The-Captain Posted January 9, 2008 Share Posted January 9, 2008 Im not sure if anyones already done a topic specifically about this, though its been touched in alot of others. Whenever we get to talking about the upcoming presidential election and our hopes (the country wont completely suck) and fears (Huckabee wins) surrounding it, the idea of moving to another country comes up alot. I have to admit the general religous/philosophical climate alone makes me want to pack up and go sometimes (Europe maybe?). On the other hand you only have one homeland in your lifetime and I do feel a little bit obligated to try and make it better. But then maybe thats a losing fight already, as its stupid to fight for something that most of the majority hates and resists at every turn. There are also some things I do love about America, namely the remaining wilderness we have, that I would miss if I left. And then theres that whole thing about most the world hating Americans that makes me a little leery of going elsewhere....sigh So the purpose of this topic is for general discussion from anyone about the whole idea of leaving the States. If you think about leaving, I'd like to hear about where you would want to go, why you would go there etc. If you think its worth staying talk about your rationale for that and so forth. And for any of my esteemed colleagues from outside the U.S feel free to talk about how things are in your country, and possibly if you think it wouldnt be a half bad idea for some of us possible exiles to live in your basement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amethyst Posted January 9, 2008 Share Posted January 9, 2008 Well, I'd only do it as an absolute last resort and only if my life and freedom were threatened. I don't see things getting that bad...yet. But they very well could if the religious fundies succeed in making the U.S. a theocracy. I would go to Canada since it's close, that would be my first choice. Europe would be my second--I've been to Germany and I know enough about it to know that I would like it there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhia Posted January 9, 2008 Share Posted January 9, 2008 Canada, Iceland, Norway, Irish Republic (tho it's just as religious in its own right - at least it's not fundigelical), the Moon, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWIM Posted January 9, 2008 Share Posted January 9, 2008 Amsterdam! For the weed of course. hehe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
upstarter Posted January 9, 2008 Share Posted January 9, 2008 On behalf of my homeland let me say that all of you would be welcome in Canada. However, I might point out a very sad truth, and that is if America slides down the rabbit hole... Canada is likely to slide with it. Our fates are so closely tied (sad but true). It is why we take such an interest in your politics while you have no idea who any of our leaders are. I would hope that if America really went down the fascist highway, that we'd find some way to resist. But lately I've been feeling a bit like Austria in the 30s. And there are no mountains for us to escape over while singing "Doh Reh Mi". Heather Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hereticzero Posted January 9, 2008 Share Posted January 9, 2008 I hear Norway is good. Iceland is not bad either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vigile Posted January 9, 2008 Share Posted January 9, 2008 Well, yeah, this has been done before, but it's always a fun topic for me. As one of the members here who has already picked up stakes and moved I can say there are a lot of countries out there that offer interesting alternatives. Russia, where I live, is probably not ideal for most, but I feel that I have much more freedom and privacy here than I had in the US. I certainly don't have to give up my paycheck to pay for wars, corporate welfare, et al, which is a big plus in my book. Italy has a superior culture to just about every country IMO. Latinos in general live much happier life styles than we Americans tend to. In Italy, less is more and quality reigns supreme over quantity. Dumbasses are few and far between and society there is a leap and a bound or three ahead in terms of class, culture, and enlightenment. Venezuela offers beauty, low prices, a disabled government infrastructure that doesn't give a shit what ex pats are up to, and as a result loads of freedom and privacy and low gas prices. Those from the city are in a cultural class equal to those in major US coastal cities. India is cheap, cheap, cheap. Government officials are corrupt (which equals freedom to live your life how you wish if you grease the wheels a bit - translates to easy visas, readily available herb, no problems with traffic cops, etc...). But the biggest plus in India is the people. They are beautiful in body and spirity. Their joy radiates and rubs off. It's almost spiritual; which is why so many seek some sort of enlightenment there. Costa Rica has a strong middle class, it's the only country in the world without a military, it has a strong spirit of latino zest, and it's scenery is gorgeous. These are just a few (ones I'm most familiar with). The world is full of interesting places. Figure out how to make money online and you are free to live just about anywhere. Look into online affiliate sales programs as a way to earn a living online if you don't have any other ideas. Other alternatives are teaching English, starting your own biz, brainstorm more... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The-Captain Posted January 9, 2008 Author Share Posted January 9, 2008 Well, yeah, this has been done before, but it's always a fun to lternatives are teaching English, starting your own biz, brainstorm more... Thanks for the info Vige, the only other country Ive been to frequently is Mexico (and not the tourist spots) and it isnt the kind of place I would want to live, one can only be robbed by cops so many times.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emme Posted January 9, 2008 Share Posted January 9, 2008 I'll toot my own horn a bit... Sweden has a reputation of being on of the most secularised countries in the world. We are pretty far along on gender issues and gay rights. But If you move to Norway, Sweden or Denmark, you would have to get used to living in a country with very few people. I live in the capital, and it does not compare to your cities in the US. all in all, there are about 9 million people in sweden, 5,5 in denmark and 4,5 in Norway. That's a big change... But welcome! We need more people! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The-Captain Posted January 9, 2008 Author Share Posted January 9, 2008 I'll toot my own horn a bit...Sweden has a reputation of being on of the most secularised countries in the world. We are pretty far along on gender issues and gay rights. But If you move to Norway, Sweden or Denmark, you would have to get used to living in a country with very few people. I live in the capital, and it does not compare to your cities in the US. all in all, there are about 9 million people in sweden, 5,5 in denmark and 4,5 in Norway. That's a big change... But welcome! We need more people! Actually less people would be welcome. Ive heard alot of good things about the Nordic nations but Ive always had the idea that Europe is crowded and overly urban. I could get used to the cold as Ive always enjoyed northern places more, and the language always sounded nice to me I would love to learn it. One reason I stated for loving America (not the country but the land) was the empty wilderness, I love being outdoors where there are few people to see and even less signs of them ever having been there. I doubt the climate can compare but Ive spent alot of time in Wyoming, Montana, North Dakota and other northern states where the population density is low. Not that Im asocial or anything its just that I dislike being in crowded cities where Im surrounded by strangers that dont care to know me and I could care less to know them. Sociologists would call that a "Gesselschaft" society (translation probably a bad thing).Ohh and Ive also enjoyed Scandanavian culture for as long as I can remember (at least what Ive been exposed to).Maybe....Maybe if all else fails I would move to one of the Nordic nations, if they would have me that is.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Llwellyn Posted January 9, 2008 Share Posted January 9, 2008 I lived 15 years in central Africa which is becoming more and more saturated with the cognitive virus every year. I suppose you can blame my parents in part for that, as they are Bible-translating missionaries. But with or without Christianity, people where I lived tended to be intolerant of different ways of thinking and living. It is a very strong group mentality that stresses conformity and tribal rivalry. Plus, they have so many diseases, apart from Christianity. You would have do deal with malaria, hepatitus, giardia, diarhea, etc. I've had them all. The thing that worries me about Europe is that you hear about how there are a lot of Muslim immigrants in Europe, especially France, Belgium and the Netherlands. Will these countries one day be majority Muslim? I wouldn't wish to live as a minority in a Muslim country. Europeans -- what affect does Arab/Turkish immigration have on your societies? I've hear that Uruguay is a very well-educated secular country. I haven't heard much about it, but what I have hear has been good. It's like Argentina, but without as much crime and economic instability. Perhaps I'll work as a ranch hand there? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thurisaz Posted January 10, 2008 Share Posted January 10, 2008 As for my German homeland... ...we have our own bunch of problems of course. Our established political parties continue debating topics about as vitally important as it would be to ask "what wallpaper should we use for this room on the ground level while the rest of the building is burning and starting to collapse?" (in other words, US-like crap just without an idiotic war...), with appropriate consequences for the economy... and morontheists desperately try to get a US-like battle for their respective heavenly sadists going (too bad that the bulk of the population may be christian, but not morontheistically so )... but generally it seems to me that things would definitely be more pleasurable than over in the reich. Or at least better than in da babble belt There's definitely much less braindead conservativism here (well, outside of Bavaria that is... I won't promise anything if you should decide do move there ). Nethersaxony, where I live, is cool in that aspect. And if you happen to be more or less skilled in the IT business... I have a tip for you about possible employers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelli Posted January 10, 2008 Share Posted January 10, 2008 I have thought very seriously about moving from the U.S. I live less than 10 miles from the Canadian border and thought about keeping my present job and moving to Fort Erie. Honestly, if I didn't have three kids I shared equally with the other parent, I would already have moved -- somewhere. I am not sure at this point about Canada. I am open to pretty much anything at this point. If things really do hit the fan here, I will leave. There are Dominionists in the Huckabee Camp that would love to see laws passed to have people like me executed or at the very least jailed. As much as it seems far-fetched, I think anything is possible. Sorry, but I'm just not that much of a patriot. What good we had here in America has largely been corrupted. I never really did like the elitist "we're the best country in the world" attitude we Americans seem to have either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike D Posted January 10, 2008 Share Posted January 10, 2008 Personally I can't see myself ever leaving the US. I was born and raised here and for as crappy as my life has been for the last year, this is the only place I could really ever call home. But then again I live in LA which is sort of like living in another country anyway Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jessica Sideways Posted January 10, 2008 Share Posted January 10, 2008 If a republican (Huckabee or not) wins the election, I am SO moving back to the UK. This makes me glad we live in the age of Expedia! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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