Discussions

Would you live in a different country?

Posted by MitraD • 4/22/08 • Subscribe to this Discussion [RSS] • Report This Topic
Tags: migration

People are moving around and migrating from one country to other more frequently these days.

Where do you come from? Would you migrate to a different country forever and Why? Would you return to your homeland after a while and Why?

What would you do?

User Comments

4/22/08

Norski

I'm pretty sure that I'll be living in a different country in another few years. But, I won't be moving.

I'm an American, born in this country a little over fifty years ago. When the sixties bloomed, it wasn't the same country. When disco reigned, it wasn't the same country. And it hasn't stopped changing.

So, if I'm still alive, and unless something unexpected happens, five or ten years from now, I'll be living here in Sauk Centre - and America will be a different country. Again.

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1. 4/23/08
  
  acousticguitarist
  
  what's Sauk?
2. 4/23/08
  
  Theresa111
  
  Sauk Centere? Where in the world is that?
3. 4/23/08
  
  MitraD
  
  @Theresa111 - I was curious too about Sauk Center...just found out that Sauk Centre is a city in Stearns County, Minnesota.
4/22/08

aningeniousname

I would have to say no, as I have a fear of foreigners based on my low intelligence and fear of difference.

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4/22/08

dzerom

i think i would only work if theres a job offered but im not moving with family. its hard to move and start all over again with a different cultures. maybe if were given the opportunity to travel to other country it would only be a vacation or a trip but were not probably live there.

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1. 4/22/08
  
  Norski
  
  Agreed. I have nothing against different cultures on the basis of their being different (there are specific cultures that I'd have a hard time justifying living in - syntactic nightmare, that). However, I've learned to live in one part of America - and would just as soon not have to go through that process again.
4/22/08

MitraD

good one Norski...dzerom, I agree moving and starting all over again can be quite a task, especially cross cultures...but i guess that also beckons the question shouldn't we have/encourage more interaction with cultures other than our own?

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4/22/08

sellytapgirl

I'd like to visit a wide variety of European countries (this is a very LOOOOOONG list), but I think I'll stick with the USA for now

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4/22/08

Norski

A more serious response to an excellent question: Every ten years or so, I've taken a serious look at where I could emigrate to.

To date, there isn't a part of the English-speaking world that would be better for me than America, where I was born. This isn't simple-minded "patriotism." It's acknowledgment that America offers opportunities to a degree that's hard to find elsewhere, a degree of freedom that I appreciated more after getting to know people who had escaped parts of Asia, and a culture that's still loose enough to allow people to experiment - and live their own lives.

Please: Don't flame me for saying "English-speaking world." I limited myself that way because I speak American English, and am not particularly fluent in any other language - and because so many countries use English.

(There was a pretty good discussion thread on world languages: "What is the most spoken language in the world?" (started February 17, 2008), but I can't seem to find it now. I adapted a comment I made for that thread, and posted it in apatheticlemming.blogspot.com/2008/04/why-isnt-there-more-mandarin-on-web.h... - shameless self-promotion?)

[reply]
1. 4/22/08
  
  MitraD
  
  @Norski - Promise not to flame you for saying "English-speaking world." Although looking at the stats your provided on Apathetic Leming, I too wonder why isn't there more mandarin? And I am a hindi speaker(Like most people from India who undertsnad or speak Hindi) I knew Hindi was big, but seeing the numbers really put it into perspective.
  
  Culturewise - I have had the opportunity to spend quite sometime in the US and I agree with where you say "it's a culture that's still loose enough to allow people to experiment - and live their own lives."Being able to do that is priceless. But sometimes I also feel that there be more boundries moral/social etc;...it sometimes feel like an experiment gone slightly haywire....ofcourse no person or culture can ever be perfect...we just need to find what works for us and co-exist with others.
2. 4/22/08
  
  Norski
  
  MitraD,
  
  You bring up some very good points.
  
  About Mandarin - I was surprised, too.
  
  I have not researched this, but my guess is that the values, which show roughly 1/6 of the world's people speaking Mandarin, are accurate - but that Mandarin isn't better represented on the Web because speakers of Mandarin are concentrated in one country: China.
  
  English wouldn't be so common on the Web, if it weren't spoken as a secondary language in over three times as many different countries as any other language.
  
  A language spoken in 115 countries, or a language spoken in 1 - which is more likely to be used as a language for communication for people in many different countries.
  
  Hindi seems to be in a similar position. It is an important language, but is concentrated in one (large) area.
  
  About American culture:
  Your observation was a paragon of diplomacy: "But sometimes I also feel that there be more boundries moral/social etc;...it sometimes feel like an experiment gone slightly haywire."
  
  I'm a devout Catholic, which means that I live in a way which is very much unlike that of a typical American. I agree wholeheartedly that America would benefit from a greater degree of disciplined, responsible, thought and action.
  
  But that sort of discipline must come from within people. And, until that happens, I'm grateful that there is so little restriction on the lives of people who do not live near the 50th percentile.
  
  Thank you for a thoughtful reply.
4/22/08

markstoneman

I could easily move back to Europe, but it's all a matter of where work is. Right now I've been focusing my job search on the Washington, DC area, though I should probably widen my net. (Bet it won't include Minnesota though.)

Wait, job search? Yeah, I teach as an adjunct professor, that means course by course by course, with no real future.

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1. 4/22/08
  
  Norski
  
  With your requirements, I wouldn't think that Minnesota would be in your "net."
  
  That's not to say that there aren't some middlin-fair post-secondary educational institutions in the state. Concordia College's music department isn't too bad, and there's some synergy (is that word still 'in?') between the University of Minnesota medical school and those guys at the Mayo clinic.
  
  But, in general, "Minnesota" isn't the sort of thing that shows up on classy academic credentials. This really isn't a particularly 'cultured' state, although we do have a surprising number of wineries now.
  
  I'm serious: Minnesota is more a state known for agriculture and top-rate vacation spots.
4/22/08

morgantj

I would love to live in Japan again. I find it's culture absolutely intriguing.

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4/22/08

MitraD

@Markstone...look at this way...you are in the noble profession of teaching. If no one taught our kids, civilization would be doomed.

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4/22/08

bsilvia

Born - live in Croatia (but I have roots in Hungary :)), I would like to migrate to Iceland, Sweden, Canada or Australia... but not for ever. Or maybe... well, I don't know. Maybe I would return to my homeland one day - when I'll be old and homesick?

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4/22/08

monkeytale

I've never really considered living in another country myself. There are a lot of places/countries I'd like to see/visit though. Italy, Australia, Norway, Ireland... to name a few.

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1. 4/22/08
  
  markstoneman
  
  As long as there's fishing and Pepsi, right?
4/22/08

daniel23

I'm going to settle down in England's green and pleasant land and I'm never going to go anywhere ever again. (except maybe a short holiday to Spain to get a tan).

Once I'm back in England I'm staying dead put.

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1. 4/23/08
  
  MitraD
  
  good on ya mate...
4/22/08

JillSaxon

I'm American, but I would consider living in England, Japan, Spain, Canada, and the Netherlands.

There are more places I want to check out, but these are at the top of the list for now.

Why? Because the world is bigger than just my backyard. It would be nice to immerse myself in another culture and experience new things.

I'm sure at some point I would get homesick.

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1. 4/23/08
  
  TheBloggerExposed
  
  I agree with you on this, Jill! I understand that it isn't practical for everyone to have these experiences, but I feel that if more Americans (or people in general) did have broader cultural experiences, there would be less discrimination, etc.
4/22/08

MarkPogue

I'm an American, but I've considered moving to Canada many times...and probably will.

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4/22/08

MitraD

so the theme of responses suggest that everyone would like to visit places but STAY where they are.

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4/22/08

DrowseyMonkey

It would be fun to live somewhere different for a while, but I'd really miss my family. I don't think I'd move from Canada to live someone permanently, but for a few years for work purposes ... maybe.

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4/22/08

TimMc

I find the idea of living in another country intriguing. Of course, I'm a bit nomadic anyhow (grew up an Army brat...born in Germany, lived in Colorado, Texas, California, Virginia, New Jersey and now in Idaho). I spent one year (2006-07) traveling the US with my wife and 4 kids in a 40 foot RV (awesome experience!). I lived in South Africa for 3 months while I was in college too...thoroughly enjoyed that experience. If I could afford the move, I'd go somewhere...but it would have to be somewhere awesome. Right now, I need to pay off our one year adventure. But, when it's paid off, I'm open for suggestions, haha.

[reply]
1. 4/23/08
  
  MitraD
  
  @Tim - Quite an adventure you have going there.
4/23/08

carlgalloway

I love living in different countries, it gives you an opportunity to learn a new language and see how other people do things.

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4/23/08

footiam

It would be nice, I suppose but I will miss people who care about me.

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4/23/08

pocketcultures

I have lived in a few different countries, and although it is hard to get used to new and different ways of doing things and interacting with people, I think it is definitely worth it. You can learn so many new things, and see things in new ways that maybe you didn't consider in your home country. When you go home you will notice things that you didn't see before.

I think these days it is much easier to live abroad because technology (eg internet) means you can keep in touch with friends and family who are far much more easily and cheaply. But of course it is not the same as being able to pop round to visit whenever you want.

[reply]
1. 4/23/08
  
  MitraD
  
  true...no matter how advanced we get, technology can never replace personal interaction....but you might end up with an entirely new perspective.
4/23/08

crkian

We are moving to Australia at the end of the year. But they speak the same language as us (almost) so it shouldnt be that hard.

[reply]
1. 4/23/08
  
  jungl
  
  Really? Wow, that is wicked for you
2. 4/23/08
  
  ender
  
  that's what our foreign exchange student thought. until she asked, during a particularly hard history test ... everyone silent and concentrating ... focused ...
  
  DOES ANYONE HAVE A RUBBER?
  
  which, in the U.S., means a condom ...
  
  way to break the tension of high school!
3. 4/23/08
  
  jungl
  
  Hehe ender. Did it make you blush?
4. 4/23/08
  
  ender
  
  lol
  i was too shocked to even blush.
  
  and chris - that's cool. i'm jealous - i've considered emigrating to either oz or new zealand, but i'm too attached to my junk.
5. 4/23/08
  
  crkian
  
  Yeah we have to get rid of the junk as well, but ebay wont let me sell the kids
6. 4/23/08
  
  MitraD
  
  I just did....came to Australia early this year...hence the train of thoughts eading to this discussion. It's a nice place to be.
4/23/08

Musing

My dream life: make a living from my writing so I could work from wherever I wanted. To start I'd live one year in Japan then one in Italy, England, Switzerland, France...

[reply]
1. 4/23/08
  
  TimMc
  
  It's possible! I was able to take my wife and children on a one year 'tour' of the US because I am a freelance writer. It was just us, our dog, our junk, my laptop and wireless cellular Internet card! I am so thankful we were able to go! Now, my children have been to all 48 contiguous states.
  
  I have a few bills to pay off and then perhaps we'll be off again!
4/23/08

Santousha

I don't know about living abroad but there are places i want to see before I die: Japan, China, America, Curacao, Cuba, the netherlands, France, The UK.
And this from a girl who is afraid to fly and hates traveling on water

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1. 4/23/08
  
  MitraD
  
  I guess your passion for travelling will help overcome the fear of flying or water for that matter..
4/23/08

kirewass

I live in Sweden but I would like to live in a country which has no winter. The dark nights of the Swedish winter are too many.

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4/23/08

chicapumuckl

I am living in another country than I was born for 4 years now. I think I can say it helped me in seeing things different and not to take everything for granted.

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4/23/08

acousticguitarist

yes

maybe spain, brazil, denmark, india, bhutan, peru

NZ

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4/23/08

blastyle

I am Polish but I'm living in Denmark currently (studying and working). It's not far to my home country so every time I have a longer weekend I'm home to see my friends and family.

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1. 4/23/08
  
  MitraD
  
  Isn't that the best of both worlds!
4/23/08

Manictastic

I would love to move to London, or New York. California always seemed nice as well. And then of course the Provence and Spain are high on places I once want to have lived in.

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1. 4/23/08
  
  carlgalloway
  
  You want to live in London or New York, urgh, you're a masochist!
2. 4/23/08
  
  Manictastic
  
  Dunno, I like big cities. I like the anonimty of them. But I fear I won't ever be rich enough to have a decent place in these parts.
4/23/08

Phoenix1962

I would love to move to England, France or Canada.

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4/23/08

billhinson

Probably Japan because their rich culture and amazing people there

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4/23/08

VampireFaust

I'm from the US and would love to migrate either to New Zealand or Greece. I have family in New Zealand and it's simply gorgeous there. As for Greece...it's simply been an intense obsession of mine for many years...

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4/23/08

calais50

I live in USA. When I first got married, we wanted to live in Ireland. My husband requested a job transfer and we planned to move shortly. We ended up getting cold feet about missing our family. I know 2 separate families who live in the Philippines. It is supposed to be an excellent place to live (except certain parts of the country) especially for retirees because it is beautiful and your money goes extremely far.

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4/23/08

katknit

I'd love to live in Italy for 3 or 4 months of the year. We're not doing that now because we have elderly parents. But I'd return to the US for the rest of the year.

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4/23/08

genopianist54

hmm... perhaps Denmark, NZ and Bahamas

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4/23/08

earthandeconomy

Looking forward to moving to Hungary when we get the chance. My wife's family is there. We may return to the states some day. Jimmy Buffet says it well in two appropriately titled songs:

Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes

Reading departure signs in some big airport
Reminds me of the places I've been
Visions of good times that brought so much pleasure
Makes me want to go back again
If it suddenly ended tomorrow
I could somehow adjust to the fall
Good times and riches and son of a bitches
I've seen more than I can recall

Chorus:
These changes in latitudes, changes in attitudes
Nothing remains quite the same

Wonder Why We Ever Go Home

Years grow shorter, not longer
The more you've been on your own
Feelin's for movin' grow stronger
So you wonder why you ever go home
Wonder why you ever go home
You wonder why you ever go home

www.cobo.org/knowledge/glc/song.cilcia.07.html

[reply]
1. 4/24/08
  
  MitraD
  
  Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes - good one...many thanks for sharing it with us.
4/23/08

globalgirl

Yes. Living in another country can be exhilarating. I've lived in another country for 3 years and still call it my home away from home.

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4/24/08

barryfromtexas

I have lived in Kosovo (4 years) Iraq (2 years) and now I am in Liberia (just started). I am not sure I would want to permanently live in any of those places, but I am sure I could. I have visited many countries - Montenegro is still high up on my favorites.

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4/24/08

hanxiansheng

Not yet, but I will live in USA soon.

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4/24/08

lawrencevon

it has crossed my mind a lot. i come from the philippines and opportunities here are very little (as i see it).

but my friends and family are here. perhaps, when an exciting career opportunity comes along... ill see it from there. but most probably, ill return.

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