I'd go to Japan if I could read and speak the language.
Would you change "countries"?
- Thread starter TerokNor
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I would, and in fact, I will. If all goes as planned, I'll be moving to the UK at the end of this summer. More precisely Northwich, Cheshire.
I'm gonna leave this wrenched hive of scum an villainy the moment the opportunity presents itself. Although I'd only have to move 30km north to get back to civilization.
I'm gonna leave this wrenched hive of scum an villainy the moment the opportunity presents itself. Although I'd only have to move 30km north to get back to civilization.
You live in Canada and you want something completely different? There is only one option for you, The US of A.
Oh yeah, it just doesn't get any more different than that. :P
If circumstances were different, I wouldn't mind living in a different country for an extended period of time (say, a few years): my career is quite impermanent, so moving around could be expected.
But in the end, I don't think I would move permanently. For all its faults, I love Italy: if anything, I'd focus on improving my country instead of moving somewhere else for good.
Of the places I visited, the only one I could see myself living in was London: it feels more like a collection of small towns than a single humongous city, and I'm sure I could feel at home in one. I suppose a few other cosmopolitan cities like Paris or Berlin would work too, but the language could be a problem, especially at first.
When I was younger, I entertained this romantic idea of moving to Canada (Montreal, to be specific), but I never really seriously considered it. On the other hand, I don't think I could live in the US: the culture looks too fast, too aggressive, too intense for my tastes, at least from the outside.
But in the end, I don't think I would move permanently. For all its faults, I love Italy: if anything, I'd focus on improving my country instead of moving somewhere else for good.
Of the places I visited, the only one I could see myself living in was London: it feels more like a collection of small towns than a single humongous city, and I'm sure I could feel at home in one. I suppose a few other cosmopolitan cities like Paris or Berlin would work too, but the language could be a problem, especially at first.
When I was younger, I entertained this romantic idea of moving to Canada (Montreal, to be specific), but I never really seriously considered it. On the other hand, I don't think I could live in the US: the culture looks too fast, too aggressive, too intense for my tastes, at least from the outside.
Well, I have this weird love-hate-relationship with my country (Germany) and generally view it rather negatively. I used to think about emigrating, mainly for the UK but I realised a while ago that I was looking at the UK through rose-coloured glasses. All countries have their faults so I doubt now that I'd be happier anywhere else. Besides, I feel very connected to my city.
That said, if I had to move somewhere else, I'd be open to it, especially if it was just for a few years.
That said, if I had to move somewhere else, I'd be open to it, especially if it was just for a few years.
I'm not really interested in leaving the US, but if I were to leave, it would be for those reasons.
I do occasionally toy with the idea of moving to New Mexico. Beautiful scenery, interesting culture.
On the whole, I'm a bit indifferent to matters of country. I appreciate and value their diversity, and there are those I wouldn't want to live in for selfish but understandable reasons (war-torn and/or unfortunately poor ones). On the other hand, I've never been one for natural patriotism, partly because country was a matter of birth; I just happened to be born here. I like living in the UK, but then again I'd like living in a lot of countries, had I been born there instead. I acknowledge that many aspects of my character and outlook, my insights and blind spots, my kneejerk biases and cultural norms, are shaped in some way by being British, but that's just the way it is for everyone; we're all shaped by our country to some degree. But I'm British through exposure, not through any real loyalty. Had I grew up in France or Italy or the USA or Egypt or Japan then they would have informed my character and outlook and I'd no doubt be happy there, too.
Also, countries of course change depending on what ideas, regimes and attitudes are ascendant. Its politics or ideological trends might make me object to being in a country at a particular time, but it doesn't mean I have a blanket objection to living there. Indeed, if the UK took this or that turn I might no longer be comfortable here (though moving might not be an option). There are no guarantees.
Also, countries of course change depending on what ideas, regimes and attitudes are ascendant. Its politics or ideological trends might make me object to being in a country at a particular time, but it doesn't mean I have a blanket objection to living there. Indeed, if the UK took this or that turn I might no longer be comfortable here (though moving might not be an option). There are no guarantees.
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Agreed! I would love to even visit Japan at this point. I'm fascinated by the culture.
I've always wanted to go there.
One thing I know I will never live in snow again. Never.
I have no desire to live anywhere else but the USA.
I don't think my country's perfect by any means. But at the same time I am proud to be American and wouldn't want to give that up.
I don't think my country's perfect by any means. But at the same time I am proud to be American and wouldn't want to give that up.
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The only thing I don't like about the US is everything having to do with politics. It's done more harm to this country than good and I wouldn't mind if they did away with the two party system. I wouldn't mind living in a country that's got it's "shit" together though, but I'm not sure which one that would be. I've heard either Switzerland or Sweden have stable, workable governments but I'm not sure.
I'm not sure about Switzerland, but to be blunt the political climate in Sweden scares me sometimes, in very different ways from how US politics sometimes scare me, but equally worrying. I don't think there's any country that's immune, in part because large human communities will have the same issues and problems wherever they are, and partly because trans-national power blocks are often the ones that truly matter, and political and economic concerns are never really country-specific anymore. Everything's interconnected and countries, I think, matter less and less.
It's so typical of someone of your political affiliation to say something like that.
Honestly having spent a 'reasonable' amount of time living abroad (mostly as a tourist, but sometimes as a student) I think I'd like to live abroad again and probably for a longer period of time if not permanently.
I don't think unless I was able to get a really good grasp on the language that I'd go back to Japan though. It was possible to get around without Japanese but it was difficult and I did feel just a tad homesick by the end of my six week study abroad program.
I've traveled Australia for about 4 week (two two-week trips), I've spent a week in Auckland, New Zealand, toured quite a bit in western Canada camping with my family, studied for a school year in London and did a whirlwind week tour of Ireland. I could see my self living in ANY of those places honestly.
What I can't see is ever moving back to my hometown in eastern Washington. I'd have to be way too careful with what I talk about and I'd stick out like a sore thumb being a 29-year-old single woman. Everyone I know that's still in my hometown either has a boyfriend, fiancee or husband, is ultra-conservative and works a fairly crap job. I don't want any of that. Well the boyfriend/fiancee/husband part sounds nice but trying to fit in with the rest doesn't really.
I hope that if/when I become a fully qualified doctor I can do something like Doctors without Borders and help the sick abroad and then possibly immigrate to Canada, England or Australia. I had positive experiences with what medical personnel I did see during my stay in England and I wouldn't mind helping that system. I might miss a few 'creature comforts' not available abroad but honestly, especially with Canada, pretty much everything I enjoy about America would be equally available.
I don't think unless I was able to get a really good grasp on the language that I'd go back to Japan though. It was possible to get around without Japanese but it was difficult and I did feel just a tad homesick by the end of my six week study abroad program.
I've traveled Australia for about 4 week (two two-week trips), I've spent a week in Auckland, New Zealand, toured quite a bit in western Canada camping with my family, studied for a school year in London and did a whirlwind week tour of Ireland. I could see my self living in ANY of those places honestly.
What I can't see is ever moving back to my hometown in eastern Washington. I'd have to be way too careful with what I talk about and I'd stick out like a sore thumb being a 29-year-old single woman. Everyone I know that's still in my hometown either has a boyfriend, fiancee or husband, is ultra-conservative and works a fairly crap job. I don't want any of that. Well the boyfriend/fiancee/husband part sounds nice but trying to fit in with the rest doesn't really.
I hope that if/when I become a fully qualified doctor I can do something like Doctors without Borders and help the sick abroad and then possibly immigrate to Canada, England or Australia. I had positive experiences with what medical personnel I did see during my stay in England and I wouldn't mind helping that system. I might miss a few 'creature comforts' not available abroad but honestly, especially with Canada, pretty much everything I enjoy about America would be equally available.
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