If you had to move to a new country.....
 

If for some reason you could no longer live in the United States where would you want to go? I've never been there, my first choice would be Portugal. I like the food, wine and the lifestyle based on what I've read -and drank.

Another choice would be Guatemala. From what I know the American dollar goes a long way, the cost of living is low and the women are hot.

We have a family friend who retired in Mexico on the Pacific coast. She lives in a mostly American community and is very happy there. Apparently her money goes a long way and the health care is cheap.

Where would you guys go and why?

Great question, Mr. RJ. Did Mr. Rain Man provide you with any counsel before you posted this?

Of all the countries in the world, I think I would choose Tonga. They have beautiful beaches and palm trees and the weather is nice and it's not too far from places like New Zealand. I would like to open a little blues club on the beach in Tonga and serve spirits and TexMex. I think it would go over well.

FAX

Germany.
I have a cousin that lives there now and from what I hear from her the schools are good and there are plenty of things to do that would interest me.
As far as that goes it is also the land of my great grandparents.

Switzerland, having been there, its probably the safest place in the world....

In Germany, the girls wear lots of clothes on account of the weather. In Tonga, they mostly wear bikinis if anything.

Ergo, Tonga beats Germany.

FAX

Hard to say:

New Zealand or Queensland, Australia would both be pretty far up there, but the food kind of sucks. Outdoor, active lifestyle is hard to beat there, and I love the Kiwi/Oz people's attitude on life.

The Greek Islands would be pretty nice, as I like the scenery and the food. The culture is also cool, and it feels very, very different from Western society. Language barrier would be a problem, though.

Oaxaca, Mexico would be pretty tempting as well, as the food is the best, culture very cool, and the scenery nice. Dollar would also stretch better than the other two.

Vancouver, BC is awesome for the winter sports, but I'd probably get sick of the cold if I had to live there all winter. Food and interesting culture are also lacking.

In Switzerland, you are always at risk of falling off a mountain. In Tonga, your biggest concern is sunburn.

Ergo, Tonga is superior to Switzerland.

FAX

Iran. Gas is only 25 cents a gallon there.

In Tonga, your more than likely to get eaten by the Natives, and you probably want the Girls to wear more clothes.... ergo, Tonga is a bad choice...

I couldn't go to a beach country like Tonga. I hate tracking sand into the house.

The honest answer is probably Canada. It's basically just the U.S. with a lower sun.

If not Canada, Australia would seem high, though their food is just enough different that it's a little freaky. I actually would probably pick France over Australia, assuming that I could find a job where I could speak English. France is cool.

I'll also throw out an unusual one: Nepal. Most gorgeous country I've ever seen, and you can live there cheap. Just don't burst an appendix or you die.

I was surprised at how similar to America South Africa was. Any of us could live there and not even have to make an adjustment. However, the opinion of a fair number of South Africans was a strong concern that the country is headed on a long downhill journey, which is very sad. Their new president is apparently some tribal loon who is either stupid or completely ignorant of the world. I'm hoping it doesn't slowly slide toward Zimbabwe.

You're excluding Lucern, right? Don't get me wrong, it's a great city, but I felt a lot safer in Seattle compared to Lucern and Paris.

Tonga people do not eat people. They eat TexMex. As for the girls, although it is true that some Tonga girls have partaken of a tad too much TexMex, not all have. And the latter are bronze-skinned, raven-haired, dark-eyed Venuses and the stuff of a surfer's dreams. Switzerland girls eat pig intestines.

FAX

If you ever say that to a New Yorker, they're going to beat the living daylights out of you.

I have never been to South Africa, although I would very much like to. I've heard, though, that they have a race problem there. In Tonga, there is no race problem. All persons are respected and treated with equal honor and love. And there's TexMex for everybody.

FAX

thighland

Maine.

Your desire to inflict that watered-down culinary bastard known as TexMex upon the innocent people of Tonga is most distressing Mr. Fax.

Yes, I was thinking more like Lausanne... and ive been to both of those cities you mention, and I feel alot safer than being in Buenos Aires where I have lived...

England is full of a bunch of bloody prats. Ireland is the same. Australia is full of blowhards, and I'm not living in ****ing New Zealand.

Looks like Canada :banghead:

If I could perfect my German, I'd definitely go to Austria

I love Australians. Maybe it's because we were visiting my wife's relatives, but I've never laughed so hard, lived life so fully, and been treated with such hospitality as in Australia.

Swiss girls are more than likely to eat real Meat if you know what im saying...

Australia? How about you digeriDON'T

Shit...what was I thinking? Well, apparently not about why someone might not feel safe in New York. I'll change that to Seattle...my trip there felt very safe, too.

I take that back about the hospitality:

Coolest hospitality story I have is when my wife and I were on our honeymoon in Jamaica. We were hanging out pool side after dinner at Jake's and were approached by a much older (retirement age) couple who started talking to us. They were down at Jake's having dinner and drinks, but lived in the area. Next thing we know, they invited us to their house for dinner the following evening. The husband came and picked us up in the early afternoon, took us to a bunch of local sights, then to their house. They basically threw a party for us, with a 6 course dinner of local fare. It was one of those very cool experiences that happen when you travel.

Greek islands. I lived in Greece for 2 years and like the food and pretty much know the way things work, and still remember a good bit of the language. The greek isles remind me alot of the florida keys with the laid-back and often simple lifestyle. I could dig it.

DT

I am going anywhere Mr Fax is going! How you ask? I will be his personal pilot. Therefore he goes, I go.

Ya su and efcharisto was about the extent of my Greek, but I got by for a month backpacking around Crete. It was a very, very cool experience. Went down the Sumerian Gorge area, then hiked along the beaches headed west on the island. I'd hike into a village, pick up food for the day and evening, then hike out and spend the night on a beach. Then hike to the next village the following day. Just me and the shepherds. It was a very cool experience, and I'll always love Greece.

Spam.

Love their womens accent to boot.

:evil:

My place of choice would be Muenchen, Germany. Wonderful people, the best beer hall in all the world, great women both before and after drinking, and they use the auf bau principle. SPITZE!

I might think about Saudi Arabia other than the charbroiling heat and the medieval justice system and the annoying calls to prayer and the public floggings and the women wrapped in blankets and the no-pets policy and the religious police who throw people in jail for no reason and probably a bunch of other reasons that I can't recall.

There's bad TexMex and there's good TexMex, Mr. NewPhin. Then, there's Tonga TexMex - a delectable, delicious, and delightful aliment that can only be described as a form of ambrosial and heavenly Manna whose morsels elevate the spirit, exalt the soul, exhilarate the mood, and enlarge the penis. Plus, it's nutritious too.

FAX

Whenever I go to a foriegn country I'm always on vacation (or a very light work schedule). So they all seem great to me. Drop me in just about any major European city or any beach side resorty area and I'm gonna be pretty darn happy.

I'm not extroverted enough to be Australian. Australians all tend to be rowdy, backslapping social butterflies who love a good party and like to socialize rambunctiously. I just like to read.

While Rain man wasn't a consultant I certainly thought of him before I started the thread. I knew he'd be a guy who could offer firsthand input. The African trip thread is one of the Planet's best ever.

I don't know anything about Tonga other than it has a cool name.....which, frankly, is good enough for me. I would love to have a beer in a bar on a Tongan beach with a warm Tongan breeze blowing across my bald head.

Probably Italy. Spent some time in the countryside there and didn't want to leave.

1.) Japan
2.) Spain
3.) England (even if the food culture is meh)

Should my dreams come true and I do, in fact, open a blues club on a beach in Tonga, I shall contact you immediately, Mr. RJ, so that we might both enjoy an evening of fine music, beautiful Tonga girls, and TexMex.

FAX

You mean you don't remember Malakas (usually thrown with a open hand)

You must see the Survival Greek (NNSFW)

DT

I'm there. Despite my wife's objections. Not that I blame her.

Scotland. And I'd buy the ****ing house I grew up in. Hells yeah!

You do know that Fayetteville has a colder average winter than Vancouver?

I would have to say Ireland or Germany - great beers and food

In Tonga, wives don't get angry or upset, Mr. RJ. About anything. Ever. They are always and forever supportive, affectionate, and understanding. For example, in Tonga, wives actually encourage their husbands to demonstrate interest in a van Gogh even though he may already possess a Matisse (if you catch my meaning). It's something in the water.

FAX

It's funny, I was pondering something similar the other day.

I think I would pull a tom cruise (minus the crazy stuff) like in Cocktail, and head to a tropical paradise and become a bartender or something....enjoy the sun, the scenery, etc.

Something a heck of a lot slower paced....but with great weather.

Whoo hooo!!

Portugal can wait.

In Tonga, they have special "Foreigner Days" dedicated to honoring persons who open blues clubs that serve spirits and TexMex. On Foreigner Day, the natives select 10 of the most beautiful of their daughters whose responsibility it is (in any manner or means necessary) to make the foreigner feel completely welcome in their land. Then, if the foreigner chooses, he may keep 7 of these girls throughout the year until the next Foreigner Day. It is a great honor for a Tonga girl to be selected on Foreigner Day.

FAX

That's the thing. If you're on vacation the country (or state) you're visiting always looks like a great place to live.

"Tonga, Tonga, Tonga" /John Blutarsky

I've always wanted to visit Ireland. I'm not really sure about living there, though. I'm not a tropical weather type of person, yet I hate icy winters. Maybe Italy? I could definitely live with hearing that accent and eating that food everyday.

Bolivia or Argentina. they have an overabundance of hot women where even an old guy could get one. GoChiefs still couldn't however.

If I had to rank the countries I've actually visited, I'd probably go with...

United States
United Kingdom (More or less the U.S. with worse teeth)
France (If not for language, easily #2)
Australia (Good option, other than the food and the fact that they hate American accents)
South Africa (Would challenge for #2, but it's a long-term sell)
Germany (Don't know a lot about it, probably fine other than weird language)
Nepal (I would actually consider living here, but might reconsider after a third-world year. I could have servants.)
Madagascar. Relatively pleasant, but a bit rundown. Cheap servants would help a lot.
Hong Kong (China now, I guess.) I don't think I'd want to live here, but I could.
South Korea. I could live here, but I wouldn't be thrilled about it. Too expensive for servants.
Grenada. Eh.
St. Kitts. Eh.
Netherlands Antilles. Eh.
India. Nice place to visit, but no way would I ever live there.
Egypt. Nice place to visit, but you'd get hassled to death by hawkers and you'd have to have guards.

i'd have to say Australia or Tasmania. Vistite Perth/Fremtmantle for 7 days; and Hobart Tasmania; both were amazing.

Perth was the most amazing place; people were so laid back and friendly you were almost apprehensive; thinking they were going to steal your wallet etc.

Beautful weather; scenery; good beer; friendly people. Sounds like a place for me.

Tonga has the best beer in the world and it is free. In Tonga, they have beer stands all over the place where you can get a free beer and a surfboard and a loaner Tonga girl to carry your surfboard for you. The loaner Tonga girls have little holsters on their bikinis that are used to hold extra beers, too. If you wish, you can have several loaner Tonga girls so you'll have plenty of little bikini holsters and you don't have to return them until the next day or so.

FAX

Rankings of countries I've actually visited:

US
Italy - warm, good food, cool culture. I have no idea of the cost of living
United Kingdom - expensive, but otherwise a good choice
Canada - cold and you get paid in Canadian
Slovinia - Kind of like Italy except without the culture and way off the fast track since it had been beaten down by communism for several decades. Actually nothing like Italy except they are close to one another.
Mexico - Cancun is great, but I couldn't afford to live there year 'round. I could probably find a good, cheap place to live, but much of the rest of the country is pretty beat down. Without visiting the good cheap place, I'll rank it near the bottom.
Switzerland - based on my experience the country is nothing but an airport in which everyone is wearing black and there are men with submachine guns everywhere.

Denmark. It has my favorite beers, good food, beautiful women who ride bikes and stay in shape and more D cups than I see in the States, there are castles, and my favorite pubs in the world are there. If you are ever in Aalborg, go to the Irish House. Say hi to Jerome.

Canada or Australia.......by far. I don't think I'd like Britain or Ireland. Why on Earth would you move to a country where they don't speak english as the main language?

I would move to Louisiana. I've been a few times and while the culture is strange, the food is unbeatable.

Lots of choices (main criteria is the primary language should be English) so Australia, New Zealand or England are probably my top 3.

Europe is overrated but I'd go with Luxembourg. Very rich country and you can drive 4-wheelers in the city. How cool is that? I hate that you have to pay for water and toilet in Europe. Filthy.

I can live with learning a new language. No problem there. What I don't understand is why someone would want to live in a cold environment, Mr. BWillie007. I suppose if you're skiing or something it would make sense. I mean, at least you're having fun. Otherwise, why not live somewhere where the weather is always about 75 degrees and the beaches are pristine and white and the water is crystal blue and the girls are topless?

FAX

Melbourne,Australia

I am actually considering moving there.I'll have to make up my mind pretty quick though.
It turns out that you have to be younger than 46 years old to legally emmigrate and
become a citizen.



My second choice:Ireland

Very easy Mr. Fax. I am lazy. And it would take me at least 3 years to be fluent in another language and it would take a shitload of time out of my day. Furthermore, I would never sound natural in that language. Kind of like how arabic, indian, and non-native chinese people can never ever sound fully fluent no matter how smart and how much of the English language they grasp.

I also don't mind the cold. I'd much rather have it be 40 degrees than 90 degrees...but I could definitely dig 70 degrees on a nice beach while looking at women in thongs.

:clap:
Never been to Melbourne...but Australia is my kind of place/temp/pace of life etc.

Only live once...do it; live the dream for the rest of us!

Well, I can certainly relatetacize to that sentiment, Mr. BWillie007. They way you phrase it, the second language idea isn't quite so appealing. Still, maybe we wouldn't have to learn all the words, you know? Just enough to order a sandwich and a beer, learn the location of the restroom, and find out how old the girl is sitting at the end of the bar and where you can score a bag of halfway decent reefer. When you think of it that way, it isn't so bad.

As for the weather thing, I'm sorry but I still don't get it. Cold weather costs money for lots of clothes, firewood, antifreeze, handy hand warmers, cross country skis, and other stuff. It's time consuming, too. You get stuck in drifts, you're constantly looking for coal chunks and carrots for your snowman, and you have to scrape your windshield every morning assuming your fingers aren't permanently frozen to your ass. Alternatively, warm weather requires little more than a swimsuit, a tshirt, a pair of sneakers, a surfboard, and a cooler. You meet a lot more female personages at the beach as compared to the radiator repair shop and it is common knowledge that no girl ever turned down a frozen margarita on a hot day.

So, after weighing all the good and the bad, calculating the recent increases in frostbite treatment, and constructing a detailed titty graph illustrating the number of interesting females one is likely to encounter at the ocean on a Wednesday afternoon, for me, the ideal life is to own a blues club that serves spirits and TexMex on a beach in Tonga. But never fear. You're welcome to drop by anytime, Mr. BWillie007. If the airport's open, that is.

FAX

might as well go to the other side of the world. New Zealand. Never been and always wanted to go.

Mexico. Xalapa, in the state of Veracruz is a beautiful city with cobblestone streets, mild weather (50-70 degrees year round with fog occasionally), and plenty of great food. However if you take economics out of the equation, I'd prefer England.

The U.S. Ive never been, but your all such lovely people it cant be that bad... :)

Lets trade. heh:)

I went to Ireland last June. It's the most expensive country in Europe. But the Guinness was to die for. Lovely weather too.

Deal! ;)

Have you ever visited Tonga, Mr. Chiefs=Good? It's not that far from you.

FAX

That is really cool. A straight up Australian Chiefs fan. May I ask how you became a Chiefs fan if you have never been to the US. Is the NFL popular at all in Australia?

Afraid not Mr Fax... Maylasia and Thailand are great though... Yet i do have a mate who is of Tongan heritage and who has been there many a time... Says its a great place to visit... To live not so much...

Well I have a relative who lived in Kansas City and so i sort of got to follow them that way... Yet how i started following NFL was mainly through Australian cable that shows a few games a week... As far as popularity... Well me and many of my mates love it and play the sport, yet sadly about 98% of the population wouldnt have a clue as to how its played...

Hmmm. What, I wonder, fostered the "not so much" comment, Mr. Chiefs=Good?

A lot of people who are "from" a place say similar things about the place they're "from". You know ... growing up in a place can negatively affect your view of that place ... if you had bad memories or something, I mean. Like when sharks attacked your village or the typhoon sucked your first love out the window and carried her away into the dark, roiling sky never to be seen or heard from again. Stuff like that. Those things can sponsor a lot of negativity about a person's hometown. Is that a possible reason for his feelings?

FAX

For the most part, I think you are correct about some people having negative view of where they grew up. Everybody is always looking for something better, it's just human nature. I've noticed though people that come from Chicago, NYC, or the West Coast absolutely are in love with themselves and where they came from. Most of them will mock the midwest or smaller cities every chance they can get. I really have yet to hear any native Kansas Cityians go....I love it here and I never wish to move. I don't know why. I like Kansas City to be honest with you, and I liked Iowa. They both have unique differences and I'm proud of where I came from. What I don't understand is why people say there is nothing to do in Kansas City. There is nothing to do here compared to WHAT? We don't have beaches year round, that is about it.

Well apart from the fact that you hit the nail on the head, as those things all happened to him... Its sort of a dirty place from what ive heard and not a lot to do... Please forgive me as im no sure how old you are, but for us young, active aussis we need a bit of action...:)

The Netherlands.

America Jr. would be fine, also.

The Netherlands would be my first choice. Preferably Noord-Holland. Distant second would be somewhere in the Andalucia region of Spain.

damn-count me in! outside of Tonga, I would say a nice little Greek Island, or Spain.