Calling Expats?! I don't know if it has already been asked but..

[amyrose2712]

I am curious to hear from any expats. Where you live and how you went about getting there? Also , what are the differences? what do you miss from home? I am curious because we have been thinking about moving for a while. Just interested in some personal accounts. Thanks.

[MrModerate]

1. These days it's kind of refreshing *not* to be in the States . . .

Even though I jokingly tell people I'm Canadian when they ask.

We're in Australia now, which we like a lot. My company works all over the world, so I've spent almost 12 of the last 20 years as an expat, in places like (moving east) the UK, Romania, Iraq, Kuwait, Singapore, Hong Kong, the Philippines, and now Australia.

What I *don't* miss is most Americans' provincial attitudes and complete innocence of the rest of the world. I do miss good coffee (specifically Peets) which is so culturally configured that even countries that do it well do it so differently that it doesn't satisfy my palate.

If you can live internationally, do. It will enrich your life immeasurably.

[melody]

4. I've traveled internationally ... there's plenty of ignorance about the real US everywhere

And you haven't met most Americans, have you?

[MrModerate]

5. Most? No. A representative sample? Yes. n/t

[melody]

6. A representative sample can give you no true data at all

At most, all we have is subjective impressions. I prefer fairness personally.

[MrModerate]

10. Actually, a representative sample is the only way to extract . . .

Information from a large data set.

Admittedly, I did not apply statistical tools to come up with my assessment -- just observations from my travels to well over half of the states in the union, and having lived in about 8 of those states. With that disclaimer, I stand by my original statement.

[melody]

11. Would you call the few people one person knows a "representative sample"?

If so, it's a self-selected one ... an interpersonal pushpoll.

Look, if you have to dislike your own people, I find that sad. I have family and friends all over the country (from Los Angeles, CA to Braintree, MA). I've never found a person who is representative enough to stand alone as an individual American. We're far too diverse in terms of population density.

Beyond that, as I said to the other poster, think what you like and have your last word. Let's kill the topic.

[moriah]

9. "Dude, don't call me a Canadian." -- Eric Cartman

Sorry, couldn't resist. :)

[amyrose2712]

2. Thanks I do hope to some day.

[Kermitt Gribble]

3. Kick! I'd like to hear from them as well

especially any living in the Caribbean.

[bdamomma]

7. get your passports in order first.

have a trade and a profession, some places issue work permits, it can be done. Right now I don't mind being a ex pat, unless you guys get a new democrat in the WH. Remember what happens in the US affects everyone.

[shellgame26]

8. I've been living in Taiwan now

for three years as an ESL teacher. I pay no taxes because that's the law for public school teachers in Taiwan. The local govt pays 90% of my rent, the cost of living is very low and the pay is ok. I travel all over Asia during the holidays and last year I managed to save a whole bunch of money that my $55000/year salary as a teacher in NYC wouldn't let me do.

[enigmatic]

12. I've been in Canada for several years

Became a permanent resident a couple years ago, and will get my citizenship next year.

I'm the the proverbial crushing schoolgirl about Canada; I love it here, and don't want to live anywhere else. There's a noticeable difference in the psyche here compared to the US; it's hard to describe, but very pronounced once you are here for a period of time.

What do I miss? Eating Captain Crunch Peanut Butter Crunch; I can't find it up here. Getting beer from a corner store; little things like that. But the things I've grown to love that are pure Canadiana more than make up for it.

I love it here; I don't want to live anywhere else.

[Number23]

13. Chik Fil-A!!!!

what do you miss from home?



Oh God, help me....