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Having moved from the UK to the US.

Canada, because it seems like a nice compromise between the two and has many of the things I miss from the UK (state healthcare instead of crippling insurance, lack of polarizing extremism) coupled with the things I really like about America (politeness, wide open spaces, guns).

I'd like to look into heading there in our later years, perhaps to the Pacific Coast, which looks very appealing. Go find an isolated Valley, prep a fair bit, raise some chickens and goats, plant some crops.

Canada is a gorgeous country and seems to be the overwhelming favorite here.

 Dreadclaw69 wrote:

 Gitzbitah wrote:
Ireland, without any hesitation. My wife and I are from Florida, and honeymooned there in late December. It was gorgeous, chilly, and fantastic. I loved the people- for they were friendly only once they got to know you, which felt so much more genuine than the dazzling smiles and warm welcomes we're used to. As an added bonus, neither one of us like cities, and Ireland has less people in the nation than live in one city near us. Solitude, or a small community would be incredibly easy to find.

Can we trade citizenship?

Mine's all yours, if yours comes with a pair of teaching jobs! As I understand it, my wife and I need to become fluent in Gaelic before becoming teachers over there.

Japan.

From an early age I've been fascinated with Japan. As a kid, the first time I heard the Japanese language was thanks to the end song of Rurouni Kenshin and ever since then I've been a fan. I've always loved how my country actually made a huge difference in Japan's history, all thanks to us being the first Europeans to reach it and bring firearms with us,
I really like how vibrant the cities are and how beautiful the country side is (Even if the insects look like pokemons. Seriously, the size of some of those insects, urgh, the wasps were scary as feth)
If that wasn't enough, a I'm a big fan of anime and collectibles and yeah, I spend a lot of my time in Akihabara when I'm in Tokyo (google it up)

And on a cheeky but, yes, it's another reason: I'm completely nuts for the Japanese women.

Depends if you're teaching secondary (middle + high school) or elementary. Plus I don't think it's a requirement in Northern Ireland.
In secondary school Irish is not a requirement. (unless you're teaching Irish!)

Difficult to get teaching jobs in the Republic at the moment though. (hence why I'm in Germany)

You only need to be able to teach Irish at primary level (5-11yrs old).
Secondary school teachers (12-18yrs) do not need Irish.

Irish as a subject if you are a student is compulsory at both levels unless you have an exemption ( lived or born abroad).

I wouldnt leave Ireland. Ofc like anywhere its not perfect but it has many of the benefits of advanced1st world countries with none of the drawbacks. Plus you can drive anywhere from the capital in like 4 hours. Well except for Donegal :p

Do tell? I may be doing some research on this. Thanks everyone!

On the other hand, if anyone wants to come to Florida to teach, they'll put you in the classroom with a Bachelor's degree in any subject and a test for 2 years- and they're desperate for teachers.

http://www.teachingcouncil.ie/

Drop a line to these guys.
However bear in mind work permits/valid visas, eligibility etc will all still apply outside of what they need/want from a professional qualification point of view.

Iceland ofc. The people are nice, there's geothermal energy and lots of fish - once the inevitable zombie apocalypse comes it will be one of the few safe places on Earth.

I'll have to teach them how to make booze cheaply but that's a minor annoyance. "Ten kilos of sugar and one kilo yeast, daddy's baking".

I would choose Japan. My twin lived there for a few years and love it. We both love anime, Japans history, their culture, Sushi, and my favorite would be the anime conventions, so many amazing cosplays that actually look like the characters they are portraying. Everything my brother would send home in a package was amazing, The random Candies, food, anime figures, the 50+ flavors of kit-kats, all amazing. He lives in Hawaii now and hates it compared to Japan.

 Jimsolo wrote:

 Ghazkuul wrote:

 Nevelon wrote:
Canada is the easy answer for me, as it’s just a few hours up the road, so not unlike where I live now.

I’d prefer to live somewhere where I’d not have to learn another language. That said, I’ve visited France, and while I thought it was a nice place, The Wife felt very at home there and loved it.

I’d say some little island nation in the Caribbean, but frankly I’m not a huge fan of the heat.

Dry Heat is significantly better then Wet heat. Its nice to walk around and not feel like you haven't showered in a week. Also though it does feel weird to walk around in 110+ heat and not sweat until you walk inside or get into shade.

Holy crap, this. I've seen 110 degree heat in Texas (43 degrees for you Celsius heathens ) that was nothing compared to 70 (21C) degree days in Southern Illinois.

One thing that sent me up north were the Kentucky summers. I lived in Louisville, so it was always humid and muggy in the Ohio River Vally. I don’t know if it ever hit 110, but I know we’d occasionally see three digit temps. And it was brutal.

On the flip side, I never had to shovel 3 feet of snow off my driveway when I lived there. Every climate has drawbacks.

Possibly Italy or France. I like the idea of cheapish land, lots of sunshine and a pool in the garden.

Been lucky enough to travel all over the world but you cant beat a little village, tile roof and white washed walls while sitting eating excellent food in the sunshine.

Sadly my language skills suck and I'm not sure how keen my wife would be on the plan

For me, I suppose depending what time in my life you had asked me this might influence my decisions..


For now, I'd have to say it's a toss up between Switzerland, New Zealand (which I've yet to visit either one) or Germany (which I have briefly lived in).


Automatically Appended Next Post:

 Nevelon wrote:


One thing that sent me up north were the Kentucky summers. I lived in Louisville, so it was always humid and muggy in the Ohio River Vally. I don’t know if it ever hit 110, but I know we’d occasionally see three digit temps. And it was brutal.

On the flip side, I never had to shovel 3 feet of snow off my driveway when I lived there. Every climate has drawbacks.

This is why I love the area of the US where I actually live, and was raised in. I grew up in the Pacific Northwest, where a "hot" summer is 85-92 (anything touching the 90s was considered a heat wave, lol) and then the winters usually bottomed out around the upper 30s to mid 40s in the Willamette Valley. Occasionally, you'd get the rare snow come through, or the even rarer "cold snap" where temps would drop into the teens or single digits. Plus, the coast was about 2 hours away (depending on which beach you wanted to go to), the mountains were 2-3 (again, depending on which one you go to) so you have options to head to different climates kind of on a whim.

I am kinda of done with cold weather now, Grew up in Nome Alaska. Then moved to Valdez, Anchorage, and settling in Fairbanks for about 16 years. Then moved to Southern Illinois and Finally experienced what this "humidity" and "heat" was, never wanted to move back to AK so fast after that first move.

Any of the Scandinavian nations really. America's runaway capitalism is just bloody nuts, especially when it comes to college education. From what Ashi's told me you don't even need to pay for the textbooks, which had my head reenacting that seen from scanners.

I mean really, to get a good education in the States you practically have to take seven jobs, sell multiple organs, and sell your soul to Chaos.

 Wyzilla wrote:
Any of the Scandinavian nations really. America's runaway capitalism is just bloody nuts, especially when it comes to college education. From what Ashi's told me you don't even need to pay for the textbooks, which had my head reenacting that seen from scanners.

I mean really, to get a good education in the States you practically have to take seven jobs, sell multiple organs, and sell your soul to Chaos.

You still pay for everything; none of it is free. The tax rate is through the roof in those countries compared to the US, that's how they manage to provide things like "free" college.

While it is more expensive, you don't need to take seven jobs to get a good education in the US either though.

Germany - beautiful towns, nice language, lovely people, great beer, tasty food, decent women. If I could speak German I'd move there.

 Jimsolo wrote:

 Ghazkuul wrote:

 Nevelon wrote:
Canada is the easy answer for me, as it’s just a few hours up the road, so not unlike where I live now.

I’d prefer to live somewhere where I’d not have to learn another language. That said, I’ve visited France, and while I thought it was a nice place, The Wife felt very at home there and loved it.

I’d say some little island nation in the Caribbean, but frankly I’m not a huge fan of the heat.

Dry Heat is significantly better then Wet heat. Its nice to walk around and not feel like you haven't showered in a week. Also though it does feel weird to walk around in 110+ heat and not sweat until you walk inside or get into shade.

Holy crap, this. I've seen 110 degree heat in Texas (43 degrees for you Celsius heathens ) that was nothing compared to 70 (21C) degree days in Southern Illinois.

Depends on if you're in east or west Texas. East Texas is like a sauna in the summer, so forget about being dry if you take more than ten steps from any air conditioning.

 Hordini wrote:

 Wyzilla wrote:
Any of the Scandinavian nations really. America's runaway capitalism is just bloody nuts, especially when it comes to college education. From what Ashi's told me you don't even need to pay for the textbooks, which had my head reenacting that seen from scanners.

I mean really, to get a good education in the States you practically have to take seven jobs, sell multiple organs, and sell your soul to Chaos.

You still pay for everything; none of it is free. The tax rate is through the roof in those countries compared to the US, that's how they manage to provide things like "free" college.

While it is more expensive, you don't need to take seven jobs to get a good education in the US either though.

No, from what I've read their tax rates are in no way comparable to going for a PhD. Plus if you fall down, they actually take care of you instead of letting your starve like a lame hound in America.

I would probably pick Switzerland as it is just a wonderful place.

I haven't been to Japan (yet), but I would pick that based on what I hear from everyone I know that has been there.

Japan. Why? It has amazing food, I love anime and manga, the culture is amazing and has a long history and, well, I like the terrain.

 Wyzilla wrote:

 Hordini wrote:

 Wyzilla wrote:
Any of the Scandinavian nations really. America's runaway capitalism is just bloody nuts, especially when it comes to college education. From what Ashi's told me you don't even need to pay for the textbooks, which had my head reenacting that seen from scanners.

I mean really, to get a good education in the States you practically have to take seven jobs, sell multiple organs, and sell your soul to Chaos.

You still pay for everything; none of it is free. The tax rate is through the roof in those countries compared to the US, that's how they manage to provide things like "free" college.

While it is more expensive, you don't need to take seven jobs to get a good education in the US either though.

No, from what I've read their tax rates are in no way comparable to going for a PhD. Plus if you fall down, they actually take care of you instead of letting your starve like a lame hound in America.

If you're getting a PhD in the US, and you're paying for it, you're doing it wrong. Seriously. If you want to do a PhD in the US, and the school you want to go to isn't going to give you full funding, you need to find one that will.

Pretty been every where. Spent time pretty much all over..........I would create my own country and throw in what I like....
US of A though follow by Thailand....bounce back and forth....

If I couldn’t live in Perth, I’d probably pick Melbourne here in Australia, or New York. Both for the lively urban culture, great art & restaurants.

Berlin would probably top my list, except I really can’t be bothered learning another language.

 sebster wrote:
Berlin would probably top my list, except I really can’t be bothered learning another language.

It makes it more difficult, and I certainly don't recommend it, but it is absolutely possible to live and work in Berlin without knowing German. A good friend of mine has managed it for several years.

 Hordini wrote:
It makes it more difficult, and I certainly don't recommend it, but it is absolutely possible to live and work in Berlin without knowing German. A good friend of mine has managed it for several years.

Sure, it’s possible to live in most places without knowing the native tongue. But if I’m picking a place I’d love to live in, I think knowing the language and really being able to be part of the local culture is a must.

 Ouze wrote:
I can't say for sure because I've never left the US. I suspect I'd like either Australia or England pretty well, though.

Though I have been to Canada I would pretty much agree with this. Nothing wrong with Canada, but the other two are of more interest.

I have never left the US and don't know if I would. If I had to, I have family and friends in Germany and a friend in England.

Canada or the UK. Most similar countries to the good ol' US of A.

I already live in a country I'm not from, born in the USA, live in New Zealand.

New Zealand is lovely but there are some things I don't like about it. The weather for one, do you like being cold and damp? No? Well you're SOL then. That could just be a quirk of my local area though. In the city I live in vitamin D deficiency is so common the doctors test for it as a routine matter whenever you see them. Second, infrastructure? Whats that? Get used to driving on single lane dirt roads through mountains, especially in the south island. Cities and major routes are fine (though we have nothing like US interstates) but go into the country a bit and the roads start to get worse.

I also lived in australia for a time, which was also nice, if slightly terrifying at times. While the whole "everything can kill you" is overblown, you learned to take a very casual approach to things that can very definitely kill you. Where I lived was also stinking hot. There was actually a room in my house that had no AC and was unusable during the summer months for any long period of time.

Honestly some of my fondest memories come from living in the US, which is interesting because threads like these are full of Americans who want to move to places like Australia and New Zealand. however I recognize that I lived a fairly sheltered upper middle class life while I was in the US and now that I'm an adult I'd have to come to terms with some harsh realities, like health care and crippling student load debt. (Free healthcare and interest free student loans in NZ)

Basically every country has its up and downsides. There are places I'd sure like to live but I'm sure I'd find some bad things about them as well, so I'm pretty happy with what I have.

I am considering returning to Australia though, bigger economy and bigger job market.