American Citizens Would You Emigrate?

[Lemur]

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?

[Koga No Goshi]

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?

It is. Not being familiar with Starcraft there is like not being familiar with Soccer in Latin America. Seriously.

[Spino]

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.

[CountArach]

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.

New Zealand has this same so-called "infection". The welfare state is in their constitution IIRC...