Leaving the good ol' US of A.

I always use this forum for the entirely wrong purpose...

in another case of America Attacks! Its own People...

I've recently been debating the possibility of leaving the United States permanently. This won't be possible for another few years, but its definitely something I'm going to keep in the back of my mind.

I have no desire to go down with this sinking ship.

I pose a few questions to all those who have left the U.S. and settled in foreign lands:

What drove you to leave the United States?

Where did you go and why did you choose that particular country?

Did you become a permanent citizen of your new country and if so how hard was the process?

Was it difficult to obtain a work visa and find work?

Do you miss anything about this country?

Also, I'm thinking a socially liberal nation with a small, decentralized government. Any suggestions?

 

I have nothing to offer but to say that I am so with you emotionally. Good luck!

 

I always use this forum for the entirely wrong purpose...

in another case of America Attacks! Its own People...

I've recently been debating the possibility of leaving the United States permanently. This won't be possible for another few years, but its definitely something I'm going to keep in the back of my mind.

I have no desire to go down with this sinking ship. Neither do I-it's one of the reasons I left.

I pose a few questions to all those who have left the U.S. and settled in foreign lands:

What drove you to leave the United States? I was dissatisfied with the way the government there was treating its own people, as well as folks around the world. I wasn't doing well financially in the States (never really was). I had no family in the States to speak of, and not many friends. I really had nothing to lose. I'd learned a lot about the world-I wanted to see some of it.

Where did you go and why did you choose that particular country? I fell in love with a girl online-she lived in a country that's an EU member in Eastern Europe. She came to the States to be with me, and 6 months later, my dog and I were on the plane leaving the US-(my girl came back here shortly before I left). We've already got 3 kids-that was almost 4 years ago, when I left the States.

Did you become a permanent citizen of your new country and if so how hard was the process? I'm a legal resident-it'll take a few more years to get citizenship. The process isn't difficult-if you're married to a national, or if you've got a job at least, they'll approve your application for residency pretty easily-you just have to know this system. Americans are favored for immigration purposes-they figure you're not going to come here to commit crimes or milk the system (there's not much to milk anyway).

Was it difficult to obtain a work visa and find work? Americans can travel visa free to any European Union country. Usually, after you've been here 3 months, you have to apply for residency status. If you teach English where I am, or if you're married to a national, you don't even need a work permit to be employed. Teaching English here is a good deal. You don't really need much, if any experience-even if you don't have a college degree (which I do) it's easy to find work teaching English. The pay is good, and your students will be the best and brightest in the country. Native English speakers are in high demand all over Europe, and you usually, if not always, don't even need to learn the language of the country you're in-just speak English and keep on truckin' We're planning to move soon to a Western European country where the standard of living is better.

Do you miss anything about this country? I miss the friendliness and openness (the people here can be quite rude, but they like foreigners). People in Western Europe tend to be friendlier than here. I miss the standard of living in the States, the cleanliness, the quality of medical care (Western Europe gets much higher grades in all these areas) the availability of consumer goods and conveniences.

Also, I'm thinking a socially liberal nation with a small, decentralized government. Any suggestions? Not yet-I'll let you know

 

America will take the world with her.

 

It's a worldwide thing this time. There is nowhere to run.

 

I'm gonna have to agree with this.

I've thought about leaving the country as well, since 2008 id say, but its really hard to know where to go. When i personally look at the overall picture of how countries are currently, everyone is in some finical mess, which has an effect on them in some shape or form.

I also personally couldn't move to another country unless i spoke some of their language. Yes a lot know english, but knowing theirs is important and different.

Living in a city...i don't think you can get away from Americas problems and expect to not see it in another city. Every city globally in my opinion is a unhealthy, not safe, and military locked down. Living on the water is way too dangerous for me. So its of to the woods, which is what i've personally choose to do and most likely stay in America. I'm collecting weapons and lots of ammo just incase since we are the last to have the right to bear arms.

Africa is poor and hungry and filled with ruthless leaders.

Europe is in crazy debt. I'm sure you've seen some of the news in the last two years.

I don't know if you can speak Russian or if you'd want to go.

I've heard several poster here who live in Australia say the country is trying to head 'the american way' though i've never even been to Australia so you'd have to research that.

Lots of Canadians on this site are complaining about how and where their government is heading.

Mexico is dirt poor and over populated.

I'm not trying to be pessimistic here. Its just i don't know what else to do but head for the woods, and their are places in America as well as canada where you can do that. I think its the best shot and closest way to a life of so called 'freedom' but i could be wrong.

Its a tough situation.

 

have you thought of Amsterdam? it may not be exactly what you want, but it might be also...

i was going to move TO the USA a little while ago, but changed my mind... my partner also feels like you and wishes to leave the US anyway...

 

I have been living in quite a few different countries in Europe, Africa, Central America, the middle east, and the South Pacific. All have their problems. Bureaucracy and corruption is (almost) everywhere. Bad economy and bad politics are a global epidemic. It's a tough choice.

 

It's a tough choice for sure-and it's a trade-off. You give up some things and get others. It's all kind of a matter of what makes you happy, and what you can tolerate.

 

Even better: the nation of Amsterdam comprises of the whole of the Netherlands It has a pretty social democratic system compared to the US and also decentralized elements :2thumbsup:

 

That's the word I was looking for: trade-off. You just can't have it all. Well put.

 

I moved to Canada last year. Moved before the US goes default. Its way better than the states, and id never move back. I hate the Feds. I was born here so it was really easy to get back into this system. Plus the Canadian dollar is worth like 6 cents more than the usd now. That alone is pretty scary. I remember, trading in 100cad from my grandma, and only getting like 60usd in the late 90's! I love Canada so much now I could never leave. The system rocks here.

 

I dont blame you AT ALL!!!!!!

Im sure if we all had THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS,we would all leave!


Good luck to you

 

cool :sunny:

 

Traitor

 

Only someone from Philly could say that ....

 

I didn't even realize anyone ever replied to this thread, thanks for the input everybody. Some of you guys have brought up a good point. Things are pretty shitty everywhere right now, aren't they? Damnit...

Two things really bother me about America, as opposed to elsewhere: One, corruption is rampant everywhere, yes. But very few countries have the same wide-reaching influence as America. We can't be content with keeping our corruption within America's perimeters. This country has a filthy hand in everyone else's affairs as well.

Two, I think I could handle the government corruption a little better if only this country had more culture. I find American culture to be rather oppressive, intellectually and spiritually speaking.

On the other hand, Broony reminded me of one reason why I like America. When all else fails, Americans do have the option of stockpiling all neccessary tools for survival and heading for the woods. George Bush made a parody of it, but America has always had that independent, cowboy attitude. I kind of like that about this country.

 

Well, here are a few of the pros and cons about living somewhere else-

As far as corruption goes, there's corruption basically built into the system in America-in a lot of other places (not usually in Western Europe), it takes the form of people wanting a bribe before they give you the services they're supposed to give you in the first place. Where I live that's not all that common anymore, but in some countries the problem is rampant.

As far as freedom goes-most European countries have more bureaucracy than the US, but fewer laws that restrict what you can do in your everyday life than the US does. Another trade-off. And there's a down side to not having law enforcement that's as tough as it is in the States-if someone commits a crime against you, it's harder to get the cops to do something about it, harder to get the courts to prosecute them-in the country I'm in, some people are reluctant to even report crimes, because the criminal has the right to get your address from police records, and they usually let people that are accused out of jail 2 days after they're arrested without bond while they await trial, which might be next year some time.

And Melial is right about some good aspects of American society, the 'can-do' attitude, the idea that if something is broken we should fix it, if something is dirty we should clean it. Come to where I am-if something is broken, it usually doesn't get fixed, if something is dirty it usually just stays that way, and nobody gives a rusty fuck about it. These people are so used to things being that way and so lazy and apathetic that they can't imagine things being any other way. Southern Italy and Eastern Europe are the worst about that kind of thing-most Western European countries get a higher grade.

Another thing is that in general, immigrants (mostly non-whites) have assimilated a lot less into the society than in the States. Here there's always a racial conception of what it means to be "French", "Polish", "Dutch", etc., while it's not really that way in the States (at least not now).

 

Ya got that right buddy,might be hard moving somewhere good!!

WHERE???

 

I still love America, despite the problems present. Baja California (northern Mexico) has the highest number of people going there for retirement. The weather is excellent (like San Diego, CA), and it is close enough to the states to allow you to go back and forth. The main attraction is the inexpensive cost of living and the climate. #2 for people moving there is Italy -- again, the climate is wonderful, but it is VERY expensive. New Zealand is restrictive in their immigration. Australia could be a good choice. Save your money and visit the areas to catch the lay of the land before actually pulling up roots and transporting yourself. You may find it more attractive to come back and try to improve/fix some of the things you dislike in America.