What country would you move to permanently?

[Father Heathen]

I'd pick Japan or China. The rest of the world is pretty much doomed...

So what exactly elevates Japan and China above the rest of the world?

 

[Kathryn]

Japan is struggling economically and is, frankly, a very odd place. I enjoyed my time there but personally I wouldn't want to live there permanently. Very crowded, very high cost of living, and trying to recover from a disasterous decade economically.

But hey, that's just my take on it.

 

[KatNotKathy]

It's funny because Japan is xenophobic as hell and wouldn't accept your pasty ***.

I mean, they have their upsides like everywhere, but they aren't exactly well-known for accepting gaijin.

 

[Kathryn]

True dat.

 

[KatNotKathy]

That said, there are certain facets of Japan that I do find appealing. I'd love to visit some time, but never forget, if you are living in Japan and are not Japanese, you are a guest. Don't mistake (admittedly admirable) politeness towards guests as acceptance.

(This is speaking generally of course. I'm sure there are some Japanese folks who have no problem with Americans, but the general "national flavor" is that foreigners are guests that should be treated politely, but they're still ultimately just guests).

 

[Kathryn]

Japan is a heartbreakingly beautiful country, and the people are generally very hospitable.

It's a nice place to visit.

 

[KatNotKathy]

Japan is a heartbreakingly beautiful country, and the people are generally very hospitable.

It's a nice place to visit.

Totally . I'd love to visit Aokigaraha some time, though probably not to kill myself.

 

[Kathryn]

Now THAT was funny!

 

[Smoke]

I'd much rather live in Canada or Scotland than the U.S., but I don't think John could take the weather for long in either place. Just the other day, he was talking about how bitterly cold the past winter was, and I finally said, "What are you talking about? I didn't put on a jacket all winter." "Well," he says, "you're not right."

But anyway, if money were no object and I could live anywhere I wanted, I'd like to live in Prague for a year or two and then move to either Buenos Aires or Montevideo.

 

[MissAlice]

I think I forgot to add France, Key West (wait a minute, isn't that part of the united states?), Cuba without Castro (even though he looks good with a Cuban cigar), Australia (I like the different terrains and would love to see Victoria, where that rock is from the movie Picnic at Hanging Rock), Ireland, and.....

I think I would preferably the climate would have to be somewhat warm, I'm not fond of cold winters that dominate the seasons. Still unsure which country would be a better place to live financially stable and with feasible health care.

 

[Smoke]

I think I would preferably the climate would have to be somewhat warm, I'm not fond of cold winters that dominate the seasons.

I've got my heart set on Argentina or Uruguay, but John likes the idea of Costa Rica. Apart from the tropical climate and the danger of running into Rush Limbaugh, though, I've always thought that no volcanoes is good volcanoes.

 

[Erebus]

I'd much rather live in Canada or Scotland than the U.S

The Scottish Highlands are absolutely breathtaking and definitely one of my favourite holiday destinations. I don't care about the nightlife on holiday (which in the highlands is composed entirely of midges) I just enjoy the gorgeous forests and mountains, the sense of history and the damn good alcohol

 

[tumbleweed41]

I would actually hate to abandon the US, but western Canada would be my next choice.

 

[Terrywoodenpic]

Surprising how Popular Commonwealth and ex commonwealth countries are. They are also high in the economic freedom stakes.

 

[KatNotKathy]

Surprising how Popular Commonwealth and ex commonwealth countries are. They are also high in the economic freedom stakes.

How much of that has to do with a common language though? I mean, speaking English was a huge factor in my choices, but maybe other folks didn't see language as as much of a barrier.
edit: There is also the common factor of hot accents.

 

[Kathryn]

Prague is fabulous - and so bohemian! The people in the Czech Republic are generally awesome as well. The last time I was there was about 15 years ago, so things might have changed, but at the time, they were just clawing their way out of 40+ years of stifling Communism and were extremely pro-American and capitalism-oriented.

 

[angellous_evangellous]

Canada.

I'm afraid if I moved across the pond, I'd see the rest of my family quite less than I'd like.

 

[Buttercup]

I've thought about this question several times since the thread was posted and I can't even pretend I'd REALLY like to move to another country, as backward as the US appears to be headed.

I've been to Europe multiple times and we'll travel to Ireland next St. Paddy's Day but to me, the USA is still the best place to live. However, I'd like to trade living in Oregon for residence on the island of Kauai, Hawaii instead. Does that count?

 

[MissAlice]

I've thought about this question several times since the thread was posted and I can't even pretend I'd REALLY like to move to another country, as backward as the US appears to be headed.

I've been to Europe multiple times and we'll travel to Ireland next St. Paddy's Day but to me, the USA is still the best place to live. However, I'd like to trade living in Oregon for residence on the island of Kauai, Hawaii instead. Does that count?

Well since I like both the Key West and Hawaii, yes it counts.

Going to both Hawaii, New Orleans, and Key West was like going to different countries in my experience.

 

[Smoke]

I'm afraid if I moved across the pond, I'd see the rest of my family quite less than I'd like.

I consider that one of the advantages of moving to Europe. South America will do just as well.