Anyone thought about relo outside of United States?

[IamOld]

Agreed Shark!!!!!

[shark66]

We may work harder, but we have nothing to show for it. And what thou liberties en erosion you speak?

While I haven't been around when the Consitution was written, I'm fairly certain that most of the framers roll in their graves because of stuff like Patriot Act...and that's just the tip of the iceberg...

I could rant for the next five pages, but that's really not the scope of this thread.

The sad thing being, quite a few other places once known for their respect of privacy - most notably UK - have gone in the same totalitarian direction...

Good luck to us all.

[jacko]

We may work harder, but we have nothing to show for it. And what thou liberties en erosion you speak?

This is the fourth country I've lived in - third by my own choice.

What I find depressing is that the erosion of liberties has become acceptable, and that the Constitution is being walked all over on daily basis.

People here - on average - work much harder than in Western Europe IMHO. I'm not necessarily certain that the standard of living in this country justifies the aforementioned fact.

If an opportunity presented itself, I'd have no problem moving someplace else again. But I do understand that my family might have a huge issue with that. Should such a moment arrive, everything will be weighed accordingly.

Until then we're here.

My $0.02 only...

[debee]

O Western Wind
When Wilt Thou Blow?
That the small rain down can rain
Christ if my love were in my arms
And I in my bed again!

That's the poem I thought of nightly when I had malaria for the third time and was crying myself to sleep in a bug-infested room in Africa. It took a long while before I got into a redefined version of 'comfortable' there. After a year I came home and to this day I am mindful of the difference in living standards and thankful for hot water and a good bed. I want my kids to have a developing nation experience once they're old enough to benefit.

I'd definitely consider retiring (or long term visiting) another country so long as the kids could fly over and there was good/affordable medical care. And no malaria. A person can always change their mind and come back to the US if they don't like it.

[nomoneynomore]

We have discussed how we could move to Belize. If we had the means, we would be there already. We don't have alot of family ties besides our own children who would be going with us of course.

[shark66]

This is the fourth country I've lived in - third by my own choice.

What I find depressing is that the erosion of liberties has become acceptable, and that the Constitution is being walked all over on daily basis.

People here - on average - work much harder than in Western Europe IMHO. I'm not necessarily certain that the standard of living in this country justifies the aforementioned fact.

If an opportunity presented itself, I'd have no problem moving someplace else again. But I do understand that my family might have a huge issue with that. Should such a moment arrive, everything will be weighed accordingly.

Until then we're here.

My $0.02 only...

[GoingDown]

I would never move from here. Family is the most important thing in the world to me and mine are all here. I have great neighbors who are like family, we still have cookouts every major holiday and my family will all gather for Christmas eve, that will never change. And yes, kids play outside where I live!



I sometimes think the reason so many people are unhappy (putting the economy aside) is that there is to much value placed on material things and they forget the simple values of life. Family, friends and good health should be the most important things. Without those, we have nothing.
.

This is so true!

If we can't find happiness and enjoyment in the simplest things in life, we will spend most of our time being very unhappy.

Just sitting around talking to my friends and family is what brings me the greatest enjoyment in my life.

[GoingDown]

My husband used to travel the world on business and visited many places...he always used to say when he came home from various places that he wished he could send our kids to live there for three weeks to open their eyes and make them appreciate what they had here.

I agree.

Every trip I have ever been on, one constant thing is that I am always so happy when I get back home.

It doesn't matter whether I'm driving back or flying back. When I first see the familiar landmarks and mountains, I get this overwhelmingly wonderful feeling. It happens every time.

This is a truly wonderful place to live, and I am so happy I have the privilige of spending the rest of my life right here.

[IamOld]

Of course a relocation abroad assumes you have no plans on working. Getting permission to work (i.e. the equivalent of a U.S. green card) is a long, long process unless you're sponsored by an employer for purposes of the relocation. Some countries, like Spain (I think it was), require that you live in the country for 7 years before beginning the process of requesting a work permit. This puts the brakes on landing any type of career-oriented professional work for 7 years.

TRUE - the thing with me is that some of my p/t jobs are online, so I could theoretically "retire" to Costa Rica or Belize IF those P/T jobs were "certain" which they are not...and of course there is the issue of the kids...BUT BUT BUT...you've planted a thought in my head now...sort of like in Inception :-)

[DAE]

Of course a relocation abroad assumes you have no plans on working. Getting permission to work (i.e. the equivalent of a U.S. green card) is a long, long process unless you're sponsored by an employer for purposes of the relocation. Some countries, like Spain (I think it was), require that you live in the country for 7 years before beginning the process of requesting a work permit. This puts the brakes on landing any type of career-oriented professional work for 7 years.

[Flamingo]

My husband used to travel the world on business and visited many places...he always used to say when he came home from various places that he wished he could send our kids to live there for three weeks to open their eyes and make them appreciate what they had here.

[IamOld]

I know this is a bit off-topic (as Trieste is NOT!! cheap) but this is the way to live my friends!!!!

http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/201...e-sleep-eat-do

[IamOld]

Good question Dylan - I don't know...I think google may be needed here :-) Here is one that states $30K in income/year...

http://board.belizetotal.com/Expat/Immigration_Requirements_in_Belize

[DYLAN150]

IamOld: What's the income requirement for moving to Belize? At one time I think it was 3K a month?? I don't no about now.

[sunshinepa]

I would never move from here. Family is the most important thing in the world to me and mine are all here. I have great neighbors who are like family, we still have cookouts every major holiday and my family will all gather for Christmas eve, that will never change. And yes, kids play outside where I live!

My mother and father have both passed away, with my father going in 09. One of the last things we promised him was we would all stick together and be here for each other. We have always been close and intend to stay that way. The only family member who has left PA is my only son and he is in NJ, that still upsets us all. But he gets home on a regular basis as he also knows the value of family.

I sometimes think the reason so many people are unhappy (putting the economy aside) is that there is to much value placed on material things and they forget the simple values of life. Family, friends and good health should be the most important things. Without those, we have nothing. In fact, my son is the main reason I am in BK and on this forum. I spent my life savings and ran my cards up to fed him and his family, keep a roof over their heads and etc. for two years because nobody would help as long as he owned a home, he was a subconractor and could not get unemployment. I also paid alot of my fathers medical bills while he had brain cancer so that he could have the best treatment available to him. And trust me, they did not live above their means, he lost his business, spent his savings and could not get unemployment. I would do it again for any family member.

I believe happiness comes from within and as GoingDown said, you have to make your own.