Well its a pretty straight forward question. I want to see the world but I dont think I could ever actually leave.
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Well its a pretty straight forward question. I want to see the world but I dont think I could ever actually leave.
If the country tanks.
Not permanently.
CR
My dream job would be to play rugby. However, because the US lacks a serious rugby team (or minor professional teams), I'd eagerly move to either South Africa, Wales, or Scotland.
So, yeah, I'd probably emigrate if there is 'a better job opportunity'. Unfortunately for my dream, I'll probably end up teaching middle school history classes.
But Scotland lacks a serious rugby team as well. ~:confused:Quote:
Originally Posted by Marshal Murat
I said "no" because I just can't see leaving "home". However, if I did, I'd probably follow in my father's footsteps and go Canadian. :canada: I know - there's a huge leap! :laugh4:
America
1. National Rugby team that often results in players taking menial jobs so they can stay fiscal.
2. Semi-professional rugby clubs that have players that actually have other jobs
3. College teams, with little exposure or support by the college as a whole
Scotland
1. A national rugby team made up of professional rugby players, who don't (to my knowledge) take menial jobs.
2. Professional rugby clubs that compete, professionally. Not semi-professional, not as a hobby, but an actual sport.
3. Bonnie lassies of Scotland
Scotland might not be the best team in the 6 Nations, but the teams are better than American teams.
I was just teasing our Scottish friends, warming them up for the next installment of the Six Nations.
This was a bit mean of me. Entirely undeserved. :shame:
I mean, Scotland may lack a decent rugger team, their footy team scored a phenomenal winning goal last night to take them to the World Cup. :2thumbsup:
Sure thing. If I got a phone call saying I could double my salary for working in say... some EU country for a few years I'd go.
The question is really vague Strike, do you mean "are you planning to leave" or "would you leave under any circumstances"?Quote:
Originally Posted by Strike For The South
I gave poll optionsQuote:
Originally Posted by Koga No Goshi
Yes. At this point in my life, I am quite feeling like emigration.
Yeah I noticed, I guess it's just that I can't answer it because the answer is "yes, I would, but only under certain circumstances" and they aren't poll choices. I wouldn't do it just for a job or just because the economy went crap.Quote:
Originally Posted by Strike For The South
Being an ex-pat has always seemed more alluring. You love your country more when you leave it.
Anyone who hasn't read The Sun Also Rises, great book romanticizing rich expats. Good read.Quote:
Originally Posted by TuffStuffMcGruff
A young man should travel. I spent 11 of 16 military years outside the US - some nice places, some not so nice; I like to think it broadened my horizons. I'd leave again if my salary would quadruple for a couple of years just to pay off the house, but not permanently. I'd come back. I've settled now (finally). But I'm old by org averages.
You young guys get out there for a few years and see what it's like!
I've traveled prolifically, but never lived anywhere for prolonged periods of time.Quote:
Originally Posted by KukriKhan
Well, I was born in China, but I like the US alot. Probably can't go back to china and live there anyways since I am basically illiterate and can only speak/listen Mandarin well. Anyways, I could imagine living and working in England or Australia or a foreign country thats has a large English speaking population since I'm too lazy to learn another language. (Learned English and forgot Chinese, hopefully won't learn like German or something and end up horrible at English lol)
if country tanks, then its on to Israel!
If the U.S. tanks isn't Israel going to be tanking too? :)Quote:
Originally Posted by hooahguy
If I could pick "any country", without regard to immigration restrictions or laws or whatever, and just had a "golden pass" to enter any country I wanted with no headaches, and was leaving the U.S. (so basically this is super-theoretical) a lot of the countries high on my list would probably be in the tank if the U.S. was in the tank.
Hmm... I recently "emigrated" if you can call it that, from sweden to Austria...
Before I moved, I was really nervous... There would be so many new aspects of my life!
A new culture (ok, not as moving to Afghanistan, but still, a new culture)... I would lose my family connection, and I would see my friends once a year or so, at best...
I had a LOT of questionmarks before I moved... And I must say that I was sleepless the last nights.
However, once here, things are brilliant.
I allready have as many friends here as I have ever had in Sweden, probably more, come to think about it.
I have come to realise that people are basicly the same. Some are grumpy, some are sad, some are nice... There really is no difference.
I will not move back to Sweden i think, that feels like a chapter in my life that is closed. I've done it, liked it, but didn't love it.
I can be more "myself" here.
Another benefit of emigrating was: I could remodel myself completely. Noo ne knew me from school, I have no friends who have known me for years.
The only personality the people around me now know, is who I am at the moment. My history is non-important. It is actually a cool feeling, and it has freed me a LOT. I can be myself in a way I would never have been abel to in Sweden.
I have only positive things to say about emigration... It is a new start, a chance for people to fullfill their dreams.
I know I have.
Sorry to interrupt the topic, just wanted to share with my fellow orgahs:)
Due to Sweden's fairly lax "Come on in" policy, I would contemplate moving should the situation call for it in the near future. As of now, no immediate plans, but it's always on my mind.
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
offtopic (sorry)
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
Israel won't be hwmed like that even if USA somehow reverted back into a pastoricial economy. It would certainly lose a lot of support, but it would be kept afloat, at least politically (I don't even know how is the crisis hitting Israel, tbh.)Quote:
Originally Posted by Koga No Goshi
The EU wouldn't be too fond of recieving too many immigrants from the US, I'd reckon.
You don't think so? Hell, I always thought they would be pretty open seeing as how the EU is :2thumbsup:Quote:
Originally Posted by Jolt
Tell it to the waves of African people trying to get to Europe. :P
not really. as of now my cousins there say business is great there.Quote:
Originally Posted by Koga No Goshi
israel makes its money off tourism, not much else.
I would definitely go back to the Fatherland. Collecting guns is a pain over there, though. :shrug:
If the opportunity presented it self to give my family a better life, yes I could leave.
What do they say in the movies? Follow the money.
I think the US is great but I wouldn’t mind taking a job in another (safe) country for a while. I have traveled all over the US and done lots of international work, I think it would be fun to spend a few years in Japan, UK or Australia. I don’t know how much the family would like it.
Just curious for purposes of clarity: by "If the Country completley tanks" (sic), when would you know this had occurred? A declared "Depression"? Wall Street and Banks completely closed by the Fed for a week? Soup lines on the cover of Time magazine? What?
social chaosQuote:
Originally Posted by KukriKhan
I'd live for an extended period in another country for the right opportunity, but I wouldn't "leave" in the sense of actually changing my citizenship.
I think Jolt is right. It's actually very difficult as an American to emmigrate to a European country (actually change your citizenship). We're welcome there to work for a couple of years, but even if you marry a local, it's almost impossible to become a citizen. Panzer's dad was German, so it'd be easier for him, but for those of us who've been here for a couple of generations, it'd be really tough.
Persistent riots in the streets nation-wide, then?Quote:
Originally Posted by Strike For The South
I found this thread too late then, cause I already left! ha ha ha ha.
I'm currently living in Lima, Peru, originally from NY. I'm looking into studying to be a dentist here. Career like that back home costs way more than I can afford. Here I can study, graduate, take some kind of certification exam which would allow me to practice outside the country, and then just do one year of residency back home and that's it.
Are an ethnic Peruvian?Quote:
Originally Posted by Mailman653
@ Kurki yes
From my mothers side, I was born in the US and got the second citizenship from her.Quote:
Originally Posted by Strike For The South
I would never renounce my citizenship under any circumstances. I'm just too darn American. But I have friends who've worked abroad, and they have mostly positive experiences, so I'd be open to working outside the U.S. for a while.
One couple we know just spent four years teaching in Tunisia, and they had a blast. Now they've moved on to South Korea. I always open any email to them asking if they've learned how to play Starcraft yet. 'Cause, come on, you have to play Starcraft if you're in Korea, right? Isn't that a requirement?
I've lived outside the US, and it was lots of fun and definitely educational. But there are things I missed, and I couldn't leave permanently.
It is. Not being familiar with Starcraft there is like not being familiar with Soccer in Latin America. Seriously.Quote:
Originally Posted by Lemur
I'd sooner have dual citizenship before considering giving up the US altogether. Emigrate? Sure, why not? I've been at odds with my country, or rather the people running my country into the ground, since my mid 20's. I've voiced my displeasure at the Baby Boomer generation numerous times in this forum but I also find it incredibly difficult to relate to my fellow Gen-X'ers who exhibit an even greater degree of ignorance, irresponsibility and delusional thinking. All too often I feel like a man without a country and since things don't seem to be getting any better my connection to the American experience is growing weaker by the day.
Where would I move? Not sure, I really haven't done the due diligence to see what all my options are.
Moving to Europe? I'm not sure if moving to a big government bureaucracy like the EU and nations rife with high unemployment is going to make me feel any better. Furthermore I notice that many post-war generation Europeans are eerily similar to their American counterparts (the tattooed, pierced sheeple factor abounds). I find Switzerland much more attractive than most nations of the EU. It's an extremely well run nation with low unemployment (I mean LOW, 3%), a rock solid stable currency, strict immigration policies and a tax burden that is similar to or lower than here in the US. The fact that the Swiss don't get their panties in a collective bunch when dealing with those evil incarnations known as 'guns' is a big plus as well. Healthcare is also privatized but regulated to the point where it is extremely affordable. The downside is Switzerland is very expensive and it seems to have a penchance for enforcing a ton of tiny silly laws that can make your head spin. Speaking as to the comfort factor I'd feel more at home in Southern Europe where I'd be surrounded by people who look like me and share similar cultural views about life & family. Then again Switzerland sports a substantial Italian community so...
Australia? Possibly? There's a nice sizeable Greek & Italian community there but post-war generation Australia seems to be infected with the same PC mentality that has infected North America & much of Europe. New Zealand? I have no idea what the situation is like in NZ other than the US dollar goes alot farther than in Australia.
Up and coming developing nations or the third world sounds like the best bet if I'm looking to stretch my money as far as it can go. Obviously when taking that kind of step there's much more to consider other than the cost of living and conversion rate.
Last but not least I am not kidding when I say that I desperately do not want to grow old and die surrounded by my generation. The Boomers are aging terribly and I imagine my fellow Gen-X'ers will be even worse. My mother is equally disgusted; she routinely shares stories with me about the whacked out travails of her peer group as they slide screaming into their golden years and it gets under her skin as much as it does mine.
That's setting the bar awfully high. We're more likely to go out with a whimper than a bang...Quote:
Originally Posted by Strike For The South
Spino- How about Bhutan? Inventor of Gross National Happiness.
The netherlands are calling me. Legal weed, Legal prostitution, they have the most libertarian constitution i have ever read, it makes the US constitution look like crap.
I would definitely move there!!!
Off Topic and for Louis (was going to PM it but he has no space in his inbox...)
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
On topic: Emigrating can give you a different perspective. A never wanted to leave the UK four years ago. I did, and now I love it down here in Australia. Sun, sea, sand... Its awesome comparitively. (Bit quiet on the nightlife and football though...)
New Zealand has this same so-called "infection". The welfare state is in their constitution IIRC...Quote:
Originally Posted by Spino
This is true. My dads wife loves Europe, especially the UK. Like she said, it's a foreign country but I don't have to learn the language! (Only the correct spelling :laugh4:)Quote:
Originally Posted by Don Corleone
Now they both live in Greece she has to get the ferry over to Albania (non EU) to get her passport stamped every six months.
They found it difficult to stay in the UK because his wife was a yank. I'm sure if she'd have come over from Bukino Faso they'd be no problem. :laugh4:
On another note, pater was refused residence in the USA because he couldn't display strong enough ties to the UK. Now this bloke spent 9 years in the Royal Marines, fought in Korea and Malaya. He was a policeman for another 5 years when he left the service and then did another 25 years as a senior local government officer.
Tenuous ties indeedy.
Yes, As soon as I can. However, this is not due to a dislike of the US.
I'm an American, but I grew up in the UK and am a dual citizen. I love the US and if I had to pick a single country to spend the rest of my life in, this would probably be it. However, I don't have to make that choice and there is so much about the rest of the world, particularly Europe, that is wonderful that I would love to return there to live. Specifically, the average European lifestyle and mentality is far more relaxed and enjoyable, in my opinion. I find that Americans can be too high strung and often miss out on enjoying life. The UK is my true second home, but I also have a great fondness for both France and Germany. I dream of eventually retiring to a modernized country home in rural England of France in my later years.
My biggest criticism of Europe is that, except for the UK, it has horribly monotonous cuisine. Their local styles of cooking are always superb, but you're largely out of luck if you want good sushi, Chinese, Mexican, Indian, etc. For variety purposes alone, the US culinary scene (in big cities) is the best in the world.
I can only speak for the UK, but there it's just a question of money. I was naturalized after 5 years without any issues at all. The basic UK guideline for naturalization is whether you have unique skills that cannot be found in the local populace. What this really boils down to is money. If you can convince the government that you are going to contribute more in taxes than you will take out in benefits, they'll approve you without any problems. Essentially, you need a high paying job and it's then just a matter of meeting the time requirements. This probably applies to all European nations.Quote:
Originally Posted by Don Corleone
Going out with a whimper is usually reserved for those nations and empires who are not too proud to admit that the sun has set upon what once was. ...When the sun sets, darkness follows; wandering blindly in the darkness can sometimes lead to the loudest of bangs.Quote:
Originally Posted by Spino
Dignity is silent; pride makes noise.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kurando
Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieve it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
And you, my father, there on the sad height,
Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.