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fierywoman

(8,155 posts)

156. Have you ever lived abroad? Lived, not vacationed for a few weeks or even months. I have--

Thu Nov 7, 2024, 10:03 PM

Nov 7

4 years in Mexico City, 1 year in Firenze (Florence), 7 years in Venezia (Venice) (I worked as an orchestral musician in orchestras in those cities.) While I loved the experience (and I was less than half the age I am now), and I learned two new languages, (and did three years of psychotherapy in Italian!), living in a foreign country isn't like living in the US minus the stuff you don't like about the US at the moment. Example: Italy is w-a--y more fascist than the US, Mexico, when I lived there (late 70s-early 80s) was a one-party rule (and all that that means ...) place. Italian (the language) doesn't have a word for "freedom" -- there's a word for "liberty" but not "freedom ; chew on that one for a moment.

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Farmgirl1961

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What are other people's thoughts on leaving the US? [View all] RockCreek Nov 7 OP

Nope. MaryMagdaline Nov 7 #1

Why should I leave? DemonGoddess Nov 7 #2

Well said. Andy823 Nov 7 #74

I don't have the kind of money you need for that. BlueTsunami2018 Nov 7 #3

It will be the global reign of terror now. Clouds Passing Nov 7 #53

I said for awhile that democracy will only be harder & harder to hold onto due to climate chaos. CrispyQ Nov 7 #104

I've seen some posts from folks suggesting they might move to places that are hardly an improvement. onenote Nov 7 #4

New Zealand, British Columbia, Australia? RockCreek Nov 7 #10

How you gonna get permanent residency? TexLaProgressive Nov 7 #31

I've been working with an immigration attorney Sable302b Nov 7 #70

Same for my husband and I. mindfulNJ Nov 7 #90

I'm in a high demand, huge scarcity profession. That makes it a bit easier. RockCreek Nov 7 #101

I'm retired 10 years, my skillset is obsolete. TexLaProgressive Nov 7 #102

Yea DeepWinter Nov 7 #72

The US is much easier to immigrate to than other countries. NT Jk23 Nov 7 #76

I'm sticking around. Not crazy about sitting in some other country while mine goes to hell. dameatball Nov 7 #5

This Isn't Your Country Though SoCalDavidS Nov 7 #33

Of course it's my country. The political structure has changed but I am still a citizen. dameatball Nov 7 #38

I've wanted to say something about this...thanks for the qustion Prairie Gates Nov 7 #6

Yup RobinA Nov 7 #123

Excuse me, but i grew up in Canada.... usedtobedemgurl Nov 7 #133

Many people can't immigrate to Canada. carpetbagger Nov 7 #138

The person i replied to said usedtobedemgurl Nov 7 #140

Not going anywhere. MuseRider Nov 7 #7

Well said MakeBelieve Nov 7 #121

Unless you have a lot of money, are still young, or marry a foreigner... Layzeebeaver Nov 7 #8

Just not true. LakeArenal Nov 7 #158

ok there may be exceptions Layzeebeaver Nov 8 #164

If you're going GO‼️‼️ live love laugh Nov 7 #9

Meaning? Nt RockCreek Nov 7 #11

Post removed Post removed Nov 7 #14

Too old and too sick Ferrets are Cool Nov 7 #12

I'm not leaving OnionPatch Nov 7 #13

Thought of it. I'm too old now but I discussed it with my daughter and she is condiering it. brush Nov 7 #15

Arab nations are worse than the US. Elessar Zappa Nov 7 #22

Do tell. Most knowledgeable, western people know that. But my daughter's plan was as I wrote... brush Nov 7 #35

Ok, got it. Elessar Zappa Nov 7 #37

Re-read the reason of living in a Arab country for a few years. brush Nov 7 #110

Mexico is messed up LeftInTX Nov 7 #94

All that sounds like great reasons for an ex-pat American to be concerned (not). brush Nov 7 #105

The Supreme Court will always be the ruling party LeftInTX Nov 7 #113

My response is the same. Ex-pat Americans don't run Mexican affairs. brush Nov 7 #116

By leaving a country & joining another, you are part LeftInTX Nov 7 #118

And to vote there one needs to be a citizen. Mayve it's important to some... brush Nov 7 #122

this sentence bdamomma Nov 7 #96

Not is all paradise LeftInTX Nov 7 #115

I have a friend from high school mnhtnbb Nov 7 #128

Thanks. That's encouraging. brush Nov 7 #129

Thank you for all of your thoughts on this. RockCreek Nov 7 #16

That said, response posts such as #14 aboce RockCreek Nov 7 #17

Please report #14. RockCreek Nov 7 #18

Can't do it. ananda Nov 7 #19

Thank you for a civil and thoughtful response. N/t. RockCreek Nov 7 #24

Please tell me more about this series you mention misanthrope Nov 7 #107

LOL. I meant sequence or succession. ananda Nov 7 #131

I can't. Elessar Zappa Nov 7 #20

If I could I'd be packing for Canada right now orangecrush Nov 7 #21

I'm hoping that Canada would adopt the American west coast and make Baja Canada. Ping Tung Nov 7 #23

Now that's an idea. Pls include NV where I live. brush Nov 7 #42

And perhaps at least a part of New England? N/t RockCreek Nov 7 #44

I am not in the habit of running away sarisataka Nov 7 #25

Most of my ancestors left their respective countries of origin. Mariana Nov 7 #89

I'd like to give this a thousand recs!!! RockCreek Nov 7 #148

Doesn't look like they need hospice nurses in Toronto where I have a friend. So I'll stay here mucifer Nov 7 #26

Well, you know how there's no Planet B? o7___o7 Nov 7 #27

I so wish they would RockCreek Nov 7 #45

I'm a dual citizen with the UK VMA131Marine Nov 7 #28

Woukd pothet commonwealth counties RockCreek Nov 7 #46

I don't think other Commonwealth countries would be an option VMA131Marine Nov 7 #51

My husband also has dual citizenship Luciferous Nov 7 #75

I'm in New England: Connecticut VMA131Marine Nov 7 #77

My husband used to live on the Luciferous Nov 7 #80

No other country will have me Freddie Nov 7 #29

I'm not leaving. I'll stay and do what I can to fight back. emulatorloo Nov 7 #30

I'd love to move to New Zealand. GaYellowDawg Nov 7 #32

They didn't used to accept people wryter2000 Nov 7 #61

My understanding is that oligarchs have been quietly purchasing NZ property misanthrope Nov 7 #141

I live in a very blue state pfitz59 Nov 7 #34

Blue state options Artistree22 Nov 7 #86

Be Careful RobinA Nov 7 #127

Only 4 years??? dickthegrouch Nov 7 #151

I couldn't leave if I wanted to. GoCubsGo Nov 7 #36

Most people don't have the means to leave Johnny2X2X Nov 7 #39

No plans obnoxiousdrunk Nov 7 #40

America's future could be a little rocky WSHazel Nov 7 #41

Please consider making this its own post RockCreek Nov 7 #47

People are generally good. We have a lot more in cachukis Nov 7 #43

This is really beautiful. RockCreek Nov 7 #48

We travel the country, a lot. cachukis Nov 7 #49

I can't afford to. The US is still a great, great country. valleyrogue Nov 7 #50

No. This country has been through more turmoil than not. I am an American Polly Hennessey Nov 7 #52

99+% of people saying that now will still be here in 2028, thankfully. Silent Type Nov 7 #54

Waiting on my Italian citizenship. CanonRay Nov 7 #55

If any show trials start. Corgigal Nov 7 #56

Left Coast Eddie18 Nov 7 #57

I could get Polish citizenship Danmel Nov 7 #58

I can get Armenian citizenship LeftInTX Nov 7 #120

We are working on a plan Farmgirl1961 Nov 7 #59

My husband and I obtained permanent resident visas mnhtnbb Nov 7 #134

Thank you! RockCreek Nov 7 #146

So do you live there or did you obtain the the permanent resident visas more for an "escape" option? Farmgirl1961 Nov 7 #154

It was an escape option mnhtnbb Nov 7 #157

I'd have to leave Oakland wryter2000 Nov 7 #60

Yeah I'm stuck in San Antonio LeftInTX Nov 7 #98

I would love to but I'm stuck for the next year or two or eight ms liberty Nov 7 #62

And there are some wonderful places in NC RockCreek Nov 7 #65

And. Virginia Fox! Traildogbob Nov 7 #111

I'm thinking either Canada or England. bif Nov 7 #63

I am looking into it Deep State Witch Nov 7 #64

Thank you for the great summary RockCreek Nov 7 #66

I just read about it yesterday Deep State Witch Nov 7 #68

My first question is what about health care? milestogo Nov 7 #67

Get real, people. Sneederbunk Nov 7 #69

Canada is under threat by its own right wingers BluenFLA Nov 7 #71

Is there more autonomy between Provinces in Canada than between States in the US? N/t RockCreek Nov 7 #97

No, staying in the USA. NEOH Nov 7 #73

Under consideration in our household kwolf68 Nov 7 #78

And go...where? n/t CousinIT Nov 7 #79

I hope to travel out of the country more. Freethinker65 Nov 7 #81

Things are getting ugly elsewhere, too. Ocelot II Nov 7 #82

I'm headed for Costa Rica Bonx Nov 7 #83

Always fight the fascists! mymomwasright Nov 7 #84

thinking about it... da svenster Nov 7 #85

I have dual citizenship with Ireland, so I can easily move along with my family to any country in the EU, and it is Native Nov 7 #87

I think that's where I'm at.... Farmgirl1961 Nov 8 #162

And if Ireland doesn't float your boat, you've got the rest of the EU! Native Nov 8 #163

Yes - in that respect we are very fortunate n/t Farmgirl1961 Nov 8 #166

Nowhere to go. I'll die here one way or the other. IrishAfricanAmerican Nov 7 #88

Many countries have an emigration fast track via... keep_left Nov 7 #91

I'm old(ish). I'm staying, at least for now, but.... Happy Hoosier Nov 7 #92

Was Already Planning To Go Florida Dem Nov 7 #93

This is an excellent summary RockCreek Nov 7 #99

Great post, great points. Thanks! Native Nov 7 #126

An acquaintance moved to Portugal a few years ago and loves it...... groundloop Nov 7 #135

Nope, I'm staying put. Sure this country has its issues, but it's still the best country in the World with the most beaglelover Nov 7 #95

Not leaving LeftInTX Nov 7 #100

I would but I can't. I am disabled and no one will have me. misanthrope Nov 7 #103

Canada reportedly is trying to become more open to disabled immigrants. RockCreek Nov 7 #143

Thanks! misanthrope Nov 7 #144

We daydream about just leaving Texas - age, family, and health are our main obstacles. It sucks. walkingman Nov 7 #106

I don't exactly blame people who do leave ... Ursus Rex Nov 7 #108

You need A LOT of money to move iemanja Nov 7 #109

You don't need "a lot of money to immigrate" to Canada. Disaffected Nov 7 #159

I would never abandon my country to fascism Skittles Nov 7 #112

6 million jew may have wished they left, RockCreek Nov 7 #145

WHATEVER Skittles Nov 7 #150

Thank you for that... I sometimes wonder if I have my ancestors' blood in me... You see Farmgirl1961 Nov 7 #155

I grew up in a town with many holocaust survivirs RockCreek Nov 7 #161

A lot of my ancestors "cut and ran" from their countries of origin. Mariana Nov 7 #147

I'm not leaving. RubyRose Nov 7 #114

What are other people's thoughts on leaving the US? Jason1961 Nov 7 #117

I did it (work in Dubai) after 2002 and stayed for 12 years JCMach1 Nov 7 #119

My sister lives in Qatar LeftInTX Nov 7 #125

THAT thought never entered my mind. This is MY country my families country All Americans country bluestarone Nov 7 #124

It would have to get really bad here for me to consider leaving Redleg Nov 7 #130

Nope. Live in California, own home, too old to be wanted, but most important of all... Hekate Nov 7 #132

My husband and I went through mnhtnbb Nov 7 #136

You can leave for another country EnergizedLib Nov 7 #137

must be nice to be wealthy The Wandering Harper Nov 7 #139

We need to stay and fight to take back our country in 2026 and especially 2028. Not going anywhere! Jmb 4 Harris-Walz Nov 7 #142

I'd love to be sponsored. ecstatic Nov 7 #149

Hubby and I are considering it MustLoveBeagles Nov 7 #152

Laying groundwork for Japan ChicagoRonin Nov 7 #153

Have you ever lived abroad? Lived, not vacationed for a few weeks or even months. I have-- fierywoman Nov 7 #156

I've lived in several other countries for significant amounts of time RockCreek Nov 7 #160

I was born in Germany lived there for my first 3 years gopiscrap Nov 9 #167

Can't afford it Tribetime Nov 8 #165