If you had to live somewhere else....

[moshe_levy]

Recently my wife's taken to watching "International House Hunters" where people essentially move to different countries, for a variety of reasons (job changes, desire to change lifestyle, etc. etc.). It got a discussion going. Now remember, she's been to some 42 countries, so she has her opinions on where she would want to move, if outside the USA. I've only been to 10 countries or so, but I still had some opinions about it based on my experiences. Hell, the USA is so big and so diverse that in many ways, it is like many countries all joined together. But I was thinking more internationally here....

 

If you had to move out of your native country, where would it be (top 3) - and why, exactly?

 

-MKL

[DiggerJim]

If you had to move out of your native country, where would it be (top 3) - and why, exactly?

1 - New Zealand. It's as far from those prissy Canadians as possible (don't get your panties in a wad, it's a joke) and it's got phenomenal motorcycling roads without a lot of population density and can be pretty self-sufficient in the event of a Zombie attack/Apocalypse.

 

2 - Belize. English language, reasonably "modern", good health care facilities, great weather, outstanding scuba diving but not so great motorcycling.

 

3 - Canada. But really the Yukon Territories so I'm in the sunbelt when global warming climate change does its magic and frees up a ton of real estate on the (new) beaches.

[ratfink]

Recently my wife's taken to watching "International House Hunters" where people essentially move to different countries, for a variety of reasons (job changes, desire to change lifestyle, etc. etc.). It got a discussion going. Now remember, she's been to some 42 countries, so she has her opinions on where she would want to move, if outside the USA. I've only been to 10 countries or so, but I still had some opinions about it based on my experiences. Hell, the USA is so big and so diverse that in many ways, it is like many countries all joined together. But I was thinking more internationally here....

 

If you had to move out of your native country, where would it be (top 3) - and why, exactly?

 

-MKL

 

1. British Columbia, It's like Washington, with healthcare.

2. Finland, you can see Russia from there.

3. Alaska, you can see Russia from there.

[moshe_levy]

Alaska doesn't count. It has to be outside of your native country.

 

-MKL

 

PS - My wife and Jim agree on his first choice. I haven't been there myself, but have read at least 3 articles from moto-writers I respect who say that New Zealand is the Mecca of motorcycle roads. Sounds like a winner in the making. Hmmmmmmm......

[Gregori]

(1) Oz - 'Cause flying monkeys are cool.

(2) Barsoom - Low gravity and buxom princesses. Need I say more?

(3) Shangri-La - Inner peace, happiness, and near eternal lifetime...

[Roadwolf]

Easy:

 

1. Canada... U.S.-lite, without the baggage

 

2. My native Scotland (seriously, who wouldn't want to live there?)

 

3. Germany... I just admire the German people and their culture.

[Danny caddyshack Noonan]

Netherlands

No special reason...

[Paul Mihalka]

Well, as it is not my native country (Hungary is) I can say that I don't think we would want to move anywhere else. With our modest economic situation I don't think we could do better. A nice house designed by my wife, the architect. A 3 acre lot in the country but only 10 miles from a big city (Baltimore MD) and 1 hour from a superb cultural center, Washington DC. Great motorcycle roads from the end of the driveway. A superb feeling of safety. Because of fire (another story) for 4 month we had open entrance to the house - no door on the garage entrance - and slept well. By the way, superb attention from the fire department. Health care taken care of by medicare. We ain't going anywhere - unless may be another corner of the USA.

Count your blessings.

[Quinn]

If I had stayed in the military I think I could have retired to the Azores. Access to the base for health care, low cost of living, no crime, people who like Americans, good climate,and a nice slow pace.

 

-----

 

 

[10ovr]

Amsterdam,,For medical reasons only

[moshe_levy]

Well, as it is not my native country (Hungary is) I can say that I don't think we would want to move anywhere else. With our modest economic situation I don't think we could do better. A nice house designed by my wife, the architect. A 3 acre lot in the country but only 10 miles from a big city (Baltimore MD) and 1 hour from a superb cultural center, Washington DC. Great motorcycle roads from the end of the driveway. A superb feeling of safety. Because of fire (another story) for 4 month we had open entrance to the house - no door on the garage entrance - and slept well. By the way, superb attention from the fire department. Health care taken care of by medicare. We ain't going anywhere - unless may be another corner of the USA.

Count your blessings.

 

Paul, I certainly didn't mean to imply that elsewhere is better, or worse for that matter. This is one of those "If you HAD to" questions....

 

So far some great responses. But only Jim hit one of my world traveling wife's choices. I'm curious who else will.

 

-MKL

 

 

[Ken H.]

1 - New Zealand. It's as far from those prissy Canadians as possible (don't get your panties in a wad, it's a joke) and it's got phenomenal motorcycling roads without a lot of population density and can be pretty self-sufficient in the event of a Zombie attack/Apocalypse.

 

2 - Belize. English language, reasonably "modern", good health care facilities, great weather, outstanding scuba diving but not so great motorcycling.

 

3 - Canada. But really the Yukon Territories so I'm in the sunbelt when global warming climate change does its magic and frees up a ton of real estate on the (new) beaches.

Well of course BTDT and #3 was our choice.

 

#1 would have been but NZ very difficult to immigrate too.

 

Interesting you should bring up Belize because we’ve been talking of late of if we should ever manage to be able to retire (unlikely) Belize would most likely be our first choice. We think it may be one of the best kept retirement secrets.

 

[artig]

For anyone interested in learning more about the similarities and differences between New Zealand and American societies, and some of the reasons for these differences, I can recommend a recent book by David Hackett Fischer, "Fairness and Freedom: A History of Two Open Societies, New Zealand and the United States", published by Oxford University Press. I learned a number of things about New Zealand, and even more about the USA, by reading it.

 

Another slightly older book, written by an American who emigrated here some years ago, is also interesting. "Slipping into Paradise: Why I Live in New Zealand" by Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson, published by Ballantine Books.

 

And an interesting story by a UK author, who more or less learned to ride by taking a lengthy motorcycle trip around New Zealand on a Suzuki Freewind. "Kiwis Might Fly", by Polly Evans, published by Bantam.

 

All three are available as e-books.

 

And back on topic, if I had to live somewhere else, the first choices would probably be Vancouver Island in Canada, or Cornwall in England. Partly because of climate, partly because of low(ish) population density, and partly because they speak English. But I'd still prefer to stay where I am now.

 

[Marty Hill]

Hi Arne,

 

First choice would be NZ!

Italy.

France.

 

Riding/people/food and wine!

[moshe_levy]

Wow... So far, NZ is an overwhelming favorite. Someday, I really have to get there!

 

My experience in Europe is sadly limited to only France, England, and Italy - a situation I sincerely hope to rectify. My favorite, by far, was France.

 

Actually, my first time to France, my wife had to literally drag me there. After years of conditioning I had expected rude, arrogant people, crappy service, and all the other stereotypes we all know. In fact there was supposedly a huge strike for public train workers going on when we arrived. It was a truly "AHHH-HA!" moment when I experienced Paris firsthand. The BEST service, the BEST food, the FRIENDLIEST people and absolutely the best service I've ever had, everywhere we went. I even lost my camera on a train, complete with 600+ pictures of our vacation thus far, and the friendly clerk at the station would not rest until she found it and returned it to me. Unreal. Everything ran like clockwork, including the trains which were supposedly under protest. Just the total OPPOSITE of every single stereotype I ever heard and came to believe.

 

I think that's the main reason travel is so good for us. Our eyes are opened to what's truly real vs. what we're told is real.

 

Anyway, so far the overlaps are NZ and France. Neither of us has been to Belize but that's an interesting choice. Surprised nobody has mentioned Latin America yet, but this thread is still young.

 

-MKL

[Bob Palin]

I already left my native country though I didn't really choose to, it just happened. So other than the US my choices would be:

 

Chile - friendly relaxed people, nice climate available, ocean and mountains.

Costa Rica - friendly people, great health care, nice climate, ocean and mountains, plus jungles!

Ireland - sensible social system, friendly people, Guinness.

[Mike]

I think I could be quite content in Italy . . . I love the food, the climate, the beauty, and the history. Most of all, I love la dolce vita, the embrace of a lifestyle that is a little dysfunctional but focuses one on the joys of life.

 

Many places in Mexico could be on my list if I weren't so concerned about the country's political future. It has a rich and diverse cultural history, and I think I could find a way to live there very nicely when we retire.

 

Really, though, my heart is in England. My wife and I spent three fantastic years there back in the eighties. We loved everything about it. The only thing--apart from practicality--that would keep me from moving there is knowing that we could never recreate that magical time in our lives, now that so much about us has changed.

 

I pretty much fall head over heels for wherever I am at the moment.

[moshe_levy]

I pretty much fall head over heels for wherever I am at the moment.

 

Man, ain't that the truth? Reminds me of the title of Glen Heggstad's book, "One More Day Everywhere." After you travel, isn't that really all you want?

 

-MKL

[Mike]

I pretty much fall head over heels for wherever I am at the moment.

 

Man, ain't that the truth? Reminds me of the title of Glen Heggstad's book, "One More Day Everywhere." After you travel, isn't that really all you want?

 

-MKL

 

Absolutely. I often find myself getting attached to things, but when I envision my ideal existence, what I see is a modest place to use as my home base, a small pack of essentials, and the freedom to go wherever I want, whenever I want.

 

But, an idle existence on the Amalfi Coast would work, too.

[AdventurePoser]

My problem is, everywhere I go, I want to live there...but if I had to narrow it down, I'd say anywhere in the world would be fine except for Southern California.

 

Steve

"With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine."

[RTJohn]

1. The Oregon "banana belt".

2. British Columbia.

My wife and I were in BC last month. We had a break down outside of Princeton, a tiny little place of perhaps 3,000 people. We had to wait 3 days for a part to come in from Washington. It turned out to be the best part of our trip. We met nothing but nice folks who were actually concerned about us. We made some friends and expect to go back. Not sure about retiring there, but we enjoyed it immensely.

[BerndM]

A good friend of mine and his lady friend went on a house hunting trip to Ecuador. He said they are VERY eager and accommodating to Americans who wish to live there. The prices and amenities available there, according to him, are amazing.

There's tons of great info on Ecuador on the web.

The pictures of the countryside he showed me are truly wondrous.

 

[moshe_levy]

I've been to Ecuador. It's true. Met many Israeli expats there in Quito who open up little shops and lead very quiet, slow paced lives - and the standard of living for someone on what we would consider a pretty meager income is absolutely astounding.

 

-MKL

[Peter Parts]

Toronto still works for me (after growing up in the US), but almost anywhere in British Columbia works (ummm, an echo in here?). Within BC, Sechelt a sure winner, or maybe Kamloops, Golden, Revelstoke.....

 

Or almost any home within 150 feet (mostly uphill of) of the ocean.

 

Ben

My grandparents sometimes vacationed in

[RonStewart]

I am enjoying the people loving on BC. The only place that could tempt me away would be the British Isles, but I could not afford to live there.

 

1. Scotland

2. England

3. Anywhere else in the UK, Ireland and the related islands. (Maybe not the Orkneys.)

[moshe_levy]

Wife had England in her top 3. I wasn't so wild about it myself. Although they DO have the Ace Cafe. And the world's greatest rock bands. And miniskirts. And... Oh hell, sure, I'd live there!

 

-MKL

[Bob Palin]

Wife had England in her top 3. I wasn't so wild about it myself. Although they DO have the Ace Cafe. And the world's greatest rock bands. And miniskirts. And... Oh hell, sure, I'd live there!

 

-MKL

That was in the 60s. Even the Ace Cafe is a new version.

 

Theft is my biggest bug-bear about the UK, anything that isn't nailed down is gone. My mother locks her back door when she goes out to garden, she may of the slightly paranoid age however(83).

 

I can't choose England as it is my native country but I definitely wouldn't anyway.

[Green RT]

...

If you had to move out of your native country, where would it be (top 3) - and why, exactly?

I didn't --have-- to move out of my native country, the US, I chose to.

 

I live in Mexico and really like it. There are lots of reasons.

 

- Life style. There are still lots of small shops run by the owner, not part of a chain. I live in a big city but my neighborhood is like a small town. I can walk to little one-off shops selling everything you can imagine: food, hardware, clothes, flowers, keys, electrical, plumbing, flags, health care, hair cuts. And I know the people running all the ones I go to regularly.

 

- Weather. Rarely too hot, rarely very cold. Sun every day. It only rains in the summer when it is warmer and then only for an hour once a day, usually in the evening or at night.

 

- People. They are friendly. Strangers greet each other passing on the sidewalk.

 

- Colors. Clothes, houses, lots of things come in bright colors.

 

- Cost of living. I can spend my money on travel or other things instead of rent and groceries.

 

- Safety. There is less street crime than big cities in the US. I feel safer walking around at night than I did in the US.

 

There are some downsides. You have to drink bottled water, the bureaucracy is even less efficient than in the US, things are run down and there often isn't money to fix them if that bothers you. And the drug violence, but so far that has not affected me.

 

[majrosebud]

Wyoming.

[EffBee]

Well, I was born elsewhere and moved to where we wanted to live. I've traveled somewhat (never counted, but a quick recollection puts it at about 19 countries), although Australia and NZ are yet to take any of my money. I wish I could arrange it so they would.

 

That being said, there are some cities in the Alps that are breathtaking. Valmalanco, Italy, on the Swiss border, for one. I sat on a grassy knoll on the hotel's west side and just stared at the Alpine valley below for two hours. But live there? Not enough to keep me completely interested. And Switzerland just isn't for me. I do like La Costa Brava in Spain, as well as parts of southern Spain. But I need more.

 

We still love Colorado, and purchased property there some years ago. The tenants are taking good care of things, per my visit on the way to the Un, and riding through Colorado confirmed my love for the vistas, the people, and the climate (yes, I know about winter). Washington has been a very nice and welcomed change from California. But Colorado beckons more.

[philbytx]

+!

Like Paul, I'm not a "native" either, Limeyland is my country of birth . Our blessings are lovingly counted every day.

 

Deb and I are very happy with our life here and I am proud to be a "Texan/American by Intent". I've travelled all over this planet and the USA is still one great place in which to live .

 

 

 

[philbytx]

She obviously hasn't been there lately Moshe.

Other than small pockets of civility, which you can find in the smaller rural towns, the place is becoming a rat hole !

[elkroeger]

Unless I win the lottery, I'm pretty sure I couldn't realistically afford to live somewhere neat (like the Seychelles). So on a more practical level, I just passed through Missoula, and man, it was nice there. Plenty of skiing, hunting, fishing, room to spread out... We stayed in a motel and I walked the dogs at 6am. Numerous cars parked on the streets had their windows down (nice cars, too, not just the beater '78 subarus). A pickup had several duffel bags and fishing poles in back. If I'd looked closer, I bet I'd find keys in the ignition. Try that in the big city.

[Shaman97]

I think it would depend on what age I was when I started living there. Still a lot to see and do here at home.

 

Australia - like the US, but with a better attitude. Only spent three weeks there, but it was a good fit for that time.

Ireland - been there numerous times. It's the people.

Italy - never been, but I think I could learn to live in a country that has food that good.

[moshe_levy]

She obviously hasn't been there lately Moshe.

Other than small pockets of civility, which you can find in the smaller rural towns, the place is becoming a rat hole !

 

I've been there more recently than she has. And I agree. It's changed. For the worse.

 

-MKL

[FLrider]

Anywhere along the Amalfi Coast - Incredibly beautiful, awesome food and people that know how to enjoy life.

 

New Zealand - Still unspoiled, friendly down to earth people.

 

Costa Rica - I'll tell you why maniana....after I've had another cervesa...and get up from my nap.

 

[Kitsap]

Whistler B.C.:

 

Always lively, no car required once there. Beer, mountain biking, year around sports and concerts.

 

Bourges France:

Friendly, an older couple that ran their own restaurant adopted me and did all they could to fatten me up, I miss them. A fantastic annual musical festival that runs one week and shuts down all auto traffic into town. Folks roam about from block to block listening to a wild range of music.

[RichEdwards]

After a three-year tour of the US after I retired, I still like my choice of Tampa, FL. I am not fond of winter. It's year-round cycle riding and golf, reasonable taxes and home prices. I don't miss my former home, L.I., NY at all (except for the pizza and bagels.)

Outside the U.S., I would choose:

1. New Zealand: I visited there without a motorcycle and wished I had one the whole time.

2. Italy: Food, wine, history, friendly people.

3. Ireland: Beautiful, lush, friendly people and pubs.

 

[Bill_Walker]

After a three-year tour of the US after I retired, I still like my choice of Tampa, FL. I am not fond of winter. It's year-round cycle riding and golf, reasonable taxes and home prices. I don't miss my former home, L.I., NY at all (except for the pizza and bagels.)

 

Retiring from New York to Florida? You're a stereotype, Rich! Well, almost. Your last name doesn't sound Jewish.

 

I have loved virtually every place I've ever been on vacation, including Mexico, Canada, England, France, Germany, Austria and Switzerland (not to mention a bunch of US states), and felt like every one of them would be a wonderful place to live, but I've never stayed any place more than a week. It's hard to really judge what it would be like to live somewhere, instead of just vacationing there. On vacation, you have no responsibilities, little need to deal with the local bureaucracy or even with obtaining the necessities of life, little need to cope with commuting, work, etc. Every place is pleasant under those conditions.

 

New Zealand, Australia, and Italy are definitely on my go-to list. And Canada is the only foreign country I've had the pleasure of motorcycling in, since my wife won't ride.

 

Living in San Diego since 1983 has made me a bit of a weather wimp. I love London, but if I had to live under those gray skies for more than a couple of months I'd probably kill myself. I'd have the same problem in Vancouver. But I might take the chance on someplace near the Alps. Probably the Austrian Tirol, since I speak some German.

[upflying]

I'm a Swede, so I'd move there to be with my ancestry. But I don't care for the taxes and politics.

[Albert]

...

If you had to move out of your native country, where would it be (top 3) - and why, exactly?

I didn't --have-- to move out of my native country, the US, I chose to.

 

I live in Mexico and really like it. There are lots of reasons.

 

- Life style. There are still lots of small shops run by the owner, not part of a chain. I live in a big city but my neighborhood is like a small town. I can walk to little one-off shops selling everything you can imagine: food, hardware, clothes, flowers, keys, electrical, plumbing, flags, health care, hair cuts. And I know the people running all the ones I go to regularly.

 

- Weather. Rarely too hot, rarely very cold. Sun every day. It only rains in the summer when it is warmer and then only for an hour once a day, usually in the evening or at night.

 

- People. They are friendly. Strangers greet each other passing on the sidewalk.

 

- Colors. Clothes, houses, lots of things come in bright colors.

 

- Cost of living. I can spend my money on travel or other things instead of rent and groceries.

 

- Safety. There is less street crime than big cities in the US. I feel safer walking around at night than I did in the US.

 

There are some downsides. You have to drink bottled water, the bureaucracy is even less efficient than in the US, things are run down and there often isn't money to fix them if that bothers you. And the drug violence, but so far that has not affected me.

 

Will I got a small dose of what you're describing while on a business trip several years ago. I stayed for a few days in San Miguel de Allende. It has probably the most European "feel" of any city I've visited in North or South America. Oozing with history, great shops and cafes and friendly local people. I was told that something like 15% of the population is retirees from the US.