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As you see from all the posts, it's a personal choice. Some people love stability and some love to be free birds. I am a free bird, moved to the US 13 years ago, lived in 2 different states and now relocating to a third state without visiting the city I am moving to. All depends on what you are looking for, you can either go and live there as the locals and enjoy what you find, or just stay here and wonder what it would be like to be there.. good luck
I was going to say no, but then realized I kind of did this for a bit.
My dh did part of his schooling in the Caribbean. He went down and I met up with him 2 months later. We stayed for almost 2 years. I had never been there, and this was before Youtube, so I had never seen video or anything. did not know what I was in for. kind of expected nothing (you know you are in trouble when all DH advises you to bring is "another bath rug, tablecloth and" I can't remember the other thing. I think he didn't want me to hear the whole list of things we needed because he was afraid I wouldn't come.
This was not a permanent move, though, and if it was permanent, I would never have agreed to it w/out visiting first. No way.
I'd probably like to visit first, but I know that it really wouldn't make much difference in the long run. Visiting a country is vastly different from living there. While visiting, it's with a certain level of euphoria. It's all new and different and exciting. Especially exciting. Everything seems so nice and so much better than your home country - as a tourist (unless your home country is a war-ravaged or oppressed hellhole).
Then when you're there for a while - several months, or a few years - and experience all the problems and things that bug you, you realise the grass is not always greener on the other side afterall, that it's much of the same. Same useless politicians making promises, wasting money and doing little. Same problems with jobs, housing, traffic, taxes, crime, etc. Some things might be better than where you left, some things worse. And even that changes with time. It all evens out, to pretty much the same.
We stayed for almost 2 years.
...
This was not a permanent move, though, and if it was permanent, I would never have agreed to it w/out visiting first. No way.
You stayed for almost 2 years though.
When you think of it, no move you ever make is "permanent"... Until the last one.
When you think of it, no move you ever make is "permanent"... Until the last one.
You are right, that is true.
And let me tell you, that almost two years sure felt like a long time to me. It wasn't one of those touristy, vacation-y, beautiful beach islands either!!!
living without *A LOT* of the things you are used to is a challenge.
I'd probably like to visit first, but I know that it really wouldn't make much difference in the long run. Visiting a country is vastly different from living there. While visiting, it's with a certain level of euphoria. It's all new and different and exciting. Especially exciting. Everything seems so nice and so much better than your home country - as a tourist (unless your home country is a war-ravaged or oppressed hellhole).
Then when you're there for a while - several months, or a few years - and experience all the problems and things that bug you, you realise the grass is not always greener on the other side afterall, that it's much of the same. Same useless politicians making promises, wasting money and doing little. Same problems with jobs, housing, traffic, taxes, crime, etc. Some things might be better than where you left, some things worse. And even that changes with time. It all evens out, to pretty much the same.
I agree that visiting is completely different. You don't have enough time to fall into culture shock
I read the title of the thread & thought "wow! That's crazy! Moving somewhere without ever having visited first!" Then I realized...I'm in Wales right now, for the semester, and I definitely never visited before I came! So I do think it depends on the person. I don't think I could ever do a permanent move, say more than a couple years, without at least seeing the place first, though. Guidebooks can never prepare you for actually being in another country. Sure, I read lots on London, Rome, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland, but it is completely different once you arrive.
It depends on the country. Ive only been to Canada once but would live there, probably in or near Alberta (Calgary). I would also like to check out Russia, or Hungary. Sounds wierd but why not?
No. - Despite the problems we have in the Unites States, we are still THE best country in the world to live in, and I'm sure if you asked many of the immigrants that came here from other countries... the ones that are here legally that is! , they'd tell you the same thing.
I would only visit other countries, I've been to Canada, England, France, Germany, Austria, and Israel when I was a kid.
I would move to a different country without visiting if it was for a limited time. My daughter lived in China for a year, could have stayed longer but her contract was for a year and that was all she wanted. We've lived in five different states and moved to all after just one or two visits. We've lived here for 11 years and that's the longest I've lived anywhere my entire life.
No. - Despite the problems we have in the Unites States, we are still THE best country in the world to live in, and I'm sure if you asked many of the immigrants that came here from other countries... the ones that are here legally that is! , they'd tell you the same thing.
That's your opinion. Best is an opinion. What you think is best maybe worst to others.
From the United Nation and Nato they consider these the top five best countries to live in?:
1. Norway
2. Iceland
3. Australia
4. Canada
5. Ireland
They put the United States at around 12-14.
Since Iceland has gone bankrupt and Australia is requiring everyone to have filters on there internet and becoming another China. Those two will probably go down the list.
Living in the United States is not for everyone. The same goes for any other country.
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- Despite the problems we have in the Unites States, we are still THE best country in the world to live in, and I'm sure if you asked many of the immigrants that came here from other countries... the ones that are here legally that is! 
