If you could move to any country, what country would you go to? Me--- France

[debm55]

[Funtatlaguy]

1. Australia

[debm55]

6. Thank you Funtatlaguy. My husband went their for a business trip and said it was great.

[ramedy]

2. Spain.

(and I did it.)

[debm55]

8. Thank you ramedy. Are you posting from their now?

[ramedy]

44. No, I'm in the US right now

I came back to vote. 👍

[Polly Hennessey]

3. Northern England or Scotland. My immigrant family

came over from there. Maybe, Ireland where my husband’s family is from.

[debm55]

9. Thank you PollyHennessey. I have been to Ireland and it is so beautiful.

[malthaussen]

34. Their "government" is too close to ours...

... and that is a liability. Even though Labour won massively the past General Election, they are about as truly Progressive as the Dems are in this country -- ie, not very. The Neoliberalism is still strong there.

-- Mal

[RainCaster]

4. New Zealand

When they had a gun problem, they did the obvious. A country like that has my respect.

[debm55]

11. Thank you RainCaster. Yes, I agree.

[Bayard]

47. I'll second that choice

Although COL seems pretty high.

[wryter2000]

103. OMG, yes

The country is incredibly beautiful and sparsely populated. The north island climate is like my beloved Oakland.

[anciano]

5. Italy....

my paternal grandfather was from Palermo, Sicily.

[debm55]

12. Thank you anciano. It would be a beautiful place.

[CTyankee]

130. I would live here but go to visit art museums having exhibits of artists I would love to see 3 times a year.

Here in New York, Washington, and Boston and, because I live near enough to NYC, I would fly to the European art museums I love so dearly: the Louvre, Musee d'Orsay in Paris, Uffizi and Accademia in Florence, London's National Gallery, others in Milan and in little museums in towns of northern Italy.

I see reviews of the exhibits in those museums and others in the NYT and I feel the urge to just pack and go like I used to. But I must be honest, I am too old at this point.

[debm55]

131. Thank you CTyankee

[Ocelot II]

7. Norway, probably.

Great scenery, good government, ancestors from there; some shirttail relatives whom US family members have already met, and I know enough of the language to get around.

[debm55]

13. My relatives are from the Ukraine and country of Georgia. don't want to go there. Rich's family is from Italy and

Finland. Thank you Ocelot II

[LearnedHand]

105. Likewise

Unbelievably gorgeous country. Love the language. Love the public transportation. Did you ever see any of the sherpatrappa when you visited there?

[Siwsan]

10. My heart says Wales but my more practical side says Canada

But, yea, north Wales would be my dream. It's been my experience with the Welsh that if you are proud of your Welsh bloodline and have a Welsh surname, the odds are they have family members with that same surname and figure you might be related. That's my experience, anyway, every time I've visited.

As for Canada, being from Michigan I do speak pretty fluent Canadian and think they are among the loveliest people on earth.

[debm55]

17. Agree with you. Rich speaks Finn. and when he and his parents went they were treated with open arms. His mother was born

there and when coming to the USA the family spoke Finn at home.

[Siwsan]

18. My great aunt told me they spoke Welsh when they were young

I speak enough to be polite. (Good morning, afternoon, evening, Hello, Thank You,)

[debm55]

35. That's good. My MIL moved outside of Boston with Finnish population. No one spoke English at home or our in public. She

was very fluent in the language.Her older sisters were not allowed in Public school until they learned English.That't the only reason Toini learned English.

[Mister Ed]

14. Switzerland. Prettiest place you'll ever see.

Even their cows are pretty. And I have no idea where they hide their garbage, but you never see it.

[debm55]

30. Thank you Mister Ed. It does look like a Wonderful place to live.

[Prairie_Seagull]

78. There are 'train cab rides' on the tube where you can see what cities and countrysides

in most countries, are like. Switzerland is IMO the cleanest country I have seen. Generally folks really don't pay high attention to train routes from a cleanliness perspective.

I use them on my treadmill.

[debm55]

79. Thank you so much Prairie_Seagull

[NBachers]

128. OMG the motion and beauty are just hypnotic!

[Prairie_Seagull]

171. Abslutely agree, It is hypnotic.

If one concentrates on the vanishing point of the tracts. Time and distance fly by on these old legs. In addition the motion seems to promote my walking gate.

[WheelWalker]

15. Although I might be ABLE to move to any country, I'd stay right where I am. If I HAD to move to another country...

take me to New Zealand.

[debm55]

26. Excellent choice WheelWalker.

[mikewv]

16. Dominican Republic

US Dollar does well there, currently 60 DOP - 1 USD. Affordable for Americans. Beautiful weather, good food and wonderful people. I am planning to retire there asap.

[debm55]

25. Thank you mikewv. It sounds like a beautiful place. Enjoy yourself.

[lucca18]

19. Australia! I've been there three times!

[debm55]

23. thank you lucca18, Rich was there one. He loved it.

[arkielib]

20. Ireland

Unfortunately I don't speak any foreign languages, and at my age (66) I would probably have difficulty learning one. I did take French in high school, but that was a few years ago. I once spent a week in Ireland and loved it. My husband would probably want to go to Scotland though. Maybe we would toss a coin over it.

[debm55]

21. Thank you arkielib with my husband. Simply beautiful. Scotland would be any place to live

[OnDoutside]

88. Let Duolingo be your friend !

Half of it is confidence, and the other half is the locals appreciating you trying to speak their language, and they'll help you.

I'm Irish and live in Ireland.

[arkielib]

91. Thanks, Duolingo.

I may try that out! I'll add it to my list of things I want to do when I retire next year.

[OnDoutside]

95. No problem.

My brother took up Duolingo Italian 18 months ago and bought property in Sicily 6 months ago. The locals he has met have been great and very helpful. If you do intend to move somewhere, visit first, then go back and rent in a place you like. Only after that, if you like the place, would you consider buying.

We used to have a place in Spain until we sold it to buy a rental back here in Ireland. It was a wise decision as the rents here are high. I don't think we would ever buy abroad again as you can rent long term for reasonable prices in places like Spain and Italy. As an example, my other brother has retired and is currently in Spain for 3 months for around 2k at a 3 bed Airbnb.

[arkielib]

93. I meant "thanks, OnDoutside" for recommending Duolingo.

I guess I should learn to type in English before I move on to a second language.

[LearnedHand]

108. No you wouldn't.

If you have an open, flexible, curious mind you can easily learn anything new language. And I heartily second DuoLingo. It's very fun, sort of silly, and VERY effective.

[arkielib]

142. Thanks, LearnedHand. I'll try it!

I think I'll start with Spanish.

[BlueSky3]

22. Me too,

France. I lived there for 3 1/2 years as a kid. But they have their troubles, too.

[debm55]

37. Thank you BlueSky3 Yes, but I would like to live out in the country .

[BlueSky3]

96. I would, too.

I’m not going anywhere, but it’s fun to look at different regions and imagine what life is like there.

[debm55]

133. Agree

[RoadRunner]

24. Belize

English speaking, close enough to US for medical care, beautiful tropical country, easy immigration.

[debm55]

38. Thank you RoadRunner. that sounds great.

[Ferrets are Cool]

27. We are so old that no other country wants us.

[malthaussen]

32. Unless we have a lot of money, true.

If we were young, there are places that would pay us to move there -- as close as Canada, but also Italy, Spain...

-- Mal

[debm55]

40. Oh you. Thank you Ferrets are Cool,

[Bristlecone]

28. I'm in the Australia camp.

Ireland is a semi-near second I think.

[debm55]

42. Thank you Bristlecone. They both sound great. We have been to Ireland. I picked France because of the Art and the

Buildings. But would love to live on a farm.

[malthaussen]

29. Probably Iceland.

Finland is supposed to be nice, too, but too close to that madman Putin.

-- Mal

[debm55]

43. Thank you Mal. and even though my husband can speak it and has relatives there. because of the location. I would not

would not want to live there.

[LoisB]

31. Jamaica, mon.

[debm55]

45. Thank you LoisB. I think it would be too hot for me.

[FakeNoose]

33. Germany would be my first choice

[debm55]

71. Thank you FakeNoose.

[LakeArenal]

36. Costa Rica. 🇨🇷 On Lake Arenal. Haha

[debm55]

72. HAHAAHAHHAHAHAH. Thank you LakeArenal

[Cairycat]

39. Germany

I'm fairly fluent. There are right-wing extremists there (Alternative für Deutschland party) but healthcare, concern for the environment, worker rights, are all much better than here.

[debm55]

73. Thank you Cairycat.

[ailsagirl]

147. We lived there for a year a LONG time ago-- I was just a kid.

[love_katz]

41. Canada or Sweden.

I would want the land to look like my home. I live in the Pacific Northwest.

[debm55]

74. Thank you love_katz. I guess I am the opposite, I live in PA and would love to live near the sea and not a land locked

area.

[Joinfortmill]

46. I love France. Visited in 2014. But, I'd move to Scandinavia

and/or Finland. I admire the Nordic model.

[debm55]

75. Thank you Joinfortmill. Husband speaks Finn as his mother was born there.

[JT45242]

48. New Zealand

Beautiful and run by grown ups.

Wouldn't mind working for their education ministry.

[debm55]

80. Thank you JT45242

[greatauntoftriplets]

49. Luxembourg.

Half of my mother's family is still there and we're in contact. I hate to say this, but the branch I'm closest to are in the judiciary and have said they'd clear the way. On the down side, my French is quite rusty, I only speak a few words of Luxembourgish, but everyone speaks English.

The plus side is that it's the way you always expect Europe to be. The modern business area where there are EU offices is at some distance from the historic city center of the capital. And it's stable!

[debm55]

81. Thank you greatauntoftriplets. It sounds like a beautiful place to live.

[northoftheborder]

50. Ireland

Or New Zealand

[debm55]

83. thank you northoftheborder. I have been to Ireland and it is beautiful.

[rso]

51. RSO

Italy, we were posted there for 2 years, and it’s an outstanding Country, especially when you get out of the big cities.

[debm55]

84. Thank you rso.

[Marigold]

52. My heart says France

I go to Canada quite often and pretend I am in France. I can barely function with the language barrier as it is.

[debm55]

85. Dear Marigold. We go to Montreal and do the same.

[gopiscrap]

53. Germany I already

have dual citizenship

[debm55]

86. Great. Thank you gopiscrap.

[Historic NY]

54. Ireland, where my mother family came from....

but in Italy I could get a house for free in Pentone or Calabria when my fathers family came from

[debm55]

87. That would be a hard choice. Thank you, Historic NY.

[Metaphorical]

55. Scotland, Canada or Amsterdam

Yes, Scotland is in the UK, but I expect one day it won't be. Their sensibilities are a lot more like the Baltic countries.

I've lived in Canada, may very well move back there. As it stands, I live in Washington State now, and if Trump does come to power (shudder), I have a feeling that we would petition Canada to let us join them.

[debm55]

89. Thank you Metaphorical.

[LogDog75]

56. England or Germany

I was stationed, twice, in England and Germany and I loved both countries. England has a lot of history, it's easy to get around, and there isn't much of a language barrier. Germany is larger but their train system is great for travel. It's a lot more scenic than England and has better food (I'd say even better food than France). Language can be a problem but most Germans speak some English and they'll open up to you if you try to speak to them in their language.

[debm55]

57. Thank you very much, LogDog75

[displacedvermoter]

58. Canada

Toronto area.

[debm55]

60. Thank you very much displacedvermoter My second choice would be Canada--Nova Scotia

[displacedvermoter]

61. Halifax is a pretty hip city.

[debm55]

66. thank you . I will remember that the next time we go up there. We haven't been there in awhile.

[Deep State Witch]

59. Australia. Maybe Italy

If they didn't have their own problem with a Fascist leader right now. I might look at Croatia, too.

[debm55]

62. Thank you Deep State Witch.Do you have relatives in those countries?

[Deep State Witch]

63. Not Really

My mother's family is Croatian, but it was my great-great grandparents. I don't know if I would qualify for citizenship. As for Italy, I really liked it when we were there, but it was too fucking hot. Same with Greece. I would love to live in Greece, but it was horrendously hot there when we were there in September. My husband and I both loved Australia, especially Brisbane.

[LogDog75]

107. I spent four months in Zagreb, Croatia

I deployed to the capital, Zagreb, of Croatia in the first quarter of 1995 during the Balkans Crisis. The city is beautiful and easy to get around. Went white water rafting, twice, and visited some of the countryside. I'd love to go back and revisit Zagreb and the rest of the country.

[enid602]

64. Best place

Argentina. The most European country in Latin America. The most cultured and educated. The most passionate and engaging people. The best architecture. Buenos Aires is the ‘Paris of the West.’ The land of Tango, Milonga, and ice cream parlors. An afternoon paseo. The city with the world’s largest Italian population, and Bolivian, Hassidic, Arab and Korean minorities. Fútbol. Botánico. Recoleta and Palermo. Jacaranda in bloom. Parrilla. Fernet y Coca.

That said, the most crazy, disorganized, poorly run place on Earth. Yet just across the bay from Montevideo. Uruguay is the ‘Switzerland of South America. ‘ Peaceful, prosperous, tranquil, and it has fabulous beaches. Cheap, good quality medicine, even for Seniors. And one of only five countries on Earth where you only declare wages physically earned in country, and do not have to supply a copy of your US tax declaration. Again, important for seniors. But you do need to speak Spanish.

[debm55]

70. Thank you very much enid602. Sounds very interesting.

[AllaN01Bear]

65. im staying right here .

[debm55]

67. Thank you AllaN01Bear. It's not just for political reasons. I always wanted to live near the sea.

[AllaN01Bear]

68. canada.

[debm55]

69. Thank you. In the other post, are those otters near your home?

[duncang]

76. For me

Pre-tfg U.S. or maybe post-tfg. Come on elections dump him in the trash heap of history.

I loved my trip to Scotland and Sweden. But I’m here to stay.

[debm55]

90. Thank you duncang.

[4TheArts]

77. Scotland, specifically Skye

During Raegan's term my late wife and I took action to emigrate to Scotland. The British embassy helped us learn what would be required. I went back to school to become a nurse. They were short of nurses and nuclear physicists, and getting a needful job was necessary. We had already been on holiday in Scotland a dozen times and knew that Skye would be home to us. When she turned ill the plans were aborted. "Twas a real shame. the head nurse at a clinic a bit north of Portree had wanted me to apply as soon as could be. And that wife of mine was already a champion shortbread baker in the states.
Current wife won't leave the US while her mom is alive. If Felon were to take the White House, Scotland would be my planned escape.

[debm55]

94. Thank you 4TheArts. I like you ending of the post.

[Aristus]

82. The island of Sark in the English Channel Islands.

It was the last feudal state anywhere in the world, with the Seignieur of Sark owning the island and everything on it, and deriving his income from it. Sark switched over to a market economy in 2008.

The tiny island, too small to even host a golf course, has a population of around 500, permits no cars on the island, only tractors and bicycles, and is a designated "dark sky" location, making star-gazing there some of the best in the world.

If I were wealthy enough, I'd love to purchase a small cottage there, move my books into it, and live out a quiet, comfortable retirement far from the chaos and frenetic pace of the world.

[debm55]

92. Thank you Aristus. that sounds wonderful. Absolutely wonderful.

[True Dough]

121. That's very close to matching my

island of Snark!

[Luciferous]

97. New Zealand, possibly Scotland.

[debm55]

99. Thank you Luciferous. Both are beautiful countries.

[a kennedy]

98. Been to Ireland twice, and would surly move there.

☘️ ☘️ ☘️

[debm55]

100. Thank you a kennedy. I have been there once . Beautiful

[Emile]

101. Holland

[debm55]

102. Thank you Emile. Lovely country.

[BlueKota]

104. Ireland

[debm55]

109. Thank you BlueKota. It is lovely.

[BlueKota]

122. 3 of my paternal great great grandparents

were from there.

[Harker]

106. West coast of Ireland.

Love it.

[debm55]

110. We stayed there. Very lovely place. You are so right Harker.

[Goatguy]

111. Greece

Always had a thing for Ancient Greece.

[debm55]

112. Thank you the ocean, the architecture, the food, the people. Yes that would be great.Thank you, Goatguy

[apcalc]

113. Canada

[debm55]

117. Thank you apcalc

[MuseRider]

114. It has almost always been Tortola, BVI

After several hurricanes since I was last there I have seen most of the things I loved the best where I would want to live disappear but I am certain the people there are still fun and kind. Mainly it would be to spend the remaining years of my life scuba diving.

[debm55]

116. Thank you MuseRider.

[debm55]

118. PJMcK.....I told another poster it was not a political question. No political are allowed in the Lounge. And I don't

believe that he will win. It is simply a matter of where would you like to live if given the opportunity. what are the reasons--the food. the sites to see that we only see on TV or in books. I picked France. I speak English. some Yiddish, some Spanish, and Ukranian. Do I speak French. Not at all.However most of us have dreams--some will be fullfilled others won't. I can dream about the Art of France and Rome, The Architecture of Rome, Paris and Greece. and foods of Different lands. Actually , Japan has always been on my bucket list. as the number one spot to live. But France would be easier to get to. I understand as a person of Ukrainian background to pick the right place. I thank you for your concern. I can't post for everyone, But I can dream. But this post is not political simply=where would you like to live.

[PJMcK]

119. Sorry, I didn't realize this was the Lounge

I saw it in Latest. I’ll delete.

[debm55]

120. No reason to. What country would you like to live in? you didn't share with us.

[PJMcK]

123. France

Or Spain. On the Med.

[debm55]

124. Thank you PJMcK the water is so blue there. I llive in PA and I am landlocked here in the western part of the state.

Husband is from Boston but the water is so darn cold. Come back and post here more often.

[GP6971]

125. We've talked about S Korea, but not

a definitive location.

[debm55]

132. Thank you GP6971

[surfered]

126. France or Italy and our command French and Italian is terrible

[debm55]

134. HAHAHAH. Thank you surfered. You both will learn.

[surfered]

138. In the movie Across The Universe, a film with Beatles Music,

It was set during the Vietnam War. One character was about to be drafted and was advised to flee to Canada. He complained they speak French and was advised to learn French or die. It’s so hard, they don’t pronounce all the letters in their words! Aaarrrggghh!

[debm55]

139. Thank you all Canadians learn English and French starting in grade school They all are bilingual. they know both.

[Lunabell]

127. Scotland

The land of my ancestors. Rugged, green, gorgeous landscapes.

[debm55]

136. Very wonderful Lunabell. and the castles, Don't forget the castles

[Lunabell]

137. I'd love to just visit.

And spend a few nights in a haunted castle!! And France has her fair share of castles. Mont Ste. Michelle, a centuries old fortress/monastery/prison in Normandy seems like it would be haunted.

[debm55]

140. Might be. We slept in a castle in Ireland.

[Lunabell]

144. Any spooky visitors?

Or unexplained phenomena? Which castle? How fun that would be.

[GoneOffShore]

150. And the weather! Don't forget the wonderful weather.

[NBachers]

129. My son & his wife lived in Greenwich, London. I dream of a place looking right over the Thames in Greenwich.

We traveled all over by rail, all the way up to Glasgow and down to Canterbury. I could spend the rest of my life exploring, or just hangin' out watching the Thames roll by.

[debm55]

135. Continue the dream it sounds wonderful.

[OldBaldy1701E]

141. Well, there are two thoughts on that.

One, Montpellier... south of France. Family is originally from the area.

Two... Santorini. Not sure why, the place just calls to me.

[debm55]

143. Thank you . If it calls to you , answer your call.

[PlanetBev]

145. Denmark or Norway

Copenhagen and Bergen are beautiful.

[debm55]

155. Thank you PlanetBev

[ailsagirl]

146. Scotland!!!

[debm55]

156. Thank you ailsagirl

[mnhtnbb]

148. Panama welcomes seniors

and gives them quite a few discounts.
In 2005--worried about Bush--my husband and I bought property there and went through the process to obtain permanent resident visas. After Obama won in 2008, we sold the property in Panama.
In 2016--worried about Trump--we made an offer on a condo on Bonaire. Flying home from there my husband got cold feet, and we backed out. I wished he hadn't and that was the start of a process for me to seriously think about separating from him.
In 2017, I left him, with the intent to spend six months in France/Spain/Portugal once the divorce was finalized to decide whether I could move to one of those countries. I was leaning France because I had friends there. My husband killed himself in Dec 2018 before we divorced, and between the aftermath of that and having a senior dog that I didn't want to leave for six months, I never got around to the look/see Europe trip. I was on Bonaire in March 2020 when Covid hit, and just managed to get home before the airport there was closed for 15 months. I ended up buying a house to be built here, and moved into it on Jan 6, 2021.
I'm done. Trump is not going to win and at 73 and single I no longer have the energy to even think about moving abroad somewhere by myself. If my sons--who are both here within 20 minutes of my house --were to leave the country, I'd go with them. But alone? Nope.
Trump is not going to win.

[debm55]

157. That's good to know. Thank you mnhthbb

[GoneOffShore]

149. Moved to France September 2018 - Not been back to the US since.

Now have our 10-year residents cards, driving licenses, health cards, and a working knowledge of French bureaucracy. Our French language skills are improving, and we've made lots of friends here.Whoever wins, we have no desire to return to the US, even for visits as, apart from some friends, there is nothing there that appeals to us any longer (well, apart from lobster rolls and Mexican food - though we can go to Paris for those).

We chose Aix because it's close to Marseille, a three-hour drive from Barcelona, four hours from Germany, and two hours to Italy. It's also not a medical desert, which is a problem in rural France.

The daily market in Aix on Place Richelme, where I sometimes have coffee.

[debm55]

158. GoneOffShore Thank you very much

[LastLiberal in PalmSprings]

151. Portugal

Seen some nice videos about it posted by American expats.

[debm55]

159. thank you very much, LastLiberal in PalmSprings

[if..fish..had..wings]

152. Conwy, Wales

[debm55]

160. Oh that is beautiful. Thank you if..fish..had..wings

[doc03]

153. I have only been to two other countries, Germany for a year in the Army and

visited Canada a couple times. It would be a toss-up, in Canada they speak English, I found Germany much like
Ohio in many ways, climate in particular.

[debm55]

154. Thank you doc03

[LiberalLoner]

161. Egypt. Yeah it has problems, it's a dictatorship, but....

I was stationed there for a year and loved the people, food, weather, music, everything. That was back 1990/91.

Most Egyptians spoke at least some English, many were fluent, and maybe because they are very dependent on tourist dollars, the people were very tolerant of us Westerners and very helpful and welcoming. I felt much safer there than in any U.S. city.

The cost of living is roughly 65% lower than here in the U.S., which is also a nice thing.

Estimated monthly cost of living, including rent, for a family of four living in Cairo is 1,086 dollars.

P.S. I am very glad to see you here and hope all is well with you! 💙🙏

[debm55]

162. Thank you LiberalLoner. Egypt would be wonderful with all the sites, music and foods.

[ProfessorGAC]

163. Let's See

I've been to 41 other countries, so:
Italy: I speak enough of the language to get by (non sono fluente), so being immersed I think I'd get much better quickly.
Australia: Friendly environment that likes Americans. However, I got the feeling they like Americans to visit. Not sure how they feel about us staying.
England: been there many times & knew 3 people who took expat assignments. They enjoyed their time.

I really enjoyed Japan, but pretty sure they don't care for people moving there.

[debm55]

164. Wow, 41 countries that is great, Japan has always been on my bucket list, But I know i will never get there. Thank you

Professor GAC. your life and travels sound very interesting,

[ProfessorGAC]

165. I Was Gone A LOT!

Not sure how my wife tolerated it.
I was gone 20-24 weeks each year for at 25 years, or more.
In the last 18 or 19 of those years, well over 50% was international.
The difficulty of juggling schedules is what really drove me to walk away from rock band life. That plus I was getting old!

[debm55]

167. We had the same problem here. When my son was 2 I found a woman who had a day care in her home, I t was very close to

where Rich worked---about 10 miles east of us. I worked 10 miles west of us. We didn't figure in the travel that rich would do. In fact he didn't do much traveling until I went back to work. I would get up at five, shower, etc and feed and dress my son and travel the ten miles to the DayCare and the back the twenty miles back. Make dinner, take care of son and do homework. He traveled about 2 weeks a month. I admire women the could do that. I wasn't one of them, I was exhausted.

[Elessar Zappa]

166. England, Wales and Germany.

Unfortunately I’m disabled so no country will have me, which is understandable because I’d be a net drain on their system.

[debm55]

168. Sounds great, thank you Elessar Zappa.

Last edited Wed Oct 30, 2024, 10:40 AM - Edit history (1)

That is a shame.

[area51]

169. A country with universal healthcare.

I have ancestors from Wales and Ireland.

[debm55]

170. Both beautiful choices. thank you area51.