12 Countries Where Black Women Can Live, and Thrive
Sis, moving abroad should feel like a celebration, not like you’re auditioning for a reboot of Taken. You deserve more than just “surviving.” You deserve ease. Peace. And the ability to walk home at night without gripping your keys like you’re Wolverine on edge.
Let’s break this down: safety is not a luxury, it’s a non-negotiable. You’re not “too cautious,” you’re just paying attention. And no, being a “strong Black woman” doesn’t mean you should have to side-eye your landlord, brace yourself for street harassment, or pray the cops actually take you seriously if something goes down.
1. Iceland 🇮🇸
Global Peace Index Rank: #1
Violent Crime? Basically none.
Street Harassment? If it happens, it’s on the evening news.
Why Black Women Love It:
Gender equality is actually real
It’s so safe, folks leave laptops and babies unattended (really!)
You can just… exist. In peace.
Real Talk: The weather? Disrespectful. But the safety? Unmatched. You’ll feel protected, not policed.
2. Japan 🇯🇵
Peace Index Rank: #9
Crime: Very low
Street Harassment: Exists (especially on trains), but there are women-only cars for a reason
Why Black Women Love It:
Respect is built into the culture
Clean, safe cities even late at night
Public transportation that works (like, really works)
Real Talk: You will get stared at, and sometimes it’s exhausting. But people mostly mind their business—and that’s a vibe.
3. Portugal 🇵🇹
Peace Index Rank: #7
Violent Crime: Low
Harassment: Mellow compared to the U.S.—especially in smaller cities
Why Black Women Love It:
Super chill vibes
Lots of solo travelers and expats
Great public healthcare and train rides through postcard-level scenery
Real Talk: Lisbon is getting bougie and pricey. But smaller cities like Coimbra or Aveiro? Chef’s kiss.
4. New Zealand 🇳🇿
Peace Index Rank: #2
Violent Crime: Low
Street Harassment: Rare and not socially accepted
Why Black Women Love It:
Feminist culture feels real
Everyone is weirdly nice, and it’s not fake
Nature therapy on tap (beaches, mountains, forests—you name it)
Real Talk: You’ll feel like you pressed “reset” on your nervous system. One week here and your anxiety will start packing.
5. Canada 🇨🇦
Peace Index Rank: #11
Crime: Low
Harassment: Lower than the U.S., but not invisible
Why Black Women Love It:
Immigration pathways that aren’t a hot mess
Black communities, especially in Toronto and Montreal
Universal healthcare isn’t a myth
Real Talk: Yes, it’s cold. But also? So is being followed at night in L.A. So. Yeah.
6. Costa Rica 🇨🇷
Peace Index Rank: #39
Violent Crime: Petty theft is more common than danger
Harassment: It’s there, but manageable
Why Black Women Love It:
Pura vida is a lifestyle, not a hashtag
Tons of nature, slow living, and beach towns that feel like healing
Growing Black expat scene
Real Talk: San José can be chaotic. Coastal towns? Peaceful and perfect with a side of palm trees.
7. Slovenia 🇸🇮
Peace Index Rank: #8
Crime: Super low
Harassment: Uncommon
Why Black Women Love It:
Safe, quiet, and affordable (hello, budget babes)
Well-kept secret for digital nomads
You can walk alone and no one’s checking for you unless you drop your wallet
Real Talk: Like Switzerland’s chill little sister who won’t drain your bank account.
8. Uruguay 🇺🇾
Peace Index Rank: #50
Crime: Mild compared to other Latin American spots
Harassment: It’s here, but low-key
Why Black Women Love It:
Feminist laws and rights that are enforced
Chill coastal cities like Montevideo and Punta del Este
Education, healthcare, and vibes
Real Talk: A little underrated, a lot lovely. And way less machismo than nearby countries.
9. Rwanda 🇷🇼
Peace Index Rank: #72
Crime: Low
Harassment: Rare
Why Black Women Love It:
Kigali is clean, organized, and refreshingly calm
Women hold serious power (like, 60% of parliament type power)
You won’t feel “othered” here, you’ll feel at home
Real Talk: This is Africa’s quiet powerhouse. And Black women thrive here, especially solo.
10. Finland 🇫🇮
Peace Index Rank: #13
Crime: Very low
Harassment: Barely a thing
Why Black Women Love It:
Equality and public systems that work
You’re left alone to live your life
Nature and peace on tap
Real Talk: Seasonal depression is real. So are vitamin D pills. Stock up and enjoy the chill.
11. Singapore 🇸🇬
Peace Index Rank: #6
Crime: Practically nonexistent
Harassment: Taken seriously, legal consequences actually exist
Why Black Women Love It:
You can walk alone at 3am. Period.
Rules, structure, and a soft landing for new expats
English-speaking, with a global vibe
Real Talk: It’s giving "baddie energy" and your edges will stay laid in that humidity, if you plan ahead.
12. Australia 🇦🇺
Peace Index Rank: #22
Crime: Low
Harassment: Exists, but rarely crosses into danger
Why Black Women Love It:
Great healthcare, open immigration, and laid-back life
Beaches for days, brunches for weeks
You can breathe here
Real Talk: Still has bros. But also has balance, and more Black women are thriving here than you think.
Final Takeaways for the Smart, Soft, and Unbothered
🌱 Safety isn’t extra. It’s essential.
🌎 Don’t just read crime rates—learn the culture.
💬 Talk to real women who’ve lived there. Not just influencers.
💬 Your peace is worth the passport stamp.
What’s Your Story?
Have you lived in one of these countries? Planning your soft life escape soon? Drop your thoughts, stories, or questions below. Your experience could be the thing that saves another woman from choosing stress over safety.
Because this journey? We’re not just surviving it. We’re reclaiming it—with joy, wisdom, and one-way tickets.
