Any US Expatriates here?

[em2nought]

Originally Posted by Bubblehead1980

I am still researching to make my decision. Denmark, Finland, Switzerland, Germany have my interest. I have a friend loving it in Panama, although may bit a bit too hot for me down there.

Those farmers in Denmark are seeming kind of "Trumpish".

[nikimcbee]

I guess Russian is not en vogue right now, but there is rural Siberia.

[Bubblehead1980]

Originally Posted by August

Well you exaggerate our problems greatly and you will find that similar issues also exist in each of those nations you mentioned, but nobody is going to convince you of that until you see it for yourself. So go find out.

Please tell which problems I am "exaggerating" or perhaps, you're being a bit obtuse to the plight of many o your fellow citizens?

[August]

Originally Posted by Bubblehead1980

Please tell which problems I am "exaggerating" or perhaps, you're being a bit obtuse to the plight of many o your fellow citizens?

Your idea that we are turning into a theocracy for one thing. Completely ridiculous as is your take on the other complaints too. But you must understand the last thing I want is to try and talk you out of leaving so any defense of them would be half hearted at best.

I really do think that you should go. Given the depths of your feelings the only moral thing you can do at this point is give up your citizenship in the country that you find so objectionable and go become a German or Finn or whatever. Maybe you will find the Utopia that you seek and if you do I hope that they take you.

[mapuc]

Denmark has like the rest of the worlds countries- its domestic problems both political and social.

Our politicians is loved and hated.

Learning Danish is difficult-You need to have a potato in your throat while speaking.

Markus

[Threadfin]

Originally Posted by August

But sadly, few if any of them actually backed it up with real action which makes them clownish hypocrites in my book.

Agreed.


Bubblehead should not be discouraged in his search the perfect place to live. Good luck!!

[Rockstar]

I will add also that a lot the feelings we get about current affairs which causes one to seek solace in another country. I think comes from the massive bombardment of highly accessible media drama. Like any car crash we tend to slow down to look at the carnage. Break that habit and life is good again. Understand we can’t change the world or what we see on TV. We can only be responsible towards those around us.

That IMO is why I think a lot of expats will say it’s so much better. Because they no longer see lr hear the nonsense any where near as much.

For example when I lived in Panama we got our news from Armed Forces Radio Television Service. On the weekdays broadcast began at 3pm and ended right at midnight with the National Anthem. News coverage was no hype, no drama editorials and opinions, low key, straight to the point, professional, designed to keep everyone calm and in high spirits yet still very informative. Years later when I moved back to the States. I turned on the TV and I thought to myself what hell just happened? From the time it took me fly from Panama City to New Orleans I thought the world was coming to an end. The news scared the hell out of me I kid you not. But soon realized it’s just how they make money.

Something to consider I guess.

[mapuc]

We do not have a Biden, but we the Danes have a Frederiksen and Germany has their Scholz

Markus

[August]

Originally Posted by Rockstar

I will add also that a lot the feelings we get about current affairs which causes one to seek solace in another country. I think comes from the massive bombardment of highly accessible media drama. Like any car crash we tend to slow down to look at the carnage. Break that habit and life is good again. Understand we can’t change the world or what we see on TV. We can only be responsible towards those around us.

That IMO is why I think a lot of expats will say it’s so much better. Because they no longer see lr hear the nonsense any where near as much.

For example when I lived in Panama we got our news from Armed Forces Radio Television Service. On the weekdays broadcast began at 3pm and ended right at midnight with the National Anthem. News coverage was no hype, no drama editorials and opinions, low key, straight to the point, professional, designed to keep everyone calm and in high spirits yet still very informative. Years later when I moved back to the States. I turned on the TV and I thought to myself what hell just happened? From the time it took me fly from Panama City to New Orleans I thought the world was coming to an end. The news scared the hell out of me I kid you not. But soon realized it’s just how they make money.

Something to consider I guess.

There's a lot to what you say although AFN, being a government owned and operated news outlet could not be considered a free press source.

[Rockstar]

I understand it was a government operation and not a free press. But I don’t think information was filtered that much. IMO it was more about how it was presented and the time spent on it. We always had a good understanding of world events and what was going on in the ‘zone’. We just weren’t bombarded by TV and internet media drama 24/7/365

In fact there was no such thing as internet yet . Back then we spent our weekends fishing on the Chagres River, surfing at Devil’s Beach, doing something constructive like Onkle Neal is doing. Or goofing off and chase these little critters around the jungle.

[August]

Originally Posted by Rockstar

I understand it was a government operation and not a free press. But I don’t think information was filtered that much. IMO it was more about how it was presented and the time spent on it. We always had a good understanding of world events and what was going on in the ‘zone’. We just weren’t bombarded by TV and internet media drama 24/7/365

That's very true.

[Gorpet]

Originally Posted by Bubblehead1980

I've visited some of them, of course visiting is different than living, thus the research continues.


How have I misjudged the US ? I am always curious when I hear that, seems almost obtuse to the problems we have.


Only thing we actual lead the world in is:

1. People who believe in the imaginary, omnipotent man in the sky. Thus, we suffer all of the associated nonsense that comes with that.

2. Military spending

3. Number of people incarcerated. Oh yea, we STILL execute people.

We have two million plus people in prison, widespread poverty, crime, violence, lower life expectancy, 30 million plus people without health insurance, employees have few rights compared to other western nations, no guaranteed vacation, parental leave etc (well not adequate), a housing crisis. because greedy corporations are buying up "starter" homes. Add in the growing authoritarianism, stripping of rights thanks religious zealots controlling highest court in the land. Nothing will change for better any time soon.

What the hell,Life getting a little to tough for ya? 1,2,an3 Are ri·dic·u·lous.So Joe and the Democrats aren't turning out the way you envisioned? And now you want to leave.You should have left this country when Donald trump was the President. Lol there will be no fuel no airplanes no ships for you rat's to leave on. Guess what you will have to stay here with the rest of the sheep.

And embrace the future that was voted for! And for all you young voters it will mean sooner or later getting blisters on your hands working all those shovel ready jobs they promised. Look when the power outages start your not going to be able to play games all day and it will be to hot to stay inside.

You want to get out of the USA. You want to go abroad help people, Repair the damage humans have done to mother earth, sleep under the stars and live your dreams of Democracy. Catch the next flight to Ukraine and show the world,your friends and family that you are going to make a difference somewhere on this planet.Cause life in America sucks.

[Oubaas]

I've spent my adult life living all over the world. I've been to six out of seven continents. I tried to get to Antarctica, but they didn't have any billets for someone like me.


After I retired from the military, I went to Africa for many years. I finally got to an age where I said, "Okay, that's enough adventure now. Time for a quiet, normal life." I then returned to the United States, bought a ranch, and settled down for once.


Based on the life that I've led, here's my thoughts.


You're not going to fix anything by moving someplace else. All you'll do is exchange one set of problems for a new set of problems. And often the new set sucks worse than your old set of problems. There are no problem-free places. Not on this planet, anyway.


The myth of a, "free press" is a crock, unless you happen to be a billionaire who owns a major media outlet.


Do not listen to anything that the media says. The truth is not in them. Decades ago, I participated in military operations that made international news. I was there, smack in the middle of things, boots on the ground. When I got back to places where you could get things like newspapers and read the accounts of the events in which I had just participated, I inevitably thought, "Who wrote this fiction?" Most accounts were nearly unrecognizable. I doubt that the level of veracity has improved over the ensuing decades.


If you go near the media, just scan the headlines to make sure that nothing is sneaking up on you. Take all of it with a grain of salt.


If possible, live in a rural area. Fewer things to bother you. Ignore any titillating scraps of information provided by other people. They'll regurgitate anything, no matter how sketchy the source, if they think that it will make them look knowledgeable.


Do not discuss politics or religion with anyone for any reason. No good will come of it. As for current events, if it's not happening on my property, I ignore it. Don't worry until you have a reason to worry.



As you journey along the road of life, try not to let your ego or your emotions do the driving. Both of them are terrible drivers. You'll probably be in a major wreck if they drive.


Moving countries and continents is expensive. Dealing with the new country's rules and requirements can be far more stressful than anything that's currently upsetting you. Plus there are diseases for which you, unlike the locals, will not have any natural immunity. There's culture shock. And there's banking and currency exchange which are inevitably a major headache. The list goes on and on.



If you're determined to go ahead with leaving for another country, do yourself a favor. It will save you all sorts of money and headaches. Pick a place in Africa and go there on an extended vacation. Set up a checking account at a local bank. Write a few checks. Stay long enough to have to do some banking. Do it in person, at the bank. You'll get my point by the time that your vacation is over.



And once you've moved, you get to pay again to undo it when you start missing home.



Better the devil you know than the devil you don't. Most people do much better in their own country and culture.

[August]

Originally Posted by Oubaas

I've spent my adult life living all over the world. I've been to six out of seven continents. I tried to get to Antarctica, but they didn't have any billets for someone like me.

After I retired from the military, I went to Africa for many years. I finally got to an age where I said, "Okay, that's enough adventure now. Time for a quiet, normal life." I then returned to the United States, bought a ranch, and settled down for once.

Based on the life that I've led, here's my thoughts.

You're not going to fix anything by moving someplace else. All you'll do is exchange one set of problems for a new set of problems. And often the new set sucks worse than your old set of problems. There are no problem-free places. Not on this planet, anyway.

The myth of a, "free press" is a crock, unless you happen to be a billionaire who owns a major media outlet.

Do not listen to anything that the media says. The truth is not in them. Decades ago, I participated in military operations that made international news. I was there, smack in the middle of things, boots on the ground. When I got back to places where you could get things like newspapers and read the accounts of the events in which I had just participated, I inevitably thought, "Who wrote this fiction?" Most accounts were nearly unrecognizable. I doubt that the level of veracity has improved over the ensuing decades.

If you go near the media, just scan the headlines to make sure that nothing is sneaking up on you. Take all of it with a grain of salt.

If possible, live in a rural area. Fewer things to bother you. Ignore any titillating scraps of information provided by other people. They'll regurgitate anything, no matter how sketchy the source, if they think that it will make them look knowledgeable.

Do not discuss politics or religion with anyone for any reason. No good will come of it. As for current events, if it's not happening on my property, I ignore it. Don't worry until you have a reason to worry.

As you journey along the road of life, try not to let your ego or your emotions do the driving. Both of them are terrible drivers. You'll probably be in a major wreck if they drive.


Moving countries and continents is expensive. Dealing with the new country's rules and requirements can be far more stressful than anything that's currently upsetting you. Plus there are diseases for which you, unlike the locals, will not have any natural immunity. There's culture shock. And there's banking and currency exchange which are inevitably a major headache. The list goes on and on.

If you're determined to go ahead with leaving for another country, do yourself a favor. It will save you all sorts of money and headaches. Pick a place in Africa and go there on an extended vacation. Set up a checking account at a local bank. Write a few checks. Stay long enough to have to do some banking. Do it in person, at the bank. You'll get my point by the time that your vacation is over.

And once you've moved, you get to pay again to undo it when you start missing home.

Better the devil you know than the devil you don't. Most people do much better in their own country and culture.

Oubaas is teh wise.

[Rockstar]

True, if you’re looking to get out of the rat race and find quiet we have a vast country which has just what you’re looking for. It might be found in other countries it may not. Expats tend to gather and form expat communities and of course are wired into the internet and cable tv just like back home. So unless you’re prepared to go all out native you’ll most likely just end up bitching and complaining about the same things argued here.