Which country would you live in?

[ZeZar]

Topic pretty much says it all.

However, I will give you all a guide on how to reply, since there are low activity these days....

- Name 1,2 or 3 different countries. The one you live in is NOT allowed. Also, "thats just gay, USA is the best, richest and most powerful country in the world so I wouldnt wanna live anywhere else BRO" is NOT a valid answer!

- Explain why you would wanna live there.

- Replying on someones post is allowed. Like "That sounds good" and so on and so forth. But even replies to replies should have more than 1 sentence!

I'll even show you:

How NOT to reply:

"I would live in New Zealand, Cuba and South Africa! Cause it would be awesome!"

The right way (Which also is my reply to the topic of this thread)

I would want to live in Italy. It seems as they have a great culture, rich and vast history, a lot of interesting people and a lot of great food. I do believe that they are kind of crazy, but I've heard that it is a beautiful country with open-minded people and a great hearth for hospitality.

I would also want to leave in Germany. Was there in vacation (ROADTRIP!) this summer and even though some people there were really rude there were a lot of really nice people that I got to know. And also I met a lot of other people vacating there so I would guess it is a target for vacations for a lot of people.

Also, their football (soccer) stadiums seems insane, and that is something you cannot be without when moving to a new country.

Last but not at all least, I would LOVE to live in England. North-London to be more specific. We all love english people right? The people, the culture and of course Tottenham Hotspur which is the team in my hearth. I bleed spurs! So seeing them on White Hart Lane every other sunday would be a dream!

Give it a shot people, it might be fun!

[Jeru]

If I was forced not to live in Israel, I would probably live in the USA. I was born there and I have family there. Of all the cultures and mindsets outside Israel, I understand the American mentality the best. Would probably want to live next to my relatives in NY, or next to some good research universities in Boston, or in a Mediterranean climate like southern California (like going to grad school at Stanford).

If not the US, I would probably live in Canada, though Canada can be very cold in winter and that would suck. But at least most places speak English and I have some family there too.

If not the US and Canada, I suppose I would live in the UK, I guess, just for the language. Wouldn't want to live in countries like France or Italy because I would always be a foreigner there and I would never really pick up on a lot of language and cultural subtleties.

Plus, I can never understand the European work ethic. The Italians don't really manufacture a lot of things and they are pretty laid-back about, you know, working for a living. You know all those Italian men in their 30's and 40's who still live with their moms. I know someone who spent some time there and she says the Italians are pretty happy about bringing the renaissance to the world, and they feel that by that they have paid their dues to society. Also I think it is crazy that the French are taking to the streets and essentially bringing the country to a screeching halt for raising the retirement age from 60 to 62. I'm all for enjoying life and taking it easy, but, y'know, jeez.

Edited October 23, 2010 by Jeru

[ZeZar]

Haha, great reply!

Don't really know that much about work ethics though, and of course we both stereotype but thats how it is when neither of us have lived there

But don't you think that if you moved to, lets say Italy, that you would learn the language? Of course, my reply would depend on me learning the language to some extent.

And I do understand that a person from Israel (which is pretty much summer all year right?) would have a hard time in Canada where there is real winter

[Mythos_Ruler]

Also I think it is crazy that the French are taking to the streets and essentially bringing the country to a screeching halt for raising the retirement age from 60 to 62. I'm all for enjoying life and taking it easy, but, y'know, jeez.

This is a gross misunderstanding about what the strikes and protests are for. I blame the media for this. I really do. The French understand the need for reform. The problem is the way the reform is being handled by Sarkozy and parliament. It's much more nuanced than the, "French=lazy," meme I see spreading around the Internet and news media. In fact, I wish more people would take to the streets in their respective countries. I look at the apathy of my own countrymen with disdain.

[Pureon]

The French are striking mainly because Sarkozy has raised the retirement age from 60 to 62 - the UK government has just agreed that our state pension age will rise to 66 - leading to very few protests over here. To be honest, I think the majority of the British public don't feel like Britain belongs to them anymore, so don't necessarily think striking will have any effect.

I live near London in the UK, and if I were to move it would most likely be to New York. I could find a job there similar to the one I currently have, and my girlfriend has always wanted to move there, so that would make my life easier. I know many people in New York, and it also feels very close to little old London. Not much greenery though, and London has lots of it - always a park or square to escape to if you're tired of concrete.

I've always wanted to move to a country with traditions and culture very different to that in the UK. I think India and China are both beautiful countries, with very strong traditions.

Australia or New Zealand would be my next options, again I have friends in both countries, but the distance from my family would be difficult to cope with. Beautiful landscapes and climates. I could live happily in either.

[Mythos_Ruler]

The French are striking mainly because Sarkozy has raised the retirement age from 60 to 62

Not only that, but by the WAY Sarkozy is pushing the reform through. No debate in parliament. Very quick votes. No chance for alternate reforms.

Anywho.

I would like to live in Greece for a while. probably somewhere near Argos, as I have a good friend with family there.

[Jeru]

Not only that, but by the WAY Sarkozy is pushing the reform through. No debate in parliament. Very quick votes. No chance for alternate reforms.

*ahem* ObamaCare *ahem*

[WhiteTreePaladin]

Well, I'm sure many would say there was a "debate" on that, but oh well...

[Silver]

Not only that, but by the WAY Sarkozy is pushing the reform through. No debate in parliament. Very quick votes. No chance for alternate reforms.

Anywho.

I would like to live in Greece for a while. probably somewhere near Argos, as I have a good friend with family there.

Wasn't the original bill in France passed without a first vote to begin with? Only a vote to ratify?

The drop from 65 to 60 years is the bill I am talking about.

Just as my own little political aside - I find it funny how the protests and unions in France are looked as left wing crazies by anyone - I mean go back 2-3 generations to when the Union movement in the USA was strong and you'll find out that while they may have been conservatives on social issues - they were left wing crazies when it came to unions and worker's rights. Edit - not to say that France doesn't have some very crazy union leaders - just that most aren't. Because there have been cases where a French union has held people hostage.

You take a look at the problems facing the states, Washington and private companies with their huge pension liabilities and most people say 'we need to cut benefits'.

That really shocks me because when you talk about it more with people - they don't realize that had the states, Washington and private companies put away a portion of their income to their pensions like they were suppose to - there wouldn't be a looming shortfall and the cry for workers to take cuts.

I'll get back on topic with this thread later tonight and post my 3 locations.

I'll exclude USA, UK and Canada because I live and have lived there - it will make things slightly more interesting for me at least...

Edited October 24, 2010 by Silver

[ZeZar]

I think its great that people protest for something they find unfair.

However, the French is kind of famous for it. Which is kind of unfair I think. Most countries in Europe have strikes (all the time actually) and protests, it's just that the French gets a lot of media coverage because their all drama and violence

But I support strikes that are valid. It's not fair that police officers dont get additional payment for armed operations (for example). They risk their lives.

[TorbenBeta]

My first post. Yeah.

If I could re-choose my country to live in, only when I could speak the language(s) of the natives would probably be: Republic of Ireland or Scotland. I count them together as the languages of them are mutually understandable. I would like to live there as I think their culture is rich and their languages beautiful.

Karelia as I suppose their culture and way of living is for me a good choice and I do not fear the cold.

Spain or Italy as their are is of my liking.

[Hiram]

I know you guys started a off topic conversation, but I'll ignore that cause there's too much to read

From all the countries of the world, I would live in Germany. The reason being that they have High standard of living, and are very stable economically, have good educational system, and people seems to be more civilized, although thats just my perception, I may be wrong. Actually, I have a personal plan to move there in a few years, I'm just getting enough funds.

Besides that one, I could also go to Japan, but thats more of a otaku dream

If I where single, and have no family to worry for me, I would go to Palestine, basically because I believe that place need all the help they can get. For the same reason I would go to Iran, with the incentive that I love Persian culture.

[macadoum]

Nauru!

[Thorfinn the Shallow Minded]

Probably Canada

[asasinuxp]

Any contry,except Romania.I would like to live in U.K.,Australia or U.S.A..Why?Because Romania sucks.The government and administration lead the country into a crisis increasingly deeper.Because the country is led by incompetence people,and corruption is very high.

[Draaglom]

Interesting question. I would describe my political views as "socialist", and as such the Scandinavian countries look nice - and they tend to top the charts in terms of quality-of-life indexes.

Otherwise, China seems to be where things are going to be happening over the next few decades - that and maybe South America.

So I think politically I'd be drawn to somewhere like Norway, curiosity would send me to China and as a pasty, rained-on english person, sunny Brazil looks quite nice!

[ZeZar]

But if you English, how can you ever leave a nation of football?!

And yeah, norwegian football is very boring compared to Premier League.

[Mythos_Ruler]

*ahem* ObamaCare *ahem*

I missed this originally. You must be joking right? We had 9 months of debate over the bill, including 100+ opposition amendments to it.

[Silver]

My 3 -

New Zealand - Unfortunately one of the few parts of the world I haven't visited is Oceania (Australia, NZ and surrounding islands). I would love to live there because I have only heard great things from family and friends. On the practical side - I can speak the language. I love small cities of only a few hundred thousand and a small town feel to them. On top of that there are mountains and the ocean relatively close together - kind of like living on the West Coast of Canada - even without the ocean, waking up to mountains every morning is so awesome.

Luxembourg (if it can't be that, it would be Switzerland) - I really like Europe as a whole, I spent my early childhood there - any reason for Luxembourg in particular? I've visited it before and it was one of my favorite places - the big selling point for me is the geography - like it was with NZ. I know French but I would need to learn German so there's a downside.

I wanted 3 relatively different places but I ended up wanting to make a list of 4:

I went with Argentina for my last choice but I was also thinking about Morocco/Turkey.

Argentina because of the snowboarding - it's a lovely country overall - I would have to learn Spanish but the mountains and the snowboarding would be amazing.

Of course all of this is assuming I would have a steady middle-class job to pay for everything. Canada/USA/England are off my list because I lived in those countries.

[plumo]

There is some truth in the "laziness" of the south, although they consider themselves more relaxed .

Sadly, it shows in unemployment rates ( Spain: 20 %)

[ZeZar]

Not to be Mr Anti stereotyping, but I'm pretty sure the unemployment in Spain (Greece, Portugal++) is because of the bad economical state the country is in

But yeah, they seem more relaxed in southern Europe. Wierd!

[Silver]

It's an interesting topic you bring up.

If you look at youth unemployment in Spain and even many other countries - stuff looks pretty darn depressing. We could 'lose' (so to speak) a generation here.

And this problem will probably be compounded by the baby boomers who did not save enough for retirement and forced governments into massive deficits. This means we're now at a point where baby boomers won't quit their jobs so younger people can enter into a professional career - they need the job to keep paying their mortgage and the benefits from the state will probably be slashed and those benefits were never high enough to maintain their lifestyles to begin with.

Another unintended consequence - can you imagine the US in a few years? Sure, they don't have the low birth rates of Europe and Japan but no one will convince me that the US economy is not going to hit a wall - when baby boomers continue to age and decide to do two things: Sell their houses en-masse and cut back the spending. They have been the driving force between a lot of the major booms and busts over the past few decades and that just won't be the case anymore. It's also important to remember that 70% of the US economy is driven by spending. If people decide they don't want the new flat screen TV, new car, etc... it could be disastrous.

Edited December 9, 2010 by Silver

[ZeZar]

Very true all you say. Even though I'm not to familiar with the American baby boomers and spending and so on...

Anyways, whats also alarming is that all kids today have to go to school for 8 years to get a decent job. Just a few years ago you could get a banking position as soon as you were done with 13th grade.

Today you AT LEAST need 3 years of university.

Which means people today have 4-5-6-7-8 years of studying (which means really low income, which means really not spending a lot) and that again means lower tax income to the government.

However, in Germany for instance, because of this (other reasons too) they have to start longer working weeks (38-45 hours a week) because there are not enough skilled labour out there. It's insane.!

[ZeZar]

Allthough Norway is pretty safe when it comes to baby boomers and all that (oil!) I have great concerns about it.

What will we do when the average age is 90?

We actually need people to die as soon as they are done working. Economically speaking of course

[murray jnr]

first choice would be spain because i love the language and events that i would enjoy being apart of like the bull run dont happen here.

second choice would be new zealand, the adventure capital of the world for that reason.

and third would be canada. mostly because i want to combine canadian maple syrup with australian damper cooked australia style of course. scientist theorise the awesomeness of this would be felt and tasted 15 000 kilometres away from the source.

and i also want to ride a wild moose and then eat that moose.