Some EU countries require being in country for 5 years with up to 10 months being out of that country the entire time. MANY Americans have done it. There are expats from all different countries living in countries other than their own. Don't pretend to be an expert with biased questions. It's not just Americans who can and will. In Germany, it's a easier if you have a child with a German citizen and the child is German (or dual-citizen). France is very similar. Some smaller countries are setting limits on certain nationalities in favor of others, or when they have to hold off on granting citizenship, e.g. Belgium. Switzerland is notoriously difficult but not impossible.

One of the requirements for Belgium is to speak one of the 3 national languages (Dutch, or Flanders, French, or German). Another way to continue living in Belgium is to establish some sort of credit where you owe a bank money, e.g. buying a house or car. They won't just kick you out if you owe a bank money. Do that and you're well on your way.