Life Outside of America? Where else would you want to visit?

[ColoradoTeamsOverOhio3249]

Just wondering, say someone offers you a free plane ticket. They say you can leave the United States for good and fly to any other country in the world of your choice? But the catch is, there’s no going back, once you fly to your country choice, this will be your new home for good? Where else would you want to live besides the US?

I’ve always wanted to see what Ireland or the Bahamas would be like? So if I had to leave for good. I’d live in one of those 2 countries in my opinion?

 

[D4fan]

Boiling it down: they're technologically progressive, capitalist but seem not to have gotten caught up in the rat race. They live lives outside of work........

That pretty much nails it for me. Technologically savvy especially when health is concerned, while living a simple life that allows for social structure.

 

[chs1971]

Not to open a political can of worms here, but there are certain socialists countries that I believe get it pretty close to correct. I would like to choose Sweden, Findland or Norway. I hear they have strong social construct, modest lifestyle, but great community support. That is missing terribly in our dog eat dog capitalism model.

I am drawn to Scandinavian countries for their social and economic systems, as well as their intentional moderate per capita consumption of resources. Low obesity rates speak volumes of either discipline or lack of resources lol.

Small modest dwellings appeals to me as well.
Conservering resources for the next generation is important to me. I do question if my freedom to do as I want in America may make me a poor social partner in such a region.

Norway and Sweden would be quick to tell you that they're capitalist and not sociaist.

 

[chs1971]

Well that was interesting.

I took three different online quizzes. The recommendations were,

Kenya, South Korea, and New Zealand.

I choose the green hills of Africa. Maybe live on a farm at the foot of the Ngong hills.


The truth is I would probably move to Leamington.

 

[D4fan]

Norway and Sweden would be quick to tell you that they're capitalist and not sociaist.

And I think under broad definitions they would be capitalists, but they look out for each other to such an extent that they get taxed like socialists. It's very hard to find a country today that is not what I define as socialist.

My idea of capitalism is you pay for your own healthcare, food, housing etc. The only place I believe go government should be involved would be security, infrastructure for commerce, and infrastructure for communication. Those Scandinavian countries have huge saftey nets for their people, making them socialist to me. However, they seem at the same time to have a strong work ethic, which makes me agreeable to that form of socialism more so than our "sit on your butt and let someone else pay it for me" mentality of America.

 

[eastisbest]

And I think under broad definitions they would be capitalists, but they look out for each other to such an extent that they get taxed like socialists. It's very hard to find a country today that is not what I define as socialist.

My idea of capitalism is you pay for your own healthcare, food, housing etc. The only place I believe go government should be involved would be security, infrastructure for commerce, and infrastructure for communication. Those Scandinavian countries have huge saftey nets for their people, making them socialist to me. However, they seem at the same time to have a strong work ethic, which makes me agreeable to that form of socialism more so than our "sit on your butt and let someone else pay it for me" mentality of America.

Sweden also has a very high unemployment rate. Because of the higly skilled nature of the work force and a low rate of service industry, those without skills struggle to find jobs. It is becoming generational. They are at the point, they either halt immigration of unskilled people, continue to keep those unskilled on perpetual services to fore-stall disruption, much as we do, or accept they will be socially unstable as the workers get fed up with the non-workers and there's a right wing back-lash.

Scandavia in general has a huge distrust of foreign educational systems. It's not that easy to get even a labor job.

 

[cjb5656]

Young me: New Zealand

Old me: Switzerland*

*Edit: Little bit of Germany, France, Italy and Austria. Side trip to Leichtenstein.

All of the above.

 

[chs1971]

And I think under broad definitions they would be capitalists, but they look out for each other to such an extent that they get taxed like socialists. It's very hard to find a country today that is not what I define as socialist.

My idea of capitalism is you pay for your own healthcare, food, housing etc. The only place I believe go government should be involved would be security, infrastructure for commerce, and infrastructure for communication. Those Scandinavian countries have huge saftey nets for their people, making them socialist to me. However, they seem at the same time to have a strong work ethic, which makes me agreeable to that form of socialism more so than our "sit on your butt and let someone else pay it for me" mentality of America.

All possibly true but they are quick to explain that they are capitalist and not socialist.

 

[yj_runfan]

If I had to relocate I would go to Scotland. I would feel like I had finally come home.

 

[eastisbest]

If I had to relocate I would go to Scotland. I would feel like I had finally come home.

Lots of places to have a quiet life. If you prefer fights, there's always Glasgow. I don't necessarily enjoy fights but if the right job came with it, I'd really like Glasgow. I've rarely felt more comfortable visiting a place but visiting and living.... A middle income might not put you into a house.

 

[Chop Stix]

Lots of places to have a quiet life. If you prefer fights, there's always Glasgow. I don't necessarily enjoy fights but if the right job came with it, I'd really like Glasgow. I've rarely felt more comfortable visiting a place but visiting and living.... A middle income might not put you into a house.

Seems like a great city. I was in the northwest of England for a week last August and if I had a few more days to spare I would've definitely loved to visit.

The weather would be the biggest deterrent to me for living though. 40s/50s for the vast majority of the year with little sunshine. Not for me.

 

[eastisbest]

Seems like a great city. I was in the northwest of England for a week last August and if I had a few more days to spare I would've definitely loved to visit.

The weather would be the biggest deterrent to me for living though. 40s/50s for the vast majority of the year with little sunshine. Not for me.

What did you see there?
I've lived upstate NY. I'm used to grey skies, lol.

Other than 3 days quick London tour, I was actually staying in Austria, I've seen NOTHING of England, Wales or Ireland. Someday. No tour though. I'd just want to putter.

 

[yj_runfan]

Lots of places to have a quiet life. If you prefer fights, there's always Glasgow. I don't necessarily enjoy fights but if the right job came with it, I'd really like Glasgow. I've rarely felt more comfortable visiting a place but visiting and living.... A middle income might not put you into a house.

Don’t need a job. Retired very comfortably, thank you. Scotland would feel like home because it’s the country of my ancestry. I would defiantly settle out in the country far from the cities.

 

[Chop Stix]

What did you see there?
I've lived upstate NY. I'm used to grey skies, lol.

Other than 3 days quick London tour, I was actually staying in Austria, I've seen NOTHING of England, Wales or Ireland. Someday. No tour though. I'd just want to putter.

Was based in Wigan (for personal reasons) but traveled to Manchester, the Lakes District, and Snowdonia/Wales over the course of my stay.

Would highly recommend all 3 places.

Spent a half-day walking around London before flying back home.

 

[eastisbest]

Don’t need a job. Retired very comfortably, thank you. Scotland would feel like home because it’s the country of my ancestry. I would defiantly settle out in the country far from the cities.

That would be cool for you. I take it you've already visited?

Towns and Highlands were both nice. They don't have that suburban spread. You're in or you're not. Don't over look island living though. Kirkwall, Orkney was one of the friendliest places I thought. Plenty of land around there. Hebrides might be to your liking. Mostly remote, a few small villages. Mostly crofts, so I don't know what the owner rights implications are. There was a nine hole golf course, right along the ocean. Just put the recommended 9 into the box at the entrance and you've paid. Doesn't get more Scottish than that.

 

[yj_runfan]

That would be cool for you. I take it you've already visited?

Towns and Highlands were both nice. They don't have that suburban spread. You're in or you're not. Don't over look island living though. Kirkwall, Orkney was one of the friendliest places I thought. Plenty of land around there. Hebrides might be to your liking. Mostly remote, a few small villages. Mostly crofts, so I don't know what the owner rights implications are. There was a nine hole golf course, right along the ocean. Just put the recommended 9 into the box at the entrance and you've paid. Doesn't get more Scottish than that.

I hope to make my first visit in 2024. Thanks for the inspiration.

 

[soccerdad72]

Friends of ours want to make a trip to Ireland this fall, now that AerLingus is starting direct flight to Dublin. Just starting to plan now - it's not an area I've ever been to either.

Our boys want to go to New Zealand, but that's a trip that will have to likely wait until summer 2024, partially as a late (by a year) HS graduation present combined with a college graduation present.

 

[winbypin]

Unfortunately I haven't traveled too much internationally but I did enjoy the cayman islands but that was in the early 90s....I understand it has changed quite a bit since then.

 

[eastisbest]

Unfortunately I haven't traveled too much internationally but I did enjoy the cayman islands but that was in the early 90s....I understand it has changed quite a bit since then.

everywhere mainstream has. There's HUGE aging populations with stashes of retirement income and they're spending it. Add in emergence of formerly 3rd world Chinese, SE Asia and even the fall of the Eastern Block and economic rise of many parts of Africa, tourist spots are busy. But they only go certain places.

Here's how I travel, using Ohio analogy. I'll go to Cleveland to see the sites and do the big-city but stay in Fremont. Fremont, Ohio may not have an attraction to an Ohioan but it's equivlent in Ireland, is still Irish. Probably even more Irish since it's not invaded by hoards of non-irish and irish university business school copy-cat shops. And since you're as unique to them as they are to you, you make friends. This often involves drinking beer, going to church or on the rare occasion, karaoke.

 

[D4fan]

everywhere mainstream has. There's HUGE aging populations with stashes of retirement income and they're spending it. Add in emergence of formerly 3rd world Chinese, SE Asia and even the fall of the Eastern Block and economic rise of many parts of Africa, tourist spots are busy. But they only go certain places.

Here's how I travel, using Ohio analogy. I'll go to Cleveland to see the sites and do the big-city but stay in Fremont. Fremont, Ohio may not have an attraction to an Ohioan but it's equivlent in Ireland, is still Irish. Probably even more Irish since it's not invaded by hoards of non-irish and irish university business school copy-cat shops. And since you're as unique to them as they are to you, you make friends. This often involves drinking beer, going to church or on the rare occasion, karaoke.

East, I never pictured you as a world traveler. You travel often?

When I travel to Cleveland, I like to stay in Parma, somewhere along Rockside Rd south of I-480. Not sure what that says about me? My knowledge of Parma is pretty limited, but I know they have a great girls volleyball team and a world class two story fancy McDonalds.

 

[eastisbest]

East, I never pictured you as a world traveler. You travel often?

When I travel to Cleveland, I like to stay in Parma, somewhere along Rockside Rd south of I-480. Not sure what that says about me? My knowledge of Parma is pretty limited, but I know they have a great girls volleyball team and a world class two story fancy McDonalds.

Is that the McDonald's where they serve you at your table? Somewhere over that part of the state I think there's one like that. I want to go to it.

Somewhere around 50 countries. Missing Anarctica from continents. All the states though Texas has short shrift, that's a bucket list. Guam. All the provinces except Nunavet, Prince Edward and Newfoundland. Unless they've added some new ones. Never been to the Caribean or off the main streets of Oregon, Ohio. I don't get out much lately though.

 

[D4fan]

Is that the McDonald's where they serve you at your table? Somewhere over that part of the state I think there's one like that. I want to go to it.

Somewhere around 50 countries. Missing Anarctica from continents. All the states though Texas has short shrift, that's a bucket list. Guam. All the provinces except Nunavet, Prince Edward and Newfoundland. Unless they've added some new ones. Never been to the Caribean or off the main streets of Oregon, Ohio. I don't get out much lately though.

Wow that's impressive.

Sit down service? Not sure. But it is grand, two stories with a chandelier in the center of the grand staircase. Not technically in Parma, it's at 6201 Brecksville rd , Independence Ohio. We have stopped in several times with friends to show them what a truly classy place a fast food restaurant can be. Just Google fancy McDonald's Parma (or Independence I bet works as well).

 

[eastisbest]

Wow that's impressive.

Eh, nature of what I was doing. Some were vacation or travel. Most foreign travel was connected to other paid or volunteer work that was months or more at a time. None were tours, so I was able to pick my own agenda, which allowed me to sometimes stay in those out of the way places and meet people. Only a few times was I able to approach the high life and even then it wasn't planned, just sort of happened. It wasn't life for the rich and famous type travel, I rarely got to see that side of things.

 

[soccerdad72]

I was going to say - technically, the fancy McDonald's is Independence, not Parma. None of the Rockside area is considered Parma - it's either Independence or Seven Hills (which, I think it included in the Parma school district).

 

[D4fan]

Eh, nature of what I was doing. Some were vacation or travel. Most foreign travel was connected to other paid or volunteer work that was months or more at a time. None were tours, so I was able to pick my own agenda, which allowed me to sometimes stay in those out of the way places and meet people. Only a few times was I able to approach the high life and even then it wasn't planned, just sort of happened. It wasn't life for the rich and famous type travel, I rarely got to see that side of things.

My brother got a job just recently driving airplane propellers all over the United states. Here's the interesting thing to me, small airports back in the sticks are the ones who have the prop planes. These planes must have their propellers inspected and serviced every so often as mandated by FAA rules. So he makes trips into the remote areas of our country, this week he was in Vermont at a small village. Fascinating opportunity see how the slow part of America lives.

 

[eastisbest]

My brother got a job just recently driving airplane propellers all over the United states. Here's the interesting thing to me, small airports back in the sticks are the ones who have the prop planes. These planes must have their propellers inspected and serviced every so often as mandated by FAA rules. So he makes trips into the remote areas of our country, this week he was in Vermont at a small village. Fascinating opportunity see how the slow part of America lives.

Getting paid to drive from small airport to small airport. What a cool job. I'd be reminding him all the favors you did for him. Some real maple syrup sounds reall good.

 

[LCL]

Just wondering, say someone offers you a free plane ticket. They say you can leave the United States for good and fly to any other country in the world of your choice? But the catch is, there’s no going back, once you fly to your country choice, this will be your new home for good? Where else would you want to live besides the US?

I’ve always wanted to see what Ireland or the Bahamas would be like? So if I had to leave for good. I’d live in one of those 2 countries in my opinion?

Whatever country is the most developed and the US dollar goes the furthest. Gonna be tough to buy a new automobile, living space, food, and technology to start my brand new life. Considering all I have is US dollars, probably have to settle for Canada, the UK, or, a stretch Australia.

 

[cjb5656]

Whatever country is the most developed and the US dollar goes the furthest. Gonna be tough to buy a new automobile, living space, food, and technology to start my brand new life. Considering all I have is US dollars, probably have to settle for Canada, the UK, or, a stretch Australia.

I once looked at New Zealand and Australia some years ago. I was excited because my profession was on the list to qualify for a visa, as it was in need in both places, but the salaries were half as much as we earn in the USA and the cost of living was twice as high. I decided I wasn’t up for losing 75% of my earning/buying power.

 

[eastisbest]

Whatever country is the most developed and the US dollar goes the furthest. Gonna be tough to buy a new automobile, living space, food, and technology to start my brand new life. Considering all I have is US dollars, probably have to settle for Canada, the UK, or, a stretch Australia.

You can spend US dollars direct in Ecuador. It's not legal from our end I don't think but it's legal currency there. They do it because printing costs more than their currency is worth.

"Developed" isn't what it used to be. There are more high rises in La Paz, Bolivia than just about every city in Ohio. Not AS high but 300 feet and higher? Angola, Africa looks like these modern Gulf Cities. Glass and man-made island.

Plenty of developed places where the money spreads.

 

[yj_runfan]

I worked with a guy years ago that retired to a country where his fixed income would go farther. He moved back to the US after a few years for one reason: health care. Not the cost of heath care but the quality. He said it was scary.

 

[eastisbest]

I worked with a guy years ago that retired to a country where his fixed income would go farther. He moved back to the US after a few years for one reason: health care. Not the cost of heath care but the quality. He said it was scary.

Just got to have faith.