I moved my family to Japan on an ancestry visa. The paperwork was daunting, but our healthcare is better and cheaper.

• Veronica Hanson and her family moved to Japan on an ancestry visa in 2022.
• Her healthcare costs less in Japan, and the bike-friendly streets save her money on transportation.
• Some expenses, like groceries, are comparable to the US, but are of higher quality, Hanson said.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Veronica Hanson, 37, about her experience moving from the US to Japan with her family of four. Hanson's grandparents are Japanese, so she and her family can apply for long-term residency through what's colloquially known as an ancestry visa. The following has been edited for length and clarity.