General Discussion

IndyPragmatist123

(42 posts)

87. Moving to another country is not easy

Sun Jul 22, 2012, 08:44 AM

Jul 2012

If you want to go to Mexico or SE Asia, sure. You can hop on a plane (or drive) and everything will be alright.

If you want to move to a European nation, Canada, or Australia....good luck. I've seen first-hand the hurdles that one has to go through to get a work visa in France. I had a company ready to hire me, but they were required to post the job locally for 30 days after offering me the position. They did, but even after this, my visa application was rejected because they felt there was likely a French citizen that could do the job as well.

Unless you are retiring or have a job that is in extremely high demand, you are going to have trouble getting into any country that you would consider better. The recession is global, they don't want foreigners coming in and taking jobs that could go to citizens.

I know a lot of people that have considered leaving the USA. They have realized that it isn't that easy. You need to have a highly skilled job or a lot of money. Most people do not have that and would have little hope of getting a work-visa anywhere in the EU.

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

171 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Is It Time To Leave America? [View all] Yavin4 Jul 2012 OP

My wife wants us to leave. We have an offer. I am waiting to see what happens in November. CBGLuthier Jul 2012 #1

And go where? Marrah_G Jul 2012 #2

To A More Civilized, Advanced Nation Yavin4 Jul 2012 #7

Good luck to you Marrah_G Jul 2012 #13

Columbia???? greytdemocrat Jul 2012 #14

I think he said Colombia, which is a country. Starboard Tack Jul 2012 #108

Linky BeHereNow Jul 2012 #16

You might have to search hard to find a non-texting place. Starboard Tack Jul 2012 #110

Rate of intentional homicide is Colombia is 33 per 100,000. US is 4.8 Bluenorthwest Jul 2012 #23

There are problems with this. caseymoz Jul 2012 #105

All true. KurtNYC Jul 2012 #118

Thanks to both of you for pointing this out. randome Jul 2012 #120

I turned off the evening news 5 years ago KurtNYC Jul 2012 #121

Wow. Well said. randome Jul 2012 #122

Consider New Zealand if you get the chance Taverner Jul 2012 #158

Alrighty then. Brickbat Jul 2012 #3

So, how much do you owe? Robb Jul 2012 #4

Personally. I Have Zero Debts. Yavin4 Jul 2012 #5

France graham4anything Jul 2012 #6

Past Generations Did Have It Worse, But We're Regressing Back Into Their Time Yavin4 Jul 2012 #10

we have to believe we will too graham4anything Jul 2012 #17

Some nations have a base that allows them to advance. siligut Jul 2012 #126

We have let ourselves be cowed by those loud mouths. randome Jul 2012 #127

You're dreaming Doctor_J Jul 2012 #39

"I know some of you will call me a coward " johnnie Jul 2012 #8

? Hissyspit Jul 2012 #77

Adios ! I wish you well. virgogal Jul 2012 #9

I am retired and would love to move to Great Britain, RebelOne Jul 2012 #11

That's the problem with all of Europe Warpy Jul 2012 #27

Food is cheaper in Germany than in the US. tabasco Jul 2012 #49

I'd love to move to Germany spinbaby Jul 2012 #53

It weighs more too! deaniac21 Jul 2012 #170

We went to Ojai yesterday to see the beautiful Julie Christensen in an intimate theater- BeHereNow Jul 2012 #12

How are Real Estate prices or rentals in Ojai? flamingdem Jul 2012 #15

They fluctuate wildly...I saw listings for trailers for $64K and homes for millions. BeHereNow Jul 2012 #19

It sounds a bit like Topanga but further from LA flamingdem Jul 2012 #24

Beatrice Wood- her studio is still there, right as you hit town off the 150. BeHereNow Jul 2012 #28

What we need is a community on DU Jack Sprat Jul 2012 #34

+1 There has been talk of this in the past on DU- creating a DU community in RL. BeHereNow Jul 2012 #36

I have found websites like that but flamingdem Jul 2012 #38

..SE Asia n/t We are Devo Jul 2012 #96

As someone who 'bought' Panama, it seems to me that a lot of the ex-pats-- mnhtnbb Jul 2012 #100

+1 - I agree! That's a great idea! BTW... I've already left... 6502 Jul 2012 #80

Wow your experience is very interesting fujiyama Jul 2012 #150

Where are you? General location... BeHereNow Jul 2012 #31

I'm on the Westside of Lalaland flamingdem Jul 2012 #37

From the westside, it is probably best to take the 101 to the 33, but ONLY BeHereNow Jul 2012 #41

Sounds inspiring. I spent time in flamingdem Jul 2012 #47

Topanga Boy here! whatchamacallit Jul 2012 #116

I daydream about leaving every day. Arugula Latte Jul 2012 #18

You can come stay with me, if it ever gets too bad. I only have one spare room though. Evoman Jul 2012 #153

Thank you! :) Arugula Latte Jul 2012 #155

The bunny and cats can stay in my room! Evoman Jul 2012 #156

Hide your wires... Arugula Latte Jul 2012 #159

Where will you go? Nt TomClash Jul 2012 #20

Heck yeah. Jack Sprat Jul 2012 #21

I love Canada riverbendviewgal Jul 2012 #22

+1 This country has become vicious. BeHereNow Jul 2012 #26

My sister has lived in Nova Scotia for 30 years and invited us to move there graywarrior Jul 2012 #42

Nova Scotia is sooooo beautiful riverbendviewgal Jul 2012 #71

Yes, it is! I've spend several months there visiting her and I love the fishing towns graywarrior Jul 2012 #94

I have been thinking about nova scotia also adigal Jul 2012 #152

back in the late 1800's shanti Jul 2012 #62

So does Sid Dithers Efilroft Sul Jul 2012 #79

I want to leave too. This country is done. MrSlayer Jul 2012 #25

Which countries have you visited and which did you like the best? Bluenorthwest Jul 2012 #29

People from both parties say this when things aren't going their way 4th law of robotics Jul 2012 #30

There are a few places.... sendero Jul 2012 #32

Instead of leaving Shankapotomus Jul 2012 #33

they won't let us go grasswire Jul 2012 #56

They only want to trample us into the dust, not have civilized discourse. Arugula Latte Jul 2012 #124

Have you watched the latest Bill Moyers with Chris Hedges? You'll LOVE it. BeHereNow Jul 2012 #136

The answer to how to fight it can be found in a song. Curmudgeoness Jul 2012 #35

I already did. Blue_In_AK Jul 2012 #40

Before you decide to do something like that make sure you want to do that. I have southernyankeebelle Jul 2012 #43

yes. whatchamacallit Jul 2012 #44

In the infamous words of Curly Bill Brocius FrodosPet Jul 2012 #45

Bwahahahah! Brilliant post FrodosPet! BeHereNow Jul 2012 #48

HA! zappaman Jul 2012 #93

I have a couple of different escape plans ....... oldhippie Jul 2012 #46

What a bunch of malarky. randome Jul 2012 #50

What you fail to recognize is this: BeHereNow Jul 2012 #51

Giving up to roaches is not admirable. randome Jul 2012 #59

You need to study the masters, and the prophets... here is one: BeHereNow Jul 2012 #63

Like I said: Reality. Not a music video. randome Jul 2012 #68

I am one who has already left... 6502 Jul 2012 #81

Do what you need to do. randome Jul 2012 #84

Lol! whatchamacallit Jul 2012 #54

I agree 100%. Warren DeMontague Jul 2012 #58

The Internet has changed the game in a lot of ways. randome Jul 2012 #61

Positive trends? Doctor_J Jul 2012 #65

Yep. Lots of positive trends. The world is getting more peaceful, for one. Warren DeMontague Jul 2012 #72

just keep telling yourself that Doctor_J Jul 2012 #64

+1,000,000 BeHereNow Jul 2012 #66

I said a re-election will begin to turn things around. randome Jul 2012 #69

People don't live for thousands of years. girl gone mad Jul 2012 #74

+1 well said. 6502 Jul 2012 #82

It does not seem like America is 'rapidly decaying' to me. randome Jul 2012 #85

Brilliant analysis Doctor_J Jul 2012 #106

I honestly don't think the tea baggers will be around for much longer. randome Jul 2012 #109

+1,000,000! nt MADem Jul 2012 #160

We tried to emigrate to Canada... Bigmack Jul 2012 #52

A lot of people find that out FrodosPet Jul 2012 #146

We have enough assets so that we have a lot more than pocket money... Bigmack Jul 2012 #149

I have had the emigration bug at many moments in this past year... Anansi1171 Jul 2012 #55

welcome to DU, and thanks for the post grasswire Jul 2012 #57

welcome and thanks for your post (nt) Tumbulu Jul 2012 #67

+1 ... question: where in the US can we go? 6502 Jul 2012 #83

You could resettle Detroit. Seriously. Comrade Grumpy Jul 2012 #119

You are correct- there is a small but determined sustainable living community growing there... BeHereNow Jul 2012 #141

I would LOVE to see "The City" grow and prosper once again FrodosPet Jul 2012 #147

Emigrate to California, Oregon and Washington for starters... Anansi1171 Jul 2012 #130

Who would take American refugees? LOL n/t Mimosa Jul 2012 #60

We made serious plans to give ourselves an escape hatch in 2005 and chose Panama. mnhtnbb Jul 2012 #70

Admit it, you still care. You didn't spell it "Amercia". nt DCKit Jul 2012 #73

With 13 generations here, no I'm not going. Waiting For Everyman Jul 2012 #75

My family was in 1632. xmas74 Jul 2012 #128

Same here retrogal Jul 2012 #168

Finland tempts me Scootaloo Jul 2012 #76

Yes it is way past time. eliminerlesud Jul 2012 #78

Spot on and WELCOME- here is a great interview with Chris Hedges on Bill Moyers for you! BeHereNow Jul 2012 #139

"forgotten corners of this country". You think these corners don't exist in every country? randome Jul 2012 #140

How rude! Stomping into the middle of my welcome to a new DU member? BeHereNow Jul 2012 #142

No, I won't stop posting information I think is relevant. randome Jul 2012 #143

You are dancing on the line of stalking friend- better go read the TOS and CS again. BeHereNow Jul 2012 #144

We are leaving. Puglover Jul 2012 #86

Cuenca? n/t We are Devo Jul 2012 #101

Nope Puglover Jul 2012 #115

Moving to another country is not easy IndyPragmatist123 Jul 2012 #87

My grandson is bi-lingual and I'm hopeful that he can go to Europe and use his fluent Italian CTyankee Jul 2012 #88

We're going to take a different route. DH's grandparents came here from Italy. Doremus Jul 2012 #131

You're competing with the entire EU and a massive chunk of of Israel, as well, for a job in France. MADem Jul 2012 #161

Please do. slackmaster Jul 2012 #89

Succinct! randome Jul 2012 #90

Careful. woo me with science Jul 2012 #91

8% - I don't think so Caretha Jul 2012 #92

Plenty of people are surviving. Some are even thriving. randome Jul 2012 #95

Think what you want Caretha Jul 2012 #107

Right. randome Jul 2012 #111

+10000 woo me with science Jul 2012 #97

+1 n/t warrprayer Jul 2012 #129

I wish I could. Fawke Em Jul 2012 #98

There's no place in the world free from transnational corporations, Trillo Jul 2012 #99

I left in 2006. n/t mattclearing Jul 2012 #102

Where did you go? Are you working or retired? mnhtnbb Jul 2012 #103

I moved to Australia. mattclearing Jul 2012 #104

The Australian Military is hiring--Americans. They've got to have experience, though. MADem Jul 2012 #162

I have a great job, thanks. mattclearing Jul 2012 #166

No, I think you misunderstand. Unless you've got VERY recent military experience, MADem Jul 2012 #169

That's food for thought... Snoozin Jul 2012 #112

yes...coward...milquetoast...please leave n/t ProdigalJunkMail Jul 2012 #113

Strange to see the "love it or leave it" crowd here! Loge23 Jul 2012 #114

I agree with you that times have changed. randome Jul 2012 #117

In the middle of likely 8-year Obama presidency?! Zax2me Jul 2012 #123

You have states within this country with the lowest unemployment rates Life Long Dem Jul 2012 #125

Which re-revised revision of the formerly revised formula? Doremus Jul 2012 #132

England is looking more and more inviting DainBramaged Jul 2012 #133

The steering wheel will be on the "wrong" side and you'll go through hell getting MADem Jul 2012 #163

One generation (great-grandparens) removed from being granted Irish citizenship HockeyMom Jul 2012 #134

Wherever you go .... piperpibroch Jul 2012 #135

Don't let the door hit you on the way out. cleanhippie Jul 2012 #137

Not for me. I like it here. My life is here. NYC Liberal Jul 2012 #138

try China or India...no oligarchies or corporate control there tjwash Jul 2012 #145

Why doesn't anyone mention Venezuela? FrodosPet Jul 2012 #148

Also a higher murder rate. randome Jul 2012 #154

All the Venezuelans I know live in Puerto Rico! nt MADem Jul 2012 #164

No, you should at least wait until daylight jberryhill Jul 2012 #151

Expats are as patriotic as any other Americans Taverner Jul 2012 #157

I lived half my life outside of USA, and I think this country is one of the best places in the world MADem Jul 2012 #165

There are several flights leaving every hour. MineralMan Jul 2012 #167

Very happy with the good old US of A NCTraveler Jul 2012 #171