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In my ongoing quest to learn about other countries in preparation for one day emigrating from the United States, I have a couple of questions about Denmark. From everything I've read, it appears to be a very well-run country that consistently ranks as one of the happiest on the planet. The only negative I have read about Denmark so far is its long, gray and dreary winters. Are there any other potential major negatives about the country I should know about? And before anyone says it, please DO NOT mention high taxes. I understand that the country has very high taxes, but I do not mind paying high taxes if it helps the community and provides everyone with quality infrastructure and social services such as universal healthcare and education. I care little for making or accumulating money, so as long as my basic needs are met, I have no problem with a significant share of my income being used to improve society as a whole. Secondly, I've heard that immigrating to Denmark is incredibly difficult. Is this true? If so, does anyone who lives there or who has immigrated there have any tips on how to improve your chances of actually becoming a permanent resident/citizen?
Also, I am well aware that I need to visit a country before deciding to move there. To clarify, I am not planning on picking up and moving to Denmark tomorrow. I simply am looking to gain some basic information from people with knowledge about the country, as I currently am not in a position to travel and learn on my own. However, I understand the necessity of extensively visiting and exploring another country before ever deciding to move there, and hopefully in the next year I will able to have the time and the money to travel and explore Denmark and other European countries as well.
It can be difficult for foreigners to break into the job market. Have you considered that?
Denmark is rated happiest because the highest percentage of the people there rate themselves that way. That doesn't mean they're happy, fun people. It's all very relative. In relation to that study on national happiness, Danes say they don't have high expectations, so they avoid disappointment that way, and therefore, they're more contented than other people.
I guess this thread is designed to convince the OP that Denmark is not the country he wants to live in.. poor Denmark. Doesn't seem to get much love on here.
I guess this thread is designed to convince the OP that Denmark is not the country he wants to live in.. poor Denmark. Doesn't seem to get much love on here.
Give it time. A variety of opinions should appear in awhile. I wonder what other countries the OP is considering. Switzerland is also a well-run country, but with lower taxes. I'm told that the price one pays to live in a well-run country is a certain lack of spontaneity and joie-de-vivre on the part of the populace, though. I'm guessing the OP is one of those people who's fed up with the US and the political gridlock, economic problems resulting in cutbacks in public services, etc. etc., and is looking for a place to bail to.
Canada's a lot closer, OP. And Canadians are a bit more like Americans. They're friendly, generally speaking.
Nobody takes anti-depressants as a preventive. They take them after they've been diagnosed as clinically depressed.
That's what I wanted to write, too. If you have no depression, antidepressants won't even work on you.
As for the question raised by OP, I remember reading some forum created by US expats living in Denmark. Many of them complained about weather as well as about Danes being reserved people, keeping to themselves and hard to make friends with.
As for the question raised by OP, I remember reading some forum created by US expats living in Denmark. Many of them complained about weather as well as about Danes being reserved people, keeping to themselves and hard to make friends with.
Complaining about the weather seems to be a global pastime though. Either it's too hot, too cold, too much rain, too little rain, not enough snow this winter etc.
When it comes to people being reserved in Denmark, I don't think they are any worse or better than anywhere else, but I would strongly suggest the OP to learn the Danish language if he settles down there. Even if a substantial percentage of Danes can communicate fine in English, you are likely to find yourself in a social siberia if you don't make a solid effort to learn Danish. You will also be much better equipped to crack the Scandinavian social codes if you master the language. I can't stress enough how important language skills are when it comes to integration in a new country.
Give it time. A variety of opinions should appear in awhile. I wonder what other countries the OP is considering. Switzerland is also a well-run country, but with lower taxes. I'm told that the price one pays to live in a well-run country is a certain lack of spontaneity and joie-de-vivre on the part of the populace, though. I'm guessing the OP is one of those people who's fed up with the US and the political gridlock, economic problems resulting in cutbacks in public services, etc. etc., and is looking for a place to bail to.
Canada's a lot closer, OP. And Canadians are a bit more like Americans. They're friendly, generally speaking.
Though I can't say for certain, the lack of spontaneity seems fine with me; I'm OK with a stable and happy, if relatively unexciting, life. I don't really expect or need much out of life, and as long as I have a career I like, a roof over my head, food on the table, and access to affordable quality healthcare, I'll be a happy man. My main motivation is to leave the U.S. sooner than later, as I do not at all approve of the direction the country is headed in. I don't like the selfish attitude of most of the people, I don't like the celebration of ignorance in American culture, I don't like the unchecked capitalism running rampant and ruining most of the economy for the benefit of a select few, I don't like the total partisan gridlock and nonstop campaigning, and I don't like the materialistic/consumerist culture. The only things that matter to the average American, from my experience at least, is who has the latest and greatest tech toys and what time the hit new reality TV show is on. For me, what I'd be looking most for in a country is an intelligent and active population with a commitment to equality, social justice, and environmental protection. I want to live in a country where people are truly concerned about making the world a better place for everyone, not just themselves, and where money isn't the primary motivator for the majority of the population. As I mentioned in my first post, high taxes don't matter to me, so long as they are going toward things that benefit society, be it improved infrastructure, universal healthcare, universal education, etc. From what I've read, Denmark fits the bill on those accounts, and I've also started to read about surrounding countries such as Belgium, the Netherlands, and Norway, so if anyone has any input on those, I'm very interested in learning about them as well.
I've looked a lot into Canada, but some of what I'm reading makes me view it as America-lite and makes me unsure if going through the process of moving there would even really be worth it. Issues with the KXL pipeline and intrusion/destruction of sacred native lands is troubling to me, for instance. I am definitely more motivated to leave the U.S. than to move to any particular country, hence why I'm trying to learn about a number of potential destinations so that hopefully one day I can narrow it down to somewhere that fits me best. Also, I had not considered Switzerland due to my impression that it was heavily-capitalistic, and I am a socialist, so I assumed there would probably be some tension. Please correct me if my assumption is wrong, however.
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