Reply #51: I'm in Europe most of the time (like now)--there are always 2 sides

[DFW]

And I can tell you one thing: some things are better, some are not.

In Germany, probably the most pacifist of all big nations here,
you have to tell the local police when you move into their town,
tell them when you move out, and tell them where you are moving,
and don't think other European nations are mich freer. Just because
they take better care of their people does not mean they do not
have their down sides. If you think America has bad bureaucracy,
wait til you get here.

I had a German friend on the far left who once visited me in the USA before
I was stationed here full time, and he asked about how you registered
your residence with the police in the USA. I explained that you didn't.
If you move, you leave a forwarding address with the post office if you
want to be found, and don't if you don't. He couldn't believe our "freedom."

The grass is always greener, take it from one who has one foot squarely back
home in the USA and one firmly planted here in Europe. It's cool to settle here,
but make sure you know all the rules before playing this game. You might not
like them all, and I can speak most of the languages spoken here, so I had
a head start. Some Americans who move here fit in, but plenty go nuts with
all the rules, and return in disappointment. Check out the territory before
you take a step like that. And get a good supply of umbrellas, too.