Where Would You Live?

[Padreruf]

We spend a lot of time moaning about our country and her problems. Then along comes Memorial Day and we remember those who gave "the last full measure" so that we would have the possibility to do so.

My question is simple. Without disparaging the USA, where would you pick to live and why? My premise is that you would have all the money necessary to make the move and have at least your current standard of living. Also, language would not be a barrier.

Mine would be Knokke-Heist in Belgium. Beautiful seaside town; lots of wealth, etc. People were very polite, engaging and friendly. Bicyclists abound in Belgium and they have dedicated lanes, etc. I'm not moving...but I would pick there.

 

[Ratal]

The deals that you always see in Italy about buying a house for $1 has always intrigued me. I have dug too deeply into that but I understand there are some strings attached.

While not entirely getting away from the US, I really enjoyed my time in San Juan.

 

[4Q Basket Case]

If I had the resources to have my current lifestyle, and could speak French fluently, I'd be interested in the Normandy coast of France. Friendly people, good food and drink aren't too terribly expensive, and they love Americans...they remember. And public transport, especially trains, is really good.

Yeah, I know about the taxes and the shortcomings of the healthcare system. But we've assumed enough money to make those things irrelevant from a lifestyle standpoint.

 

[Ole Man Dan]

I would likely regreat it, but I'd opt for a small town in Italy.
Spanish is closely related to Italian so the learning curve should not be that steep. Plus most of the Bread is made locally, even the Wheat in their bread doesn't have all the chemicals and additives we have in America. Lots of Celiacs can eat the Italian Wheat without gastric distress. (I did). I like the Italian people. They are pretty laid back compared to most American cities.

 

[crimbru]

We spend a lot of time moaning about our country and her problems. Then along comes Memorial Day and we remember those who gave "the last full measure" so that we would have the possibility to do so.

My question is simple. Without disparaging the USA, where would you pick to live and why? My premise is that you would have all the money necessary to make the move and have at least your current standard of living. Also, language would not be a barrier.

Mine would be Knokke-Heist in Belgium. Beautiful seaside town; lots of wealth, etc. People were very polite, engaging and friendly. Bicyclists abound in Belgium and they have dedicated lanes, etc. I'm not moving...but I would pick there.

Wife’s family has an apartment there so know it well. Did you bike to Bruges?

 

[UAH]

If I was forced to I would investigate Uruguay more. It has been stable over the years and has a modern banking system in comparison to other countries in SA. The climate similar to lower Alabama.

 

[Padreruf]

Wife’s family has an apartment there so know it well. Did you bike to Bruges?

No, I rode a tour bus and spent Easter, 2022 there...The more I read about it and saw it, the more I liked it.

 

[crimbru]

I have not lived in the US since 1994 so for change I would simply say I’d stay right here in Brussels from May to October (family friends plus our community and Brussels in general is great for numerous reasons) and then go maybe to Valencia Spain for the other six months. I really enjoyed the variety of the city so the old, the new, the coast, the transport, the bike infrastructure and the cost of living all were nice. I’m sure there are other places that I’d also go for those six months if money to buy all the property were not an issue

 

[Bazza]

I like where I'm at right now.

That said, once my Mom passes, I will explore the option of converting my place to a VRBO and then take off to a country I have had in mind for a long time.

I envision spending time both at my place here and the other as I see fit.

Not gonna say where but they speak English and they like Yanks!

 

[Bamaatthebeach]

That is an intriguing question. I am not sure, but I will say that a friend from high school who is a fellow academic picked up and moved his family to Bergen, Norway several years back, and he loves it. He is constantly posting pictures, loves his job at a university there, and quickly acclimated to the people and land. I would never have considered a Scandinavian country as a response to this question until I read so much praise about it from him. That said, Denmark is the only country in that area that I've visited, so I would love to go back and spend more time in the area.

 

[Padreruf]

That is an intriguing question. I am not sure, but I will say that a friend from high school who is a fellow academic picked up and moved his family to Bergen, Norway several years back, and he loves it. He is constantly posting pictures, loves his job at a university there, and quickly acclimated to the people and land. I would never have considered a Scandinavian country as a response to this question until I read so much praise about it from him. That said, Denmark is the only country in that area that I've visited, so I would love to go back and spend more time in the area.

I have been to Bergen and it is beautiful, but really hilly and really cold. While there I saw a beautiful yacht --Shinkai -- anchored in the harbor. A little snooping and we discovered it had been impounded from its owner -- a Russian oligarch worth about 300 million. The yacht cannot leave because no one will sell them oil.

But yes, Bergen is.a beautiful city -- Viking Tours has their headquarters there.

 

[4Q Basket Case]

That is an intriguing question. I am not sure, but I will say that a friend from high school who is a fellow academic picked up and moved his family to Bergen, Norway several years back, and he loves it. He is constantly posting pictures, loves his job at a university there, and quickly acclimated to the people and land. I would never have considered a Scandinavian country as a response to this question until I read so much praise about it from him. That said, Denmark is the only country in that area that I've visited, so I would love to go back and spend more time in the area.

The Danish women are gorgeous. Mrs. Basket Case and I visited Copenhagen and Stockholm in 2018, and even she commented on it.

Taxes are nasty and pervasive. But the difference from the US is that, in very broad terms, the Danish electorate trusts its politicians to be good stewards of the money. Overall, they feel they get a decent return for what we would consider an unacceptable tax burden.

 

[CrimsonTheory]

I would end up in Killarney.

 

[Aussie BamaFan]

I like where I'm at right now.

That said, once my Mom passes, I will explore the option of converting my place to a VRBO and then take off to a country I have had in mind for a long time.

I envision spending time both at my place here and the other as I see fit.

Not gonna say where but they speak English and they like Yanks!

Australia ???

 

[DzynKingRTR]

The Amalfi Coast in Italy. Absolutely beautiful place.

 

[twofbyc]

If money was not a problem? I’d stay in the States - Hawaii. Not sure which island (I am a repressed beach bum), because I’ve only been to Oahu and Maui, and I’d like to explore the others.
I made mistake #3 at a park on Diamondhead (about 20 years ago); view was beyond breathtaking.
Climate is a major concern for me; I hate cold weather and could never willingly live anywhere that had three months of nothing but cold and snow. So any tropical or semi tropical climate with friendly people would work for me.

 

[CoolBreeze]

I lived in Germany and Spain for quite a while. Really loved the experience but the US of A is the place to be. The American Dream is a real thing and no one has the rights we have here. Find a nice niche, surround yourself with good family and friends and live the dream.

 

[DzynKingRTR]

If money was not a problem? I’d stay in the States - Hawaii. Not sure which island (I am a repressed beach bum), because I’ve only been to Oahu and Maui, and I’d like to explore the others.
I made mistake #3 at a park on Diamondhead (about 20 years ago); view was beyond breathtaking.
Climate is a major concern for me; I hate cold weather and could never willingly live anywhere that had three months of nothing but cold and snow. So any tropical or semi tropical climate with friendly people would work for me.

Maui is a great place. I wish I had stayed longer than I did.

 

[crimsonaudio]

Honestly, maybe I'm just too old but I've visited a few foreign countries and despite the beauty and appeal of some (Italy, in particular), I just cannot imagine living outside the US. I could do it, but I don't think it would ever feel like home.

If things work out as I hope I'll be moving back home to central FL soon, and I'll be happy as a clam there.

 

[Ole Man Dan]

Honestly, maybe I'm just too old but I've visited a few foreign countries and despite the beauty and appeal of some (Italy, in particular), I just cannot imagine living outside the US. I could do it, but I don't think it would ever feel like home.

If things work out as I hope I'll be moving back home to central FL soon, and I'll be happy as a clam there.

A lot to be said for Central Florida. Some of the crazies seem to flock to the costal cities. Nowdays they probably aren't as crazy as they were in 2010 to 2020. Too much politics in American big cities right now. I'm a little laid back for some, cause I'm not a good Republican, nor am I a good Democrat.