top comfort items respondents wish to bring:
- Favorite American snack/food: 10%
- Favorite fast food: 4%
- A piece of American sports culture (e.g., jersey, baseball glove): 3%
- American-styled coffee: 2%
- Other: 7%
Interestingly, some special mentions included items that are actually available in Europe, such as air conditioning (AC), or Apple devices. This highlights a blend of genuine needs and perhaps a few misconceptions about European life.
Demographics: Who are these dreamers?
- Age: The largest group (32%) was between 44-59 years (Gen X), followed by those between 35-43 years (Millennials) at 30%. The third largest group (18%) was between 28-34 years, also falling within the Millennial generation.
- Gender: The survey was almost evenly split, with 50% female, 49% male respondents, and 1% identifying as other.
- Location: Respondents were from various states across the US, with the highest numbers coming from California (16%), Texas (11%), New York (8%), and Florida (7%).
Note
This anonymous online survey was conducted by Kickresume in July 2024, polling 1,081 US workers across various age groups and states to gauge their preferences and concerns regarding working in European cities.
About Kickresume
Kickresume is an AI based career tool that helps candidates source jobs and raise salary with powerful resume and cover letter tools, skills analytics, and automated job search assistance. It already helped more than 5 million job seekers worldwide.
