American Citizens Would You Emigrate?

[KukriKhan]

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?

[Strike For The South]

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 chaos

[Don Corleone]

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.

[KukriKhan]

social chaos

Persistent riots in the streets nation-wide, then?

[Mailman653]

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.

[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?

@ Kurki yes

[Mailman653]

Are an ethnic Peruvian?

@ Kurki yes

From my mothers side, I was born in the US and got the second citizenship from her.

[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?

[drone]

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.

[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.

[Spino]

social chaos

That's setting the bar awfully high. We're more likely to go out with a whimper than a bang...

[seireikhaan]

Spino- How about Bhutan? Inventor of Gross National Happiness.

[AlexanderSextus]

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!!!

[Gaius Scribonius Curio]

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 behalf of my Scottish friends...

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...)

[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...

[InsaneApache]

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.

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 )

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.

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.

[TinCow]

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 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.

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.

[Kurando]

Social chaos? That's setting the bar awfully high. We're more likely to go out with a whimper than a bang...

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.

Dignity is silent; pride makes noise.

[Spino]

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.

Dignity is silent; pride makes noise.

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.