I'm Curious has anybody considered leaving the country? If so where would you go?

[Drew Richards]

If I happened to with a $100 mil lottery I probably would consider moving to a more socialist country such as Norway, Sweden or Switzerland but then again if I won a 100 mil I would probably die from the shock first...

[white_wolf]

1. Norway,Sweden,Germany. Possibly England simply because I wouldn't need to

learn a new language.

[AndyTiedye]

71. I'd Take Finland over Norway or Sweden

Finland has the best primary and secondary education system in the world, and
excellent government support for higher education as well, through the phD level!
They are a VERY well-educated country.
In recent years there have been more Finnish people getting phD's among my circle of friends
than Americans, and I live in California!

Christianity does not have much of a hold on Finland.
The old shamanic ways never completely died off there.

Dancing in the forest.:) (and having a forest to dance IN, which mostly don't exist in the more populated parts of Europe).


If Perry/Bachmann and the teabaggers take over, we will have to go somewhere, because they'd turn this country into Jesusland and we simply don't fit into that scheme of things.

The good folk come to burn thee. Their keen enjoyment hid behind a Gothic mask of duty.

Mau Mau, Jefferson Airplane.

[white_wolf]

93. Finland does sound nice, but isn't Finnish one of the hardest languages to learn?

I know Tolkien based on his languages Quenya(sp?) on it,but it is a non-Indo-European language so it is very hard to learn.

[AndyTiedye]

123. Yes, There's the Rub

That and the looooooooong winters. Canada has that problem too.

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned Barbados. Close. Beautiful climate, and they speak English.
Stable and relatively sane government. Good school system. Well-educated population.

They may have the distinction of being the smallest country to say NO to Bush's "coalition".
(What were they going to send anyway? One of their Coast Guard boats?)

[Sisaruus]

167. Most Finns speak English

And some Finns don't speak Finnish - they speak Swedish instead.

[aikoaiko]

95. Finland for sure.

[tanyev]

2. Yep. Canada.

Of course, it helps that hubby is a Canadian citizen. :)

[virgogal]

3. Not me----I like it here. Not perfect,but nowhere is.

[donco]

21. me either

not going to let a few wingers drive me out of a country that i went to war for.

[AndyTiedye]

126. I Like it Here Too…

…but if Perry or Bachmann and the rest of the Teabagger gang win next year, the political process as we know it will end and the christo-fascist nightmare will begin.
I will not live under a theocracy.

[quinnox]

4. I wouldn't leave permanently but if I won the lotto

I would get a home in Vancouver, British Columbia and wait out any craziness in the government that happened to take place.

[Drew Richards]

6. That is a good ideal.

[RKP5637]

18. Sounds good to me!!! n/t

[awoke_in_2003]

28. Does owning property there...

guarantee your right to be there? I know it doesn't in Australia.

[Art_from_Ark]

74. When I looked into that sort of thing several years ago,

the various provinces had different "investment" programs available to prospective immigrants. For example, if you invested $150,000 in an Alberta business, you could get "landed immigrant" status (meaning you could move to British Columbia if you wanted to, as long as your investment stayed in Alberta).

I don't know what their policy is now, though.

[elleng]

5. Yes, if repugs win 2012. Canada,

to be near family; otherwise, maybe Scandinavia (but for weather.) Italy, for the culture.

[rosesaylavee]

7. I don't know that I could leave even with all that.

I am sure there are quite lovely places to go to but I would always call this country, warts and all, home.

[rurallib]

8. friend of mine is looking at Canada - he is passing on info to me.

[mainstreetonce]

9. Bonaire

Small and sunny

[cherokeeprogressive]

10. Nnnnnnnnnnnnope.

But of course, if you moved to a socialist country with your hundred mil, you'd be willing to part with it for the common good, right?

[Drew Richards]

15. That is not precisely how it works but yes I would willing pay the higher tax rate they require

millionairs.

[CTyankee]

94. When I was in Europe a year ago I met an American couple, early retirees, both

doctors, no kids, who had retired to France and had bought a home there. They explained how they had to escrow a certain amount of money to the government to essentially pay for whatever health care needs they might need. They were not quite eligible for Medicare but said they would be in about a year, so they didn't know what that would mean. They had to hire French attorneys to work things out for them. They looked well off by the way they were dressed and of course, they were able to toot around Europe going to museums. They were very nice...

So I guess if you have enough money to get legal assistance in these modern European countries, you can live well there...I sure was jealous...

[hifiguy]

146. That sounds familiar

A friend of mine moved from the US to France - sponsored by some wine growers he had long been friends with from his travels. He had to do something similar re the escrow arrangements, but within a couple of years he got his French medical benefits and passport and is now a permanent resident. He is never EVER coming back except to visit family every two or three years. Said he wouldn't return to the US at gunpoint.

[CTyankee]

162. Good for him! I don't blame him, really...

If I didn't have family here in the U.S. I would try to leave and opt to live in a Western European country. I don't have the money this couple had but i'd try anyway.

I'm encouraging my grandkids to take foreign languages and travel a LOT. I hope they do...(and marry some one in one of those countries so they can get citizenship!).

[krabigirl]

109. Wow.

[fascisthunter]

166. lol... who here has a 100 mil and why would anyone need that much cash?

what's it all for anyways? I think you couldn't part with it... also, what makes you think you would have to part with all of your $100 million. I think you do not know much about their systems in Europe nor do you understand what socialism is.

[mentalsolstice]

11. If I had the money, definitely! nt

[Tx4obama]

12. If I won the lottery I would move to Italy

I can already speak the Italian language and I'm very familiar with several parts of Italy.
I'd move in a heartbeat if I could afford it :)

[frazzled]

53. LOL, if you're moving for political reasons, don't move there!

Most effed up country in Europe.

If it's not for political reasons, then be my guest. The weather's not bad.

[sufrommich]

13. Hell, I don't even think I could leave Michigan. Although if

I won the lottery I'd use Michigan as my home base.:-)

[SammyWinstonJack]

80. I can't get out of Texas and I so want too!

x(

[CTyankee]

165. I left to go North to college and never came back to live...

I was very young, of course, but I think that's when you do it. I knew that the whole Southern system was rotten to the core and I didn't want to live in it, so I decided that I'd go to Northern schools and then I got engaged and married my junior year and that was that!

Hey, it used to happen that way...glad I did...

[jtrockville]

14. The Netherlands or Italy

[cyglet]

36. NL

Probably. I'm in Amsterdam now, in fact :)

[RKP5637]

16. I saw this earlier tonight ...

10 Most Suitable Countries for American Expatriates

http://www.expatify.com/advice/10-most-suitable-countries-for-american-expatriates.html

[quiller4]

17. I've considered it but my plans wouldn't depend upon big winnings

If I were widowed, there is a good chance that I would move to Ireland. I have friends in Ireland. My family originally comes from Ireland and I still have cousins in the West Counties. I live in western Washington. I wouldn't suffer any great climatic shock. Since I can understand English spoken with a thick brogue and a bit of Irish Gaelic tossed in I wouldn't experience a real language barrier. I might even begin to remember the Gaelic I learned as a child.

[WheelWalker]

19. May 14, 2003. I considered crossing the River Styx. Decided, not yet.

[elocs]

20. I'm guessing the lottery win highlights that the average American cannot afford to move elsewhere

because what country would want unwealthy American political refugees?

As a fantasy, I'd pick Canada because it is close, most speak English, and parts of Canada are further south than where I live in Wisconsin and have a more temperate climate.

[Luminous Animal]

22. Barcelona.

[MrModerate]

23. I've lived in about 10 different countries . . .

And it really depends on what you're looking for. One rule: regardless of where you live, you need money.

I'm currently in Australia and seriously considering never returning to the US to live. Australia has its plusses and its minuses, but for me the compelling factor is that the crazies-per-thousand ratio is much lower than most other places I've lived, and this includes the private, public, and government spheres. It's just saner here.

I'm scheduled to rotate back to the States in about 6 months and I'm dreading it. I may try to get another overseas assignment (unfortunately what's on the table for me right now includes Equatorial Guinea, Papua New Guinea, or Mongolia — none of 'em exactly garden spots — so I'll have to keep looking).

[MatthewStLouis]

It's my damn country and I'm not leaving it!

Besides, I've got alot of family here I need to help out. You know, with the George W. Bush depression and all...

Now, as for traveling with some of that money: I'd definitely visit Europe, Australia, maybe several islands out in the Pacific.

[in_cog_ni_to]

24. Yep. Leaving in 4 years.

As soon as our son graduates college. We have found the PERFECT place to move to. Plans are in the works. We are getting the hell out of this hell-hole of a country. I'm counting the days until we can go. I can't wait.

[demwing]

29. Well, great for all you who can

but I can barely afford to live here, so how the hell am I going anywhere? Moving between countries is a luxury I can't pretend to. I suppose, in a worst case scenario, I could be a refugee. If that's the case, then it doesn't really matter where I go...any port in a storm

[in_cog_ni_to]

41. Where we're going, you live for a FRACTION of what it costs to live here.

Doctor visits are $25. Doctors actually spend 45 minutes to an hour with you. They make house calls too. No one goes without healthcare. You can be on the National Health plan for $54 a month. Dental cleaning $40. Rent $300-$500 a month (OR LESS...can be more, if you want to spend more). Electric bills $30. No heat or AC needed. Cable $40-50 a month. Food....DIRT CHEAP. All the fruits and veggies you could eat for a week $25-40. Taxi....$2.50 to anywhere in the city. Bus ...25 cents...12 cents for senior citizens. You don't need a car either. Their transportation system is amazing.

You can easily live on a fraction of what you pay here. It's doable in other countries. It's NOT doable here. You would be better off leaving if it's at all possible. Are you a senior? Do you get SS? Do you work via the internet? Do you have a job you could do in another country? Do you have any savings to get you there and an income while there...until you can draw SS if you aren't a senior citizen yet? Also, if you have a friend or family member who could share expenses...that would be even better! EASILY DOABLE if you can share expenses with someone else.

[demwing]

51. Where in the world can you find that kind of cost of living?

and are the wages proportionate, or is it just cheaper to be poor?

I'm tossing you and underhand pitch, straight over the plate. knock it out...

[in_cog_ni_to]

58. Just did.

Check PM.

[WinkyDink]

86. Why not just post it? It isn't like you're going to cause a mass exodus.

[in_cog_ni_to]

92. Yes it would. It would end up like Costa Rica...

too expensive to live there now because of all the expats who have raised the cost of living. We want to be able to move to our chosen spot and it's still 4 years down the road. We watched the cost of living climb in Costa Rica in the last 15-20 years.....because EVERYONE knew about it. That use to be our chosen retirement spot. Now houses/or rent are/is almost as costly as it is here, plus they're not as fond of Americans as they use to be...because we have invaded their beautiful country...not just Americans, but people from all over the world.

[snooper2]

100. ROLLING ON THE MUTHAFUCKIN FLOOR LAUGHING ROFL ROFL

You think posting the name of some country in a tropical climate on a OP buried on a random message board on the Intertubes is going to cause a mass exodus! :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

OH MY GOD LOOK What in_cog_ni_to Discovered!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :rofl:

Why didn't anybody else think of that :)



I'm working on moving to the perfect place, Tristan da Cunha as their telecom expert. They don't allow outsiders but we are working on a special exception :)

[in_cog_ni_to]

101. Enjoy your laugh.

I'll enjoy our retirement in 4 years...and will still be able to afford it. Have a nice day.

[snooper2]

105. Oh I still am trust me...

You'll be landing at your "hidden destination" with your partner...



Damn, sure glad we didn't let the DU'ers in on our secret. This place is ALL OURS!!!!!!

Hey, Hey, Hey kid what you want. Stop pulling on me...STOP...NO I don't want to buy your fake Gucci handbag :rofl:

[crazyjoe]

121. BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA ROFLAO!!!!! in_cog_ni_to has a secret!!!!

[WinkyDink]

133. N/M. Must be either Ecuador or Bolivia.

Ecuador: http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/RetirementandWills/RetireInStyle/EcuadorIsaHavenForRetirees.aspx

http://naturalnews.com/029566_Ecuador_retirement.html

Bolivia:
http://www.escapeartist.com/efam/40/Bolivia.html

[Mr Deltoid]

70. Costa Rica is one

Cheap property too if you get away from the coasts. I think it is way prettier in the mountains there anyhow.

[pipi_k]

97. If I had the money and didn't have

a phobia about flying, I would definitely have a winter retreat there.

In the mountain/jungle regions...

[in_cog_ni_to]

102. You CAN drive to Costa Rica...

though it isn't the safest drive in the world. :)

[pipi_k]

113. By the time I got there, winter would be over....

:7

[in_cog_ni_to]

117. LOL...true. It does take a long time to drive it.

Just thought I'd throw that out there for the folks who hate to fly. ;)

[Mr Deltoid]

160. 80 miles as the crow flies can be 8 hours in Central America

Especially in Costa Rica where half the roads are barely paved.

[Blue_In_AK]

140. We were in Costa Rica in January

and although it was indeed very beautiful and I wouldn't mind living there, I was surprised at how expensive things were. Too many American tourists I would assume.

[Blue_In_AK]

141. Posted in wrong place. Ooops.

[Mr Deltoid]

159. When we go there we go local

Resorts are expensive. Local cabinas are cheap! International resturants are expensive and suck in Costa Rica. Sodas are cheap and the food is traditional and good.

[SammyWinstonJack]

87. We draw SS. Where is this place that provides what you are describing, please?

:hi:

[WinkyDink]

134. See my post above, #133.

:-)

[onpatrol98]

116. Sounds Great!!!

Heck, why isn't there a reality tv show about something like this for a change? Or, why doesn't HGTV show places like these? Usually, even when they show homes in other countries, their prices are outrageous for tiny places...Oh, well. Maybe they don't think they would get an audience.

[awoke_in_2003]

25. Any of the Scandinavian countries...

they are much more cultured than we, and don't look suspiciously at atheists.

[Jamastiene]

26. If I won enough money to be able to afford to move

from this piss poor area of NC where I live, my very first pick would be somewhere out in the middle of nowhere as long as there are trees, critters, and a pond or river nearby. I'm not sure what country it would be, but I'm thinking I could find the sort of beautiful scenery I'd like to see in Canada.

What's sad is that if I could just get this little hovel I live in now paid off, I could enjoy some pretty beautiful scenery here...if it wasn't such a conservative area filled with drunken bigoted right wing rednecks with guns and without brains. I wonder if 100 million dollars would be enough to get THEM all to move instead. :evilgrin:

[mitchtv]

27. Costa Rica or Uruguay

no reason, I like it there

[Poll_Blind]

30. I've been considering this off and on. Mainly, I was looking at places which were....

...off the continental US, like Hawaii or American Samoa or other places where you didn't need a passport to travel. Guam and Puerto Rico or the US Virgin Islands too. I've looked at other places, like Australia or Guyana. I haven't come to any decisions yet. Lately, I've been thinking about just moving to the different part of the country, though unfortunately most of the other parts of the country I was thinking of moving too would be much more conservative.

Ugh.

PB

[JVS]

31. The fundamental problem is that the first world countries won't have us and that the countries...

that will have us are the places with the exact kind of problems that we're trying to avoid by leaving to US.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

32. It's hard to move to Europe unless you have a parent or grandparent

(depends on the country) who was born there.

I am one generation too far removed for both Norway and Germany, and Norway, at least, is very expensive for anyone who is living on an American income.

I could live comfortably in Japan, but they don't necessarily want older people.

[Shagbark Hickory]

35. They don't want older people???? What's that all about?

[bayareamike]

48. It is definitely not impossible to move to Germany

It is difficult, yes. There is a very clear cut path to do so, however.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

60. They have so many old people of their own already

It's easier for a younger person, especially if said younger person can find a Japanese spouse.

[Shagbark Hickory]

77. So? Florida so many old people already and they aren't turning anyone away.

Are you saying Japan is denying citizenship on the basis of age?

[Lydia Leftcoast]

79. Not citizenship, immigration

To immigrate to Japan, you need one or more of the following

1) A prearranged job

2) Japanese ancestry

3) A Japanese spouse

4) Enough money to live on for a year and the intention to start a business employing at least two Japanese citizens

If I were younger, a prearranged job would work, but age discrimination is legal there, and job ads actually specify things like, "under age 35." Also, very few employers will sponsor you for a work visa unless you're young (English teaching schools) or have skills that are in demand (high-level IT types). Most job ads in the English-language papers say, "Must have proper visa."

Citizenship is a different matter. You have to first qualify for permanent residency, which takes a minimum of five years, and then after another five years, you can apply for citizenship. These periods are shortened if you have a Japanese spouse.

[Shagbark Hickory]

You can't just have enough money to live on for a year? You need to be an entrepreneur too? n/t

[Sancho]

145. Florida doesn't need anyone else - believe me!

I do like the climate (except for hurricanes). Of places that I've visited...I'd consider "down under": Australia or New Zealand.

[Common Sense Party]

118. They have far more old people than they can handle right now.

They need younger workers to pay into the social programs.

[Shagbark Hickory]

119. Haven't they heard? Seniors are a cash cow.

[Shagbark Hickory]

33. The last place on earth I'd want to move to with $100MIL is a socialist country!

[krabigirl]

111. I'd love to live in a socialist country. I don't have $100 mil, but even then, I'd prefer it.

[CTyankee]

163. I would too! What would I do with $100 million? If I could just live on a lot less,

I'd be happy. I don't really care about what the socialist country would take from me. I'm a liberal and a progressive. That is my philosophy. I don't NEED that much money. I can live on less. So why not?

[RoccoR5955]

34. Belgium is the place for me...

10,000,000 people, 1200 different kinds of beer. More breweries per person than most, and more varieties of beer than any other place on the planet.

[mysuzuki2]

37. the problem is that no other country has to let you live there.

it is not necessarily easy to obtain residency in other countries.

[hunter]

38. I've left the country without going anywhere.

Sort of a parallel universe kind of thing.

[RKP5637]

125. +1, n/t

[Mike 03]

39. Truly, I have been considering leaving the U.S. since Bush was

re elected, and I would go to Canada, Australia or possibly New Zealand. I have many relatives in Canada. The economy of these nations is also much more stable, and they have good environmental attributes.

[provis99]

40. My brother already moved to Canada.

I'm following soon; he won't stop talking how well they treat unions in his province, and how great his health care insurance is.

[liberalmuse]

42. Yes, but I'm going to stay here and vote for Obama...

and this atheist is going to pray/wish/hope/conjure/anything like hell that there aren't as many irredeemable asshats in America as I suspect there are.

[OffWithTheirHeads]

43. If Parry is elected I, like the smart Germans, am gone.

The idea of staying in a country that would put Torquemada Perry in the highest office is just not an intelligent option. I don't care to see people starving in the streets, dying from lack of health care or people with a different understanding of Jesus or Mohammad being subjected to the Auto de Fey.

As to where, I'm not telling. Your on your own.

[RKP5637]

127. Often I've thought of this as pre-war Germany. Eventually, it might not

be easy to get out. "If" Perry were to get in that is a HUGE red flag, not just because of Perry, but moreover that enough people of his ilk voted him into the highest office of the land. That, IMO, would be an extremely ominous signal as to the future of this country.

[bayareamike]

44. Germany

I speak the language and admire the culture. My main concern in doing so is leaving behind all my ties (family, friends, etc.). That keeps me from doing it, really.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

45. I have, but family connections make me want to stay in the US

Others here posit that there would be residency issues. Not with a $100M in the bank.

I have lived overseas extensively, and would choose southern France. I love the Med and the culture. With that kind of money, one could live very well.

[sfpcjock]

46. The best is Guadalajara or buy some property in Canada

I guess. There are tens of thousands of retirees in Lake Chapala, Mexico where you get health care for like $150/year or something. Puerto Vallarta is also good and the biggest resort town. It's kind of isolated by a long coastal road.

[Drew Richards]

47. Anybody know much about New Zealand?

[in_cog_ni_to]

52. I think NZ requires you to be in a field they are in need of. You can't just move there.

If they need Engineers and you're an engineer, your chances are better. If you're a millionaire, I suppose they'd have you. :) However, it's not an easy process, from what I remember. You could probably Google "Requirements for moving to New Zealand" and get the info you need.

[tucsonlib]

49. It's No Longer An Easy Matter To Emigrate..

..to Canada or European countries. Prospective immigrants must meet strict criteria to be accepted. (Of course, $100 mil would likely give you a leg up.)


But check out Costa Rica. Among its many charms, Costa Rica has never had a standing army. Pretty cheap to live there as well.

[JCMach1]

63. +1, but I just read an article where even Costa Rica has slowed down the process

It is not nearly as easy as it was formerly.

[mrmpa]

50. Montana-oh no that's from Dog Day Afternoon.....

Argentina, Germany, Switzerland.

[Roselma]

54. Yes. Canada. Close to my hometown, plus lots of relatives there.

[Mendocino]

55. New Zealand

Tasmania (yes I know it's part of Australia) or Denmark. Maybe parts of the British Isles like the Orkneys or Shetland Islands.

[Thinkingabout]

56. Won't be Costa Rica, not with Rush Limbaugh

[in_cog_ni_to]

61. Limbaugh lives in Costa Rica? Ewwwwwwww.

:puke:

[krabigirl]

112. this makes me sad :(

[izquierdista]

57. I've tried it

France is FAR better than the U.S. in so many categories it's not funny. The only downside I can think of is the lack of Mexican restaurants.

Life in Poland is also beginning to surpass the U.S. Choosing between Warsaw and Chicago is pretty much a toss-up and it's pretty hard to tell which one you woke up in after the 9-hour flight (i.e. some neighborhoods look exactly the same and speak the same language).

The Costa Brava in Spain looks like coastal Southern California, but (1) there is a lot less traffic and (2) dinner is a lot later.

If you are retired and need to watch your dollars, the EU countries in the east (Poland, Romania, Bulgaria, etc.) have a lot lower cost of living than the US. For one thing, you don't NEED a car. There are many public transportation options so that instead of having one car per adult in the family, you can get by on one family car that you don't use all that much. Second, the price of food is much less than in western Europe, where prices are fairly similar to U.S. prices.

Living in the former Soviet Union is hard to compare. Moscow is supposed to be the most expensive city in the world by some standards, but outside of there, most of the people are quite poor. The average worker's wage in Ukraine when I lived there was $200/month. That doesn't buy very much, which explains the dearth of places to go out to eat. Splurging on lunch in Ukraine means buying 2 chebureki and a beer at the marketplace for the equivalent of a dollar.

In all of these places, you can find as much cheap Chinese crap as you need, so it's not like you are going to miss K-Mart/Wal-Mart/the dollar store.

[jberryhill]

59. The City /nt

[JCMach1]

62. 100M and you can live anywhere and everywhere...

that's really not a good question.

Think about your answer in relation to working for your living...

[JCMach1]

64. I know just the house in Vianden, Luxembourg

[WinkyDink]

88. I've been there!

[JCMach1]

153. Beautiful place... Luxembourg is VERY underated

[KeyserSoze87]

65. I'd move to the UK.

My grandparents, aunt and uncle from my Mom's side of the family live there

[Withywindle]

66. I'd go to Brazil where my mom is from.

She's from a large family and we have a lot of relatives there.

Funny, they used to envy her for living in the US (college student exchange program in the 60s, got married). Now, they don't at all, they keep telling us how much better things are there!

I don't want to leave the US, and the tropical climate does NOT suit me (Mom's family is in Bahia, fairly close to the equator), but I'm a lot further away from ruling it out entirely than I used to be.

[anneboleyn]

67. England (Wales) or Scandinavian countries. Wales especially, if we could afford it.

[doccraig67]

68. If so where would you go?

I'm already in the Philippines. Cost of living, because I'm retired on SSI.

[alittlelark]

69. Spain - Equador - Brazil

In that order.

[Puglover]

110. Here's a view from our patio in Cotacachi Ecuador.

It is stunning.

Another pretty view from the pond near our property.

[LadyInAZ]

72. Yes... considered moving too

Canada, england.... anywhere but in united states... i hear people getting jobs in other countries... but when i have applied... i have not once heard from anyone... and i am more then qualified white collar professional...

[Raine]

73. I've thought about it but I'll stay here. I'm an American

it's so much a part of me I don't think I could ever feel at home anywhere else.

[LadyHawkAZ]

75. Yes, working on it now. Great Britain n/t

[mnhtnbb]

76. Panama. When Bushie boy stole the second election in 2004

we started looking around for a 'retirement' place and
settled on Panama. At one time we were building a house
there, but the developer ran into huge financial issues
and stopped the construction process. Eventually, we
got our money back from that fiasco, but both hubby
and I did get permanent resident visa status. So,
if we wanted, we could still go there.

[Le Taz Hot]

78. I would love to live in French Polynesia

but they won't let me move there permanently, damnit!

[NeedleCast]

81. Probably Not - The Grass Isn't Always Greener

Europe is having a lot of debt issues right now. Kinda a scary time to think about moving there. If I were going to leave the country I probably would go to Puerto Rico (which really isn't leaving the country I guess) or possibly I'd consider Australia or New Zealand.

Additional, most EU countries have pretty high requirements for immigration. I suspect most of the people here saying they'd leave for the EU zone haven't actually checked the requirements for doing so.

Having lived in a number of countries in my lifetime, I can say that the grass isn't always greener. It's easy to view he US as a monster and see other places through rose tinted glasses but it's rarely the case.

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

157. All of the places mentioned have one problem or another that keep it from perfection.....

And besides, if you won 100 million, any problem you had with America would likely be solved.

[Skidmore]

82. It took me years to get to return to my country and I'll be damned if I leave it again.

I'll die on these prairies.

[AngryAmish]

83. I'm thinking og gpoing to Scotland to play the Old Course

[WinkyDink]

84. No. But "Alsace, Normandy, Brittany, Cornwall, or Devon" would be my answer, if I were.

[IndyPragmatist]

85. Switzerland

Or Germany.

Maybe New Zealand as well.

[WinkyDink]

89. Lucerne!

[IndyPragmatist]

90. Lucerne looks like an amazing place

I didn't get to visit Lucerne when I was in Switzerland, but I did see Geneva. I later saw an Episode of Rick Steve's Europe (terrible, I know, haha) that made Lucerne look amazing. Middle sized city on the lake in a perfect climate. I could definitely live there (especially now that they pegged the franc to the euro, so it's not quite as expensive)

[WinkyDink]

132. Oh, I love RS! I have all his DVD's! Lucerne is not only beautiful; it is one of those "walkable"

small cities.

We stayed here once, outside the town but across the street from the lake:
http://my-hotels.in/hotel/ch/schloss-swiss-chalet.htm

[Yavin4]

91. How Is Zurich?

It looks like fun.

[fascisthunter]

168. oh... if only I could live in Grindelwald!!!!

[dembotoz]

96. if i was not 4f it would have been canada

maybe i should have went anyway.

i have developed a real love of hockey
i might have found a way to fit in better there than here.

[Abin Sur]

98. If I won a $100 million lottery

The degree to which my country of residence was socialist wouldn't matter, since I would have $30 million in the bank and an income of a couple million a year from investments & interest. I would simply pick my home based on whichever location pleased me the most (probably an island in Alaska), and travel around the world on whatever whim I had at any given moment.

[kenny blankenship]

99. Mexico- See the future today!

[L. Coyote]

103. A great day to invest in Peru!

A lot of DUers will be spending their retirement in a Latin American country where a SS check is enough to eat on.

[pinboy3niner]

104. Illegal Aliens (Liberals!) crossing into Canada from the US / Manitoba Herald

Posted in GD by Mira:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x1930253

:rofl:

[HappyMe]

106. Mexico maybe. nt

[JustAnotherGen]

107. Italy

But my fiance is from there . . . I also have an auto immune disease which is far less expensive to treat there than here - so it's not a 'dream' for us. It's a MUST in 5-10 years.

[krabigirl]

108. Yes. France, as my husband is from there, or Belgium. but I am here now.

I want to work to make the best of it. I am just worried about my kids..

[immoderate]

114. Paris -- crossroads of the world.

--imm

[bikebloke]

115. Unfortunately, it's easier said than done.

But if I could, then:

New Zealand,
The Netherlands
Scandinavia (though I'm not partial to the cold and Winter darkness)
Australia

[MicaelS]

120. Australia, New Zealand, Germany...

In that order.

[crazyjoe]

122. I find it funny all the " I would leave if I had the money " posts. I work with many people

who came here with nothing, couldn't even speak English, and worked hard and have great jobs and homes, ect...
You spoiled babies don't know how good you have it. If you want to leave.. then leave, don't be a pussy. People leave their homes and immigrate every day to a new country. All having money does is make it easy and convenient.
Of course, none of you will though, because your all talk, and it's too "hard".
Spoiled babies.

[Drew Richards]

135. You know what? There was no reason to be rude or attack anyone for wishful musing.

Perhaps you're just a disagreeable person with a poor personality.
No need to rain on anyone else's parade.

But then, there are some, just like with online gaming, that are just grief players because they enjoy the hate and attention.

[RebelOne]

124. I would move to the British Isles, preferably Scotland. n/t

[ChiciB1]

128. I WOULD Leave... Not Sure Where, Costa Rica Is Nice, But More & More

people have been going there so it could change more dramatically. For now I don't think they have ANY military which I find appealing. I could hole up somewhere I think. BUT, I'm stuck here... not so far away, but a world away when it comes to politics!

I don't THIS America anymore. It drives me crazy and when I vent to my friends they just tell me to TURN IT OFF! It's not the correct answer for any of us, but I've come to believe that MOST people really want to IGNORE it all. Seems too many think that IF they don't look at it closely IT will go away.

The real news is that it's only going to GET WORSE because of this APATHY! I too have almost given up myself. I no longer participate actively like I always, always did in the past. So many people just keep grumbling and grumbling, but I can't get enough people together to do ANYTHING about it. I know a lot of it is because of where I live, still it's just TOO DEPRESSING!

I WOULD GLADLY GO... somewhere!

[Burma Jones]

129. Costa Rica......

I've met two, only TWO, people from Costa Rica who have become permanent residents of the USA, and one of them did it for love.......

I've been to Costa Rica and it's beautiful.

[Blue_In_AK]

143. My little granddaughter was born down there

in May, so she's a Costa Rica citizen. I'm not sure if my daughter and son-in-law did the paperwork to become citizens themselves before coming back to the US in July, but if a child is born there, the parents can become citizens fairly easily.

[Burma Jones]

130. Wait, $100 Million?

If you have that kind of money, the USA is pretty damned good.

[Abin Sur]

131. With that kind of money

Almost anyplace is pretty damned good!

[Drew Richards]

136. I am being told Spain rocks for retirment may look into that.

Oh and to the hater on this thread...

I'm 69 years old and served my country and as far as I am concerned your opinion is as valid as a fart in the wind.

[ceile]

137. If Perry is elected, we're moving to Canada. n/t

[Broderick]

138. Too old and tired to move anywhere

and I have to work my ass off many hours to put food on the table. But if I did win some money and could retire; I would travel the United States in a motorhome and see the many beautiful things in this country.

[mmonk]

139. Nobody wants me at my age but I will do what I can to help my sons

get out. Both have learning disabilities and one has crohn's disease. Both are in college currently.

[Blue_In_AK]

142. I plan to stay in Alaska.

We're far enough away that we almost feel like another country already. I would actually like to see Alaska sold to Canada. It makes more sense, and it would help the US economy with a nice infusion of cash. And we'd get that nice socialized medicine.

[hifiguy]

144. New Zealand, because I have traveled there

and it is (1) very temparate in climate (2) much slower paced than the US or Europe yet as modern as anyplace else on earth; (3) filled with easy-going and friendly Kiwis; (4) the most stunningly beautiful place I have ever seen. Not to mention it is as far away from the open-air lunatic asylum that is the US as it is possible to be and remain within true modern civilization. Somewhere on the North Island would definitely be home base.

I would also keep places in Provence and on the beach at Vung Tao, Vietnam if I had those kinds of moola. Never been to Vung Tao, but a former colleague of mine visited a couple of times and said it was heaven on earth if you like the beach, incredible food and stunningly beautiful women. Sounds pretty OK to me. :)

[DianaForRussFeingold]

147. Ireland (Obama's homeland) is pretty awesome!

The people are friendly and it is...breathtakingly beautiful!

'A Trip around Ireland'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hlwxk7wnYso
Buncrana Ireland;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQQDQ0pJTIQ&feature=share

Edited to add;
I can't afford go to Ireland..This is the next, best thing! :-)

[glinda]

148. What Country would take two retired people on middle income????

[MikeW]

149. Germany, love the food and skiing

[marlakay]

150. We would live in canada if we could but once you are over

55 unless you have lots of money, family connections, or a job they want like doctor you cant come. They arent stupid, they have changed their rules to make it tougher to move there because of healthcare.

[Countdown_3_2_1]

151. NEW ZEALAND! I would build a Hobbit home!

I wonder how difficult it is to get in?

[DianaForRussFeingold]

152. I would love a hobbit home

A quaint little hobbit house would suit me fine... :-)

Awww...I hope you can make it happen some day! :hug:

[NYC Liberal]

154. If I won $100 million, I would live here in New York but travel all over.

That would be perfect for me.

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

158. I'd become Batman with 100mil. (n/m)

[ibegurpard]

155. where?

where is this paradise that has escaped all the turmoil caused by the globalization of corporations that have more power than any government?

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

156. With a 100mil you could buy a ranch in Wyoming or South Dakota

It would practically be like living in another country.

[Safetykitten]

161. A thought for consideration, tastefully thought. Maybe leaving now will be easier than later.

Some of us are too old to leave now.

[fascisthunter]

164. Germany, where I have many friends and some family

I know a little of the language, love how they respect each other by giving all workers benefits, we here aren't allowed to have. People there are allowed to take part in their government so they can take care of each other. Here, the government works ONLY for the wealthy. Here we have fascism.