If you had to move to another country, which one would you choose? Why?

I'm Canadian, and I'd had enough of the zoofest in the States. And from watching what's going on in the U.S., I'd say I picked the perfect time to bail (March 2008).

I lived in Canada for 5 1/2 years as a grad student. I loved it there but I never started following their politics. I followed the US politics closely though.

It's become painful just to watch Keith Olbermann outline the stupid of the day.

I follow Canadian politics very closely. Stephen Harper is a tool, but I knew that the minute he ran for office. In the time I've been here, I have voted in federal, provincial and municipal elections. If U.S. politicians had to go through Question Period like Members of Parliament do here, they'd fold in 15 minutes - 8 if Jack Layton's pissed off that day. :D

Canada would be only temporary and I wasn't a citizen who could vote. So I wasn't really that motivated.

I'd also need access to good health care because I have a chronic illness. I'd also need a place where I could make a living driving a truck or could get an education in another field of work.

Sweden and Canada would be among my top 10 too.

I would love to move out of the country again. I can't really think of one place that stands out the most right now, but anywhere in western europe is a safe bet. Australia might be nice too, but I'm also interested in India, Indonesia, and Thailand.

today those two sound good anyway

I just read "A Year in Provence" and "Under the Tuscan Sun" and I wish I had $$$ to move there. Those people know how to live.

I'd go to England, too, although they don't have flair for life that the French and Italians do. :)

And they had some social democracy when I was there, but conservative governments may have watered it down trying to ape american feudal corporate capitalism.

The Netherlands.

Sweden, Norway or Denmark - But I've since evolved into a warm weather critter.

I liked Argentina, so I could probably live there.

I heard it is downright gorgeous there. The ecosystem is similar to an undeveloped Florida.

Much better social safety net... congenial people. I felt as comfortable in the big ciities in Europe as I do here at home in NC. Perhaps the Scandinavian countries would be best for that.. plus they speak English as well as we do. :P Though, the whole winter thing is punishing.

I would really love that.

I wouldn't if I didn't have to, however, as it gets too cold in the winter! However, it's my destination if the BNP ever really makes any headway in the UK.

but not sure how I would live without taking a lot of $$$ or buying property (which would take that non-existent lot of $$$)

Only 23% of the population believes in God. I'd like to try not being a minority for a while and see if I like it.

According to the most recent Eurobarometer Poll 2005,<9>

23% of Swedish citizens responded that "they believe there is a God".
53% answered that "they believe there is some sort of spirit or life force".
23% answered that "they do not believe there is any sort of spirit, God, or life force".

Phil Zuckerman, an Associate Professor of Sociology at Pitzer College writes of several academic sources who have in recent years placed atheism rates in Sweden between 46% and 85%, with one source reporting that only 17% of respondents self-identified as "atheist"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion_in_Sweden#Religion_in_Sweden_today

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I've seen that in polls here, too, where a lot of people who say they don't believe in gods also say they aren't atheist.

It's the country of my heritage. The countryside is so beautiful and the people so gracious based on the stories I've been told by the people who have lived there for periods of their life. Also, they don't allow the church to interfere in their daily lives. ;)

point, I wouldn't want to move too far from my extended family.

I've got family there, I love the country, orange is a good color, and the soft-drug policy doesn't hurt either.

France, Vietnam, China, Spain

I do have a hankering to move to Wisconsin once in a while. Food not so good and the girls are larger but everyone there is so darned nice. It is very pretty there.

great food and no one can legally own a gun.
(JOKE)

Why the fuck would I want to leave here?



mark

It's a social welfare state with virtually free education and medicine. Children are taught at a young age about respect and manners.


Basically, people care about each other.

Spain, in particular. Not only because it's where my folks come from, but it's a really nice place.

Moreover, it's the only place in the world where I don't have an accent.

I have friends and family there, culture shock wouldn't be as bad as elsewhere, and language wouldn't be a problem.

Devon or Cornwall for preference. Civilized, English-speaking (I'm too old to become conversationally fluent in another language), and the place my ancestors came from.

or any other of the Beer Countries

Canada. All bets are off the other nations. Yes I love Japan, but would never want to live there. (I would always be "Gaijan" )

It's great mate. Woof.

Because my wife is a citizen, and it is close enough to have some chance of seeing family again. possibly even close enough to harbor them as refuge's when this place crashes.

Though, Ideally, I would prefer to be further away when that happens. I just don't know how to make that happen.

Probably the UK. Or maybe I can learn some German?

Hubby and I now hold permanent resident visas in Panama, but we have scrapped our plans to
build a home there.

I guess, at our ages (he's 67 and I'm 58)we're going to stay put. Still, if the US turned
upside down, instituted martial law, or we were afraid for our lives, I guess we'd get on a plane
and head for Panama.

preferably with a good live music scene

I think Canada is a beautiful country.