want to move to europe (how much, to live, places to stay)

[Joanimal]

Everyone is tired of America right now, how can one not be? sqwerl, it's ok to feel this way, it's just that running away won't take away the fact that this country is going down the tubes. "No matter where you go, there you are" -yogi bear.

I say try it, do it, if you feel that you need a new atmosphere. Why not move somewhere in the U.S. that will get you out of your current situation? And if it's Amsterdam because of the legal pot smoking, California has lax laws, and so do places like Colorado, etc. . . I mean don't get me wrong there are still consequences.

If all you want to do is run away and smoke, it's understandable in a way. The world seems cruel and impossible right now . . . I'm just saying though, that hiding under a blanket/running away won't help you or anyone else.

I went to 6 colleges and have moved 35-40 times since 2001. It's true, and people always judge me for it. I graduated college though, I finished something. And then I was a Teacher in North Carolina, and just got laid off, and will now be serving tables like I did when I was 18, because I can't find a job...

A counselor once told me that I'm an "escape artist". Maybe I was, once.

Now, I'm back at home in Rochester, NY, which is the exact place I ran away from. The ironic thing is that this is the only place I want to be.

If America crumbles, I want to be home, with my parents, my friends, and family.

If you go . . . I hope you find someone to go with you.

It's hard to face the world alone.

At least you're not afraid to see outside the box . . . to even want to move to Europe on your own takes balls.

I sincerely hope that you take a look at what you're running from and why. Even smoking pot isn't reality, it's running too.

It truly does not matter where you go, even to another country. . . you will be with yourself the entire time, and America is a part of you.

I'm rambling... good luck.

ps my motto when I went on my journies, "NOT ALL WHO WANDER ARE LOST".

peace. love and chicken grease.

[gea12345]

Holy Mackeral, you guys/gals need to lighten up!

Every year people go abroad, because they are tired of their current situation and want to experience something very different.

Right at this minute, there are thousands of Americans living in Europe!

Some are students, some are workers And some are former students working as baby sitters or english teachers under the table.

This is a long tradition!!

But if you want a real job, with real beneifts, then you are going to be in for a long wait, since there are no jobs! Europe is in a Recession.

But if you don't mind living on the rough, as all of our famous artists and writers and dancers then go for it!! Or you can work and live on a vineyard in France or rebuild a monastary in Spain. There are plenty of opportunities, if you do your research!!

But don't go broke! Even moving in America broke is foolhardy!! unless you have friends who will put you up!

And of course legal is infinitely better than illegal!

It is an experience you will never forget!!

good luck!

[Annie28]

Originally Posted by gea12345

It is equally hard to immigrate to america and europe! Why? Because not enough jobs and now a world recession!!

But if you want to work there as a student, or go there and be a student and work, that is pretty easy!! This is easier in Europe than it is in America! American makes it impossible to work! or to visit and work!!

Europe is easier! You need to buy some work in europe books, get a carte de sejour, buy a summer work visa, enroll in school, cheaper than america, obviously speak the language of the university!

good luck!

p.s. i did it in France and lived there for three years! The only thing I didn't do which i wish i had, was buy health insurance!!

None of this is true for the Netherlands. You are looking at 400 euros for the student visa, over $15,000 in tuition costs per year (as a foreigner), and you can only work 10 hours per week. Plus, a room in Amsterdam averages about 400-500 euros per month. After your studies are over, you are kicked out of the country.

You will not get hired in the Netherlands ANYWHERE without a work permit. If you get caught, you are banned from the Schengen Zone for 5-10 years.

[Crotonapark]

Originally Posted by analyticalkeys

Be sure to take a good look at the visa instructions, as it tends to be harder to get into European countries than it is to get into America.

The US is one of the most difficult countries to get in to... An european country is normaly not as hard as getting into the US...

[Viralmd]

Originally Posted by Crotonapark

The US is one of the most difficult countries to get in to... An european country is normaly not as hard as getting into the US...

Actually, that's not true. For tourists, it IS easy, but you can't stay there without a visa. They ARE strict and they DO go after illegals.

[Crotonapark]

Originally Posted by Viralmd

Actually, that's not true. For tourists, it IS easy, but you can't stay there without a visa. They ARE strict and they DO go after illegals.

Ofcourse for tourists and students, but if you come to the US its hard... My uncle was educated and he had a real hard time getting in to the US.

[bet_yes111]

I was born in DR, third world. I moved to NYC when I was 4. Became a citizen. Moved to NJ and now have ended up in PA. Ever since I was little I have dreamed of EU. I am thinking Spain even. I am 26, I have my B.A am working on my Masters but financially that will be halted. I don't have ancestry or much fam anywhere that I know of. I want better for myself, I don't know if it's running away or always having this insatiable need to see myself where I can be happy, peaceful and at ease learning and living. The older I get, yes I am not very old but if age is experience than mines speak volumes, the more I want, need and desire this change. Any realistic help? I don't know what kind of visa is appropiate or even if I am over my head, difficulty does not scare me as nothing is impossible.

[NJ-201]

Amsterdam is bad

[XodoX]

I was born in Germany. Since I have the citizenship of one E.U. country , I can live and work wherever I want in the E.U. Still ended up here, though. And I love it!

But you need to be open-minded if you move to the E.U. Prostitution is legal and there are a lot of prostitutes on the streets and it's accepted. So is abortion, gay-marriage etc.

[CBB]

Originally Posted by XodoX

But you need to be open-minded if you move to the E.U. Prostitution is legal and there are a lot of prostitutes on the streets and it's accepted. So is abortion, gay-marriage etc.

In CERTAIN streets, I'd say. Avoid those - which is pretty easy and rather normal for the average citizen - and you'll never see any prostitutes.