Seems like the perfect day to ask: Muricans, what's your dream country to expatriate to? Non-Muricans, what's the thought on accepting US refugees?
-
Thanks for visiting us!
Regarding San Jose, unfortunately there isn't a lot to do there, the most you can do is visit museums (National Museum, Pre-Columbian Gold Museum, Jade Museum, alongside others, visit some volcanoes (Poás, Irazu, and maybe the Turrialba Volcano), visit old buildings (Plaza de la Cultura as an example), and that's pretty much it
I think you would like places like Monteverde or La Fortuna.
Regarding money exchange, do it on Banco Nacional (BN) or in Banco de Costa Rica (BCR). If you do it on the airport or in any other place you might be scammed
Use Uber, if you use taxis they will know you're a tourist and will charge you the double
Avoid Jaco, it's kind of dangerous
And finally, be careful with prices on the airport, a lot of things are overpriced such as this
I appreciate the response. We'll try our best to get out to some of the other towns, but our main focus is the dental work. I appreciate all of the tips and suggestions!
-
I'm thinking either Finland or Norway. But the only way I could ever emigrate to either of those countries would be as an asylum seeker. I don't make enough money, nor do I have any skills they want. I've got plenty of skills...just not any that are in 'high demand'.
You could marry, at least for Norway.
Few mail order brides available though, so you’d have to make an effort finding someone who likes you back
-
Chinese. I... don't think China accepts immigration, so I don't think it matters what most Chinese people think of Americans. Not that I think China would be an ideal expat destination for most Americans anyway... China also have most of the problems US have. Maybe for some highly accomplished scientists/business executives who can be offered a job (since China is spending a lot on R&D), but that's probably it
As someone who lived in the US for a long time and actively considered this?
- Northern European countries are nice for anyone who doesn't mind living like a vampire; there is basically no sunlight in winter, but they are probably the best in terms of providing what an "average person" wants and needs
- There are countries here and there which have low cost-of-living and high quality-of-life, assuming that I only want to be an "expat" who wants to live temporarily and am not trying to find work there (remote work, savings, or something else). My parents insist that Thailand fits this category; I believe several South American countries fit the bill as well
- Realistically, if I actually want to immigrate, it will probably end up being one of the random EU countries, whichever I can get in via ancestry or find a job in...
I'm an American often in China for my job. If you want to be in a tier 1 city rent relative to income is insane even compared to Canada (and by extension the US). If you're a foreigner in a skilled profession who can secure a job there, this would be pretty easily avoided as your salary will typically be far above average and housing likely even paid for by the company sponsoring you.
The downside is that the expectation of workers and office culture is also drastically different than in the US. Your savings also won't go as far should you ever choose to leave. Mandarin is pretty difficult to learn, particularly for reading characters which is more or less essential to get around New areas efficiently.
People are surprisingly quite nice to foreigners. I've never had a problem with the complete lack of privacy personally, since everything in public is tracked/recorded crime is incredibly low. But I have the ability to make that choice while others don't, so I can get why it's an issue for some. It's a weird contrast from the US where the police are most certainly not your friend and the government is too disorganized to help even when they have all the relevant information. The urbanism is everything you'd imagine it to be, even in tier 2/3 cities it's incredibly easy to get around without a car. If I weren't tied to my family in the US I'd likely consider spending a few years working there while still young. But even then it would be hard to justify such a huge pay cut from US engineering salaries.
-
Jordan is a great country. Lived there for awhile. The people were great. Israel being so close isn't fun though. Morocco would be a safer bet imo.
That is true, but I would really like to live in the region and Jordan is probably the safest bet. Otherwise Morocco is the smart choice for arabic speaking nation tolerant of Americans with a reasonable margin for safety. I won't be leaving anytime soon either way, this is more of a dream living abroad answer for right now. I intend to vote, protest and be a pain in the ass until they drive me out.
-
Please go into lots of detail - some of us are taking notes!
I always wanted to live in a country that was totally different from America when I was a kid. I thought either India, China, or Japan back then, but now I’m not sure I’d want to live in any of them right now.
I guess I could go to nearby countries that don’t have global headlines like them say like Bangladesh, Thailand, or Indonesia, but I don’t really know anything about them.
I think the smart option would be somewhere in Europe, but I kinda want to get away or at least take a break from “western” culture.
I guess I can’t name a dream country, but somewhere with a totally different culture. I’d also want it to have a bunch of ruins and historical sites to visit. I’ve never seen anything older than like 150 years in person.
-
Get it organized. I'll show up. Show us poor stupid lazy americans how easy it is to hold an extended general strike to effect a national change. I'm all in on it. Let's fucking go everyone! This armchair analyst knows the way!
A birthstrike would be much easier to pull off than a general (labor) strike. Bills don't stop just because you stopped working, and labor strikes require a high degree of coordination. It's a significant risk for those going on strike.
In contrast, a birthstrike does not hurt your immediate situation, and actually likely helps it by preventing an increase in financial burden. Additionally, it requires no real degree of coordination. It can start small and pick up steam as more people jump onboard.
-
Please go into lots of detail - some of us are taking notes!
Honestly the Netherlands seems pretty great.
-
Please go into lots of detail - some of us are taking notes!
I was going to say Italy but they seem to be going fash again so... north sentinel island?
-
Germany here, only the smart once please. Dont need the idiots. Already got enought here
Germany has been on my list of places to flee to if the fascists here start rounding up LGBT folks. I have lapsed fluency from when I lived there 30 years ago but I am confident it would come back quickly. The problem is that my husband doesn't speak any German at all and I think it would be a culture shock for him.
-
Please go into lots of detail - some of us are taking notes!
Kenya. I have friends there, which would help.
I’d definitely be the obvious foreigner, given that I’m pale and ginger, but that’s worked in my favor when traveling before.
I’m also supposing here that there wouldn’t be quite so many other American expats to compete with.
-
Please go into lots of detail - some of us are taking notes!
No need for muricans here
-
Please go into lots of detail - some of us are taking notes!
Don't come to Ireland. I've lived in the US for nearly two decades, made lots of friends and even helped some to immigrate here. The harsh reality is, however, that we're going through a really bad housing crisis, with our own homeless numbers growing every month, and house prices and rents exploding (a recent statistic showed that our growth in rents is four times the EU average). So, please, for our sake and yours, try a different country.
-
Mexico == cartels????!?!!!?!??
the cartels hold massive influence over the govt, straight up killing their legislators in significant numbers at times.
-
Please go into lots of detail - some of us are taking notes!
Germany. I might be able to claim ancestry rights. Ironic that my great grandmother fled fascism in Germany but I'd flee America to return to the motherland.
-
Korea is facing a huge population crisis in the not-so-distant future. They already have ties to the U.S., too.
Had to scroll too far to find Korea.
Been here since 2016. It can be tough finding a job at a not shitty company, but once you do, it's pretty sweet.
But if you're in your 20s and dating, be prepared for all the bullshit. It gets better in your 30s, though there are still customs you need to figure out.
Housing is expensive in Seoul, and real estate agents may scam you, so find a Korean friend.
Otherwise, it's great. People are nice to foreigners. Public transit in Seoul and most of the country is amazing. Everything is super convenient. You can get away without learning the language, but at least try to get to a basic level. The foreigner community is pretty cool. Healthcare is excellent. I love it here.
-
I always wanted to live in a country that was totally different from America when I was a kid. I thought either India, China, or Japan back then, but now I’m not sure I’d want to live in any of them right now.
I guess I could go to nearby countries that don’t have global headlines like them say like Bangladesh, Thailand, or Indonesia, but I don’t really know anything about them.
I think the smart option would be somewhere in Europe, but I kinda want to get away or at least take a break from “western” culture.
I guess I can’t name a dream country, but somewhere with a totally different culture. I’d also want it to have a bunch of ruins and historical sites to visit. I’ve never seen anything older than like 150 years in person.
Where do you live in America? The northeast has cities with things/buildings older than the birth of America (pre-1776) if you want to visit.
-
The kind of american that usually comes to Mexico is very nice, very welcome. Maybe the exceptions are the very loud and self absorbed ones that go to resort locations and act like they're better than everyone there.
As long as people want to integrate and cooperate they are more than welcome.
Now, the sad part is the gentrification that comes with a lot of people moving and outpaying rent vs the locals. Now the average cost of living in Mexico city is about 50% higher than the average salary, and about 100% higher than the median salary. Another very negative thing is that now a lot of locals have to communicate in english because American people will come and not learn spanish over multiple years living here. There are zones where everything is in english now. It's okay speaking english, it's not okay expecting english from everyone.
So a few pointers:
- Integrate, pay taxes, consume locally
- Try and move into already gentrified places, avoid displacing more people
- Push for social policy, increased affordable living spaces, invest in the country where you move into to improve the locals' life
Be friendly, but that's always
La ciudad de México is what I've been thinking of. seems like a fabulous place. doubt I could take the heat and I'm more likely to end up in Asia, but Mexico City and Toronto are top contenders
-
Why is the difference between immigrant and ex patriot?
silly responses here... the actual difference is permanence. immigration is relocating your life. expatriating is an extended vacation. it has the white guy connotation because white people usually stay temporarily, they dont immigrate for life.
-
I don’t want to start over. I’d rather die.
you're lucky you're not in love with an immigrant then
-
I googled a bit, my best bet is Canada.
Large population of the Chinese diaspora, so I don't feel too much like a minority (I am Chinese American).
The other choice is Australia.
EU is great, but since the UK isn't in EU anymore, I'd have to chose a non-English country, meaning, I'd have to learn another language. My brain can't handle that. Already have 3 spoken and 2 written languages stuck in my head (mostly dormant, haven't used some those languages for a while), I think my brain will explode if I try to learn more. Population of the Chinese diaspora is too small. So I'd also feel alone, because like... Imagine living in a place where nobody looks like you. Like a Black American kid in the deep south of the US and all your classmates are white, that's how it feels basically. As for the UK, I wouldn't need to learn another language, but UK just had a xenophobic riot in 2024, doesn't seem too friendly in my opinion. If the UK was in EU, I could just pack up and to go another EU country if Shit Hits the Fan, its what I like about the EU, options. But too bad UK isn't in EU...
There is also Singapore, which has like over 70% ethnic Chinese, and the official languages include English and Mandarin, which I already know.
Not technically "dream countries", but the most realistic countries that would be livable for me. Because I doubt I can speak Norweigian or Finnish. (Even tho I would love those countries)
TLDR: As a Chinese American, Canada as first choice, Australia as second place. Then probably Sinapore.
(Sorry if I'm rambling, can't express it coherently since ICE raids are on my mind)
Edit: I would probably also say Taiwan as an option, well... other than the fact that they are constantly on the verge of getting invaded, and I am not fond of the CCP.
wrote last edited by [email protected]Singapore seems a smart choice. Seems like a great city from everyone I've met from there. The general English proficiency is excellent as well.
Whatever you do, avoid Europe. The anti-Asian racism in most of Europe is far more grave than it is in the Americas. and Australia, ok, you'll have more Chinese community, but it's probably the biggest cesspool of anti-Asian racism on the planet
You might also look into what Chinese populations are in South America. you might like it there.
