That’s more than you’ll get from an East Asian country. They’re tolerant of productive Westerners and fascinated by some elements of (white) Western society, but on a day-to-day basis they generally make just north of zero effort to create a culturally inclusive environment for foreigners. I spent two very happy years working in the RoK, but I knew other foreigners who couldn’t adapt well to the differences there and became miserable. From talking to others who had worked in Japan, Vietnam, Taiwan, and China, I didn’t hear of anything much different from that experience.
This reminds me of a guy on YouTube who was white and spoke Mandarin and Cantonese fluently and he’d go to Chinatown in NYC and talk with the merchants like the rest of Americans and then in the middle he’d start speaking their language. Watching how happy they get because a white American took the effort to learn about their culture and speak their language is heartwarming but a tad depressing too.
Koreans were shocked that I made even the elementary efforts that I did to learn the language. But to be fair, so were the French and Italians. What I have found is that the harder you try, even if you butcher it, the better the English they suddenly start to speak
The French have basically zero expectations that Americans will even attempt to adapt to their ways of doing things. Being congratulated by two different French people for not butchering the pronunciation of Champs-Elysees made me feel proud of myself (it shouldn’t have) but embarrassed for my countrymen.
I’ve always wanted to live and work short-to-mid term in another country but a permanent move would be tricky most of the world is either too xenophobic to live a normal life in (all of asia), are almost impossible to move to (most of europe, australia, NZ, etc), have even more repressive politics (much of central and eastern europe, Middle East, north africa), or such a significant language barrier that would mean I could pretty much only work in an office that treats expats
I’d say Asia is the correct amount of xenophobic when it comes towards the west. Are there any Asian countries where “The West” has not committed crimes against humanity?
it is not limited to “the west” ex) being korean in japan, black literally anywhere in east asia, vietnamese in china, etc
Do the Japanese have the same disdain for Koreans as Koreans do for the Japanese. I’m not aware of any Japanese “comfort women” for Korean soldiers or any mounds of noses taken home as war trophies in Korea. Curious because I know they teach this in Korean schools and Japanese schools won’t go near the topic.
The Japanese still look down on the Koreans and have always seen them as weak and backwards. Have refused to apologize for the comfort women, repression of Korean language and culture during the occupation, and the use of Korean slave labor during WWII. They also still honor a number of war criminals at their shrine to the military dead who did quite barbarous things to the Koreans. Honestly, about the only thing that holds them together is a shared distrust of China and economic ties with the US.
So I was abroad for about 6 months from October - March, and will be taking another 6 months this winter. Probably do that for 2-3 more years before hopefully finding a more permanent spot in Mexico for winters. I'm sure Dillingham and Garrity19 can speak on this better than me. A few things I was aware of but didn't fully appreciate when you're out of the country for a long time were (a) sense of community and (b) time zones. Maybe because I'm still unmarried with no kids, but I really missed texting a group of friends to meet at a brewery/bar/head out for the night. You can still do that abroad, but it's not the same. And unless you find employment in your new country, you're likely going to have to operate on US time zones to earn income. That really only leaves Central and South America as viable options unless you want to be working/taking calls during all hours of the night. I guess the older I get the more I value meaningful connection with friends. You're likely going to miss friends' parties, possibly weddings/bachelor parties, other shenanigans that you can only get with a close group of friends. It made me realize I'll probably never live abroad full-time. That, and one of my favorite things is bellying up to a bar, drinking beer, and watching sports. You can find this in other countries, but it's not the same as in America. It's at least pretty sparse in Latin America -- maybe comparable in the UK? Really missed that.
Well I’m pretty sure you need the Norwegian passport to play for the national team so you’re still SOL Coach.
In the country, I would like to live in a remote cabin somewhere near Santa Fe or Albuquerque in New Mexico
Every country makes a mockery of their citizenship process when an elite talent such as myself might offers their services for sporting glory. With Norway, there’s no EU to deal with. I think everything will work out great.
For any of you with European ancestry I would be exploring if you’re eligible for a passport. I believe Italian, Irish, and Hungarian are the easiest to get in terms of allowing you to trace back quite far. I’d get on it ASAP since it can take years to actually receive it. Oncr you have the passport most of Europe is unlocked to you, your spouse, and your children whether you ever decide to move there or not. I missed out on Italian citizenship because my great grandfather naturalized in Canada the year before my grandma was born. Though I’m now on track for Norwegian citizenship in a couple of years.
To celebrate your citizenship, I’ll have the Norwegian FA send you signed national team jerseys from Haaland, Odegaard and myself.
My wife is a UK citizen and we've talked about the possibility of relocating to either England or Scotland. She has family both places who could help us get on our feet. The UK certainly has its own issues though, and when you really start looking into it, as I have, it seems more and more daunting to make that leap. Plus my job/experience would be worthless there, so we'd basically be starting from scratch and I have no idea what I would do for work. But since I'm married to a British citizen, if I resided there for 3 years I would be eligible for citizenship as well. We're in Missouri now, so things are very likely going to get much worse here before anything improves (although KC remains a shining light in this hellhole of a state). If we relocated within the US it would either be to California or New England, as she has family ties/property both places. My family is all in Nebraska, so that wouldn't be any improvement.
have two sets of relatives leaving MO in part because the state has radicalized to an insane degree and the cities aren't as insulated with the governor trying to wield power over them
I don’t know if I would ever do it but if I did don’t think I could go as far as Europe. would be Baja area of Mexico, Costa Rica, or Panama to be closer and similar time zone as family
We’ve been trying to get dual citizenship to Italy for years now but we can’t seem to place my grandpa’s birth certificate and he is dead now soooo
They should dissolve the union the day the queen dies. The only British monarchs to give a fuck about Scotland are her and Victoria so they should let her live out her days thinking she at least kept Scotland in her realm.
Don’t regret moving to New Mexico from Texas at all, best decision I ever made. But I’m under no illusions that it could turn back into regressive politics at some point, and I’m not sure how environmentally sustainable it is to live out here in the long term. Red line to GTFO would be initial indications of mass roundups of political dissidents/anti-fascists, although by then it might be too late to get out. I at least have a second job through an international company that *might* pay enough to sustain myself if I left, but money would be a concern. Slovenia looks gorgeous and relatively stable so I’d like to think I could sustain myself there for a while if I had to. Montenegro too (and their extradition policies with the US are a bit murkier). better make sure that cabin’s got a well or something because we’re probably gonna be the first state in America to have refugees leaving from a lack of water, shit’s already getting dicey with the Rio Grande.
I agree, and given the choice between the two I'd rather be in Scotland because, among other reasons, there's a chance it will be an EU country again which opens all kinds of possibilities. Plus I fucking love the Scots.
I know a girl that lives in Ottawa and works in the Canadian government. I already told her I may need her help moving there a while back.
The Scots are totally cool with being a middle to smaller EU member and the English would prefer anarchy to being an undeniably lesser power than Germany and France in or out of the EU.
4500 euro and it's good in all Dutch territory. It's startlingly easy. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/DAFT
Depends on fluency. Portugal is nice and cheap. The Nordic countries are excellent if you are white. Thailand is cheap. Bali is cheap
Mexico is far and away my first choice. Checks almost every box: affordability, food, scenery, time zone, close enough that you can get back to US quickly in case of emergency. I like a milder climate sometimes so it doesn't completely have that, but there are some higher elevation places that have nice temps. It's not as developed as US/western europe, but it's not third-world, either.
As long as my parents and sibling are alive, would be tough to leave the US permanently. My parents are mid sixties, only have another good 10-15 years left with them - maybe less if unlucky. I also love the outdoors and probably not a better country in the world for that than the US. But for a few years on work assignment or shits and gigs: Costa Rica SE Asia (Vietnam / Thailand) Portugal Spain Italy France Shanghai Singapore Japan Argentina Chile (Valparaíso + Patagonia would be tough to beat) Always thought I would like to raise kids abroad for some period of time, most Americans I’ve met who grew up abroad seem to be more well adjusted. Less materialistic
For one thing, especially Southern Europe, the lifestyle is very healthy. Don’t get me wrong, alcohol is a part of the culture but there is an emphasis on being fit and the plus side, the people are genuinely beautiful. I notice this when I go back home and we want to take a walk and people associate, in many places walking with being homeless or something off kilter. This usually from my obese in laws.
Montenegro is seriously underrated and it’s generally cheap. The downside is it a haven for wealthy Russians and a lot of influence coming from that end.
agreed I lived in Mexico as a teen and spent every summer there of my life from 1-16 years old…..all my family is there including my mom and I love the lifestyle especially in central Mexico where most of my family and DF………definitely somewhere to retire to my mom lives well down there just off SS but till then I don’t care how insane the Bay Area is with cost of living I ain’t leaving here….i feel blessed to never ever been surrounded by anything remotely conservative or have any Republicans around me for the most part……my friends group out here is basically the UN of ethnicities
https://www.icazalaw.com/panama-cre...isa allows foreign,annual income of US$36,000. Through Executive Decree No. 198 of May 7th, 2021, Panama creates the Short Stay Visa for Remote Workers. Aiming to become a popular destination with digital nomads and professionals working remotely, Panama has launched its Short Stay Visa for Remote Workers. This new visa allows foreign nationals employed by companies operating outside of Panama or who are self-employed, to live and work remotely from Panama for nine months with a one-time extension of nine additional months. To be eligible for this visa, applicants must have a minimum annual income of US$36,000. In addition, they must prove that their income comes from a source outside of Panama through a bank certification or bank statements.
https://smartasset.com/retirement/r...ption to import tax for,on loans in your name Retiring in Panama: Emigration Programs If you think you can financially handle a Panamanian retirement, there are still logistical issues to consider. Namely, you have to make sure make you move to Panama legally, which requires a bit of finesse. American citizens do not need a visa to enter Panama. However, you will need a valid passport if you plan to stay in the country for at least three months. Upon entry you can get a tourist card, which lasts for 30 days and can be extended for an additional 60 days. To file an application to be a permanent resident in the country, you’ll need to go through an immigration attorney in Panama. For retiree residence status, you must show that you have an income or pension of at least $1,000 per month and $250 for each dependent. Additionally you must meet the following requirements to apply to settle permanently in Panama: Complete your application in Panama Be at least 18 years old Have a Panamanian attorney process your application Fill out a registration form, obtained at the Immigration Office in Panama City Obtain a letter from a public company or public entity showing showing you meet the minimum income requirements (this could be salary from a company, a pension or a retirement fund) Have proof of the amount received duly authenticated by either Panamanian Consulate or apostille seal Obtain a health certificate from a Panamanian doctor Get a police record from the place you have lived for the past five years (the same applies for your spouse and any children over 18 also moving) If single, obtain a bachelorhood certificate or notary public certification of your singleness If married, obtain an authenticated marriage certificate Provide four photographs (and four photographs each of any dependents) Provide a photocopy of your passport, including all pages and cover, notarized and authenticated by Panamanian consulate Give a sworn statement on personal background, done through a lawyer in Panama Provide an original passport Be physically located in Panama when your visa is issued Benefits of Retiring in Panama The biggest benefit to retiring in Panama is the Panama Pensionado program. To be eligible, you must have an income or pension of at least $1,000 a month. There is no minimum age requirement for this program. Incentives offered by this program include: One-time duty tax exemption for household goods (up to $10,000) Exemption to import tax for a new car every two years 25% discount on utility bills 25% discount on airline tickets and 30% on other transportation 15% discount on loans in your name 1% reduction on mortgages for homes used for personal residence 20% discount on medical bills 15% discount on hospital bills if insurance does not apply 15% discount on dental and eye exams 10% discount on prescription medications 20% discount on bills for professional and technical services 50% discount on entrance to movie theaters, cultural events and sporting events 50% discount on hotels Monday to Thursday; 30% discount on weekends
CDMX is a place I could live for ~6 months If I had $$ I would buy a ranch near Guanajuato/San Miguel yesterday
yup Guanajuato is my second homeland, I never would have left if I had a choice after Junior high……what a great lifestyle down there