@damon30 , exactly. I used to be an education snob until I moved to rural Maine and met people with astonishing practical skills. Some have advanced degrees, some don’t, but they can all do manual tasks that I could never dream of doing.
I have lived in many different places in the US, and in Paris. All have things that I like, but I’ve never found a perfect place anywhere on earth. For me, it’s a matter of attitude and of building community wherever I happen to be. That said, this isn’t my favorite place (too rural and I hate the climate), but I’m not sure where else I’d prefer to be, and that’s reason enough to stay for the time being.
If I could live anywhere in the world, I’d choose Toronto over again. We travel a lot and although there are many places that I have enjoyed visiting, some multiple times, I’m still glad that I live in Canada. Diverse and accepting population, excellent public schools and universal healthcare, affordable universities that are heavily subsidized by government, clean and safe cities, and beautiful geographic diversity across the country.
@HImom I would pick Honolulu as my one year place! With extended side trips to the outer islands, but I like the energy of the city, and the shopping, dining and entertainment options, and walkability so I would be more than happy to have Honolulu as my home base.
Toronto really does have all of the racial, ethnic, religious and cultural diversity anyone could want, with much, much less social conflict than you would find anywhere in the U.S. Canada is not problem-free, but it’s pretty darn nice. I worry, though, that it won’t be able to keep from being infected with our various social diseases if we continue down the path we’re on.
I consider Canada my second home even if I turned down the possibility of getting citizenship there knowing I’d never live there permanently. I love everything about the country except the length of winter. Brockville to Cornwall, Ontario is as much of my stomping grounds as my own hometown is. We get back there often. The Maritimes have some nice places too. When we travel we’re often mistaken as Canadian, so I suspect the Canadian “personality” I grew up with remains even after I’ve moved away.
But still, winter is something I need to see less of as I age. It’s the perfect place to be in summer.
Creekland, what do you think the differences are between the Canadian and American personalities? I’ve also thought Canada might be a nice alternative to living in the US, particularly the West Coast of Canada. Vancouver sounds like an amazing city that apparently has a very high livability index. Other than a few things, however, I know next to nothing about Vancouver, and indeed Canada in general. I did visit Toronto and Montreal during high school and enjoyed my time there immensely. One difference I noted immediately was the contrast in cleanliness between the US and Canada. I was astounded over the lack of litter anywhere I went in Canada. I love a clean country.
I have difficulty adjusting to temperatures and think Honolulu or something very similar is best for me, though I do like visits of several weeks to many different places.
Right now Canada is looking pretty good. What I like(d) about the US but with worse weather. I’ve never spent any time there, but I like all the Canadians I know who live here!
@cypresspat, we vacationed in Greve in Chianti and it is a beautiful place. Its funny that this thread came up now. The other day, I was planning our upcoming trip to Italy and Spain and DH was checking out the real estate near Valencia. It’s been a dream of ours to own a place abroad and we keep gravitating towards Spain and Italy. I would prefer Spain because we speak the language.
We won’t give up a home base here because we’d like to spend time here to visit family. If we chose to repatriate somewhere, I’d love to live in Vancouver BC. We’ve visited there many times and I love the vibe.
I, too, have hope that our country will get back on track for the sake of our kids. They will have to live with it while mom and dad retire and travel!
For all of you complaining about the weather in Canada: I hear it’s going to be getting better! (As long as you aren’t a polar bear.) And desertification . . . not a big problem!
(What can be a problem: once you have established Canadian residence, moving back to the U.S. can trigger Canadian income and estate taxes.
I was thinking more about this thread last night. I’m not moving anywhere that it’s tough for my kids to visit me (and vice versa). And if there are ever grandchildren . . . fuggedaboudit. The only place I would really think of moving is where they are.
@poetsheart It’s far more laid back and friendly. There’s not nearly as much “rush” or “I need it” or “You crossed me” as regular everyday life.
When folks in other countries have assumed we’re Canadian they’ve told us it’s because:
1: We travel for longer periods of time (usually). They tell us most Canadians are there for 2 weeks or more. Most Americans are there for one week or less.
2: We want to meander. They tell us most Americans want to “get there quickly, see the high points, check the box, and move on.” Canadians like to “take in the atmosphere, ask questions, and get to know somewhere including asking the tour guide about themselves, etc.” We “chat.”
3: We’re not loud or demandy with specifics of food. We’re pretty content with whatever is served - however it’s served. If it’s communal with no silverware - fine.
Those are the main ones. Most folks who encounter tourists/travelers have pretty much every country stereotyped. It’s fun to listen to their thoughts (part of that love of chatting, I suppose). I highly suspect they see travelers who they “type” incorrectly if they don’t specifically ask, but the stereotypes are probably there for a reason.
Americans aren’t their least favorite tourist in general, but not their favorite either unless you count the “come, leave money, and leave” aspect.
I could probably live anywhere for a year or two, but living some place not in the US permanently would be difficult for me. I am not good with languages and I tend to agree with @mathmom—you need to speak the language if you want to be part of the culture. I could live in Canada or New Zealand easily—visited both and liked them. I also have cousins who live in Toronto.
London, absolutely. Or, more affordably, a less expensive suburb with mass transit into the city, so that I could do museums and historic sites until my feet give out.
I’d leave tomorrow and make it permanent if not for family being here, primarily adult kids I want to be available to -and, of course, grandchildren I want to watch grow up.
If I could live anywhere else in the world other than the continental US, where would it be ?
The list is too long, but I’ll post a short version.
Victoria & Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
New Zealand. Australia. Hawaii. Too many places in Europe to list. Bermuda !
Chile. Uruguay. Argentina.
P.S. Since not technically in the “continental” US, do the Outer Banks of North Carolina count ? If so, I would like to narrow down my choices to Hawaii & to the Outer Banks–with, of course, Florida winning.
For me, Hawaii has always struck me as the quintessential example of: “It’s a nice place to visit, but I wouldn’t want to live there.” Very expensive and way too isolated.
True, as far as it goes. But whatever place you would feel “isolated” from is the place where you should retire. There was the thread recently about people who “retired” to cruse ships. To each, their own.