Would you leave the U.S. if given the opportunity?

[ProSense]

Let's say someone offered you one-way airfare to anywhere (your choice) and enough to survive for a couple of months until you got settled, would you leave?

35 votes, 1 pass | Time left: Unlimited
	Yes
	21 (60%)
	No
	14 (40%)
	Not sure
	0 (0%)
	1 DU member did not wish to select any of the options provided.
Show usernames Disclaimer: This is an Internet poll

[hrmjustin]

1. No.

[hlthe2b]

2. A lot of factors would enter in and the offer alone would not be sufficient...

But, surely I would consider it.

[polichick]

3. I'd want citizenship.

[Loudly]

4. Panama during Nov-Apr. n/t

[stevenleser]

16. Just got back from 9 days there. Love it. nt

[JustAnotherGen]

33. Interesting

What area(s)? My dad took beautiful pictures there when he "visited" during his time in the military of the country side and black sand beaches. That's a place we will go in the next year or two.

[stevenleser]

38. Stuck around Panama City. My mother is from there and we go back often. I've seen a lot of changes

over the years.

[Bennyboy]

26. I almost bought a boat there.....

Right before my Dad died..... Thinking I could go there after, but my Mom wasn't in shape enough for me to do that. Might think bout it later though,,, been looking....

[NuclearDem]

5. No, because I couldn't live with myself running away while millions suffer here.

[dembotoz]

6. never say never

[HappyMe]

7. No.

My family is here.

[Coyotl]

8. Lived in Latin America before, several countries.

[HipChick]

9. I have citizenship in 2 other countries

no big deal for me...no question,if we ever had a Palin Presidency...

[dlwickham]

32. do you need a cute but gay husband if you do go?

[HipChick]

35. Lol! you would have the choice of Europe or the Caribbean

but I am already earmarking the Caribbean

[dlwickham]

48. I'm flexible

either one would work for me

[Scootaloo]

10. I've got so many Finnish friends that I think it would be worth the risk

Nothing against the US or anything, just... you know... Finland.

Oppiminen suomen kieli on vaikea osa, mutta.

[Puglover]

11. Already did.

I live in northern Ecuador. Otavalo. I have never once regretted the decision. Full disclaimer however. I am an airline retiree so I fly pretty much for free and whenever I wish. Assuming there is an open seat. A lot of expats down here do get homesick, for grandkids etc.

[ProSense]

13. Interesting.

"I live in northern Ecuador. Otavalo. I have never once regretted the decision. Full disclaimer however. I am an airline retiree so I fly pretty much for free and whenever I wish. Assuming there is an open seat. A lot of expats down here do get homesick, for grandkids etc."

The choices for someone for someone who still has to work versus someone retired are definitely different. Still, the question is open enough to apply to anyone: Assume "you" includes your immediate family and "settled" means putting yourself on a path to living there long term (for example, becoming a citizen).

[Puglover]

23. After being here full time for 3 years you are eligible

for citizenship. Which I plan on doing. And you can hold both US and Ecuadorian.

Yes we are retired but we do have a lot of folks that move here that are not and do work. Either long distance via computer or start businesses. And we also have families with kids.

We didn't leave for any one reason, more a mix.

Weather (gardening 365 a year) lower cost of living, lovely culture down here and just to shake things up a bit and hopefully become semi fluent with Spanish. And although we lived in BLUE BLUE BLUE Minneapolis the political schism was nice to see in my rear view mirror as well.

[canoeist52]

12. Yes...Vermont is looking way more progressive!

Although I don't know if they'd let the likes 'o me over the border.

[UtahLib]

14. +1 nt

[RC]

15. It would take more than a bribe of a couple of months pay.

But Canada looks pretty good. And they are choosy about who they let in for residency.

[Rex]

17. ...

[Spider Jerusalem]

18. I did

I've been in the UK for five years, now. I however had a British fiancee (now my wife); emigration is not actually that easy. You can't just pick up and go; you have to have family/marriage connections, or a job waiting (and to qualify under skilled worker programmes, if you don't have a skill or profession, forget it); a place at a university, or independent assets valued above a certain amount. You have to obtain a visa in advance of travel; you can't, normally, switch visa categories when in-country (if you arrive and are issued a visitor/tourist visa, you'll have to return to your country of origin to apply in another visa category). Moving to another country is not easy or straightforward.

[JustAnotherGen]

29. ^this^

Even married to a business owner (financial stability proof), veteran and citizen there are hoops to gaining citizenship in Italy.

[Art_from_Ark]

65. That's a little like Japan

However, a foreigner in Japan can switch visas under certain circumstances without leaving the country, and there are immigration offices scattered around the country to handle such matters.

[shenmue]

19. I can't decide between England, Ireland or Canada

That and lack of money is keeping me here. But if I hit a magic lottery, boom, I'd be out of here tomorrow.

[Rstrstx]

20. Does Puerto Rico count as the US?

If so then no.

[chieftain]

21. No, I am too dug in, but

were my son to decide to emigrate I would understand and be supportive.

[jmowreader]

22. No, but try this on...

If you were given the opportunity to have one teabagger and his whole family (two generations up and two generations down) deported to a different country at government expense, would you?

And if you were allowed to deport a second teabagger family at your own expense, would you do that too?

[JoePhilly]

24. NO. If I move to another country ... America might attack it.

And then I'd be screwed.

So I'm staying.

[Blue_In_AK]

25. No, I already live in another country...

...Alaska. At least all the shippers seem to think this is another country. They always say "free shipping within the continental United States," as if Alaska isn't on the continent.

(Sorry...pet peeve.)

[Throd]

27. I like living in the USA.

[JustAnotherGen]

28. That's tough

I'm on a fast track for Italian Citizenship but my husband is an Italian citizen who owns properties and has interests in businesses there. In ten years we will definitely be spending a portion ofthe year there - but we both love Southern France and last year - we fell in love with Costa Rica. We are seriously considering a place down there. I love the laid back vibe, kind people, fresh food, mountains, beach - should I continue? A one way ticket to CR even in the middle of the rainy season in a few months sounds really appealing after the winter I've had.

One the one hand I would miss wings and Alba Vineyards Mainsail white - on the other hand Calabria has the mud baths - on my left foot there are hot springs in Arenal and on my right foot there's something about St. Tropez.

Could I visit other places? Egypt, Thailand, and Fiji are on our five year travel plan list!

[dlwickham]

31. maybe to Canada

if I can find a nice Canadian guy to marry me

but I really can't think of any other country that I'd really want to go except maybe Ireland or the UK

[Douglas Carpenter]

34. nothing to do with politics - but I just find life outside the U.S. mainland more interesting & fun

I find most of what is often considered "mainstream" middle class America exemplified by the predominantly white suburb to be downright freaky. Although I am sure the vast majority of those people mean well.

I have spent roughly half my life outside of the fifty states - including in Europe, The Middle East and for the past three years on U.S. sovereign territory - but way outside the fifty states. I do find this more comfortable - all politics aside.

[TBF]

36. I chose yes but would

have preferred "it depends". There would have to be citizenship and a job waiting.

Airfare and enough to survive for a couple months is not enough - I could do that now. There would have to be more to the offer than that.

[PowerToThePeople]

37. This is my answer too

It would be really bad to be trapped in other country penny-less, without citizenship, and without a job.

Just thinking about it makes me appreciate what undocumented persons in this country deal with daily.

[hack89]

39. No - I have a good life in a great town.

Last edited Sun Feb 23, 2014, 12:01 AM - Edit history (1)

no reason to move.

[Rex]

59. +1

nt.

[B Calm]

40. Sure, but I would take some money out of the bank for a return airfare.

I have always wanted to go back to Corfu. . .

[riderinthestorm]

41. I've got dual Irish and American citizenship so Ireland would be my first choice

I have lived in Sydney Australia and LOVED living there but climate change has me deeply worried about settling there.

I love looking at the ocean. It really "sings" to my soul so anywhere I settle will have to be near a beach.

If I ever win the lottery, I'd love to buy this place! Glor na Mara

http://www.jentz.info/matthias/

[Comrade Grumpy]

42. Does Northern California count? It sure feels like a different country. And I like it.

[greytdemocrat]

43. Stupid ass poll.

IMHO.

[ProSense]

44. It's always interesting to know what's going on inside other people's head

so thanks for sharing.

[Rex]

60. ...

Just the other day, the OP was calling for Obama to be impeached.

[ProSense]

63. Do you understand what you read?

Serious question.

[hobbit709]

45. If I could afford it, I'd go back to Vienna in a nanosecond.

[GoCubsGo]

46. I would rather have the opportunity to move to a different state.

Preferably WA, OR, NM, or northern CA. Maybe CO, HI, VT or MN. Or, back to Chicago, if the situation was right. Otherwise, I'd rather be in Canada.

[Earth_First]

47. No. I'm here come hell or high water...

...and I'm going to need all the help I can get.

Having good Democrats, Progressives and activists flee on account of the social and political climate leaves those of us who are willing to stay and fight much more difficult, and hazardous.

I haven't nor plan on giving up...

[a la izquierda]

49. Yes.

Actively planning. I just got back from Montreal. I loved it. I am a Latin Americanist and have lived in Mexico.

[Brigid]

50. I would do it.

This is no longer a civilized country. It's awash in guns. Our public schools are nothing but political footballs. We still don't have single-payer health care and probably never will. Our so-called lawmakers can't get anything done without making a soap opera out of it, and often not even then. School kids get their lunches thrown away in front of everyone because they can't pay. Workers have no rights. Cops abuse and even kill citizens without consequences. Corporations wreck our environment and our economy and get away with it. Stick a fork in this country; it's done.

[DinahMoeHum]

51. If I want to leave the US for a long time. . .

. . .it would only be for going sailing in the Mediterranean and visiting the countries around it in depth.

Same thing for cruising the Caribbean.

Probably for 1-2 years. Not sure I'd want to give up my citizenship, though.

[CFLDem]

52. It isn't until you get to the other side

that you realize the grass is green because of all the bullshit.

America's far from perfect, but our best days are still ahead of us. All the naysayers can leave, cause they're just in our way.

[Niceguy1]

53. no

For the most part the grass is not greener on the other side...

[eilen]

54. Germany. I have family there.

I haven't met them in person though. I need to learn the language as well. My mother was born there and came here in 1950. She was told she could not return as a German citizen in the 70s -- perhaps because she was from the wrong part of Germany. I live near Canada and would love to go there. In fact my husband and I have talked about it as an option as he is an electrician and often works nuclear shutdowns. I imagine it would be at least 65% as complicated as Canadian citizens trying to get citizenship here (expensive, tedious and time consuming). One faction of the family resettled in Canada at the time of the Revolutionary War.

I'm sure there are some extended family members in England and Ireland as well.

[joelz]

55. Left in '71

can't imagine going back,the lies pouring out of us. news sources are hard to believe. Up here taxes pay for all citizens health care works great nobody goes bankrupt.Cuba a safe friendly place to visit been there 4x many europeans seem to agree. Most on this site are aware of this but how does the average guy ever come to realize the endless fairy-tales the media put out?

[ProSense]

64. Canada? n/t

[IDemo]

56. Nowhere else on the planet would have me, to my knowledge

Over 55, not a professional or independently wealthy, chronic health condition, no relatives elsewhere. Those are all basically deal killers for anywhere that I've looked.

Or yes, I'd be gone.

[JI7]

57. only if i could come back

[brooklynite]

58. Interesting--nobody said they wanted to move to the People's paradise of Venezuela...

[FreeJoe]

62. Not many people...

want to live in a brutal dictatorship, even if it is a left wing dictatorship.

As for me, I'd like to stay and make this country better. No place is perfect.

[wocaonimabi]

61. Yes and I would have no desire to come back ever either

[pipoman]

66. ....

[ProSense]

68. I'm sure in your mind, posting that image made sense. n/t

[dipsydoodle]

67. I'm not there to leave.

[MrScorpio]

69. I'd move to Holland in a heartbeat.

Canada second

[madokie]

70. After spending 15 months in country Vietnam

one of my brothers spent the whole of ww2 and grandfather the civil war hell no. Not just hell no but HELL NO.
I have a vested interest in this country and plan to do all I can to ensure it remains as close to the American Dream as I'm able too. I've got a Grand Daughter and a ton of Nieces and Nephews to fight for.
That's why I come to DU so I can stay abreast of whats happening that's important, to stay informed if you will.

[leeroysphitz]

71. Why do I have to leave? Why can't the stupid people leave? n/t