If you could move abroad, would you?

[Brigid]

I have often thought lately that if a good opportunity came along, I would leave without regret. We can't seem to get anything done anymore in this country, we still don't have universal health care, our educational system is nothing but a political football, privacy is a quaint concept, our infrastructure is crumbling, there are guns everywhere, our politicians are for the most part clowns, we spend far too much money on the military, and Larry the Cable Guy is what passes for entertainment. Obama reminds me of one of those few capable emperors in the waning decades of the Roman Empire who tried to halt the decline of the empire but in the end couldn't do it. Why is it I watch "House Hunters International" and fantasize?

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. Actually, my dear Brigid, I would not. Why?

My husband and I are too old, we no longer work, and most countries don't want people like us.

Our families are here, our children and grandchildren.

We built our home, and we don't want to live anywhere else.

Those are our reasons.


I do hear ya, though. Some days, I wish we could...

[TeamPooka]

3. I've thought about Australia

I've loved when visiting
but their cannabis laws are worse than ours.

[SunSeeker]

91. But they have drive-thru beer stores!

Which I imagine is another reason they love their universal health coverage!

[dimbear]

4. Some parts of the good old USA make leaving a lot more attractive than others.

This part of Northern California is as close to heaven as I'm going to get.

[Auggie]

153. Yes ... I live in NorCal Wine Country and love it

[freshwest]

5. Same reasons for me. If it was just me... I'd live in Wales.

[darkangel218]

37. Me too

Have you ever visited? I lived there for a while, in Wrexham. It's amazing

But in the end, its not HOME..

[kiva]

175. Love it there.

Spent a few days last summer in Tenby - first time I'd been there, and it was gorgeous. We went out to Caldey Island for the afternoon:

[IMG][/IMG]

[HillWilliam]

136. Only to see the sights and take in history, dear Peggy

There's SO much to take in!

When I was little, I was stuck in Appalachia, dreaming of a big, wide world out there that I'd heard existed beyond the poverty and limitations that existed around me. When I left high school, though my grades were excellent my only way out was to join the military. I got to see a good bit of America and to go to Europe.

Let me tell you, the first time I set foot in a church I knew had existed for 1,000 years, this poor hick was so awestruck I could hardly lift the other foot to enter the nave. The frescoes were being lovingly restored; the stones were worn down with a millennium of reverent prayer. The thought of a thousand years of gratitude, pleas, and praise floored me.

Appreciating the architecture, learning new languages, tasting new foods, ... all of these things were wonderful to me and have made for warm memories to give me joy in my older years.

Would I do it again? Dangbetcha. There are things my DH has never seen that I'd give anything to share with him.

[raccoon]

184. Pretty much ditto here. nt

[dixiegrrrrl]

198. I hear ya. I would move if I were younger and had less ties, more energy.

or much much more money that I have....

[TexasProgresive]

2. If we had the wearwithall we would move to west county cork.

[truebluegreen]

56. +100

[AnOhioan]

6. In a heartbeat

[CitizenLeft]

7. If I could buy a little country house, just outside of London...

I would.

But that's it.

[MrSlayer]

8. If I had money I'd still live here.

Because this is a great place to live, if you have money. It sucks if you don't.

Being that I do not have money I would like to live in Norway.

[KittyWampus]

13. Norway is incredibly expensive. Gorgeous, but very, very expensive.

[MrSlayer]

18. But if I'm going to be poor somewhere....

I'd like to be poor there. They have great social programs.

[bettyellen]

35. but it's expensive just to eat and drink. CRAZY expensive.

[darkangel218]

39. And its always super cold.

I think.

[iandhr]

85. At the end of my semester aboard I was in Oslo for two days.

Nearly went broke.

[iandhr]

86. Beautiful though

[seabeyond]

9. no. i like this country. i am comfortable here. i would not move out. even with an

opportunity. unless it was a short time and i would be back.

[Warpy]

10. I can't afford the places I'd really love to live

and my health is deteriorating rapidly enough it's just a dream, now, although if I had to skedaddle one step ahead of the cops, I could conceivably do it.

[SammyWinstonJack]

109. Just wanted to say, Warpy, I have always thought that you are so cool.

[Warpy]

121. Thank you, too

[sendero]

208. Let's make it.....

.... three and I'm sure there are more

[Warpy]

114. Thank you

but I'm only a garden variety internet crank.

[SammyWinstonJack]

118. heh.

Even more cool!

[Scuba]

11. Tempting for the reasons you cite, but I'm too damned stubborn. I'll stay here and fight.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

12. I lived abroad as a dependent...it was excellent for our kids and ourselves

[RoccoR5955]

14. I haven't been abroad

Because I am afraid I wouldn't come back! It's been this way for quite a long time... Can you say "ray gun?"

[all american girl]

68. I lived in Denmark for 3 yrs and Germany for 3 yrs

I never came back in those six years. I loved it. In Denmark the kids went to an international school....it was wonderful. In fact, my son went back to Denmark last summer for a couple of weeks...I was so jealous I loved the laid back attitude....when it's nice out, everyone is outside. Outdoor cafes....stores closed on Sundays-family time....walking to shops....oh, what a wonderful time....OK done going down memory lane

[emmadoggy]

105. I have relatives in Denmark.

My grandmother was able to track down some long lost relatives 25 or 30 years ago and got in touch with them. She ended up going over to Denmark back then, and several of them came over to visit us. One girl was about my age and she came to stay with me for a week at college. We had a blast together. My grandma had stayed in contact with them all these years, but I hadn't. However, through the "magic" of Facebook I found them and we have reconnected. Her Mom and Dad came back to the US last summer for a nice long visit.
Just really great, friendly people.

I would love to go there. I doubt it will ever happen, but I would love it.

BTW, by ancestry I am 1/2 Danish and 1/2 German, so your mention of living in both Denmark and Germany caught my attention, LOL.

[lexx21]

15. My SO and myself would move to France in a heart beat.....

Culture, food, and NATIONAL HEALTHCARE.

This doesn't mean that I love my country any less, however the ass hats in congress are intent on screwing us left and right. Big business is running the country, not elected officials.

[NoPasaran]

16. I live in the greatest country in the world

I'm not going anywhere.

[crazyjoe]

60. +1

[Logical]

70. Lol, good one!

[Ron Obvious]

111. I don't think there is a greatest country in the world...

I've lived in enough places that I'm always missing something I had elsewhere. The US is a great place with uncrowded supermarkets, spectacular wilderness, and traffic lights on the other side of the intersection where they belong, but when it comes to Healthcare, road, train, power and internet infrastructure, social safety nets, and social solidarity... well....

On balance, I'll stay in the US, though.

[Walk away]

17. MENDOZA, ARGENTINA! I could be packed and ready to go in 24 hours...

If I didn't have to work for a living.

[mitchtv]

176. I love Mendoza

the restaurants open a bit late for me, but it is a real pleasant city. I love the way they care for their street trees.

[NMDemDist2]

19. ahhh if Canada were warmer......

[diane in sf]

48. A few more years and it might be...

[NMDemDist2]

76. not in my lifetime

i'm old.

[NoOneMan]

78. Depends on where you live

If you stick to the BC gulf islands or east side of Vancouver Island (to avoid coastal winds), its warmer than a lot of places in the US. It rarely gets below freezing in these parts, and about a mile inland can get as high as 90F during summer days (though 85 is normal high range in this area).

[Rainforestgoddess]

90. I can affirm this

As I live on Vancouver Island (Victoria - the southern tip of the island) Right now, we are getting rain, and Vancouver is getting snow.

[Maynar]

102. 8 PM

You must mean the ski hills or similar. I'm in Surrey Central and all we're getting is rain.

And tons of it.

[Rainforestgoddess]

125. Hmm - I was misinformed

My son told me it was snowing in Vancouver.

Maybe he meant Nanaimo?

At any rate - the weather here is damp (to say the least) but not frozen.

[customerserviceguy]

81. I've thought about Canada

I was born there, and if I could dig up an original birth certificate from Quebec (I'm an infant adoptee, and the church and the state are closer there than in either Israel or Utah) then I might be able to claim Canadian citizenship. However, it would probably cost me thousands of dollars to break through the veil of secrecy.

[riderinthestorm]

20. I'm an Irish citizen and have contemplated it for a long time

Still have a (wild) 16 yr old to get through high school though.

After she's off to college? All bets are off.

My doctor finally said the dreaded words to me on my last asthma check up - that I should considering moving. That this place is slowly killing me.

So yes. Honestly, in a couple of years I'm going to be seriously evaluating our options.

[whathehell]

158. You mention you have asthma and your doctor suggested you consider moving

Is that because you live in a cold area of the states now?...I'm wondering because, I spent a

winter in Dublin and I was DAMNED cold...The temps weren't that high,

but the dampness and the relative scarcity of central heating I found,

made it seem much colder and I grew accustomed to

wearing three or four layers of warm clothing at night when I went to bed.

That was in the early nineteen eighties, of course, so maybe things have changed.

[riderinthestorm]

161. I'm in farm country and this past fall during harvest, I ended up in the hospital with the dust

and fumes in the air. I literally could not breathe.

I have no idea where I'd end up. With an EU passport it doesn't necessarily have to be Ireland actually (the south of France, Spain or Italy sounds pretty terrific! heh ). I'm in the middle of getting ESL certification as a fall back if my pulmonologist can't figure this out. In a couple of years, if its not under better control, I'd like to have some options in place....

I was seriously scared this past fall and really, really don't want to go through that again.

[Marr]

170. Do you have bad allergies as well?

Ever spend time in a tropical location? I have asthma and bad allergies, and was shocked the first time I went to South America. I expected to have a very rough time, but actually found that my allergies and asthma completely disappeared.

They hit me pretty hard when I came back home, but I was just great in the jungle.

Talked to my allergy doctor about it when I came back, and as soon as I told him I'd just come back from South America he said, 'I'll bet your symptoms went away, huh?". Anyway, to make a long story short, he said allergy symptoms are the result of an overactive immune system that doesn't have enough to fight. Put someone with allergies in an environment where their immune system has something to keep it busy, and their symptoms often disappear.

[riderinthestorm]

186. Yup. Exactly. Terrible allergies. And yes, he recommended a tropical climate or coastal.

I told him he has to get me through 2 more years here then I can figure out some places to try. I'm already planning on NOT being here during harvest season next year. My husband is the sticking point - he loves this farm and doesn't care to leave. We've talked about buying property in FL where he could compete 6 months out of the year but really, he could compete anywhere so there's that. Besides if the horse/farm environment is the kicker for me then continuing doing this won't help. My adventurous streak really desires a radical change - like Thailand!

Qh well I dunno, its going to be tricky regardless. Neither of us are young enough to retire - hell, I don't WANT to retire.

[whathehell]

197. So It's job related.

If you don't go back to Europe, you might consider that

we do have quite a range of climates here as well.

Best of luck to you, whatever you decide.

[tularetom]

21. I'll be 72 this year and the prospect of moving anywhere is depressing

We've talked about it and we could probably afford it. We have a fair amount of assets even though a lot of them aren't exactly liquid (we're land rich and cash poor). Just the thought of deciding what to keep, what to toss/sell/give away is enough to dissuade us from considering leaving here.

But I'll tell you this - if I were 20 years younger and knew what I know now about the future The door would not hit my ass on the way out.

[Sissyk]

22. No.

With all its faults, I think this is the greatest country on earth. Wouldn't want to live anywhere else. However, I understand people that do and wish they had the means to go to their hearts destination.

[tjwash]

23. I did for several years when I was younger, and it was one the best things I have ever done.

I highly suggest that everyone live outside their country, and, consequently, outside of their comfort zone at least one stretch of their lives. Just for the differing perspective that one gets when immersed in a different culture.

[babylonsister]

24. I would, but not for your reasons.

I'd do it to explore the world and all it has to offer.

And I have faith in our country despite how ditso-batso is seems at the moment; makes for major entertainment if you don't take it too seriously.
We will prevail in the end, as a country. Got to get rid of the crazies though.

[handmade34]

25. heavens, no

??? there is too much work to do here... I could not abandon my responsibility

[dionysus]

26. i'd consider it, doesn't mean i would though. plenty of nice places here.

[marmar]

27. Oh yeah......And any one of these cities will be fine:

[Downwinder]

28. No, I guess this is where I'm supposed to be.

If I were supposed to be somewhere else then I would be there.

[graham4anything]

29. I would move to France, Switzerland, Austria, England in a second.Santa Monica or Rt.1 in US

would not move to a red state no matter what

[jody]

30. Brigid NO WAY WOULD I LEAVE THE US. We are the oldest govt., Iceland is debatable, and a grand

experiment to see if a population composed of all the world's peoples and cultures can find a way to live together.

If we fail, then there is no hope for peace on earth and we are doomed to destroy all humanity.

As bad as things seem, I believe we will succeed because the alternative is unthinkable.

[Spider Jerusalem]

40. No? That would be Britain.

Which had a civil war over the whole issue of Parliamentary supremacy and constitutional government over a century before the American war of independence.

And the USA was never intended as "a grand experiment to see if all the world's people's and cultures could find a way to live together"; it was more about a bunch of rich, white colonial Englishmen not wanting to pay taxes.

And it's really kind of stupendously and insanely arrogant to say "if America fails then there's no hope for humanity."

[Art_from_Ark]

148. The American Revolution may have been started for largely economic reasons

but the Constitution, particularly the Bill of Rights, that the Founding Fathers gave us as a result was far better than nearly anything else that existed in those days. And the worst parts of that Constitution have been improved over the years.

[corkhead]

84. +1

[NoOneMan]

88. I don't think America's success is relevant to humanity to that degree whatsoever

Its not the only fish in the pond (though it thinks it is). It was born under very specific circumstances, at a very specific juncture; its government may of even been pragmatically perfect for the time being (as Ancient Greece as for their time), but that time may have come and past. Very possibly, there is no single "best" government and political system, but its entirely dependent upon the circumstances of the day.

If we fail, then there is no hope for peace on earth and we are doomed to destroy all humanity.

Maybe there is also the alternative view that no government can perpetually succeed, but that doesn't mean humans cannot succeed without government. Homo Sapiens walked the earth for 100,000 years with great success (proof is our existence) without formal governments. Other tool-making hominids were around for half a million years.

The chaos, wars, famine, malnutrition, disease, subjugation didn't really get started until after we all started trying to form complex societies. Maybe that is in itself the problem, and the failure of governments on a global scale is a prerequisite to forming an alternative solution and pathway toward harmony.

[Marr]

173. I don't understand why people think the US is unique in that way.

The whole world is an experiment like that. There are plenty of people of African descent in Mexico. There are Jewish communities in Peru. There are vast graveyards full of 1800's Chinese immigrants in Costa Rica. The US isn't any more mixed than any other place I've seen in, in the western world at least, and it's certainly not the most egalitarian or welcoming.

[Puglover]

212. Generally it's people that have never stepped foot outside

of it's borders.

USA! USA!

[billbailey19448jj]

31. Nah, I'm staying in this country

I really like living here, despite its issues. Besides, I can't afford to move anyway.

[southernyankeebelle]

32. If I had a choice to move it would be to Italy or Germany. Love both countries and have

lived in both before. I have relatives that live there and I know I could get use to it. Love the life style and the food. Germany is a nice place to live. Especially during the winter during christmas. There is no better place to be than Germany during the christmas time. Love going in the community and shop. People are pretty nice and I like the food. Especially the Veal. But after 5 yrs I'd want to come home. Really there is no place like home. Except it would be in Maryland. That is where my heart is and my immediate family.

[Cha]

33. I love this country.. especially since Pres Obama and VPBiden have

been in Office. I enjoy supporting and helping anyway I can with their efforts.

My family is all over this land.. from California, Oregon, New York, Florida, Colorado, Arizona, Hawai'i, and North Carolina! And, Friends in Massachusetts, New Jersey, Washington, New Mexico, Colorado, New York, California, and Hawai'i.

My daughter is married to an Australian, though, and they live with their adorable kids in Portland, Ore.

[RebelOne]

34. Yes, I would if I could afford it.

I love the British Isles, England, Scotland and Ireland. I would go there if I could. I have visited there twice and would love to relocate there.

[Bigmack]

36. We tried Canada... turns out we're too old and not rich enough. nt

[riderinthestorm]

58. Can you grow veggies? Farmers are bumped to the top of Canada's list.

If you can demonstrate that you are a small farmer, you will be bumped to the top of the immigration list.

My husband and I actually thought about Canada a while back, investigated property there. He's from upstate NY and has spent a LOT of time there. Canada actually supports their small farmers and our application was readily accepted. In the end, he decided to continue on here in the US. Our clientele is just really great and leaving them would have been extraordinarily hard personally.

He's invested in staying here in Northern Illinois til the end now. I'm not so sure for me. My asthma has escalated dramatically lately and I'm thinking once my daughter leaves for college, I'll take off for different climes. At least for a while to see if it helps.

I have an EU passport though. That makes a difference.

[subterranean]

38. I did it before. I'd do it again, except

that I'm older now and have a family, house and material possessions that make it harder to leave long-term. Right now I'm just not motivated enough to do that. Other countries have their own sets of problems, too.

[arthritisR_US]

41. Depends if she wants to be moved.

[Liberalboy]

42. Already did six years ago after Bush won reelection

...and I love Canada

[jody]

45. I haven't missed you at all! nt

[spooky3]

43. Medicare and many US health ins policies aren't portable.

That is a huge factor even for people who have enough $ otherwise to consider it.

If this aspect of Medicare could be changed it would probably save taxpayers $ in the long run.

[WinkyDink]

182. You'd get health care in Europe.

[spooky3]

188. yes, but you would have to pay for it. The point of Medicare portability is that

Last edited Wed Jan 9, 2013, 03:56 PM - Edit history (1)

you have paid into it all your life in order to have it pay most of your post age 65 health expenses. You lose all of that credit if you retire overseas. There are also restrictions in some countries on retirement-aged people's emigrating or that may exclude them from the health care coverage. For example, in Australia, you can get care, but you have to pay for it by having a health care insurance policy that is comparable to their Medicare system for their citizens. You also have to have huge financial assets, to qualify for a visa and avoid being a burden on Aus.:

http://www.retiring-overseas.com/australia-retirement-visa.html

Take a look at the retirement websites where this issue is discussed for a better articulation of the problem--for example: http://www.aaro.org/medicare

I know a couple who live in different countries because of this.

[darkangel218]

44. How much do they charge to transport a car over the ocean?

Anyone know?

[DFW]

123. I did that in 1979

Cost about $600 Boston to Bremerhaven, Germany. Probably just a bit more these days.

Then the horrors started. I tried to register it (a Datsun) with the German authorities. Talk about "the Party of NO!" German bureaucracy was invented by a sociopathic Sadist. I don't recommend it. Sell your car in the States. Then move. Then, buy local.

[Thegonagle]

143. Equipment and safety standards are different enough

between the US and Europe that it's not done for a piece of everyday transportation--in either direction, really. Classics and exotics might be worth the trouble (they may even require modifications), but your average Jetta or Camry definitely isn't.

[diane in sf]

46. I fantasize about it, but SF is not really in America in many ways, and I'd miss my friends

[MNBrewer]

47. Sure

This isn't the only "greatest" country on Earth.

[craigmatic]

49. I've thought of going to the UK but there's no privacy there either plus the class thing is still

going on.

[raccoon]

185. You think the class thing there is worse than the class thing here? nt

[craigmatic]

199. It depends on what you mean by worse. There the rich are treated with deference and title.

Here it's just deference there are no titles and class consciousness really doesn't exist. Everybody is middle class in America whether you make $6000 a year or 60 million a year.

[raccoon]

206. Yeah, most of these people think of themselves as middle-class.

"Everybody is middle class in America whether you make $6000 a year or 60 million a year."

In the UK, they aren't in such denial.


True, there are no titles; but what's in a title? Mention certain names--Rockefeller, Kennedy, etc., does it really matter if there's
not the word "Earl" or something similar in front of the name?

[Puha Ekapi]

50. No...

...I could never, ever, consider it. The bones of a thousand generations of my ancestors are in this land. This is my land and where I belong.

[graywarrior]

51. I am a broad

A classy one.

And yeah, I'd move to Australia.

[SilveryMoon]

52. Definitely

No chance of it happening, but if I could, I would.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

53. Don't move to Greece

they had their time too

lived in the UK - loved the NHS but it's much the same as here - can't get anything done

[truebluegreen]

54. Yep.

In fact, already did.

[NoOneMan]

55. Already left

Its been an awesome idea. Totally puts things into a completely new perspective free of the boxed in paradigms of the US. Frankly, after some time and no longer identifying myself according to American constructs, I would feel far less offended to live there again if it wasn't for climate change.

[crazyjoe]

61. so you left due to climate change? where did you go, mars?

[NoOneMan]

77. No, I left for a ton of reasons

Mostly political and cultural, but it was also nice to have an adventure and change the scenery. Primarily, I have a family to raise and want the best environment (re gun violence, crazy politicians, creeping fascism, low crime, etc).

But as far as climate change is concerned, food production doesn't look like its going to go so well in a couple of decades. Id rather put down roots in an area that is going to be more ag-friendly. Its not something I really put a lot of thought in before leaving, but that was a while ago and things are looking pretty dire (or I am just cluing in more). Basically, in under 4 decades the US will have a tough time supporting staple crops. Importing food will be expensive and threaten food security

[crazyjoe]

162. so where do you live now? if it doesn't have all those things you mentioned, sounds like a

nice place to be

[NoOneMan]

164. bc gulf islands

Yeah, real pleasant in general. Good place to get away from it all.

[Bigmack]

211. Our favorite boating destination. nt

[LiberalEsque01]

62. Good grief

I also moved to France this last year to get away from the right in the USA. Why the HELL would any liberal stay there?

[mmonk]

57. Yes.

[NCTraveler]

59. no. nt

[forestpath]

63. Yes, I've always wanted to live in England.

[moondust]

64. Yes.

No question.

[cherokeeprogressive]

65. Nnnnnnnope.

[crazyjoe]

66. where is this paradise country you fantasize about?

There is a reason that people flock to this country, some would say you don't appreciate the fact that you get to live here.
Not me though, I think anyone who wants to leave for greener pastures...should.

[Quantess]

195. People "flock to" a lot of countries, not just the USA.

It isn't everyone's first choice anymore. That is just one more aspect of America that is not exceptional.

[liberal N proud]

67. Considered a job is Austrailia

Or if I could find something in Switzerland, that would be fun.

My old boss never said why he left though.

[Logical]

69. Yes to England! Wonder if they need programmers?

[napoleon_in_rags]

138. So may of us would love that.

Maybe we can team up, catch a boat over the channel and get under-the-counter jobs picking fruit, or being their maids or something.

[Logical]

146. Not a bad idea!!

[rightsideout]

71. Yes, for the change in scenery

I travel to the UK often to visit my wife's relatives and have considered moving there.

[Butterbean]

72. Faster than you can say "when do I pack?"

Not because I hate the US, I don't. I just want to go. My husband won't have it, though. If it was up to me, we would have been gone years ago.

[donco]

73. NAH

I'll stick around and be a pain to my dittohead relatives.

[alarimer]

74. I don't understand anyone who says this is the greatest country on earth.

We lack universal health care for one thing.

If you are sick, old, poor or just unable to work, you are screwed. That immediately eliminates this from the list of "greatest countries."

Yes, I would move in a heartbeat for the right job, give up my citizenship and never look back.

[area51]

200. +1

Anyone who can emigrate to a 1st world country should do so, if for no other reason, getting universal health care.

Each day 273 people die due to lack of health care in the U.S. That's 100,000 preventable deaths per year.

We don't need the GingrichCare of mandated, unregulated, for-profit insurance that is still too expensive, only pays parts of medical bills, denies claims, bankrupts and kills people.

Republican '93 plan: "Subtitle F: Universal Coverage - Requires each citizen or lawful permanent resident to be covered under a qualified health plan or equivalent health care program by January 1, 2005."

We need single-payer health care, not a welfare bailout for for-profit, serial-killer insurance agencies.

"Employer-based health insurance has always been a bad idea. Your life should not depend on who you work for." -- T. McKeon

[font face="times"]"Any proposal that sticks with our current dependence on for-profit private insurers ... will not be sustainable. And the new law will not get us to universal coverage ...." -- T.R. Reid, The Healing of America[/font]

"Despite the present hyperbole by its supporters, this latest effort will end up as just another failed reform effort littering the landscape of the last century." --John Geyman, M.D., Hijacked! The Road to Single Payer in the Aftermath of Stolen Health Care Reform

"Mandates lock in everything that is broken about our current health care system." -- Richard Gingery, M.D. [br][br]

[glinda]

75. Yes.

[sadbear]

79. As a global citizen, I find the concept of nation-state outdated.

So yes, of course, I would move abroad if I could.

[Piazza Riforma]

80. From time to time I think about applying for the program that allows decendants of a Hungarian

to claim Hungarian citizenship. Still have to learn the language though.

[Blue_In_AK]

82. I doubt it.

I love Alaska, and our family economics here are pretty perfect. I'm too old to start over somewhere else anyway.

Ask my husband how I respond when he suggests moving anywhere other than here.

[CranialRectaLoopback]

83. I had my chance, but I muffed it :(

Switzerland sounds real nice right about now.

[SunDrop23]

87. Yes. And immediately.(nfm)

[Tuesday Afternoon]

89. no. I wouldn't mind visiting other lands for long periods of time but, my home is here.

I built it and I like it. It is a good thing.

[love_katz]

92. My pick would be for somewhere in southwest British Columbia, Canada.

Some of the towns there can only be reached by boat or ferry. Sounds like paradise to me.

[Historic NY]

94. Its have to be someplace 18th century..

but only for 1/2 yr at a time. But since this country has such places some too expensive I'll stay here for now.

[SunSeeker]

95. Sure, I'd move to Hawaii.

[Kurovski]

96. Since you ask, I would move Ann Coulter to the next galaxy.

[ErikJ]

97. Getting ready for exploratory trip around world.

I'm investigating / considering Latin America, Europe, South Africa, and SE Asia. Hope to be moved in 4 years.

[Esse Quam Videri]

98. Anyone know anything about New Zealand?

Was looking at it the other day. Appears they have a big renewable energy sector and the country looks beautiful.

[kentauros]

189. I've been there and the country is beautiful.

Immigrating isn't easy, but I'm sure you could find work there and manage it. Here's their site for immigration:

http://www.immigration.govt.nz/

Their population is somewhere around 4.7 million, a number at least half a million less than where I live (Houston.) I've also read that their population is shrinking, possibly due to people moving to Australia. You see plenty of homes where the owners are likely affluent, and country is a big wine producer.

And then there's the fact that all of the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit movies were filmed there

[Esse Quam Videri]

207. The Lord of the Rings movies is actually what got

me interested. Looks somewhat like Colorado but greener - which is nice!

[Bjornsdotter]

99. Yes

...I'd pack pretty darn quick, my family is overseas.

[gateley]

100. I would if I had the money to come "home" as often as I wanted.

This country has gone off the rails. We have no health care, we don't have a say in the foods we eat, we can't choose for ourselves on a myriad of different options. There are much "kinder and gentler" places to live.

That's me right there beside you on the sofa watching HHI.

[mostlyalurker]

101. I would in a heartbeat.

But, I have lived abroad for large portions of my life already and don't have any illusions that other countries don't have some significant drawbacks. And remember that there is a huge difference between being an expat and actually immigrating. Ex-pats get to ignore the problems of their country of residence unless them affect them directly. Being a citizen means you have to pay more attention.

[Politicalboi]

103. Ask us in

2016. LOL!

[MrYikes]

104. For the past couple of years

I've been thinking about Uruguay. Inland, not Montevideo.

[bluestate10]

106. No. nt

[SammyWinstonJack]

107. In a New York minute! Actually we have sold our house and we are buying

an RV we are moving to the Oregon coast and we are thinking of going to BC Vancouver Canada as tourists and extending as much as we can.

[ErikJ]

117. Giant tsunami due on Oregon coast.

That's one of the biggest reasons I'm moving from the PNW. We're over-due a giant 9.5 earthquake here off the PNW coast. It aint gonna be pretty.

[sheshe2]

108. Sigh...

However, no. I am a New Englander, born and raised.

I had grandparent's that hailed from Canada, Switzerland and the US.

Family and friends that I adore live here. I would be to empty without them.

There is change that is happening in our Country right now. There is a growing awareness, of what is right, what needs to be changed, to make that happen.

I want to stay,to do what I can. I owe that to the little ones in my family. To everyone really.
I will stay to fight the fight.

[BlueJazz]

110. I've been threatening to move to Australia..being a dual citizen but my friends..

...are here and I keep hoping things will get better.
I DO think if a Repug is elected in 2016 with a repug congress, it will be enough to change my mind.

[lpbk2713]

113. Many years ago I lived in Spain for three years and loved it.

It's probably not so good now in the new global economy but I'd like to return even if just for a visit.

[ReRe]

115. Yes..

..if I could I would, to any of the British Isles, from whence my ancestors started some 400 years ago. But I can't, because they didn't leave me any cashola. Snap!

[GoneOffShore]

116. Absolutely - in a New York minute.

Unfortunately, unless I win the Powerball or Apple stock goes up to $2000/share, it's not going to happen.

I'd be in the south of France with an apartment in Paris in 2 weeks.

[sakabatou]

119. I like where I live.

[RedCappedBandit]

120. Yes.

[marybourg]

122. I was seriously considering moving to Mexico or Panama

if Obama did not win in '08. But now that he did, and I'm 5 years older, and I love living in Arizona, I probably would not ever leave, no matter what happens next, except I sometimes get an ornery thought about ending my days in Israel.

[DFW]

124. I pretty much did

A few decades ago, a beautiful German woman assked if I would come live with her on the east bank of the Rhein.

I asked the outfit that had recruited me in 1975 for an overseas posting. I got it, and now we live in an old medieval town with a castle and a moat next door and an open-air market three times a week that has been there for the last 800 years or so.

It also has crappy weather, high taxes, a cumbersome and uncaring bureaucracy.

It's all a trade-off. Nothing's for free. It's a serious move, and should not be undertaken as if it were a trip to the movies or a summer camp. Speak the language fluently, prepare financially, and never burn your bridges home. Ever.

[napoleon_in_rags]

140. "never burn your bridges home. Ever."

Sounds like wise words. I knew a guy who married a woman in Germany and had kids, but his divorce resulted in his deportation back to US, with no ability to see his kids. International law can be really cruel.

[Art_from_Ark]

151. I've been on the opposite side of the planet from you for many years,

and heartily that agree that ex-pats should "never burn their bridges home".

[Drunken Irishman]

126. No. Maybe move to Ireland. But I like it here...

I love America. I love the beauty. I love the cities. I love the culture. I even love the sports.

[condoleeza]

127. In a heartbeat, but I have kids and grandkids, n/t

[reminder2]

128. I teach overseas

and I don't ever want to come back. I love it. Every time I go home, I get depressed at how high prices are and how difficult it is now to live in the US. I'm even thinking about retiring overseas.

[davidpdx]

137. Which country are you in?

I'm in Korea

[napoleon_in_rags]

141. Yeah, where are you? nt

[Qanisqineq]

129. Absolutely

I live overseas right now (Korea for 7 years) because my husband has a government job on a military base. We're coming back to the US to do our 2 years and then hopefully Europe. We can then do 5 years there but if it were up to me, I'd disappear and never return. I just feel at home in Europe and never have in the US, even as a kid.

[davidpdx]

139. I've been in Korea for 9 years

The winters seem to be getting colder don't they? I'm thinking you must be down near Pyeongtaek or Osan. You were probably around for that huge typhoon in Sept 2010. I was over on Humphrey's after that happened with a friend who is retired military and saw all the trees torn up.

[Qanisqineq]

147. further south

in Daegu. We don't suffer as much from typhoons.

This winter is the most snow I've seen in Daegu, more than the last 7 years combined!

[davidpdx]

150. Ah I see

I lived in Daegu my first year. It was hotter than hell there, sometimes the temperature was over 40 C plus humidity. Thank god for air conditioning. Wal-Mart closed about the same time you came here as that was about the only major foreign store I knew of at the time. I lived about a 15 minute bus ride from one. I was way out in Gyeongsan which is a college area, but not too far out from that was countryside. It took me about 40 minute by bus to get to downtown Daegu (this is before the new subway line was built). There was a bar not too far from Wal-Mart where foreigners would hang out on Saturday night. One night we had a couple of American soldiers come in and had beers with us I think they were dodging their curfew.

[mrsadm]

130. Costa Rica!

If only I could !

[Oakenshield]

131. If I could? I can and I will!

Admittedly, I'm probably very much younger than most here on DU. I was born in 1991. In my lifetime the golden years of the USA were Clinton's two terms as President. As I've grown up I've only seen this country get worse for the most part. I was too young to vote for Barrack Obama when he was running for his first term, but I made sure to vote for him when I again was presented with an opportunity. He may not be as left of center as I might like, but he isn't a blatant plutocrat like Mitt Romney. Moreover he's done some real good like reforming healthcare. Despite his victories however I have little faith in the future of this country. How can I when we're willing to cut social programs instead of really addressing the bloated military budget!? When the crooked pigs on Wall Street still haven't been brought to task for their reckless behavior?!

Some might be satisfied with the small steps towards progress we've made during President Obama's first, and now his second term. Indeed these people may have more realistic expectations of their government. I however am not willing to settle for this snail-paced crawl towards a just and sensible society. So I'll be working towards emigrating over the next five or six years. My destination will likely be Iceland, as it's not only the home of my ancestors but their citizenry are intelligent and stubborn enough to hold their wealthy and powerful elite responsible. They've truly done an admirable job of handling this economic crisis.

[Separation]

132. I've thought about it, quite abit lately as a matter of fact.

Not so much because I think the country is going in the crapper. Ill be the first to say I still get goosebumps when I hear the star spangled banner play. I think it has more to do with stretching that dollar. I've been reading several articles lately that have the top 10-20 places to retire outside of the country. It's pretty cool to read about place where you can live very comfy on a 1500-2000 dollar a month.

But, when it comes down to it. My dream retirement it 10-20 acres up in Tn in the mountains. Not a prepper, just always loved the mountains. And unless I can totally trump my dream its Tn for me

[Raine]

133. No, I think I'm too American to ever be comfortable somewhere else plus I'm a Californian

and I love my blue blue state.

[Demo_Chris]

134. Yes.

[HiPointDem]

135. IMO, the rest of the world is quickly turning into the US. I prefer to fight in the belly of the

beast.

[davidpdx]

142. I have lived overseas in South Korea for 9 years

I came here initially to teach for a year and ended up coming back for a second year. During my second year I met my wife and we got married at the beginning of my third year. Coming over was not really planned it just happened and neither was staying here. I am a permanent resident and still have my US passport. The Korean Government has changed the rules so you can now become a citizen and keep your US citizenship, but I don't plan on doing that.

Even though I am overseas I remain active in US politics.

[MrScorpio]

144. I'd move to The Netherlands in a heartbeat nt

[Ganja Ninja]

145. I dream of it.

Spain, Uruguay, Ecuador, Chile and Portugal are all on my list of places of interest.

[bubbayugga]

149. Nope. America is still the best place to live IMO.

[Atman]

152. Samui, Thailand

My sister went to visit about 11 years ago, and never came back. I felt the same way when I visited. I loved it. I could literally leave tomorrow...she texted me the other night that she has a house for rent and a job if I wanted them. Very tempting, but we have a 10 month old granddaughter I couldn't imagine being apart from.

[deutsey]

154. I have a friend (American citizen) who lives in Chiang Mai in Thailand

and loves it there. Seems to be a very laid back and affordable place. Whenever I hear of political unrest in Bangkok and email him to see if he's ok, he says that's all happening way down south and hardly registers with anyone where he is.

I want to pay him a visit there sometime...if I like it, I'd consider moving there. That's not very likely to happen, though.

[SummerSnow]

155. I would if I could ..some small village in Canada maybe.

[CrispyQ]

157. If I were in my 20s I'd be looking to leave.

Alas, it's too late for me unless I win the lotto.

[Flashmann]

159. If you could move abroad, would you?

Oh hell yes......Virgin Islands....Brittish,NOT U.S......Bahamas.....Any Scandinavian Country.....Ireland......France....

[lapislzi]

160. I can, but I can't...

I'm a dual national American/South African. American by birth. I still have ties to South Africa, but I haven't lived there for nearly 20 years. Although legally I could go back, jobs are hard to come by, and it's difficult to lead a comfortable life in Cape Town, which is the only place I'd consider living. If I had enough in retirement savings (I don't; far from), I would consider retiring there.

[Arugula Latte]

163. Oh yes.

In a heartbeat.

[Voltaire]

165. Yes

Perhaps if/when this place could grow up, I would consider returning.

[Marr]

166. I'm in the process of leaving.

I have the emigration issues just about settled and am in the process of buying a home in my chosen location.

I'm 40 now, and should be ready to take my last plane ride out at 45 or so. I want to be out of this country well before health care costs start to dominate my budget.

A fifty-year-old friend of mine pays $800/mo to have health insurance he can't use. He says he'll go to the doctor when his problems reach a crisis state and not before, because he can't afford to do anything else. There's something very wrong with a country that builds a system like that.

[randome]

167. Every country has its problems.

The only reason I see for taking my chances elsewhere is climate change. If the drought continues, I can see the Midwest becoming unsustainable in less than a decade. If people start migrating, it might make for greater problems elsewhere so maybe outside the country would be best.

Anyone have suggestions on the safest place to be once climate change hits us full force?

[NeedleCast]

168. Possibly, But Not For The Same Reasons As You

Having lived abroad in a few other countries, I find that practically all of them sucked more than living here. It's a "Grass is always greener" scenario.

I'd consider living in Australia or New Zealand if I found a good job opportunity there but I wouldn't move to another country simply as a reason to leave the US.

[randome]

171. Australia is burning up due to climate change.

[NeedleCast]

172. I'm From Texas

The heat wont bother me...

Not really pertinent to the OP's question of would I leave the country and why. Climate change is just as likely to have a drastic effect in Baltimore this year as it's having on Australia. Can't really "get away" from it so it wouldn't be a factor in where I'd chose to go if I were to consider leaving the US.

[davesliberal1977_gg]

169. I'd move if I had the money

As of late, however, I'm broke, so I'm basically stuck here, in a country that still doesn't have universal healthcare. Shame really.

[ceile]

174. I would.

Infact, I stayed in a relationship longer than I should have in the early 2000s hoping he'd want to move back to his homeland- 4 years of my life I'll never get back.
I am 6 months pregnant and I'm scared of raising a child in this country. Fortunately, I live in a pocket of TX with excellent schools and a liberal environment, but how long will that last? Perry's destruction may take decades to fix.
I've actually looked into emigrating to Canada and England, but I do not have the qualifications. Mainly, I don't have a masters or PhD. Maybe in the future...

[mitchtv]

177. Uruguay for me

things are happening there

[mike_c]

178. absolutely, hoping to retire in central or south america....

It's not disdain for the U.S. though, so much as the desire to see more of the world and to live simply within our means. We're still planning, haven't even begun to narrow down possible destinations yet.

[WilmywoodNCparalegal]

179. I did, though not by choice

since I was a minor. From a cosmopolitan left-wing cultural city in northern Italy to middle-of-nowhere stereotypical rural little town in central North Carolina.

I have also lived in NYC, which I consider like a separate country from rural NC, and Las Vegas, which I consider a separate entity - sort of like the Vatican within Italy, except that Vegas feels more like an adult Disneyland.

My husband and I are planning to retire in Italy. He is eligible for Italian citizenship and an EU passport in a year.

[MattSh]

180. Been away over 7.5 years now,

Currently in the former "Evil Empire." Kiev, Ukraine.

I don't recommend this unless you think you can handle severe culture shock. But that's both a good and bad thing.

I've only been back once, 2006.

[WinkyDink]

181. If i could live well in Alsace or the Cotswolds, why not?!

[closeupready]

183. Sure - France or Germany, maybe Spain.

[rustydog]

187. It depends, does she have a lot of heavy furniture?

Bada bing! I'll be here all week ladies and germs! Try the veal and don't forget to tip your waitress.

[RussBLib]

190. Hell yeah!

If I were wealthy, I'd take off to the Caribbean or the South Pacific in a heartbeat. But since I likely cannot find the same level of remuneration in another country for what I do (much less any other state but Texas right now!) I'm stuck. Gotta make the most of it.

[Puglover]

191. I am moving abroad.

Otavalo Ecuador. Out home will be completed in the middle of February. We are going down to pick out furniture and lay out the garden.

I like the climate, I like Correa, I love the people but mostly I want a new adventure.

Here's my house with the view from the back.

[riqster]

192. Not to run AWAY from here: but I'd move TO Wales

Closest thing to heaven that you will find on Earth IMNSHO.

[barbtries]

193. yes,

as long as i had the means to bring my children and grandchildren with me or visit them regularly.

[treestar]

194. No.

Not unless I could take the entire extended family with me. Along with several friends.

[pecwae]

196. I'm happy here.

I wouldn't mind living in Germany or Austria, though.

[AldoLeopold]

201. Yes, this country is turning into a shithole

Only a country as stupid as America would ignore the lesson of Sandy Hook. I'm utterly disgusted by Americans and America.

Fuck Amurica.

[PDJane]

202. Yep. In the blink of an eye!

[In_The_Wind]

205. No

I've traveled north, south, east, and west.
America is truly beautiful.

[Blue_Tires]

209. Been planning it since the Bush years

just haven't been able to make it happen, since life keeps getting in the way, lol

[a la izquierda]

210. Without another thought.

I can get Irish and Italian passports, so one of these days I probably will move.