Okay, let’s start with the given that the United States is a pretty awesome country to live in. But, if the option of living in the U.S. were suddenly off the table, where would you opt to live? I’m curious, because I’ve never lived anywhere other than the good 'ole USA, but I know people who have lived and worked all over the world, and sometimes hear them talk about what they’ve loved and hated about their expat experiences. Of course, what’s so fantastic about CC is the sheer diversity represented in its posting population, and the fact that we can all come together and share thoughts and experiences and insights. So, I’m asking. Where have you lived (or are living) other than the U.S.? How was (is) life there? I’m curious about the pros cons of living in each country. What’s best about where you live? What’s worst about where you live?
I’ll start: what’s best about living in the U.S., IMO, is our racial, ethnic, and religious plurality. I love the fact that we continue to grow more and more tolerant and open minded of each other’s differences while nevertheless maintaining that which makes us collectively and distinctly American. I love our unfailing sense of optimism, and conviction that we are free to think outside the box (ours was a country founded by rouge thinkers, after all!).
What I hate most is the way we seem to be growing more and more inured to random and casual gun violence. I also hate the fact that our infrastructure is crumbling, but we collectively behave as if ignoring the problem won’t affect our position as the world’s economic and political standard barer.
Easy for me. Canada- my mother was from there and I love going there. I like the fact that the country has a lot of rural and wild places. People are nice and they aren’t insane about gun ownership. I think they tend to be a lot more level headed on many issues. I would move there in a heartbeat except for the fact that my grandson is here.
Canada does seem like the obvious choice for most of us. Culturally Ontario is very similar to the US. Alberta is probably another good option as the strongest economy in Canada.
LOL, Sheepishly, I’ll admit I forgot about Canada, because in many ways, it seems like a sort of annex to the U.S. (See Poetsheart duck as the Canadians throw eggs @ her :D). It just seems like a quieter, saner version of USA.
I have a solid degree of fluency in German, and I tend to get along with Austrians better than Germans (sorry, all my German friends!), so Austria would be my first choice, with German-speaking Switzerland a second choice, and Germany (preferably southern Germany) trailing behind. Good social welfare safety nets there, too, which is where the USA tends to be painfully lacking, IMO.
Leaving aside the language I’d probably vote for China, though, due to past positive experiences there, if it weren’t for the (figuratively) toxic limits on expression and the (literally) toxic pollution issues in most of the country.
If money were no object, Paris. I lived there for a time, and go back about once a year, and the city never fails to charm me.
Parts of Mexico would be nice – Guanajuato, Merida.
@poetsheart
“what’s best about living in the U.S., IMO, is our racial, ethnic, and religious plurality. I love the fact that we continue to grow more and more tolerant and open minded” – I agree with all the above.
Oh, Canada, with your face sketched on it twice…You’re in my blood like holy wine…
Ahem, Canadian born and have been meaning to check out reclaiming my citizenship. There is so much to like in Canada, but job opportunity in my field is not one of the positives.
However, having lived in Hong Kong years ago, I like Asia, love HK, but one doesn’t just choose to live there due to real estate prices sans great wealth. Thailand is a fascinating country with many positives. The people, food, cost of living, I have ties there, and first retirement task may be spending a few months checking it out more completely.
Many in Arizona years ago lived in Mexico, and that was until recently a valid option for Americans. Perhaps some parts still are?
If I had unlimited money, I’d have a London town house, a Rome flat, a villa in Positano, a ski chalet in Austria. And I’d have Japanese toilet technology in all of them.