If you had to move, where would you go?
 

Maybe because it is election time or maybe because I've been hearing the news, but I've begun to despair (again) about our country and any hope that it will turn out well in my lifetime.

I just don't see how any politician or president on any side could possibly create an economic climate in this country where people can survive, let alone prosper. The imbalances are so great, so beyond what even a Robin Hood-ish re-distribution of wealth could address, that I can only imagine our situation approaching the inflation Germany in 1939, or the menacing corpocracy/bureaucracy of Terry Gilliam's "Brazil."

But then I always end up with the same question:
Where would I go?

So, let's say for a moment that you HAD to leave and also for the moment that you wouldn't have any barriers to immigration, where would you go, and why?

New Zealand. Beautiful and varied landscape, isolated from many other countries so no border issues, and great people. Plus I've always wanted to travel the south Pacific island hopping.

I wouldn't go to any one place. I'd keep on travelling.

Australia.

For who would fardels bear, to grunt and sweat under a weary load...

I'm moving to foots house as soon as he moves

Well since you mention Terry Gilliam, Brazil is a lovely country... as long as you have enough money. Are we destitute as we arrive in this new country, or simply bearing American cash which is rapidly losing all value?

I think Bruce is right on both counts, but I need to nominate New Zealand as my back up.

I'd still be there as the source of most of my troubles regardless of government system. I'd like to find a hidy hole in the Adirondacks though. Canada is always my first consideration. They have a lot of the same problems we do but do decline to bomb other countries incessantly.

I considered Canada, but they have the French, sharia law, and my relatives.;)

Scotland - Outer Hebrides.

Or Iceland - even though their economy crashed, I respect a country that respects fairies and gnomes.

Me too re: Canada.

I'm not very exotic. I know a little French (I can order a beer in French, anyway.)

Or Switzerland.

If I had limitless cash in a reliable currency (pounds, US dollars, Aus dollars, euros), I'd go to Argentina (how hard was that to guess?) and take occasional trips to Chile. If having to work was still a consideration, then having lived in a number of places around the world, Australia would be my choice.

Hard question. You can't compare tourist experiences you have had in a country with what it would be like to actually make a life there. I've been to New Zealand, and it's very nice there, but I'm not cut out to be a sheep farmer, and I don't really want to work in the tourist industry. I don't like the public, and tourists are the worst.

Europe is expensive as hell, and there is no elbow room.

Maybe Canada? It's pretty similar to the US. Australia is pretty nice too.

Am I rich in this fantasy world? Or do I have to find a job?

Unfortunately I've never been outside of the country, so I can't really make a judgement. Out of places I can judge: I would move to Austin, TX (hopefully I will be for college) or Seattle, WA.