What is your backup country?

[EMom]

If I had to live somewhere permanently outside the US, I'd go for someplace I'd feel at home. The UK or Australia would be at the top of the list. I lived in Australia for a while, and you won't find friendlier people anywhere. Certainly there are lovely places to live all over the world, but I'd go for a place I feel a connection to the culture.

After DD is out of college, DH and I can spend 3 months in various locations around the world, so long as he can periodically get to a local branch of his employer. We could move to one of those places, but he'd be paid in local wages and we want/need US wages. So he's asked about working remotely for 3 months at a time and they've said it's okay. Prague is at the top of the list. I've spent a few weeks there and loved it, so I think I'd enjoy a 3 month visit.

 

[EMom]

I love Costa Rica too, but I've realized I would rather be too cold than too hot. I need some kind of break in the heat. Plus the northern areas will be getting warmer and warmer over time.

I will put Norway and Finland in my list too. I don't plan to learn the language ahead of time, but I am definitely planning to pick it up once there!!!

I had friends who lived/worked in Norway for a few years and they picked up minimal language skills. They meant to, but theirs was an English-speaking workplace and everywhere they went, people spoke English. I visited for two weeks and having traveled a lot, I'd say Norway has more English speakers than many other European countries I've visited.

 

[Cubbiecakes]

New Zealand, or Scotland/England. Wouldn't mind Germany, either.

 

[JaxDad]

Trinidad and Tobago

 

[MillauFr]

Australia

 

[Kae]

hypothetically sure its great to think about it. But the truth is nope you can't. People say the USA is mean and horrible but the the truth is if I wanted to move to say Canada ,which yes I could consider that it is a Beautiful country, if I don't have have employment opportunities and can support myself ain't gonna happen. They will send my but back to the usa,

 

[dish rag]

hypothetically sure its great to think about it. But the truth is nope you can't. People say the USA is mean and horrible but the the truth is if I wanted to move to say Canada ,which yes I could consider that it is a Beautiful country, if I don't have have employment opportunities and can support myself ain't gonna happen. They will send my but back to the usa,

Coming from the USA you would need to provide proof that you can support yourself. Coming from some other countries the government will support then for a certain period of time, I’ve seen them handing out winter clothing at the airport. But If after that time they cannot support themselves they won’t be deported. The government will continue to lend support.

 

[Disney1fan2002]

Ireland or Switzerland

 

[jump00]

Canada, France, Sweden, Scotland, or Ireland. We've given it serious consideration in the past 2 years. DH is campaigning for Czech but there's the whole language-thing.

(I laugh when I read that Canada is too cold, considering how much further north of Toronto we are here in Maine!)

Yes - take a look at Toronto’s latitude!

 

[CynBeth]

The UK. I'm a bit of an Anglophile. I visited in 2001. We stayed in London, and I was absolutely taken by the city. It's a special place.

We visited London for the first time this summer for 8 days and loved it so I would pick the UK or Canada.

 

[Shakana]

Canada

 

[kimblebee]

For everyone saying you’d move to Canada, the point is pretty moot. Canada has some pretty strict immigration requirements, unless you’re a refuge or you’re being sponsored through work. It’s not like you can waltz through the border.

And Art, oops, I mean @dish rag, give it a rest.

 

[Eeyore daily]

The OP was a hypothetical one with no immigration boundaries, can we not focus on the actuality of moving to a new country?

 

[takemethere]

I’m heading towards a warm climate. Either Belize or Costa Rica.

 

[disneychrista]

For everyone saying you’d move to Canada, the point is pretty moot. Canada has some pretty strict immigration requirements, unless you’re a refuge or you’re being sponsored through work. It’s not like you can waltz through the border.

The way the question was posed we might be refugees.

 

[bcla]

hypothetically sure its great to think about it. But the truth is nope you can't. People say the USA is mean and horrible but the the truth is if I wanted to move to say Canada ,which yes I could consider that it is a Beautiful country, if I don't have have employment opportunities and can support myself ain't gonna happen. They will send my but back to the usa,

Depends. It’s actually pretty easy for US citizens to get permission to work there with certain professions. The reverse holds true.

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigratio...nal-free-trade-agreements/north-american.html

 

[ronandannette]

The way the question was posed we might be refugees.

Sorry - you live in what all the international treaties refer to as a "Safe Third Country", so you still wouldn't qualify. That's why all the people that walked across the Manitoba boarder from ND a few winters ago got sent back. Please do come up for a visit soon, though!

 

[ronandannette]

Let's say hypothetically you have to move out of your current country, for unspecified reasons. Where do you move? Let's also say there are no immigration issues - you are free to relocate wherever you like.

I probably pick Canada, but would also be happy with Denmark, Iceland, or Germany.

I just came back and re-read your OP - I hadn't noticed this stipulation originally. Sorry this veered off-track.

 

[lifesavacation]

I’ve travelled all over the world and the only place I would want to live would be Australia. DH is a first generation American so we’d probably end up in his family’s European home country. Even if we don’t ever live there, I do think DH should apply for dual citizenship so we’ll always have that option available to us.

 

[disneychrista]

Sorry - you live in what all the international treaties refer to as a "Safe Third Country", so you still wouldn't qualify. ... Please do come up for a visit soon, though!

Dang! I would love to visit someday.