Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

If you had to become an ex-patriate, where would you go?
1/23/07 | Self

Posted on 01/23/2007 3:42:58 PM PST by Little Pig

If you were to live outside of the US, what country would you pick to be an ex-pat in? Why?


TOPICS: Chit/Chat; Miscellaneous; Society
KEYWORDS: expatriates; promisedland
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-8081-86 next last
To: Publius6961
That is true. You have to have a college degree to even be considered for New Zealand. Not sure if the same is true for Australia.

Where you bean, anyhow?

61 posted on 01/23/2007 5:52:15 PM PST by teenyelliott (Soylent green should be made outta liberals...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]

To: decal
Estonia - they're actually taking the late Milton Friedman's ideas to heart there.

Estonia dittos here.

Amazing that the most free country on the planet is a former Soviet satellite.

62 posted on 01/23/2007 5:53:20 PM PST by elkfersupper
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 41 | View Replies]

To: Little Pig

Oz, without a doubt.


63 posted on 01/23/2007 6:22:19 PM PST by Yo-Yo (USAF, TAC, 12th AF, 366 TFW, 366 MG, 366 CRS, Mtn Home AFB, 1978-81)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Publius6961; teenyelliott

Yeah. Where have you bean?





pewbs


64 posted on 01/23/2007 7:14:24 PM PST by EveningStar
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]

To: Little Pig

Poland.


65 posted on 01/23/2007 7:16:28 PM PST by dfwgator (The University of Florida - Championship U)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: teenyelliott

> That is true. You have to have a college degree to even be considered for New Zealand. Not sure if the same is true for Australia.

Not *entirely* true. There are many different criteria the authorities apply to potential immigrants to New Zealand. A college degree certainly helps, under certain categories.

Here is a good place to start: http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migrant/stream/work/workandlivepermanently/

And here is a piece of good, free advice: DO NOT employ the services of an "Immigration Consultant" to help you get into New Zealand. At best, they are a thorough waste of money. At worst, they are scoundrels.

Instead, you can trust the New Zealand Immigration authorities to give you good guidance: they are fair and reasonable and diligent, and they are friendly and professional as well.

Our immigration laws here are reasonably fair, and NZ is reasonably selective as to who is allowed to enter. Plenty of Americans come here to live and stay each year.

Good luck!


66 posted on 01/23/2007 7:31:44 PM PST by DieHard the Hunter (I am the Chieftain of my Clan. I bow to nobody. Get out of my way.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 61 | View Replies]

To: DieHard the Hunter
I had always planned on retiring to Panama, but maybe I'll look at New Zealand, too.

Thanks for the info.

67 posted on 01/23/2007 7:33:55 PM PST by teenyelliott (Soylent green should be made outta liberals...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 66 | View Replies]

To: Ironfocus

> Austtralia and New Zealand are probably the closest culture match to the US. I know many immigrants both ways, and all of them seem reasonably happy.

That said:

Gun laws in both Australia and New Zealand are quite a bit stricter than what you are used to in the US. Here, it is a privilege not a right to own firearms. Handguns are very difficult to own legally: certainly it is impossible to carry them concealed or open. Not even our (unarmed) cops do that as a matter of course.

Culturally, it is fairly close to Canada by way of look-and-feel. So depending upon how easily you can get along with Canadians would be a good indicator as to whether you would find it easy to fit in here.


68 posted on 01/23/2007 7:37:18 PM PST by DieHard the Hunter (I am the Chieftain of my Clan. I bow to nobody. Get out of my way.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 55 | View Replies]

To: Little Pig

Well I am Canadian so my list is a bit differnet. This will be a serious consideration once I finish my education as I don't think Canada will change anytime soon. Luckily I live in the best part so I can rest easy until then.

1. USA. Best for my political outlook (state-depeadant).
2. Australia. A warmer and slightly more right-wing place.
3. A democratic Asian country. Very nice people in every experience I have had.


69 posted on 01/23/2007 8:10:21 PM PST by albertanconservative
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: DieHard the Hunter

I agree about the gun laws. It will be pretty tough to give up my guns. I don't know what the law there says about shooting as a sport.

I know quite a few Americans that moved to Aussie and they love it. I guess it depends on what you value.


70 posted on 01/23/2007 8:27:26 PM PST by Ironfocus
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 68 | View Replies]

To: Little Pig

I'll have to stand and fight. She's my country.


71 posted on 01/23/2007 8:30:54 PM PST by bannie
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Ironfocus

> I agree about the gun laws. It will be pretty tough to give up my guns. I don't know what the law there says about shooting as a sport.

I used to own firearms when I lived in Canada. Sold 'em all when I emigrated to New Zealand. So far, I haven't seen any reason to replace them.

Plenty of people here shoot for sport -- even handguns. There is just a whole layer of bureaucracy overlaid on their ownership.

The Bad Guys, of course, have no difficulty in obtaining firearms...


72 posted on 01/23/2007 8:34:46 PM PST by DieHard the Hunter (I am the Chieftain of my Clan. I bow to nobody. Get out of my way.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 70 | View Replies]

To: Little Pig
Australia, Switzerland, Singapore, Costa Rica, Belize.

Perhaps Trinidad, Bermuda, Austria, Ireland.

73 posted on 01/23/2007 8:36:45 PM PST by HoustonCurmudgeon
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Ironfocus
If you want to go to Africa, there is only one choice, Namibia. It is a huge country with a relatively small population, a pretty stable government and a great standard of living.

... and you can be bored to death in two years. Beach is restricted, you can stand in the middle of the main N-S hwy for an hour and never be in danger, only good restaurants are German, and the tallest building is about 6 stories.

OH, and in the North you may still get shot at .. is SWAPO still around?

74 posted on 01/23/2007 8:41:56 PM PST by HoustonCurmudgeon
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 55 | View Replies]

To: HoustonCurmudgeon
and add San Marino.
75 posted on 01/23/2007 8:45:17 PM PST by HoustonCurmudgeon
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 73 | View Replies]

To: Little Pig
Vatican City.
Mostly just for the convenience, because if HRC actually does become our President, I'm going to have to do a lot of praying for my country! ;-)
76 posted on 01/24/2007 4:51:08 AM PST by leilani (Dimmi, dimmi se mai fu fatta cosa alcuna!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: jwalsh07

So am I- except I'm leaving Florida for South Carolina. I look forward to living somewhere where I hear English spoken..

If I could swing it financially, I might travel a LOT if Hillary were president:) But leave permanently? No. For better or worse, this is my country.


77 posted on 01/24/2007 5:02:03 AM PST by SE Mom (Proud mom of an Iraq war combat vet)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 39 | View Replies]

To: HoustonCurmudgeon

Ooo, them's fightin' words :-)

I grew up in Namibia and was never bored. But it depends on what interests you. If you are an outdoors person, then it is the place for you. If you are a citydweller, then I am afraid that Africa, with the possible exception of South Africa, is not for you.

Can you maybe elaborate on your statement that the beach is restricted? Yes, you have some diamond areas, but you also have a large stretch of beach, around 500 miles, that is accessible, and you can take your off-road vehicle onto the beach. The swimming sucks (water is too cold), but the fishing is pretty good.


78 posted on 01/24/2007 5:38:13 AM PST by Ironfocus
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 74 | View Replies]

To: Little Pig

Australia, New Zealand, Chile, Argentina, Czech Republic, Hungary, Singapore, Japan, and even China would all merit consideration. I'd probably just go to Hawaii - it's easier to tune out politics in a place like that. ;)


79 posted on 01/24/2007 6:09:13 AM PST by Mr. Jeeves ("When the government is invasive, the people are wanting." -- Tao Te Ching)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Mr. Jeeves; All

I really thought about China. I like the GuiLin region (who doesn't), but I'd be afraid that as a foreigner it would be even easier for the government to suddenly decide I wasn't welcome, and appropriate my property.

I like the Southern Islands (NZ and OZ). I also thought of some of the more sane South American countries such as Chile and Argentina. I honestly hadn't even thought of some of the Eastern European countries like Hungary, Austria, and Poland (though my wife would hate the cold winters there). Japan and Singapore are too expensive. With Singapore, I'd be afraid of doing something wrong without knowing it.

I think the Africa suggestions are the most interesting. I had just assumed that there were no countries left that weren't either being invaded by islam, going through some form of genocide, going through drought, being taken over surreptitiously by nations inimical to the US, or suffering under a typical African government (which can cause all the other listed problems).

To the poster that suggested Namibia because of the two-hour flight to South Africa when advanced healthcare is needed, I would be loath to count on that, given the state of South Africa these days.


80 posted on 01/24/2007 6:50:35 AM PST by Little Pig (Is it time for "Cowboys and Muslims" yet?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 79 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-8081-86 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson