Moving to another country--have you ever thought about it?

[FanChan]

I’ve thought about moving to another country if a certain someone was elected. But as other people have said, this is a democratic republic, with checks and balances, with picketing and representatives that can speak your voice in Congress. It is a lovely, romantic thought, though, isn’t it? But really, the only way we could ever truly be happy is if we all found some island and made a new indpendent country. If only the Vatican could relocate out of the middle of Rome and invite Catholics to come and be a nation But that, too, is just a silly romantic thought that has loads of holes in it once you start looking over it.

Also, I think those of us that talk about moving to another country think it’s such a neat idea because we’re still thinking about ‘going to other countries’ in a tourist kind of way. I can gurantee you that nearly every country in this world is great to visit but awful to live in.

As a side note, I lived in Japan for three years when I was little We lived off base for about eight months, in cramped little apartments in the middle of Misawa (a city on the northern tip of Honshu in the ‘province’ of Aomori, just under the big circular island, Hokkaido). Btw, if you want to live somewhere warm and you move to Japan, simply live in Okinawa. It’s warm nearly all year there - with rains in the winter - and there are plenty of beaches But still, it’s a huge ethnic gap between the US and Japan, despite all of the Western changes Japan has made - most of them liberal, like porn on regular tv and liberal abortion laws. Not to mention the fact that the Japanese don’t care much for outsiders - it’s incredibly hard to actually get citizenship there, even if you’re Japanese-American. I loved living there, but I wasn’t truly living there. I was just a long-term tourist.

I understand not wanting your tax dollars to go to the personal agendas of a certain candidate - as a rather new taxpayer (I’ve only been working/paying taxes for three years) I’m just beginning to learn the frustration of it. What I think might make me mad is if a National Healthcare System gets put into place and twenty percent more of our wages are shipped off to the IRS

But anyway. Those are just some of my thoughts.

 

[mpb74]

I thought of leaving NY, the only state I’ve always lived in several years ago, when a certain conniving, manipulating, say anything candidate was elected.

I’ve thought of going to my ancestors home of Ireland, but the weather would take years off of my life. South America is a possibility as I’ve been learning some Spanish to get by here.
I once thought of Australia, but I believe their culture has been coarsened at least as badly as ours.

As I take stock of Our beautiful country, The USA, I often feel as though I am in a different country, if not a different planet, from where I grew up.

All things considered I think i’ll stay and try to improve the situation here, in my home and on my block. When I look at all the sacrifice made to found this nation, great in so many ways,
( Not just in military strength, but in freedoms) staying and trying to make things better is not much for me to do.

Yesterday, February 5th, marked the 39th anniversary of my brother Tommy meeting the Lord. He was a United States Marine, killed in action in Viet Nam. He died in the same skirmish with 3 other Marines. He was extremely highly decorated for his actions. He willing died to spread what we have here in the US to other people. He also died to save his countrymen, his comrades. I can stay and fight the debasement of our freedoms by Godless politicians , celebrities , pagans, shamans, wizards, and fools. As I said, it’s not much to do.

Think of all those young Marines and Soldiers patrolling in Afghanistan and Iraq right now. Think of what are they doing to make this better. Look what they are giving up. Their youth, health, innocence, relationships, and unfortunately for some, maybe even a part of thier soul is dying. I think it may be hard to maintain your humanity in such circumstances.

That’s not to mention all who have given thier lives for us. How many have left part of thier body on the battlefield. They come home to at best yawns, and at worst insult. And how do the survivors of disabling injuries get treated.? Like it would have been cheaper for the Gov’t if they would have just died instead of surviving and costing the Gov’t “IT’S” money.

Stay and make things better. We need good people to make things right again. My children need people like you to stay and make a positive difference. If we all leave abortion will stay legal. Euthanasia will be instituted, .( Dr. Kevorkian as Surgeon General).and religion outlawed. At least Christianity. We may become “Brave New World” .

On a lighter note, Vermont is supposed to be beautiful. You get to live in a foriegn country right here in the good old USA.

Sorry for going on, but I’ve given up speaking for Lent, so I get to type away. LOL Dan

 

[lak611]

As a side note, I lived in Japan for three years when I was little We lived off base for about eight months, in cramped little apartments in the middle of Misawa (a city on the northern tip of Honshu in the ‘province’ of Aomori, just under the big circular island, Hokkaido). Btw, if you want to live somewhere warm and you move to Japan, simply live in Okinawa. It’s warm nearly all year there - with rains in the winter - and there are plenty of beaches But still, it’s a huge ethnic gap between the US and Japan, despite all of the Western changes Japan has made - most of them liberal, like porn on regular tv and liberal abortion laws. Not to mention the fact that the Japanese don’t care much for outsiders - it’s incredibly hard to actually get citizenship there, even if you’re Japanese-American. I loved living there, but I wasn’t truly living there. I was just a long-term tourist.

From what I have seen, many Japanese dislike Americans, particularly due to the presence of US military at Okinawa, especially when those military personnel commit crimes and do not get punished by the Japanese legal system, but rather the US military courts, whom the Japanese think go easy on the soldiers.

 

[FanChan]

From what I have seen, many Japanese dislike Americans, particularly due to the presence of US military at Okinawa, especially when those military personnel commit crimes and do not get punished by the Japanese legal system, but rather the US military courts, whom the Japanese think go easy on the soldiers.

It’s kind of a grudging acceptance. We’re there in big part due to Pearl Harbor, kind of a ‘keeping an eye on you’ kinda thing. But honestly, after Hiroshima and Nagasaki, why wouldn’t they grudge against us? Still, like I said, it’s a grudging acceptance. Acceptance because we do wonders on their economy.

 

[jules11]

You bring up a good point–we would know NO ONE in these other countries…a 3rd world country? No, I don’t think we would do that…It would be a big move…but, if this candidate is elected – the personal agenda would rule the day, and the elections that this person would make for judges, etc…would directly affect this country–morally. I need to pray that candidate I want gets in!

Whatevergirl, I live in Australia! You could get to know me!

 

[jules11]

**I think AU is beautiful but it has the most deadly reptiles/snakes and insects. I just can’t get over that part, lol. At least here in Canada there is no danger of grizzly bear or cougar hiding under my covers as I crawl into bed at night…

What about a more Catholic country like Portugal? My husband’s coworker is from there and we here stories of how wonderful it is…

malia

**

You don’t see that many deadly reptiles in the suburbs. So you’re pretty safe. But it gets very hot in summer. I don’t like the heat much. Sometimes it’s hot for a few days then it’s cold and raining. But it is a lovely country.

 

[Zooey]

I say this a lot.
I am still here, because I am well & truly da**ed if I am going to let anybody drive me out of the country that my ancestors fought for, and died for…
Besided, the only country that I would ever consider an improvememt over this one, is the:thumbsup: Confederate States of America, and we lost that one…Now, that would give us a genuine choice!!

The USA has survived scoundrels, fools, and madmen in the White House. (It even survived :banghead: Lincoln, for goodness’ sake, which is, IMNSHO, like surviving a :bigyikes: plague of uch: bloody locusts with machine guns…Him, I would have left for…My ancestors all did, now that we’re on the subject).

Stay, and be around to pick up the pieces. Somebody has to do it.:twocents:

 

[agmoose02]

Hmm…interesting point. This is all in the petri-dish thought process right now…not fully formed. But–I would move my citizenship to another country, if we moved away. Obviously–it would take serious discernment, and prayer–but we have been strongly considering it. For my husband, who is not a risk taker, to consider it–it might be the right thing–depending on the outcome of the election.

Don’t worry, there is a tax exemption for expats up to the first $84,000 earned as long as you spend at least 330 days out of a 365 day period outside the borders of the US. After that you are taxed at the rate of your income bracket but only on earnings in excess of $84K. Also, the liberal tendancies of the expat community are becoming less pronounced as quite a few who came to work in Iraq in support of our troops are attempting to stay living and working abroad.

It looks as if I will have to go back to the states for awhile after I am finished working here, but I hope to relocate when I have sufficient resources to do so. My country of choice is the Philippines. I am marrying a girl from there, so there are family ties and I have friends within the expat community there. Also it is a devoutly Catholic nation where even divorce is technically illegal and the cost of living is very reasonable.

 

[deb1]

We lived overseas for six years. Three in Germany and three in Italy. I would never permenatly live in Italy. It’s just a 3rd world country with great tourism and shoes! My husband and I talk all the time about him getting a DOD job in Germany after he retires from the Army. We both speak German, although mine’s very rusty now. It’s the best of both worlds, live overseas and still keep citizenship and use of the commissary for those little American foods you would dearly miss. We know lot’s of people who have lived and worked for the govt overseas for more than 10 years. I would LOVE it.

But in Germany you can’t homeschool, correct? NOt that whatever girl homeschools but the option is nice to have if you are having problems with the local public school.

 

[Ardent_Fire]

I’m moving to England, for now. Don’t know how permanent it will be but it’s not because I have anything against America (though if a certain someone is elected it will be a bonus not having to really see them in the news so often) Given that I’m a freelancer, medical insurance is an issue, and even if we moved back to the U.S. it could be difficult going into the transition of him being a breadwinner and earning credit/buying a house. We discussed it and decided it would be easiest for now to start off in the U.K. as he’s european and has a steady job there.

I went to grad school in London and to be honest, I never had any problems with people as an American. Generally, while people might not like your country’s choice of president or foreign policy – they really usually don’t have a problem with you, personally. But I wasn’t one to wear my political persuasions on my sleeve. From time to time I found that a lot of them were curious about American worldviews and I sometimes found myself being a bit of a conservative American apologist. But I never really had major problems. Surprisingly, some even said they appreciated hearing a different perspective and found it refreshing. But then again I tried to be diplomatic and wasn’t saying “Bush rules and I think he should nuke the heck outta y’all! 'Specially them ho-mo-sexshuls!”

I guess barring any serious persecution, I can’t say I’m at ease with the idea of moving because one place seems more “Christian” than the other. I guess move wherever God calls you – but I don’t think Christians should necessarily hide amongst themselves. There’s something to be said for being a light to the world, after all, and planting seeds of faith where there seems to be none. I’ve always been inspired by the Polish people – for years despite being overrun by horrible governments, they kept the flame of the Catholic faith alive in their hearts. Perhaps that is why JP2 encouraged Poland’s entry into the EU and felt that Poland would inject the continent with some renewal of faith.

That being said, I will never give up my U.S. citizenship and my fiance and I are still open to living in the U.S. at a later time. Adjusting to a new country and culture is very hard. Nothing made me feel more American than living overseas! When I’m in the U.S. there are things I miss about the U.K. and when I’m in the U.K. there are a LOT of things I miss about America. It does seem easy to make the grass greener on the other side. I think the key to adjusting is recognizing the good things about wherever you are, and cherishing that. :yup: :yup: :yup:

 

[pnewton]

I don’t want to rob this thread by going down my rather negative opinion of Japan, but as far as moving to any other country, I thinks you are fighting a losing battle. The whole world is under dominion of the same liar who is increasing evil world wide.

I heard one solution a couple of years back. Some one mentioned establishing a Catholic community and incorporating. Much of the evil of Washington can be staved off at a local level, at least temporarily. That may be the best we can hope for.

 

[agmoose02]

I don’t want to rob this thread by going down my rather negative opinion of Japan, but as far as moving to any other country, I thinks you are fighting a losing battle. The whole world is under dominion of the same liar who is increasing evil world wide.

I heard one solution a couple of years back. Some one mentioned establishing a Catholic community and incorporating. Much of the evil of Washington can be staved off at a local level, at least temporarily. That may be the best we can hope for.

Now that is an idea I would like to know more about. I have sometimes wondered how difficult it would be to form an incorporated cooperative community out in the country somewhere based on Catholic principles.

 

[iamrefreshed]

My goal, in retirement, is to move to at least 10, hopefully 15 countries.

I plan on spending 9 months of the year here in the US learning the language of the country I will live in. I will then move there with the intent to stay 3 months. I will get a job as a waiter in a cafe to help ends meet. I will then be able to really tour the country and see the sights like a local.

After 3 months its back home to the US to visit the kids and (future) grandkids and start plans for the next country!

 

[whatevergirl]

Whatevergirl, I live in Australia! You could get to know me!

Okay–so you see this people? There are positives everywhere you look! Hi jules:wave: You know, we had a gigantic spider in the house last night…ugh, so startling looking:bigyikes: …and my son killed it…but no one would remove it off the floor…haha until my husband got home from work. haha I have seen National Geographic stories on tv about Australia’s ‘house insects’ omg jules…they are ENORMOUS! How do you deal with that? Truthfully, my husband and I always thought of living their parttime, but my dd (and me) are deathly afraid of spiders, and the like…how do you cope with those?

 

[NoxSineStellae]

My goal, in retirement, is to move to at least 10, hopefully 15 countries.

I plan on spending 9 months of the year here in the US learning the language of the country I will live in. I will then move there with the intent to stay 3 months. I will get a job as a waiter in a cafe to help ends meet. I will then be able to really tour the country and see the sights like a local.

After 3 months its back home to the US to visit the kids and (future) grandkids and start plans for the next country!

Sounds fun - but make sure you check into what work visas are available. In most countries in Europe (western anyway) a US citizen can enter for 3 months on a paperless tourist visa. No forms or fees or anything needed. But you won’t be able to legally work.

Also, for the OP, a lot of times it’s very difficult to even be allowed entry into a country for work. If your company can send you it’ll be easier, but otherwise…most countries are very strict if you’re not married to a citizen.

I moved overseas last summer, not to avoid anything, but to get married, it just made more sense for us to live here, with his job. It’s lots of fun, but also very difficult. I’m keeping my US citizenship and becoming a permanent resident here. Expats do tend to be a bit more liberal in my experience, but I’m not looked down on by the locals for being an American. I’m not a Republican (or a Democrat) though…possibly why the more “liberal” policies don’t bother me. The values and principles of a welfare state are more Christian in nature than anything I ever saw in the US (not referring to abortion or euthanasia, I’m staunchly prolife). Love the expat community - we’re all in the same boat, having the same experiences, and the friendships can become very deep very quickly.

Don’t underestimate culture shock, even (or perhaps especially) if you plan on going to a country that is similar in culture to the US. It’s like quicksand at times, and exhausting. I have a cousin who lived for extensive periods in both Switzerland and China, and who said China was easier because there you KNEW everything was different and knew where you stood. In Europe it can become very disconcerting, with the mix of the extremely familiar and the extremely foreign.

I’ve spent a total of about 20 months here now, and am just starting to feel like I actually live here and am not just visiting. It’s a huge life change.

 

[lak611]

Truthfully, my husband and I always thought of living their parttime, but my dd (and me) are deathly afraid of spiders, and the like…how do you cope with those?

I just got finished looking at the temporary visa application. It is very involved. An employer must sponsor a potential employee before that employee is even allowed to apply for a temporary visa. See this link.

Working is strictly prohibited on any tourist visas. A visa is needed for any travel to Australia, even just for World Youth Day. Simply having a USA passport is not sufficient.

 

[whatevergirl]

I just got finished looking at the temporary visa application. It is very involved. An employer must sponsor a potential employee before that employee is even allowed to apply for a temporary visa. See this link.

Working is strictly prohibited on any tourist visas. A visa is needed for any travel to Australia, even just for World Youth Day. Simply having a USA passport is not sufficient.

Interesting…people in my company move all over the world…we have offices in every country…so, I’m sure when they want to transfer people–they make it happen. They moved me from PA to FL, but that’s of course within the US. But, they move people all over the place–every day–you hear about people transferring to the UK, Australia…Japan…Italy…etc…so, my employer–if it were ever something we got serious about–would have all the info I’m sure. Thank you for the info!

 

[lak611]

Interesting…people in my company move all over the world…we have offices in every country…so, I’m sure when they want to transfer people–they make it happen. They moved me from PA to FL, but that’s of course within the US. But, they move people all over the place–every day–you hear about people transferring to the UK, Australia…Japan…Italy…etc…so, my employer–if it were ever something we got serious about–would have all the info I’m sure. Thank you for the info!

Do you have a highly skilled job that they could not hire a citizen of their country to do? Is the company one that is foreign owned or US owned? If US owned, will they be providing jobs for the benefit of the country they are in?

 

[whatevergirl]

Do you have a highly skilled job that they could not hire a citizen of their country to do? Is the company one that is foreign owned or US owned? If US owned, will they be providing jobs for the benefit of the country they are in?

They transfer people for various reasons…not necessarily for jobs that are needed overseas. They tend to ‘build units’ around individuals’ talents…for example, I was moved to Florida–as a promotion to run a sales unit regionally, that they ‘created’ for me–of course they saw $$ in this investment…I think that they would do the same overseas–although, they have a ‘me’ in Europe, Spain, Germany, and UK. I would probably roll into one of those offices…but, the language barrier might be an issue–although, our US offices have international clients. We do business on a worldwide exchange basis–not just here in North America. This is just letting you know how it works here…everyone is dispensable, but I do a job (marketing/sales) that is not something many like to do here…I like it, and thus that helps my performance. Hope that makes sense.

 

[lak611]

They transfer people for various reasons…not necessarily for jobs that are needed overseas. They tend to ‘build units’ around individuals’ talents…for example, I was moved to Florida–as a promotion to run a sales unit regionally, that they ‘created’ for me–of course they saw $$ in this investment…I think that they would do the same overseas–although, they have a ‘me’ in Europe, Spain, Germany, and UK. I would probably roll into one of those offices…but, the language barrier might be an issue–although, our US offices have international clients. We do business on a worldwide exchange basis–not just here in North America. This is just letting you know how it works here…everyone is dispensable, but I do a job (marketing/sales) that is not something many like to do here…I like it, and thus that helps my performance. Hope that makes sense.

Ok, I understand what you are saying about transferring Americans to other areas in the USA. I guess it depends on how strict other countries’ laws are. IOW, would the foreigner be taking away a job from a citizen of that country? As far as skill, I’m not sure how strict other countries are. IOW, I doubt that they would turn away doctors who are from foreign countries if they are in need of doctors, but would they go through the bother of getting a work visa for a salesperson when one could be hired locally, especially one who has the language skills needed?