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Old 06-25-2011, 11:22 AM
 
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Most people who ever thought about being expats have considered several different countries for several different reasons, being their so-called "pluses" the main factors - jobs, safety, weather, etc. (other than family reasons, of course).

In your opinion, under your personal circumstances, what are the reasons you WOULDN'T want to immigrate/relocate to a country, even if you liked it?

Please don't bash any countries, this post is meant to have a polite and respectful discussion of ideas, not rants.
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Old 06-25-2011, 11:31 AM
 
Location: Macao
16,265 posts, read 43,039,772 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Miaiam View Post
Most people who ever thought about being expats have considered several different countries for several different reasons, being their so-called "pluses" the main factors - jobs, safety, weather, etc. (other than family reasons, of course).

In your opinion, under your personal circumstances, what are the reasons you WOULDN'T want to immigrate/relocate to a country, even if you liked it?

Please don't bash any countries, this post is meant to have a polite and respectful discussion of ideas, not rants.
Mostly because you don't know if you can survive there...like a city like Hong Kong or Macau. Sure, I like those two cities. But, I don't have any particular skills that would get me a decent job in them to pay the kind of money you need for rent and living.

I also like Brazil...but outside of low-pay teaching english work...and the incredible cost and distance to get to financial lucrative places to get money....than it loses its appeal. (This is opposed to somewhere like Mexico or the Philippines that have easy access to the U.S. or Japan/Korea jobs to quickly replenish a dwindingly low bank account.
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Old 06-25-2011, 05:07 PM
 
Location: Victoria TX
42,579 posts, read 86,702,293 times
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Since I am retired, my first consideration would be the cost of living. If I couldn't live there with decent private housing, adequate nutrition, and access to transportation for less than about $700 a month, I would have to politely decline the opportunity to live there. I could go as high as $1,000 a month, if I really loved it. That restriction, though, would only disqualify about one-third of the countries in the world. In most countries, I could find a way to fit it into my budget, as I can in the USA.

I would also discount any country that had excessively cold winters (requiring glazed windows and heating) and countries that are excessively socially oppressive, strongly discriminating against any groups. But there aren't very many of either of those.
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Old 06-25-2011, 11:01 PM
 
Location: US Empire, Pac NW
5,003 posts, read 12,329,208 times
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The type of work I do requires a mature multi-faceted manufacturing sector, computer, advanced theory, and multiple people doing specialist roles to make a high-quality product.

So basically, only the US, Canada, Brazil, the EU, Japan, Russia, mayyyyybe China in about 10 years can do the field I enjoy doing. And even then, only five have a functioning version of this industry, and only three have a mature version of this industry.

For all these countries, it is far easier for me to find a job with my current corporation as a field representative or liaison. For actual work in my field, the respective governments do a LOT to ensure their citizens get a first try at getting those jobs. Far more than in the USA, sadly.

So, the biggest reason why I don't even think about relocating except maybe as a company rep, is because the other countries would rather see their citizens get those jobs.

In short, the work is highly specialized, few countries have the ability to use the work output, and those that can, would much rather have their own citizens do it even if a position needs to be filled.
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Old 06-25-2011, 11:42 PM
 
Location: God's Gift to Mankind for flying anything
5,921 posts, read 13,807,972 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Miaiam View Post
Please don't bash any countries, this post is meant to have a polite and respectful discussion of ideas, not rants.
Where does *do not like it* stop, and *bashing* start ???

I have lived and worked in several countries, simply because I am a polyglot,
and I have a skill that only fits in a rather small window of opportunity.
Some of the countries I worked AND lived in, I hated with a passion.

Many people often comment on how nice a *foreign* country is, but they are usually visiting only !!!
Now try living and working there and dealing with the natives, day in, day out !!!
If that is not hard enough, try living in a country where the standard of living cost is 2.5 times more than at home in the USA !!!
I like to see anybody earn 2.5 times as much as he makes *back home*.

You are asking why I would not *move* there ???
That is NOT an idea, but is purely a matter of what I think of the work situation and the country itself.
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Old 06-26-2011, 02:10 AM
 
Location: Buenos Aires, Argentina
5,886 posts, read 10,492,684 times
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I think languaje is a main factor. I wouldnt be able to live in a country like China, Japan, Russia, and many many others. I basically only could live in countries when they speak spanish or english (cause, of course, those two are the only languajes i know :P).
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Old 06-26-2011, 04:59 AM
 
Location: Earth
24,620 posts, read 28,219,543 times
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I've lived in two Asian countries and regularly travel to a third.
I currently live in Europe

It would depend on my needs whether or not I'd move somewhere.
Personally, if my job sends me there, I live there. I have a choice to apply for the jobs or not.
I enjoy learning about new cultures and climates (even if the languages are difficult for me).

Could I live in all of them forever? No, not most of them, but for a finite period of time, absolutely.
Why not, I grow as a person in new environments.

irman, I tend to look at the best in any culture/country; it makes my life there easier.
If I have problems, it's frequently my lack of understanding or adaption to the new culture.
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Old 06-26-2011, 08:39 AM
 
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chiegirl, I cannot give you more reputation points and you won't take private messages. My compliments on one of many great posts.
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Old 06-26-2011, 04:07 PM
 
Location: the dairyland
1,222 posts, read 2,271,741 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SophieLL View Post
I think languaje is a main factor. I wouldnt be able to live in a country like China, Japan, Russia, and many many others. I basically only could live in countries when they speak spanish or english (cause, of course, those two are the only languajes i know :P).
agreed. If the language is too difficult for me to learn then I wouldn't want to move to the respective country. I never understood those people who move to other countries without speaking the language. I have a couple friends who studied abroad in places like Italy or Germany, but took classes taught in English only, intended for exchange students only. Not really my cup of tea, I don't get it, not at all.

Also, personally, I wouldn't want to move to a crime-ridden country and I am not really interested in the third world. No offense intended but I just wouldn't like living there.
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Old 06-27-2011, 01:36 PM
 
2,053 posts, read 4,804,841 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by irman View Post
Where does *do not like it* stop, and *bashing* start ???

I have lived and worked in several countries, simply because I am a polyglot,
and I have a skill that only fits in a rather small window of opportunity.
Some of the countries I worked AND lived in, I hated with a passion.

Many people often comment on how nice a *foreign* country is, but they are usually visiting only !!!
Now try living and working there and dealing with the natives, day in, day out !!!
I couldn't agree more, living in a country is one thing, while visiting is a totally different experience.
I don't think a 6-month stay gives one much of a perspective either (even though some love to say "oh I lived 4 months in (fill in the blank)" and brag about it. Maybe after a year or two one can start getting a feeling of how things actually are for a resident, not a tourist. You know, ordinary things, like seeing a doctor, getting a driver's license, or paying a bill.

I should have said "opinions", not "ideas", sorry about that.
I was just wondering what would be the reasons why someone wouldn't want to live in a country. There are a lot of very nice countries out there but every person has a different lifestyle and personality, and what is a dream place to one might not be as nice to someone else.

It would be great if you - and other current/former expats out there - could share your experiences and mention why you wouldn't choose to move/live for good in some of the places where you have lived or even would like to live. That is why I opened the thread.
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