Your Opinion about EMigration

OnWis97
OnWis97 St. Paul, MN Posts: 5,637
in A Moving Train
I've been considering living in a different country for, I don't know, 17 months.  Something happened today that sort of re-ignited that thought.  Is this still the country I grew up in?  Maybe.  But not for long.

I'm just curious as to whether anyone else has actually moved out of the US.  Canada and other predominantly-English-speaking countries appeal.  I'm 44.  My wife is 43. Those are probably bad signs.  We both have masters degrees.  No kids.  
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Comments

  • unsung
    unsung I stopped by on March 7 2024. First time in many years, had to update payment info. Hope all is well. Politicians suck. Bye. Posts: 9,487
    I think a lot of Hollywood has done it, I mean they said they would, surely they followed up on it.  

    I did hear a story about Puerto Rico where your taxes would drop to 4%, haven't verified.

    My buddy moved overseas 20 years ago, still has to pay his taxes.

    I have heard of a lot of people looking at Costa Rica.
  • jerparker20
    jerparker20 St. Paul, MN Posts: 2,529
    unsung said:
    I think a lot of Hollywood has done it, I mean they said they would, surely they followed up on it.  

    I did hear a story about Puerto Rico where your taxes would drop to 4%, haven't verified.

    My buddy moved overseas 20 years ago, still has to pay his taxes.

    I have heard of a lot of people looking at Costa Rica.
    Puerto Rico is part of the United States...
  • unsung
    unsung I stopped by on March 7 2024. First time in many years, had to update payment info. Hope all is well. Politicians suck. Bye. Posts: 9,487
    As a territory, not a State.
  • Meltdown99
    Meltdown99 None Of Your Business... Posts: 10,739


    http://community.pearljam.com/discussion/132524/your-opinion-about-immigration#latest
    Give Peas A Chance…
  • unsung
    unsung I stopped by on March 7 2024. First time in many years, had to update payment info. Hope all is well. Politicians suck. Bye. Posts: 9,487
    Different topic.
  • oftenreading
    oftenreading Victoria, BC Posts: 12,856
    OnWis97 said:
    I've been considering living in a different country for, I don't know, 17 months.  Something happened today that sort of re-ignited that thought.  Is this still the country I grew up in?  Maybe.  But not for long.

    I'm just curious as to whether anyone else has actually moved out of the US.  Canada and other predominantly-English-speaking countries appeal.  I'm 44.  My wife is 43. Those are probably bad signs.  We both have masters degrees.  No kids.  
    Not speaking of moving from the US, but I did move from Canada to the UK for four years between 1989 - 1993. It was a great experience and I’m glad I did it, but settling long term in the UK did not appeal so I came home. 
    my small self... like a book amongst the many on a shelf
  • Meltdown99
    Meltdown99 None Of Your Business... Posts: 10,739
    unsung said:
    Different topic.
    My bad ... so sorry ... emigration?  I will have to read up on that.
    Give Peas A Chance…
  • Meltdown99
    Meltdown99 None Of Your Business... Posts: 10,739

    OnWis97 said:
    I've been considering living in a different country for, I don't know, 17 months.  Something happened today that sort of re-ignited that thought.  Is this still the country I grew up in?  Maybe.  But not for long.

    I'm just curious as to whether anyone else has actually moved out of the US.  Canada and other predominantly-English-speaking countries appeal.  I'm 44.  My wife is 43. Those are probably bad signs.  We both have masters degrees.  No kids.  
    Move to Canada ... you are from Minnesota so the cold will make you feel like at home.  Of course, maybe you are tired of the cold??? 
    Give Peas A Chance…
  • Meltdown99
    Meltdown99 None Of Your Business... Posts: 10,739
    To move to another I'd have to make sure the country had opportunities to continue to pursue my hobbies and interest ... for example, if you are an outdoorsmen (hunts and fish), you will definitely need to move to county that is welcoming of hunting and fishing plus has the opportunity to pursue.
    Give Peas A Chance…
  • tempo_n_groove
    tempo_n_groove Posts: 41,599
    I lived in Barbados for a year.  I had a working visa though so I didn't have any problems.

    I lived in Iraq for 3 months but I also had a working visa so no problems there, plus I made it home alive...

    If you and your wife have something positive to give back to the country you might get let in.

    If you have a job prospect lined up that will help too.

    I do know that Australia has a tough stance on letting anyone over 30 in their country and issuing visas.  They don't want to have older people come in and take advantage of their systems.  My friend acquired a work visa for 6 months over there.
  • brianlux
    brianlux Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 43,669
    OnWis97 said:
    I've been considering living in a different country for, I don't know, 17 months.  Something happened today that sort of re-ignited that thought.  Is this still the country I grew up in?  Maybe.  But not for long.

    I'm just curious as to whether anyone else has actually moved out of the US.  Canada and other predominantly-English-speaking countries appeal.  I'm 44.  My wife is 43. Those are probably bad signs.  We both have masters degrees.  No kids.  
    Canada might be a stretch.  You pretty much need to be at the top of your field- have something they want.  My brother in law was a PhD tree geneticist who gave lecture and did world-wide research.   He thought about moving to Canada but wasn't sure is qualifications would fly there.  Tough move. 
    "It's a sad and beautiful world"
    -Roberto Benigni

  • HughFreakingDillon
    HughFreakingDillon Winnipeg Posts: 39,758
    OnWis97 said:
    I've been considering living in a different country for, I don't know, 17 months.  Something happened today that sort of re-ignited that thought.  Is this still the country I grew up in?  Maybe.  But not for long.

    I'm just curious as to whether anyone else has actually moved out of the US.  Canada and other predominantly-English-speaking countries appeal.  I'm 44.  My wife is 43. Those are probably bad signs.  We both have masters degrees.  No kids.  
    this is funny (in a not funny way). I posted on twitter an hour or so ago a post about how I see US emigration hitting an all time high in the next 2-5 years, and there will be nothing left but old white men to jerk each other off. 
    By The Time They Figure Out What Went Wrong, We'll Be Sitting On A Beach, Earning Twenty Percent.




  • unsung
    unsung I stopped by on March 7 2024. First time in many years, had to update payment info. Hope all is well. Politicians suck. Bye. Posts: 9,487
    brianlux said:
    OnWis97 said:
    I've been considering living in a different country for, I don't know, 17 months.  Something happened today that sort of re-ignited that thought.  Is this still the country I grew up in?  Maybe.  But not for long.

    I'm just curious as to whether anyone else has actually moved out of the US.  Canada and other predominantly-English-speaking countries appeal.  I'm 44.  My wife is 43. Those are probably bad signs.  We both have masters degrees.  No kids.  
    Canada might be a stretch.  You pretty much need to be at the top of your field- have something they want.  My brother in law was a PhD tree geneticist who gave lecture and did world-wide research.   He thought about moving to Canada but wasn't sure is qualifications would fly there.  Tough move. 
    So they have high standards on who they let in based on qualifications?
  • PJ_Soul
    PJ_Soul Vancouver, BC Posts: 50,759
    Meltdown99 said:

    OnWis97 said:
    I've been considering living in a different country for, I don't know, 17 months.  Something happened today that sort of re-ignited that thought.  Is this still the country I grew up in?  Maybe.  But not for long.

    I'm just curious as to whether anyone else has actually moved out of the US.  Canada and other predominantly-English-speaking countries appeal.  I'm 44.  My wife is 43. Those are probably bad signs.  We both have masters degrees.  No kids.  
    Move to Canada ... you are from Minnesota so the cold will make you feel like at home.  Of course, maybe you are tired of the cold??? 
    If he is he could just move to the southwest coast. It's not particularly cold here in the winter.
    With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy. ~ Desiderata
  • dignin
    dignin Posts: 9,478
    My brother in-law is an American who has settled here in Canada a couple years ago. He's a prof and in his early 40's. Wasn't that difficult, but he married a Canadian.....so all you have to do is get a divorce and hook up with a Canadian girl. Easy peasy lemon squeezy.
  • PJ_Soul
    PJ_Soul Vancouver, BC Posts: 50,759
    edited June 2018
    unsung said:
    brianlux said:
    OnWis97 said:
    I've been considering living in a different country for, I don't know, 17 months.  Something happened today that sort of re-ignited that thought.  Is this still the country I grew up in?  Maybe.  But not for long.

    I'm just curious as to whether anyone else has actually moved out of the US.  Canada and other predominantly-English-speaking countries appeal.  I'm 44.  My wife is 43. Those are probably bad signs.  We both have masters degrees.  No kids.  
    Canada might be a stretch.  You pretty much need to be at the top of your field- have something they want.  My brother in law was a PhD tree geneticist who gave lecture and did world-wide research.   He thought about moving to Canada but wasn't sure is qualifications would fly there.  Tough move. 
    So they have high standards on who they let in based on qualifications?
    I think I know what point you're trying to make. FYI, Canada welcomes tens of thousands of refugees who had nothing in the past couple of years too (yes they were screened for security purposes). Canada generally has an open heart when it comes to people who are suffering elsewhere. I know that's a foreign concept to you.

    Brian, that isn't really true. I know plenty of people who immigrated to Canada who aren't anywhere near the top of their field. They simply made themselves useful as temporary residents or on a work visa, i.e. got a job and got their employer to vouch for them as a valued employee, and then they did what had to be done to become permanent residents. People who are at the top of their field are often fast-tracked through the process though. It's perfectly reasonable for Americans to attempt the process of immigration to Canada, assuming they can contribute to the work force and meet some other requirements (lots of hoops to jump through). OP, this info is all on the government of Canada website.
    Post edited by PJ_Soul on
    With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy. ~ Desiderata
  • Meltdown99
    Meltdown99 None Of Your Business... Posts: 10,739
    PJ_Soul said:
    Meltdown99 said:

    OnWis97 said:
    I've been considering living in a different country for, I don't know, 17 months.  Something happened today that sort of re-ignited that thought.  Is this still the country I grew up in?  Maybe.  But not for long.

    I'm just curious as to whether anyone else has actually moved out of the US.  Canada and other predominantly-English-speaking countries appeal.  I'm 44.  My wife is 43. Those are probably bad signs.  We both have masters degrees.  No kids.  
    Move to Canada ... you are from Minnesota so the cold will make you feel like at home.  Of course, maybe you are tired of the cold??? 
    If he is he could just move to the southwest coast. It's not particularly cold here in the winter.
    What if he wants to own property at some point?  But if I was rich I'd live in BC .... one beautiful province and great people.  Not that you have to be rich to live BC...it would help...lol
    Give Peas A Chance…
  • Meltdown99
    Meltdown99 None Of Your Business... Posts: 10,739
    If I was to migrate out of Canada it would be to a year round warm climate ....
    Give Peas A Chance…
  • PJ_Soul
    PJ_Soul Vancouver, BC Posts: 50,759
    Meltdown99 said:
    PJ_Soul said:
    Meltdown99 said:

    OnWis97 said:
    I've been considering living in a different country for, I don't know, 17 months.  Something happened today that sort of re-ignited that thought.  Is this still the country I grew up in?  Maybe.  But not for long.

    I'm just curious as to whether anyone else has actually moved out of the US.  Canada and other predominantly-English-speaking countries appeal.  I'm 44.  My wife is 43. Those are probably bad signs.  We both have masters degrees.  No kids.  
    Move to Canada ... you are from Minnesota so the cold will make you feel like at home.  Of course, maybe you are tired of the cold??? 
    If he is he could just move to the southwest coast. It's not particularly cold here in the winter.
    What if he wants to own property at some point?  But if I was rich I'd live in BC .... one beautiful province and great people.  Not that you have to be rich to live BC...it would help...lol
    Well we don't know how much money he makes, maybe he can totally afford it. Besides, you can still buy a small condo or an old crappy house for less than a million dollars in metro Vancouver, outside of Vancouver proper, lol. And you can buy much cheaper property than that on the Sunshine Coast or on Vancouver Island. The southwest coast isn't ONLY Vancouver proper or metro Vancouver. But yeah, it's more expensive in all cases.... and for many it's worth it because of the weather and geography in general. Plus, the idea that property ownership is the end all and be all in life is pretty old fashioned at this point, isn't it? Well, it is in southwest BC anyway, lol. I guess that's because so many can't afford to own, and renting can actually be the wisest financial decision here. Even taking speculation into account, the renter can come out on top financially when all is said and done, just because of the huge expenses of maintenance and property taxes and shit for owners. It can be way wiser to just save what you might spend as a home owner. Put it into RRSPs and mutual funds or whatever instead of into a house you have to keep feeding money to indefinitely. Plus, if there is a market crash all the home owners are fucked (and the non-home owners will be pretty pleased).
    With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy. ~ Desiderata
  • Meltdown99
    Meltdown99 None Of Your Business... Posts: 10,739
    edited June 2018
    PJ_Soul said:
    Meltdown99 said:
    PJ_Soul said:
    Meltdown99 said:

    OnWis97 said:
    I've been considering living in a different country for, I don't know, 17 months.  Something happened today that sort of re-ignited that thought.  Is this still the country I grew up in?  Maybe.  But not for long.

    I'm just curious as to whether anyone else has actually moved out of the US.  Canada and other predominantly-English-speaking countries appeal.  I'm 44.  My wife is 43. Those are probably bad signs.  We both have masters degrees.  No kids.  
    Move to Canada ... you are from Minnesota so the cold will make you feel like at home.  Of course, maybe you are tired of the cold??? 
    If he is he could just move to the southwest coast. It's not particularly cold here in the winter.
    What if he wants to own property at some point?  But if I was rich I'd live in BC .... one beautiful province and great people.  Not that you have to be rich to live BC...it would help...lol
    Well we don't know how much money he makes, maybe he can totally afford it. Besides, you can still buy a small condo or an old crappy house for less than a million dollars in metro Vancouver, outside of Vancouver proper, lol. And you can buy much cheaper property than that on the Sunshine Coast or on Vancouver Island. The southwest coast isn't ONLY Vancouver proper or metro Vancouver. But yeah, it's more expensive in all cases.... and for many it's worth it because of the weather and geography in general. Plus, the idea that property ownership is the end all and be all in life is pretty old fashioned at this point, isn't it? Well, it is in southwest BC anyway, lol. I guess that's because so many can't afford to own, and renting can actually be the wisest financial decision here. Even taking speculation into account, the renter can come out on top financially when all is said and done, just because of the huge expenses of maintenance and property taxes and shit for owners. It can be way wiser to just save what you might spend as a home owner. Put it into RRSPs and mutual funds or whatever instead of into a house you have to keep feeding money to indefinitely. Plus, if there is a market crash all the home owners are fucked (and the non-home owners will be pretty pleased).
    I can not dispute anything you said.  There is more than one way to live ... people need to choose the best way they want to live their life.  As for me, I entered home ownership in my early 20's ... sold 3 homes and bought 4, used the equity that I built over the years to have a what would considered a mortgage payment well below market value for rent...I chose to live a low expense, no work lifestyle...my next expense gone will be my cell phone.  And I do not live in a dump, I have a very nice townhome in a town I very much like ... and according to our mayor we have no infrastructure deficit, low/manageable debt and solid reserves  so we are insulated from any major tax hike. 

    I do believe if I was just starting out today that accomplishing the lifestyle I wanted to live post 50 would be very challenging today.  Our governments want the high cost of living/high taxes ... they want people working until 65 or beyond.

    The freedom to live the lifestyle I want, with plenty free time ... I wouldn't trade that away ever.  But in order to live my lifestyle it requires being frugal (unless wealthy).
    Post edited by Meltdown99 on
    Give Peas A Chance…

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