If you could not live in the USA, where would you live, and why ?

[steve2470]

Canada springs to mind for me, the healthcare system and its similarities to the USA.

[HeiressofBickworth]

1. I've lived in Germany and Australia

but there have been so many changes I don't think I'd do either. If I had the money, I live on Malta. They speak English, close to the mainland of Europe, weather pretty nice all the time. Ain't cheap, however.

[AsahinaKimi]

2. Canada.. maybe Taiwan.

BUT if i had the money... Moorea, TAHITI would be wonderful.

[steve2470]

8. wow, gorgeous photos, would be wonderful to go there one day ! nt

[geckosfeet]

21. French Polynesian islands gets my vote too.

How expensive can it be to live off grid in a hut in the rain forest?

on edit - then again maybe Sicily, southern Italy or a Greek island.

[zappaman]

49. I felt the same way when I was there

Just did not want to leave.
Palau is also beautiful.

[Kennah]

3. Pandora

[Rochester]

4. Probably Canada or England, for their cool climate and they speak English.

Australia - too hot
New Zealand - earthquakes

[Paka]

5. If I had no money issues, I would live in France.

But then I am a big Francophile.

With my limited budget I live in Thailand with affordable dental and health care with an amazing low cost of living for a very high quality of life.

[IndyJones]

65. I'm with you on France - or maybe Italy.

[JCMach1]

6. Luxembourg without a doubt

in some sleepy mountain village...

[Lucky Luciano]

43. Maybe you mean Liechtenstein with the mountains? nt

[RainDog]

54. The Ardennes are partially in Luxembourg

[JCMach1]

62. They are smaller mountains... similar to the Appalachians in some ways...

View from the castle in Vianden, LX



Twilight time in Vianden

?zz=1

[Lucky Luciano]

87. Very pretty.

[MADem]

7. Canada has Harper--he's the Bush of the North.

It's not the paradise some think it is, anymore. Nice people, though.

Bermuda? Bahamas? BVI? Or maybe somewhere on the edge...like the substantially depopulated island of Montserrat....I've always wanted to learn more about volcanoes...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montserrat

[RFKHumphreyObama]

10. And judging by the polls, Australia will next year have Prime Minister Abbott

So right wing that he'll make Sarah Palin look like Paul Wellstone

Hopefully the Greens will still hold the balance of power in the Senate so they'll prevent him inflicting too much damage

[FLAprogressive]

9. Canada, the UK, or Australia. Even their right-wingers are slightly more tolerable than ours.

[MADem]

12. Not really. They're pretty odious, they just have more charming accents. nt

[Sen. Walter Sobchak]

11. Toulouse France

It is a completely schizophrenic place - a confused hybrid of Mediterranean France and suburban California but I am quite taken with it.

[longship]

13. One of the Scandinavian countries

Finland is the most independent but maybe Sweden would be a more practical choice --- better climate, too.

On the other hand Australia has much to offer. It's a beautiful continent. Aussie's have a wonderful sense of humor. And there's always "footie" (Aussie rules football).

Note: English is spoken by a vast number of people in many countries. In countries in northern Europe many people are trilingual.

[deutsey]

83. I thought the same n/t

[HubertHeaver]

14. Germany

For the good beer.

[mikeytherat]

15. France or Italy

Think about it more and more each day, actually.

mikey_the_rat

[Shankapotomus]

16. Japan

I have never been there but, on average, they seem to value social harmony to the same degree as myself. I realize exceptions occur there and all places have their issues but I just sense I would be more comfortable there than anywhere else.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

17. BERMUDA..zero illiteracy, zero poverty, and one guy unemployed and they all know who he is

at least when we visited several years ago.. heavenly beautiful place, where they still
serve high tea in the afternoon. And, only a couple hour flight from US

[Oldfolkie]

18. Your finances and your age figure in,,,

Are you going to work or lie on the beach?
I lived in Japan seventeen years. Went there at age 52, Made good money teaching English, but it is a country for younger foreigners. And, the Japanese are difficult to befriend and don't care if you are there or not.
However, it is almost a cliche that it can be a candy store for young guys for a couple years. I had several fine girlfriends at my age and married one.
I am now 75 and living in the Philippines the last six years on a retiree visa. Suits me fine, as I have pensions and a little savings and the Phils are cheap.
My second choice was Greece. It might be worth investigating as economical due to its current financial situation.

[Art_from_Ark]

75. I'll agree that Japan is a country for younger foreigners

I'm surprised that you were able to meet someone at 52 or older, however, since by that age most foreign men have fallen off the radar.

[a la izquierda]

19. Mexico...

it's my second home and where I research. My husband would give biking tours.

I'd also like to live anywhere in northern Europe. I've never been, but friends and family assure me I'd love it.

[hobbit709]

20. Austria. I can claim citizenship there.

[PCIntern]

22. Toronto...my favorite city in North America...

fantabulous place...

[greymattermom]

84. love T Dot

Both of my daughters are dual citizens, and the youngest wants to move back to Toronto some day.

[Vinca]

23. Lately I've been hooked on the House Hunters International shows and

the south of France looks really, really nice. Realistically, we're close to Canada, husband has dual citizenship, so we'd probably go somewhere in the Maritimes.

[KG]

24. Wyoming

[steve2470]

25. I'm sure this factored into your decision

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1002360177

(Wyoming) Doomsday bill moves forward, minus the aircraft carrier

[newfie11]

27. Really?

[Luciferous]

28. Realistically, probably England. My husband has dual citizenship and has family there.

If money wasn't an issue, maybe Belize or New Zealand.

[Atman]

29. Koh Samui, Thailand

Why? I have family there; cost of living is wicked cheap; have you seen the movie "The Beach," with Leo DiCaprio? It was filmed there...freakin' paradise. I've visited once, and have been wanting to go back ever since.

[newfie11]

30. Galicia Spain in a heart beat

Beautiful!!!! Also a little different

[Stinky The Clown]

31. Campagnia, Italy

Its where my family is from. I never lived there but when I visit I feel like I belong.

[TheCowsCameHome]

32. Lately, I'm not so sure I'm living in the USA.

At least I wonder, sometimes...............

[Javaman]

33. In Southern Italy or the Alsass Loraine region of France.

that is if I could support myself.

[mac56]

34. Nova Scotia or Newfoundland

Yes, I realize Harpo is Bush North.

[meow2u3]

35. If I didn't have money issues, I'd live in Portugal, despite their economic woes

I'm a big Lusophile.

[frylock]

36. vancouver, b.c.

for stuff like this

[Blue_In_AK]

37. I'd go to Canada, too,

particularly western Canada which is most like Alaska. Actually, I'd be fine with the US selling Alaska to Canada. Please. With our resources, we should command a healthy selling price and help with the national deficit.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

38. Japan

I speak the language, could find free-lance work there, and have lots of friends there, plus I've lived there before and know how things work.

The obstacle is the residency visa. You have to have a job offer, a lot of money upfront, Japanese ancestry, or a Japanese spouse. I qualify on none of these factors.

[oldhippie]

47. I think a lot of people here don't realize, like you do ........

....., that you can't just decide to move to and live in most countries just because you want to. You need a visa, or a job, or some other requirements. A lot of folks in the USA that have not traveled much abroad don't realize that there are restrictions in most countries.

I'm not even sure I could go back to Taiwan, where my wife is from.

[Snake Alchemist]

56. same here. still looking to move there but incredibly difficult. nt

[HopeHoops]

39. Somewhere with a great veggie growing climate.

I'm basically happy where I am. Everywhere sucks at times to the people living there. We could just play musical chairs every ten years - pick a country and grab some wood. If you're left out, you're SOL - go to Antarctica. Nah, wouldn't be fair to the penguins.

[taught_me_patience]

40. While working: Australia

Singapore
Canada (Vancouver)
New Zealand
Germany


For retirement:
Belize
Thailand
Phillipines

[hifiguy]

41. New Zealand

It is beautiful, the people are mellow and easygoing, and it's about as far away as possible from the open-air lunatic asylum this country is becoming.

[RebelOne]

42. The British Isles, preferrably Scotland.

Visited there twice and wished that I could stay.

[B Calm]

44. Mediterranean Isle of Corfu

Spent one month there in 1971 when I was in the US Navy. I loved everything about that island, especially the people!

[stuntcat]

45. Scotland

because it's incredibly beautiful (for now, I mean) and that's where some of my ancestors are from, also it's SO beautiful!!! Oh did I already say that?

[pink-o]

46. I love the Med. LOVE it!!!

I've checked out Croatia (really on the Adriatic, but not a big dif) some of the Greek Islands, South of France, Malta, Spain....but NOTHING, seriously ****NOTHING**** beats Italy. Truly my favorite place on the globe. I'd choose to live on the coast outside of Rome, around the town of Fumicino or a little bit south (Sorrento's not exactly a hole, either!) Then there's Amalfi, or Santa Margherita up north, and there is no place on earth like Venice.

I do know the country is a hot mess, the corruption from the top makes us look like petty larceners. But none of that puts a single dent in my love for that big ole boot in that beautiful, historic sea.

Aw, crap. Now I wanna go immediately!

[Devil_Fish]

48. Denmark, Free colledge education.

Better standard of living for the 99% as well.

[Arugula Latte]

50. Southern France or coastal Italy.

Or possibly Sydney.

[Honeycombe8]

51. Since I've never been anywhere, I don't know. Ireland, Canada, & France seem beautiful. nt

[seabeyond]

52. cold and green. so canada would work. ireland, scotland... nt

[Mister Ed]

53. I'm surprised no one's yet said Switzerland

I've never seen anyplace more beautiful than the Bernese Oberland. Even the cows are pretty! And I've still never figured out where they hide their trash.

[Snake Alchemist]

55. A much better question would be "why do we seem to be so trapped in the US?" nt

[craigmatic]

57. Either Canada, the UK, or New Zealand.

Health care systems would be the main reason along with their more leftist politics.

[Cleita]

58. I liked Victoria Canada when I visited.

It might be a bit pricey, but I liked the shopping and restaurants and Vancouver is a ferry ride away, or you could slip back into the USA to Seattle now and then for whatever you feel you need from the USA.

However, I think, in spite of all its problems, the Greek islands call to me as well.

[ErikJ]

59. Europe or Ecuador (rated #1 best place to retire)

Coincidentally this is is the headline story today on Intl Living homepage.

Enjoy a Comfortable Quality of Life in Europe

http://internationalliving.com/2012/03/enjoy-a-comfortable-quality-of-life-in-europe/

And IL rates Ecuador the best place to retire in the world. It has everything plus very cheap living. $600 a month is good enough for comfortable living.

[L0oniX]

60. French Polynesia

[cyglet]

61. The Netherlands

and I absolutely will if my job goes to pot.

[shcrane71]

63. Any northern country with an accessible health care system.

[bermudat]

64. Bermuda

Very expensive to live, but breathtakingly beautiful.

[cherokeeprogressive]

66. Not bitin'. I love living in the US of A.

I've been up, I've been down, I've been all around.

Yeah, I'm nobody, and I came from nowhere.

I have toys, a view out my window, a job I love, and the right to speak my mind about the President of my country as long as it's complimentary.

Gotta love that.

[steve2470]

70. I'm not moving either, unless my son moves (maybe)

Just a thought experiment

[limpyhobbler]

67. Definitely a tropical beach.

Bermuda comes to mind.

[guitar man]

68. Katmandu

[pokerfan]

69. Nelson

Pics here: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=105&topic_id=9766307&mesg_id=9766354

[Sisaruus]

71. Finland

Best place to live as per Newsweek. Plus I'm an introvert and it is a nation of introverts so I'll fit right in. And since all 4 grandparents were Finnish immigrants, I have lots of family there.

[Bucky]

72. South Carolina

Beautiful beaches, stable economy, and many of the locals speak English.

[steve2470]

73. do they require a visa for entry ?

[MattSh]

74. Well...I guess I would have to say Kiev, Ukraine...

Since I've been here over six years now.

Way affordable compared to NJ, but only if you have some savings when you arrive. Otherwise, you'll need to make it on local wages.

[MrScorpio]

76. Amsterdam… In a heartbeat

[belcffub]

77. the moon....

still waiting for those moon colonies they promised us... oh yeah... and my flying jetsons car...

[sufrommich]

78. I'd go to Canada, I have relatives there. nt

[NNN0LHI]

79. I have considered moving to west Texas does that count?

People who travel a lot and I trust have told me this is one of the most beautiful places to live on earth.

Don

[WilmywoodNCparalegal]

80. Italy, because it would be incredibly easy for me (Italian citizen)

and my pets and husband. He could even find work in his specialized field. I asked him many times to work with headhunters to find a position in Italy... anywhere in Italy is fine, though I'm from a north-central city that is very liberal and cosmopolitan (but with a super high cost of living).

If money were no object, Tahiti, Moorea or Bora Bora would do... I wonder how easy it would be to live there as a EU passport holder??? (anyone know?)

[HappyMe]

81. Canada, England or Italy.

Canada because they have cool cities and outrageously beautiful scenery when you want to get out of town. England or Italy because of the museums, and you can get to damn near anywhere else in Europe by train.

[Jennicut]

82. Foggia, Italy.

My mother's entire family on her father's side is from there. Aunts, uncles, parents, grandparents. The Italian influence was huge on me growing up. Most of my Mom's cousins and other relatives ended up in Long Island (after her Grandparents came trough to Ellis Island). But my Mom's father moved to Connecticut and we have been here since. The customs, the food, the culture was just really a big part of my childhood. At Christmas we always had lasagna with Italian cordials. We learned Italian words. My Mom says she would love to make a trip there someday. I guess if I was forced to move I would love to see where my Great aunts and uncles and great Grandparents came from.

[NYC_SKP]

85. Hawaii....

[dionysus]

86. canada, britian, somewhere in scandinavia.. because they're cool, among other, more

important reasons...

[DevonRex]

88. Finland with Denmark a close second. Nt