Why should I move to YOUR country?

**Divinus Arma** · 09-19-2005, 07:42

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** · 09-19-2005, 08:02

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** · 09-19-2005, 08:09

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** · 09-19-2005, 09:53

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.

**Lazul** · 09-19-2005, 10:05

q: "So why should I move to your country?"

a: You shouldnt

But if you do, we have a stable country with few internal problems. Stupid politicians, anoying religius leaders and about 1 or 2 good tv-channels.
Wonderfull summers, winter is cold as hell, rains alot, wonderfull landscape.

As for the 'muslim immigrant problems', well thats all over Europe.

added: Btw, i live in Sweden

**Divinus Arma** · 09-19-2005, 10:10

I have always been fascinated with England, even if I am confused by the various names (great britain, england, united kingdom, british islands: which is what?). America is her child in a way. I certainly respect the British allaince with America. I have said in other threads that I will die for a Brit in duty as if he were an American.

The cost of living has me concerned. Is a home and a bit of land very expensive? It doesn't need to be too close to a huge population center, but I don't want to drive 5 hours to a market either.

**Idaho** · 09-19-2005, 10:45

Originally Posted by Divinus Arma

I have always been fascinated with England, even if I am confused by the various names (great britain, england, united kingdom, british islands: which is what?). America is her child in a way. I certainly respect the British allaince with America. I have said in other threads that I will die for a Brit in duty as if he were an American.

The cost of living has me concerned. Is a home and a bit of land very expensive? It doesn't need to be too close to a huge population center, but I don't want to drive 5 hours to a market either.

Britain is the main island of the British Isles. Great Britain is a geographical term to include Britain plus the small islands immediately next to it. Britain consists of three countries - England, Scotland and Wales. Northern Island is included to make the United Kingdom or Britain and Northern Ireland - aka the UK.

Imagine England is North Carolina
Britain is Mainland USA
Great Britain is Mainland USA including Rhode Island and the Florida Keys
UK is all of the US including Alaska and Hawaii

Calling Britain 'England' is a big no-no when there are Scots and Welsh about. Like calling a Texan a 'yankee'.

I think the biggest problem you are going to have in moving countries is the cultural differences. You sound to me like a dyed in the wool yank!

**English assassin** · 09-19-2005, 11:18

If ever you are in doubt, if you simply refer to "Britain" (or if you prefer the UK) you won't upset anyone.

Property in London or within commuting distance of it is probably about as expensive as any on the planet. I can't pretend to be a big expert on property prices in the west country but if you avoid a few hot spots (Bath) I guess its OK. My brother lives out that way in a nice cottage with a big garden and an allotment, and he is a train driver, which is OK money but not big bucks.

Everything is smaller in the UK than you will be used to though. "a big garden" means about 3/4 of an acre, not something the size of Belgium ;-)

**LeftEyeNine** · 09-19-2005, 11:24

GAH GAH GAH !

Why Turkey ?

You may have problems with organizing publicly, I mean, it's not "demo everything in democratic terms" yet here. I hope it does not..Anyway..

The coastal towns longing form Aegean to Mditerranean vary from fun-lovers to relax-all-day retired people's top preferences. Bitez, a town around the famous Bodrum, is nearly mostly British. I watched some guy talking about British in real estate agency business there...

Hospitality is a general characteristic assumption claimed about Turkish society. Actually, different people always draw attention, but in a warm way here, as long as you show the warmness too.

I'm residing currently in Izmir, I may welcome you for some stay if you ever land in Turkey.

GAH GAH GAH ! (I won't stop that unless someone tells me the meaning..)

**Ianofsmeg16** · 09-19-2005, 17:20

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** · 09-19-2005, 21:17

Originally Posted by Divinus Arma

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** · 09-20-2005, 12:03

Originally Posted by Divinus Arma

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