If you moved abroad, what would you miss most about the U.S.? (live, best)

[lrfox]

In light of a discussion taking place in another thread about whether or not you would move out of the country over moving to certain areas of the U.S. I wanted to pose this question (apologies if it's been done recently).

The discussion in that thread has shifted to, "does the U.S. offer more than any other country?" and that's certainly subjective and debatable. I want to know, IF you were to move out of the U.S. (be it to Hamilton, Canada or Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and anywhere in between) what would you miss? What would you miss most about your hometown, your state, your country, etc.?

[Finger Laker]

i'd miss the ease of communicating with family and, although trivial, sports

[lrfox]

To get started, I would miss my family and friends first and foremost. I would jump at an opportunity to live abroad, but I would never be able to get over being far away from those closest to me. Adjusting to a different culture would take time, but I can do it. I have an adventurous palate, so the food wouldn't be hard to adjust to (though I'd miss certain familiar items like fresh scallops just off the boat, etc). I could get used to a language barrier (I'd pick up on what I need to know of the language wherever I am) and the cultural differences. I'd have no problem with that.

If I were somewhere I didn't have to drive, I would NOT miss my car (in fact, it's gone when I get an apartment for the long-term here). I'd probably miss my favorite TV shows (though I know I could get them via hulu or slingbox, etc). I'd ABSOLUTELY miss the Sox (celts, pats, bruins, etc). I'd miss the scene on Lansdowne after a big win and the partying.

Overall, I'd miss the familiarity, but I believe that can be found somewhere else. If given the right opportunity to go to the right place, I'd have to take it. It would be tough to not see family and friends as much, but I'd make it work if the chance was a good one.

*Edit*

Originally Posted by Finger Laker

i'd miss the ease of communicating with family and, although trivial, sports

Ditto. Sports isn't trivial, it's an escape and it would be tough to do without it. I spent a month in India (with family and friends) and missed the crap out of my Sox. I couldn't imagine being without them for too long.

[Lionsdale]

I would miss the less anal highway Police.

P.S. I am not originally from the US, so understandably I would miss less the nostalgic family stuff and events the previous posters rightfully mention.

[treedonkey]

Not necessarily in order of preference:

1) Grocery stores open virtually anytime carrying virtually everything
2) Hospitals open 24/7 and ambulances that would come a pick you up even if you don't have cash on hand to pay for it.
3) Public roads, integrated and regulated across the land.
4) The right to vote and the right to choose not to.
5) The right to move freely about the country, and, if I were a foreigner, the possibility of becoming a citizen.
6) The right to love the system or hate it without being thrown in jail.

Granted, some of these are available in other lands, but I know of no other place that offers all of them.

[NYC1DAY]

Professional sports - NFL, MLB, NHL and NBA

[LovinDecatur]

The people.

[Future Trooper]

Originally Posted by lrfox

In light of a discussion taking place in another thread about whether or not you would move out of the country over moving to certain areas of the U.S. I wanted to pose this question (apologies if it's been done recently).

The discussion in that thread has shifted to, "does the U.S. offer more than any other country?" and that's certainly subjective and debatable. I want to know, IF you were to move out of the U.S. (be it to Hamilton, Canada or Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and anywhere in between) what would you miss? What would you miss most about your hometown, your state, your country, etc.?

If I moved to Hamilton,Ontario,Canada I wouldnt miss anything about the USA because alot of things you find in the USA is found in Canada.

If I moved to Kuala Lampur I would miss everything!

[Jay100]

College football, the Lakers in the Finals, the food, and the people. I think true Americans are the best on Earth, most giving, most welcoming, and fairest.

[Sunnydee]

Originally Posted by treedonkey

Not necessarily in order of preference:

1) Grocery stores open virtually anytime carrying virtually everything
2) Hospitals open 24/7 and ambulances that would come a pick you up even if you don't have cash on hand to pay for it.
3) Public roads, integrated and regulated across the land.
4) The right to vote and the right to choose not to.
5) The right to move freely about the country, and, if I were a foreigner, the possibility of becoming a citizen.
6) The right to love the system or hate it without being thrown in jail.

Granted, some of these are available in other lands, but I know of no other place that offers all of them.

I'd miss all of these things plus, my family, my friends, my career, and the food we have available here 24/7.