Emigrating From The United States

[Era Might]

With the holiday and all, I've been thinking about American society and culture, and I think I might prefer to live in another country. Has anyone here ever emigrated From the United States? There are a lot of things I love about America (my hometown, the English language, Hip Hop). But, I think I can take those elsewhere and be happier. I don't hate or even dislike America, but I don't have a strong emotional attachment either. Maybe I'll feel differently in 10 years, but I think I might give up my citizenship someday. That would be kind of weird not to be a US citizen, we'll see where that goes. I would want to stay in the Americas though (would not want to go to Europe, and probably not Canada).

The only real argument I can think of is that America is a modern nation which comes attached with many benefits. But is that really a reason not to emigrate? I guess it is, but if other people can live in poor countries, why shouldn't I? It feels kind of weird to think that I don't want to be an American, but a lot of people decide that they want to leave their country and become an American. It's not really that weird that I might want to leave America and become something else.

[Maggyie]

Hmmm... interesting. I have heard from people before who really would rather be in Europe or similar. It seems like usually a personality issue, some cultures fit certain personalities better than others. I can't really understand it, though, because I have a strong connection to the actual physical land of America. The hills in the Cuyahoga Valley can't be replaced by the hills anywhere else, etc.

Edited July 6, 2007 by Maggie

[DAF]

After being in Italy for 2 weeks, I was so happy to be back in america. Maybe being in somewhere other than america takes getting used to and therefore more time, but I like the culture too much (the good part, not the destroyed morality part, but on that level, Europe isn't much better).

[Era Might]

[quote name='Maggie' post='1314882' date='Jul 6 2007, 12:01 AM']I can't really understand it, though, because I have a strong connection to the actual physical land of America. The hills in the Cuyahoga Valley can't be replaced by the hills anywhere else, etc.[/quote]
Yah, I know what you mean. That would be one of the hardest things about leaving, and would probably be the one thing that keeps me from doing so. I live one city over from my hometown, and I can't wait until I move back. I only feel at home in the city I grew up in. It's probably the one thing in America that I have a true emotional attachment to (besides my family).

[Era Might]

[quote name='DAF' post='1314896' date='Jul 6 2007, 12:05 AM']After being in Italy for 2 weeks, I was so happy to be back in america. Maybe being in somewhere other than america takes getting used to and therefore more time, but I like the culture too much (the good part, not the destroyed morality part, but on that level, Europe isn't much better).[/quote]
I've wondered if my tepidness towards the United States can be traced back to the old phrase "familiarity breeds contempt." This country is all I know, so I probably see it differently than someone who wants to come here.

[goldenchild17]

well it wouldn't hurt to make a trip to some other country you might want to move to beforehand, if you can afford it. That would be the only suggestion I could think of. Other than that I think it would be sweet to live in another country. Not sure at this point if I would want to give up citizenship here and all that but I've thought similarly to you a lot.

[Archaeology cat]

My husband & I are in the process of emigrating to the UK, where we are currently living & studying. I feel completely at home here, really. We aren't planning on giving up our US citizenship if we dn't have to, so we would have dual citizenship.

[Era Might]

[quote name='goldenchild17' post='1314999' date='Jul 6 2007, 02:07 AM']Not sure at this point if I would want to give up citizenship here and all that but I've thought similarly to you a lot.[/quote]
[quote name='Archaeology cat' post='1315038' date='Jul 6 2007, 06:53 AM']We aren't planning on giving up our US citizenship if we dn't have to, so we would have dual citizenship.[/quote]
I assumed that if you were a citizen of another country you would have to give up your American citizenship. Maybe I would keep my American citizenship just in case and to come back and visit, and just live in another country.

[Archaeology cat]

[quote name='Era Might' post='1315060' date='Jul 6 2007, 02:32 PM']I assumed that if you were a citizen of another country you would have to give up your American citizenship. Maybe I would keep my American citizenship just in case and to come back and visit, and just live in another country.[/quote]

The US will not make you give up your citizenship if you emigrate to another country, or give up your other citizenship if you immigrate to the US, from what I understand. Now if the other country has rules that you must have citizenship in their country alone, that's different.

Edit to add: I'll let you know if I find out something different.

Edited July 6, 2007 by Archaeology cat

[Pio Nono]

JMJ
7/6 - St. Maria Goretti

Become a citizen of the EU. Their benefits are absolutely amazing (though their taxes are sky-high). However, when the European economic bubble pops in 5-10 years, it would be wise to still be an American citizen at that point.

[alicemary]

Why don't you just travel for awhile? There are many wonderous places to be in this world, and go out and explore. I remember this old saying and it is 'Bloom where you are planted'. Life is what YOU make it, not only your enviornment. You need to make the most of any situation you are in, the most of any location you might live in and with the people you find yourself surrounded by.
And I might add, I moved from NJ to VA a few years back. And even moving out of state was more difficult than I ever thought. And I miss my old home, even the traffic on Route 70.

[MichaelF]

[quote name='Pio Nono' post='1315065' date='Jul 6 2007, 09:44 AM']JMJ
7/6 - St. Maria Goretti

Become a citizen of the EU. Their benefits are absolutely amazing (though their taxes are sky-high). However, when the European economic bubble pops in 5-10 years, it would be wise to still be an American citizen at that point.[/quote]

Depends on the Euro.

If the EU can hold the EMU (European Monetary Union) together, the Euro being a Reserve Currency will probably float the EU economy (provided they don't do something completely stupid, like stopping the rollback of the Ultra Welfare State in France and Germany).

The big pressure on the EMU is a combination of Nationalism (lots of Germans miss the old DM) and the desire of the member states to set their own interest rates (Germany having different IR requirements than, say, Greece).

[SJRod55]

Originally from the UK I lived in the USA for 17 years and then in Mexico for an additional 10. I have visited more than 130 different countries - as in at least spent 1 night there and continue to maintain UK citizenship. I returned to the UK for the first time in more than 25 years a while ago and discovered I no longer 'fit'. I could not get a job there if I wanted to because I have been 'out' so long; I do not have anything at all in common with anyone there and it is no longer 'home.'

So where is home. Well personally I feel it is where your heart is. In my case Mexico. That is where two of my three sons were born. The third as you know comes from |Ethiopia. Now I am in Albania and next week visit Rome for 10 days on a Church related matter.

I loved the USA, my 17 years there taught me the diversity of the people as well as the geography of the land. I discovered that what ever you are looking for you can probably find in the USA. It has everything and 9 / 10 the people speak English - even though with a weird accent.

In each country I have taken more in than perhaps I have been able to give back. I have absorbed the culture, beliefes and loves. I have tatsed the food, the wine and... yes that too. The songs and music that reflect the soul of a nation and its people. The passion that each citizen from their countries can exhibit. The love of state, land, people.

It is wonderful to be a 'Global Citizen' as I believe I am. You can go where you want and relate to the people you find. The key, be yourself not what they want you to be or what you think they want you to be nor what you feel they expect you to be. By YOU!

Enjoy your adventure, enjoy the world that you discover and ask God each and every night Why? Why am I so blessed to be here? Why am I blessed to experience this? What do you want me to do in return? Ask God why you are having this wonderful adventure - even during the bad times and yes there will be many frustrations and lows. But remember, God does not see race, colour, creed, he does not care if you are rich or poor. He sees into your soul and therefore you are naked to him. Do not hide behind false images and projections.

I am sure Era you will discover a whole new world is there. Learn the language - that is the only way to discover the people. Make and I mean MAKE you friends the local people, not ex-pats. Live with the local people. Enjoy and learn from them.

You will never regret the move. But also remember, unlike many - if not most of your new friends and neighbours, the passport you hold allows you to return to a wonderful place and allows you relative freedom of movement. For many that luxury does not exist.

One last word. Learn to love what you have and where you are from, discover and appreciate 'home' first. Everything else will make that more positive as well as help you understand what you are discovering.

Edited July 6, 2007 by Rod

[God Conquers]

I vote for Canada, America's oversized red hat.

We're fun!

[Era Might]

Rod, great post, thanks for the advice, and thanks to everyone else.