Why should I move to YOUR country?

[Divinus Arma]

Why Should I move to your country? (what the heck: or U.S. State, other than California. Worth a shot.)

I plan on retiring sooner or later and have given a bit of thought to moving away from the United States. I love my country and serve her still, but I need something that fits my needs.

I am not turned on by socialist-democracy governments, but I will consider one if the reasons are there.

I have thought quite a bit about New Zealand. My Sister-in-law lived there for about a year on study and she ranted and raved about it. I even contacted the NZ Army to find out about joining them as a career officer. I love the Climate, the cost of living, and the diversity of ecosystems. I also like that there are no illegal immigrants and their *appears* to be little social strife. I don't know much about the government and am pretty much ignorant to social politics.

Aside from NZ, I am pretty much open to many westernized countries.

A few that are certainly out:
Anywhere that it gets well below freezing on a regular basis for long periods.

Now that I think about it... A lot is out.

Here's what I want: Freedom of religion, of the press, of speech, to organize publicly, the basic bill of rights but I dont care so much about gun ownership. Also, temperate climate, as cold as maybe England/Ireland and as no hotter than 125 degrees F. (It gets to be 110 where I am now and I have no problem with that). I would also like my American dollar to go pretty far. I'll be on an American pension from my line of work, so I want the most bang for my buck. (who wouldn't, right?)

I think it also important to mention that I will adapt to the local culture, learn the local language, and adopt national pastimes instead of forcing my culture on you. I am also an educated producer and do not want government handouts.


So why should I move to your country?

[Soulforged]

When with your dollars and my devalutated economy you'll have a nice life here. A very beautiful place is near the Andes or in Tierra del Fuego.

[Divinus Arma]

When with your dollars and my devalutated economy you'll have a nice life here. A very beautiful place is near the Andes or in Tierra del Fuego.

44.3% is below the poverty line! This compares with about 12% in the U.S.

That is a bit much for me. Poverty tends to bring in more serious problems.

[Soulforged]

44.3% is below the poverty line! This compares with about 12% in the U.S.

That is a bit much for me. Poverty tends to bring in more serious problems.

Oh don't worry DA, in those places i told you, you'll never face any "problems" for the rest of your life, those are elitist places, prepared to any stranger that comes with the greens.

[Papewaio]

New Zealand is a good choice to retire to. It doesn't have many illegal immigrants because they have to get through Australia first.

Australia is pretty nice, I would recommend Perth, it is hot but dry and the beaches are very good. Makes Sydney look dirty by comparison. However if you lived in Perth you have to be the type of person who is active, not the type that needs someone else to make the fun for them.

[Papewaio]

Oh and a quick look at the Big Mac Index to do a quick look at the countries economies.

[Strike For The South]

Cmon man TEXAS is the place hell I suggest my neighborhood (lots of military) or just about ten minutes north get yourself some land, the nature is very nice the ladies are amazing the food is great and there are 3 yes DA 3 lakes where you can get hammered and piss on yourself and trust me its the greatest fun you will ever have

[Incongruous]

Don't come to NZ mate, bad choice at the moment.
Social and political strife abound.
The weather is crap at the moment.
But hey keep watching all that propaganda about our clean, green image.

[Divinus Arma]

Cmon man TEXAS is the place hell I suggest my neighborhood (lots of military) or just about ten minutes north get yourself some land, the nature is very nice the ladies are amazing the food is great and there are 3 yes DA 3 lakes where you can get hammered and piss on yourself and trust me its the greatest fun you will ever have

Actually, I have given a lot of thought to Texas. I spent some time training in San Antonio. San Antonio is okay, but Austin is awesome. I love Austin. When you turn 21, go straight to 6th Street. Do not pass go, do not collect $200. That is party central. I got a hotel room and just got bombed this last spring. Me and a bunch of other veterans stood on stage at one place (I was drunk as I could be, swaying back and forth, eyes squinting in the dim light), while the crowd cheered us for serving overseas. Then people bought me more drinks and I was near death. It was great.
I remember stumbling back to my hotel room, on the verge of blackout, when a local cop stopped me. He said "where you goin", I said "to my hotel room" and pointed (err... waved) in the general direction I was going. I was most certainly drunk in public and had no business being on the street. He looked me over with a suspicious eye and said, "well then straighten up a little". I sucked in my gut, stood at attention, , said "yes, Sir" and marched straight to the hotel. Where I passed out in a stupor.

I'm thinking Austin or Northeast Texas, near Dallas or Texarkana. Houses are still affordable in Texas.

[Reverend Joe]

I think I will break my own "no-backroom" rule for this one.

I would suggest Provence, in the south of France (but north of the Cote D'Azur). Beautiful country; the Provencale are very friendly; great food, too- a good mix of mediterranean plates. If you hate the country, you will not like Provence- there are very few cities, and a lot of vineyards and lavender fields.

[Divinus Arma]

I think I will break my own "no-backroom" rule for this one.

I would suggest Provence, in the south of France (but north of the Cote D'Azur). Beautiful country; the Provencale are very friendly; great food, too- a good mix of mediterranean plates. If you hate the country, you will not like Provence- there are very few cities, and a lot of vineyards and lavender fields.

I heard the South of France was very expensive. I also heard there is a huge Muslim immigration problem in France.

[GodsPetMonkey]

Australia is great. What more can I say!

Oh, I'll help you out a little though.

I am not turned on by socialist-democracy governments, but I will consider one if the reasons are there.

It's not what I would consider social-democratic, but it is definitely left of the US government (but none the less conservative).

A few that are certainly out:
Anywhere that it gets well below freezing on a regular basis for long periods.

Australia doesn't do freezing. There is some snow in the mountains, but you right pretty much everywhere else!

Here's what I want: Freedom of religion

Yep

of the press, of speech, to organize publicly,

Not enshrined in anything, but they exist none the less. More in a sec.

the basic bill of rights but I dont care so much about gun ownership.

We don't have a bill of rights, in many ways, we have never needed one. Most of our rights come from the common law (surprising number there) or have been implied in our constitution by the courts (and Americans complain about Judicial Activism).

Gun ownership... well, it's not hard to get a hunting rifle, especially if you have military experience and no criminal record. Just don't think you can bring the AK over with you.
Not that you would need it.

Also, temperate climate, as cold as maybe England/Ireland and as no hotter than 125 degrees F. (It gets to be 110 where I am now and I have no problem with that).

Tasmania is pretty good, gets chilly in the winter but not below 0 (talking C. not F.). SE New South Wales is also fairly mild.
We also have plenty of warm if that is what you after (and we are more famous for it... ahhh, Queensland).

I would also like my American dollar to go pretty far. I'll be on an American pension from my line of work, so I want the most bang for my buck. (who wouldn't, right?)

Exchange rate is about US$0.75 to AU$1.00 (I think). But the relative prices are about the same. Sorry, this is no Mexico.

I think it also important to mention that I will adapt to the local culture, learn the local language, and adopt national pastimes instead of forcing my culture on you. I am also an educated producer and do not want government handouts.

None of those are major differences, we speak the same language, similar (perhaps more easy going, but just as friendly) culture, and if you can drink booze, you will have NO problems with national pastimes.
Please note we take our national day a lot less seriously then you do independence day... actually, most things we take less seriously, except perhaps Anzac day (our veterans day).

Oh yeah, it's also pretty easy for Americans to get a permanent residency visa (if you wish to be an expat) here too.

Australia is pretty nice, I would recommend Perth, it is hot but dry and the beaches are very good. Makes Sydney look dirty by comparison. However if you lived in Perth you have to be the type of person who is active, not the type that needs someone else to make the fun for them.

Perth is a great city, much nicer then Sydney and Melbourne (which I would not recommend living in if you want some peace), but Western Australians are a little different to the rest of us. Brisbane and Adelaide are also rather nice cities, but they are rather warm and dry.

[Divinus Arma]

Good Suggestions. Thank you! Keep 'em coming.

As for Mexico, that is a serious "no way jose". Sorry, but I think that pretty much goes for all of South America. No offense, but I don't want to live in a 3rd world country. I know that sounds elitist. If it does, I'm okay with that. I want to move freely through most of the country and not have to worry about

a. bandits or revolutionaries
b. A government crippled by corruption where I can give a cop 20 dollars and go home.
c. Beggars.

Yep. I am spoiled by the good old US of A. So, France might be okay, NZ sounds good. I am a little worried about Australia simply becasue Australia has like half of all the deadliest animals in the world.
Examples: Eighty percent of Australia's snakes are venomous. Uhm... deadly spiders and insects... Great White Shark infested waters... not to mention Nicole Kidman and Paul Hogan!

Does New Zealand have the same problem with deadly venomous snakes and insects?

[Shaka_Khan]

I have no problem with beggars who don't bother me. It's the bandits or revolutionaries that I have a problem with. From what I have heard, any American, Canadian, European, or wealthy person was threatened by some of them because of their ideology.

[PanzerJaeger]

Austria is amazing.. thats where id go.. but it seems you want a warmer climate. Italy? So much history and culture.. good food too.

[English assassin]

Come to the lovely south or west or England. The south (I mean the weald of kent, sussex and hampshire) gets the best weather, and is absolutely classic English countryside. The west (eg Herefordshire, Gloucestershire all the way down to Cornwall) also has good weather though a tiny bit more rain, and, hey, if its good enough for King Arthur its good enough for anyone. Also its a fair bit cheaper than the south.

For my money Herefordshire is the nicest part of the whole country, though I still have a soft spot for my old county, Kent. A small town in Herefordshire would be ideal, say Ledbury, http://www.ledburyonline.co.uk/ and its even on a train line to London and Birmingham. My parents live near there now, and everytime I go up there I fall about laughing reading the local paper with its headlines like "Local cat takes third prize in Hereford cat show"

But if you are retired then its worth saying that in the south you have two of the world biggest airports within handy reach, as well as the channel tunnel, so its a good spot for exploring Europe, and indeed the world.

I think England ticks all your boxes except poss the one about your yankee dollars, the exchange rate is not too good right now and you may find anything within say 100 miles of London quite expensive.

I will adapt to the local culture, learn the local language, and adopt national pastimes

So long as you are willing to drink bitter and admit cheerfully that American "football" is no such thing I think you will fit right in.

[Ianofsmeg16]

Come to the Isle of Man;

1. 10% tax
2. Me
3. won't be the only Manxman at the org
4. 2 weeks off in june for the TT races...

why wait?

[Del Arroyo]

As for Mexico, that is a serious "no way jose". Sorry, but I think that pretty much goes for all of South America. No offense, but I don't want to live in a 3rd world country. I know that sounds elitist. If it does, I'm okay with that. I want to move freely through most of the country and not have to worry about

a. bandits or revolutionaries
b. A government crippled by corruption where I can give a cop 20 dollars and go home.
c. Beggars.

Well, what I'm trying to tell you is that none of these things are realistically going to be a problem for a retiree living in Mexico. I mean, if you want bandits, beggars, and REAL corruption, visit Honduras. Mexico is a different ballgame.

The only really iffy areas in Mexico are going to be certain zones very close to the Guatemalan border and certain cities along the US border (such as Ciudad Juarez). Also large swathes of Mexico City are basically like L.A.'s Compton but without the guns.

I just got back from a year living and working in Guadalajara. I was not nor was anyone I knew a victim of crime, corruption was never a problem, and I saw very few beggars. What bothered me most was the filth of the big city. but in 99% of Mexico, that isn't a problem, either.

If I may speak honestly, I will say that if prices are a real concern for you, you may have to be a bit more open-minded. I'd be willing to wager that most of what you've heard about Mexico et al is 95% false.

..

Anyway, as Ronin said, Portugal may be another option to look at. From what I understand the prices are somewhat lower there than in the rest of Europe, and it is known for being a quiet little country. I'd watch out though-- Spain is supposed to have low prices too, but from what I've heard things are getting as pricey there as in other parts of Europe.

DA

P.S.: If you want to move freely throughout the ENTIRE country worry-free, Colombia is certainly out.

[GodsPetMonkey]

I am a little worried about Australia simply becasue Australia has like half of all the deadliest animals in the world.
Examples: Eighty percent of Australia's snakes are venomous. Uhm... deadly spiders and insects... Great White Shark infested waters... not to mention Nicole Kidman and Paul Hogan!

Wow really? I did not know that...
I once had a 3m carpet python living in my house (non-venomous if you don't know). Didn't see any signs of vermin for months! (I lived in a house built in 1912, loads of crawl space).

But really, as long as you’re not silly enough to stick your willie into a hollow log is western Queensland your fine... the vast majority of dangerous reptiles live away from people (snakes tend to be west of the main cities, all coastal, and crocs to far north). As for Great Whites, well, they tend to stick to far off shore to be a threat to anyone, and we have the best surf life savers in the world, as soon as there is any sign of a shark on a patrolled beach everyone is warned.

Besides, Australia is a big place, you can find areas with less dangerous animals, but with the most venomous sake (western taipan) and spider (funnel-web, very deadly to primates), I can understand your apprehension. As long as you don't invite disaster, the animals will leave you well alone. Deaths from these animals are incredibly rare (in fact I believe that the funnel-web has not claimed a life since an anti-venom was developed).

We keep Paul Hogan in a cage and Nicole overseas

[Adrian II]

Looks like Spain or France would fit the bill for you. You can buy a derelict Spanish farm for a pocket mirror and a handful of shiny beads, learn to plant tomatoes (because of the neighbourly contacts, this gets you friends in no time) and slowly rebuild the place to your liking. That is what I am going to do between now and twenty years on, I think.

[Sjakihata]

Llearn to plant tomatoes (because of the neighbourly contacts, this gets you friends in no time)

Plus a lot of funds from the EU agriculture support programme.


scandinavia is nice, especially norway sweden - the best nature. and good welfare states = a lot of added bonuses. probably too cold for you, if you cant stand it dropping below 0

[Adrian II]

Plus a lot of funds from the EU agriculture support programme.

Oh forget about the subsidies, think of those huge, juicy buggars quashed and spread - in Catalan fashion - on toast with a bit of garlic and olive oil. Or stuffed, straight from the oven. Or ...

*walks off drooling, mumbling to self*

[English assassin]

heh. Do you think people from the south of Europe dream of retiring to Britain or the Netherlands and growing turnips? Could a catalan journalist be wistfully imagining pulling a cabbage from the sodden earth in January...

No, me neither.

[Slyspy]

Don't go to Spain without careful consideration - the local government can. in some areas, screw you over big time and leave you with virtually no property rights.

Britain is probably too pricey for you.

It looks essentially like you are looking for a cheaper US rather than a foreign country! You could try central Europe I suppose (the Czech Republic maybe) but frankly you'd probably be happier in the States by the sounds of it. Probably in a gated community.

New Zealand is a good place to emmigrate to, by all accounts, but I'm sure they have their problems as well.

[Adrian II]

Outdoor brunches in February, kids roaming freely in the hills and valleys, riding horses, village festivities, a swim in six foot Atlantic waves or the turquoise blue of the Med, ahh..

*walks into concrete Amsterdam lamp post*

[Idaho]

Does no-one see the ridiculousness of a would-be immigrant asking to find a country without other immigrants?

[Adrian II]

Does no-one see the ridiculousness of a would-be immigrant asking to find a country without other immigrants?

Does he? Oh sjees, he does. Guess I just missed that post. Divinus Arma, forget Spain, there are far too many immigrants there! Stay clear, leave to place to me!

[Ja'chyra]

No he didn't, he just expressed concerns about an area with a high amount of ILLEGAL immigrants, or areas where there are problems because of immigrants which is totally different and completely understandable.

[Adrian II]

No he didn't, he just expressed concerns about an area with a high amount of ILLEGAL immigrants, or areas where there are problems because of immigrants which is totally different and completely understandable.

I am sure Spain has illegal immigrants, and to compound the situation they have a socialist government. It just wouldn' t do for a well to do, elderly citizen looking for peace and quiet and subservient locals such as Divinus Arma. What can I say, I will miss him.

[Taffy_is_a_Taff]

Property in Scotland is generally cheaper than in England or in Wales. I think housing in Northern Ireland may be fairly cheap by these standards too.

NOTE: cheap housing in the U.K. is expensive compared to the USA, you will be astounded at how far your dollar will not go in the U.K. housing market.