Inspired by a comment where one said he wouldn’t even visit the US and he already lived there, i got curious about whether people dream of living in any other specific country.
What would be your reasons to live in this other country?
I live in Denmark and I am quite satisfied with my life here. I’ve been to many European countries, some Asian countries and Australia.
The only other country I would consider moving to was Australia. I absolutely loved the nature, I liked that it seemed like you could pretty much mind your own business, if you lived in the rural parts, while still not being too far away from “civilization”.
I’ve only been in Australia as a tourist, so it is of course limited how much of the daily life of an Aussie i was exposed to, but those locals I talked to seemed happy, despite hating on the politicians (but that is a global issue, for every country, I guess.), and then there was of course quite a lot of racism, but again, you see that in many countries.
Australia also seem to be spared from a lot of the global political issues we currently see, but I am not sure that is correct.
I’m afraid to answer this because the monkey paw might curl and I’ll be in an ICE concentration camp in Eswatini.
See the world, join ICE* and you’ll be able to beat minorities in exotic detention centres around the world!
*whites only
Actually, a lot of ICE are hispanic.
Never underestimate the psycho-political allure of whiteness.
Never underestimate the incredible racism of non-Black Hispanic people against Black Hispanic people and Haitians.
Born in Russia, moved to Europe after graduating, then moved to Japan. I would never go back to any of the places I lived in. Of course, Japan is not perfect; no country is. But I realized it’s about the compromises you’re willing/can deal with. At least here, my family and I feel safe and as comfortable as we’ve never felt before.
Mexico. For their awesome woman president and their universal healthcare.
I’m surprised I did not see any comments from latinamerica. I left Colombia looking for better quality of life. While in Colombia one could be better off if you are in the top part of the high inequality, you are also constantly reminded of such in many ways. And this also translates to violence and people taking advantage of others. I guess the more “community oriented” cultures are a better fit for me.
Sometimes I’d like to try life in Europe somewhere, I’m lucky to live in Canada but I’d like to see life where we really have a robust social safety net and not just a nod to it.
I have moved from the US to Spain. I have 0 regrets. I’m healthier, the people are more friendly and love life and their families. America is a shithole. Every day I get updates from my family about how awful things are, and i never regret moving.
Life feels so …normal here. I have worries but its not a constant dread hanging over my head. Most of my life I have had GAD- Generalized Anxiety Disorder. I used to get frozen in thought loops of nonsensical dangers, like someone randomly shooting my husband or a car accident or something. Those episodes have almost completely stopped now. I rarely have panic attacks anymore.
Im healthier, have no more debt, I dont fear the people around me… Its peaceful. I also visited the UK and it wasnt the same. It was too roudy, still friendlier than america by far , but very raucous.
Here in Spain its quiet, and slow. I prefer it so much.
Be warned, there’s a growing far right movement in spain as well.
There is in every country. I’m aware of it and keeping an eye on it, but its not even compatible to how it was in the US. I lived in a small town that had “the only good liberal is a dead liberal” bumper stickers on the back of every other pickup truck, and a giant confederate flag painted on the side of an apartment building. Rape and murder were weekly crime statistics and people would try to run over stray cats as a type of local game.
The worst thing ive seen here is two drunk people yelling at each other about football.
Did you not notice? That be the same island we made you the governor of on our last little trip.
real answer
My happiest years in my otherwise miserable life were the six years that I spent living in Japan, first as a student and later as a researcher. It would take too much energy, open up too many old wounds, were I to attempt naming all the details, all the nuances, all the - frankly - indescribable feelings that made my life a heaven on earth while living there. And yet, I would not move to Japan to work there if I were held at gunpoint. I value my physical and mental health and my free time - which I think of as my actual “life” - too much to sacrifice them by having to work under Japanese work ethics and Japanese view on mental health. For what? For the occasional indulgence in the most delicious food on earth? The greatest sexual escapades in the known universe? The most beautiful fine arts, music, literature? For the few days that I’d be allowed to visit my family back in Europe every year? No, thank you. Fuck I’m torn to hell.
Anyway, I’d love to live for four-five years each in each country whose native languages I have learned through the years:
- German: my first choice would be to live in the wilderness of Schwarzwald, but I’d live to experience Austria and Schweiz too, if only for the linguistic experience alone.
- Spanish: I’d love to live in Columbia. One of my best friends is from Colombia and while he, being born and raised there, says that he hates it, I think that my cold Swedish heart has a lot to learn from Latin culture.
- Russian: I would like to immerse myself in Russian society, if only to rid myself of any prejudice that I might be living with. I love Russian folk music and its fiery passion. I’d love to experience where that comes from. The climate? History?
- Hungarian: jk. I’d never move to the fascist state Hungary, but I’d love to live in the ethnically Hungarian parts of Transylvania, since that’s where my ancestors are from. I already speak the language, so I’d “just” have to learn the culture. And how to wrestle bears?
- Icelandic: not much of a choice here, unless you want to count the Faroese islands, whose language is closer to Danish anyway. I’ve been to Iceland and I absolutely loved the harsh climate and the fabulous people. Everybody was so kind. And the language simply sounds badass.
Colombia (and most of latinamerica) is such a beautiful place! When I visit my family I’m always thinking “why did I move out? I miss them, and this place is beautiful! People is friendly and warmer, and there natures around is amazing” but then I turn the TV and I’m reminded of all the sick stuff going on, the dangers on the streets, and many other things, that just keep me torn between wanting to stay and to leave again.
Ironically, I am soon moving to Japan for work. While I know the work culture is way different (and I would call it toxic) I am hoping I will have a great time that will last whatever it lasts.
And I am sorry for this, but I am bound by my birth place to correct you… is Colombia, never a “U” in there.
I’m tired of endlessly stressing out about money, so I would say somewhere with a lower cost of living (but still relatively safe and healthy) and with nice friendly people. If I had to guess where that’d be, I’d say Thailand/Vietnam, Costa Rica, or South America. Maybe even Spain too, but outside of the major cities? I’ve heard that the north coast or Extramadura can be really nice too…
It’s fun to dream about, but not something I think about seriously. All places have their pros and cons, all places have good and bad people. I would definitely love to at least travel there someday though!
FYI, on that tropical island in the header image:
Living there is not all it’s cracked up to be. It’s green hell, salt eats everything, pests never get culled from freezing, I could go on and on.
And unless you’re exactly on the equator, tropical cyclones are going to make your life difficult.
In the past week I learned that Southern hemisphere South America does not get tropical storms!
Indeed. But they did get one freak tropical cyclone, in 2004!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane_Catarina
It’s the only recorded one in history, though. And I think they still do get some tropical-feeling weather in Brazil.
Fucking yes. And any Nordic country. They’re the best shit out there: perfect weather, (almost) perfect society, lots of opportunities and the cheaper houses of the world.
On the other side, Canada, Australia, USA, Spain and most countries are a huge NO for me, either because of they’re fascists (USA, Russia, China, ehem), either because they’re modern slavery centers (Japan, South Korea, USA, ehem), either because they’re fucking teocracies (all of Latam excluding Paraguay and Uruguay, all of Africa, and again, USA, ehem), or either because they’re banning freedom of speech, of thought and of action (Australia, Canada, Japan, USA, Spain, Russia, China, most of Latam, most of Africa, ehem).
As a person from Scandinavia, “perfect weather” sure is a relative concept. See: Bergen.
Idk, I just prefer cold than heat, so that’s why it’s perfect at least for me.
I moved north and to colder/rainier weather.
I was surprised to find it was the darkness in the winter and not the weather that was hardest to deal with.
Totally with you on that. I would not live anywhere else than Nordic countries myself. The rain also makes you appreciate the sun a lot, when it’s finally there.
Yeaaaa
Nordic countries or the Netherlands seem pretty cool. Although the winters would be a bit brutal being so far north.
Realistically I’ve thought about Australia since it has a nice climate, decent politics, and no language barrier.
Personally I would not leave the USA voluntarily since I mostly like the people I know here but if the fascists succeed in taking over then I might have to go somewhere else. Still hoping they can be beaten though.
Realistically I’ve thought about Australia since it has a nice climate, decent politics, and no language barrier.
I know this is mostly a matter of taste and thus subjective, but I’d argue against every point in your list hehehehe
I am American. There are many countries I could see myself living in. But the current job market in the US offers higher income than most other countries would offer my family.
I’m an American living in Central Europe. I make less money here than I did in the States. I have a lot more money than I did in the States.
