Moving to a foreign country--realistic?

[Parks]

Posted: 10/22/08 at 3:30am

One of my friends and I were talking tonight about life and a lot about the economy, and she said that her plan, if the economy gets worse, is to move to another country in Europe and start over there.

At first, I thought she was crazy, but the plan sounds very interesting now. It seems like it would make sense. Why would you stay in a country where everything seems to be falling apart? She is a senior, so she will have to get a job soon--and with things being so rough here, what does she have to lose (besides everyday contact with a few friends and family, maybe)?

Would it be a bad idea to try starting off in a completely different country? Is it realistic? Has anyone here tried it?

[LePetiteFromage]

Posted: 10/22/08 at 4:08am

Updated On: 1/10/09 at 04:08 AM

[Weez]

Posted: 10/22/08 at 6:17am

Perhaps y'all could look into teaching English in a foreign country. I'm losing more and more friends to Japan by the day, although there is one in Spain as well. It's one of those post-education pre-life things that quite a lot of graduates do; helping the world and postponing the inevitable moment when you have to decide what you're actually going to do with your life. It'd be a good stepping stone. While you're out wherever, you can work out if you really like living there and forge contacts. And if you change your mind, you just return home once your contract is up.

Just a thought anyway. ^_^

[wickedfiyeroofoz]

Posted: 10/22/08 at 6:25am

I moved form the US to New Zealand last February. Moving to another country is exciting and there are a lot of joys that come with it, but the pain of missing your family/friends/everyday life is a real struggle. In fact, you find yourself missing things you didn't even like all that much to begin with. Seriously I spend ridiculous amounts of money on root beer here when i can find it. I didn't even drink root beer in the US! And let me be the first to tell you, moving to another country is extremely tiring. Sorry Le Petite but you can't just "Just pack your bags and go!" I'm here on a student visa at the moment and planning to apply for permanent residency in March. That application process will take over a year and will cost me at least $1500 along with more paperwork than you can imagine...All for a piece of paper that says I can stay here. You have to go through intense medical examinations that are rarely covered by insurance because they are deemed "elective." Often you have to prove that you have a certain amount of money saved as well.

And speaking of money, this financial crisis is GLOBAL. You can't escape it in Europe or anywhere really. Ask Iceland who is on the verge of national bankruptcy. Sadly the U.S. economy is extremely powerful in the world market. Even here in New Zealand we are facing the same struggles.

Long story short, if you've got the patience and a considerable amount of money you're fine. But don't move to escape something, be cause chances are it will find you wherever you go.

Hope that helps :)

Updated On: 10/22/08 at 06:25 AM

[colleen_lee]

Posted: 10/22/08 at 7:20am

My bf and I seriously talked about moving to Canada this past weekend. I just am not sure I can tolerate the bigots and fundies that are taking over around here.

[LePetiteFromage]

Posted: 10/22/08 at 7:23am

Updated On: 1/10/09 at 07:23 AM

[wickedfiyeroofoz]

Posted: 10/22/08 at 7:52am

LPetit- I did read your whole post and what I posted wasn't an attack on you. I'm just warning that the idea of packing your bags and going doesn't happen...whether you meet immigration requirements or not. There are so many obstacles even beyond those that you or I listed. I wish someone would have explained to me how difficult it all was before I made the decision to go. I don't regret it, but I certainly didn't understand all of the complications involved and I'm just wanting to make sure someone who wants to become an expat understands it's not easy.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 10/22/08 at 8:57am

Parks stay here and keep America beautiful!

[Mistress Overdone]

Posted: 10/22/08 at 9:02am

I get the frustration with current politics, but seriously - to think that America is the only country in the world with bigots and fundies is completely unrealistic, and frankly, more than a little childish. Do you really think that moving to a foreign country will eliminate having to deal with anyone who is narrow-minded or who disagrees with your views?

[best12bars]

Posted: 10/22/08 at 9:15am

I agree with Mistress Overdone.

Americans can learn a lot from the best parts of other countries and other forward ways of thinking. But take a closer look at some of these foreign governments and their laws (attitudes toward gays, certain religious groups, or even a basic tolerance of freedom of speech), and you're in for an eye-opening experience.

The grass is always greener... until you get there.

[wonkit]

Posted: 10/22/08 at 9:19am

This is an interesting thing to think about, and the only time it is even possible (all practical obstacles aside) is when you are young and do not yet have roots or ongoing personal obligations. But frankly there are difficult times ahead everywhere. The best way to solve a problem is not to out-run it but to face it and make reasonable plans to deal with it. And the possibility of teaching English abroad is a great one, by the way - I also know lots of people who get certified to teach and then can (just barely) afford to travel to some place new and readily find a job.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 10/22/08 at 9:44am

I've always thought it was easier to move to the US than from the US.

Can a gay person move to a country that recognizes gay people as equal citizens and apply for asylum?

[mejusthavingfun]

Posted: 10/22/08 at 10:46am

"if the economy gets worse"

I'm not sure what country she means specifically but the United States is not the only place that is or will be impacted by our woes. "Europe" is not immune to any of this and expect some tough times as things like fuel prices skyrocket and debt is not repaid. Europe has also been plagued by drought and heatwaves for a few years now and global warming will have a major impact there. This currently drives up the cost of everything and to compete in the global economy wages are being slashed.

"I've always thought it was easier to move to the US than from the US."

Not at all. Our immigration is TOUGH as nails.


"Can a gay person move to a country that recognizes gay people as equal citizens and apply for asylum? "

Well your question is broad and specific. Yes some countries accept asylum status for homosexuals. We do here in the USA BUT as you know equality for gay people is questionable. It depends really. The right to asylum is not a sure thing and you really have to prove political persecution.

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 10/22/08 at 10:49am

You're so homesick that you're counting the days to go home for thanksgiving, yet you want to live in another country?

[SonofMammaMiaSam]

Posted: 10/22/08 at 10:51am

Texas is a foreign country, isn't it?

[best12bars]

Posted: 10/22/08 at 11:01am

Looking ahead, there would be very few trips back home, for Thanksgiving or anything else, when it costs you $1,000-1,500 for a roundtrip coach plane ticket.

Youth! When you make decisions based on passion but rarely on knowledge or information.

*whittles and spits*

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 10/22/08 at 11:02am

You need your rumatiz medsin!

[Parks]

Posted: 10/22/08 at 11:08am

I am not seriously looking into this for myself--I was just curious.

[mejusthavingfun]

Posted: 10/22/08 at 11:11am

"there would be very few trips back home, for Thanksgiving or anything else, when it costs you $1,000-1,500 for a roundtrip coach plane ticket."

It's also important to understand the complexity of the varied immigration processes. There are limits on visas/greencards/permits and unless you gain citizenship you may not be protected fully under the host country's law. Often times you may have to leave the country to renew you status and it can become very costly. You may also be denied or revoked status at any time for any reason. For me there is too great a risk to live somewhere on a visa. I want full protection under the law and a safety-net. If you have a ton of money none of this probably matters.
Updated On: 10/22/08 at 11:11 AM

[best12bars]

Posted: 10/22/08 at 11:26am

I realize that it's your friend, Parks, and this is a good question for a thread. But you might mention some of these comments to your friend. There's a lot to consider.

It also strikes me as a little "weak," to think that when your own country hits a big speed bump (and seriously, this isn't "the end of the USA" we're talking about, at WORST it's another Great Depression), that people jump ship.

We still have an enormous amount of freedom in this country. Far more than most. Many of our relatives died for this. They fought hard to improve our country and make it a better place for future generations.

What we're seeing now is a generation of "entitled," spoiled Americans. Many of us never had to fight for our country. We didn't "all go to war" the way they did in the 1940's or 1910's.

We're not very grateful for what we have here. Many of us Baby Boomers have been spoiled endlessly by our parents, who decided it was good to give their children EVERYTHING after the war and the Great Depression of the 1930s. Appreciation wasn't always taught or learned. I guess that didn't matter to them. Big mistake. It bred a nation of complacent, spoiled kids (on the whole, and of COURSE there are many Americans who have risen and continue to rise to the occasion). But a lot of those spoiled, entitled Boomers are raising more spoiled, entitled kids now. Even worse than they are! And they're also in the position of authority, in our governments and businesses. They're calling the shots now.

I think a lot of Americans need a slap in the face like the one we've been getting lately. And they need to wake up and start valuing what they have, rather than complaining about what they've lost. Start working toward a better future for our country. As JFK famously once said...

"Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country."

Words to live by. Especially right now.

We cannot look to one man, or one political party, or one new bill passed, to make everything fine again. We are going to have to educate, vote intelligently, create more "things" as a nation, spend less on get-rich-quick capitalism like the deregulated stock market and the insane housing market, and try to turn things around a little more each day. One person at a time.

Or you can just tell your friend to leave, Parks. It's so much better over there.

[Parks]

Posted: 10/22/08 at 11:35am

Sorry--I forgot to explain--the economy is not her ONLY reason for leaving. She says she would love to live in a different country and be a sort of "ESL" teacher or teach kids to read. It's not just the economy--that's just one of things that might influence her to move.

[Mistress Overdone]

Posted: 10/22/08 at 11:48am

If she wants to teach ESL in a foreign country, that's fine. But if her only reason for wanting to teach English overseas is "boohoo, America makes me mad sometimes," she really needs to just grow up.

I have friends who have done these ESL teaching programs, one in France and one in Italy, and they both said it was rewarding but INCREDIBLY challenging. The culture shock, the paperwork and documentation, etc. are a lot of stress and a LOT of work.

Here in America we like to complain, but look around - our streets are still populated by multiple Starbucks outlets, which even in this "bad economy" have long lines at the counters. If we're still spending $4.50 for a cup of coffee, are we really that bad off? Sounds like your friend might need a short humanitarian trip to a country that is ACTUALLY poor for a nice solid wake-up call.

[Parks]

Posted: 10/22/08 at 12:12pm

We were talking about that last night too--we really are in a great country, and both of us are very lucky to have what we have (we both come from families that are pretty well off). She said she's not a huge humanitarian or whatever--but she believes in helping the helpless. She's a smart girl--I am sure if she really was considering it, she would do her research to see if it would be a really good idea. Again--this was just an idea. :)

[xoangel2789xo]

Posted: 10/22/08 at 7:17pm

I half-joked to my dad that we should move to Canada soon.

[n2005]

Posted: 10/22/08 at 7:26pm

Leaving complicated immigration laws aside I don't see much difference between moving from NY to London or NY to LA if someone is partial to homesickness. The plane trip is almost the same time wise anyway.