Migration meme
Nov. 3rd, 2006 02:26 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
tagrynIf you had to immigrate from the U.S., what country (excluding Canada*) would you choose to move to? Why?
Second, apply an even harder second criteria: exclude all countries where English is the primary language. Then what country would you prefer?
Assume you would be assured in your place of settlement of a job at the same basic pay and benefits as you currently have, so employment is not a factor.
Any:
1. United Kingdom. More expensive than the U.S., but no language barrier & I enjoyed my time over there in 2004.
2. Australia. Have never visited there, but otherwise the same as (1.). The Aussie culture may be even closer to the U.S. than England's is.
3. Ireland. Although English isn't the "official" language, it seems as though an English-speaker would be able to navigate around fairly easily. Plus, Irish is a European language, so learning it wouldn't be as difficult as, say, Arabic or Russian.
Non-English only:
1. Poland. Language would be difficult, since its closer to Russian than other European languages, but the Polish outlook is very Western. I'm also 1/2 Polish, so the culture wouldn't be totally foreign.
2. Germany. Interesting language, though the culture would take some getting used to. Interesting historical sites to visit, as well.
3. Japan. Tougher language to learn than one with a European-base, but a fascinating culture. Also many interesting historical places to visit.
* Canada being excluded as being too close & too similar to the United States.
Second, apply an even harder second criteria: exclude all countries where English is the primary language. Then what country would you prefer?
Assume you would be assured in your place of settlement of a job at the same basic pay and benefits as you currently have, so employment is not a factor.
Any:
1. United Kingdom. More expensive than the U.S., but no language barrier & I enjoyed my time over there in 2004.
2. Australia. Have never visited there, but otherwise the same as (1.). The Aussie culture may be even closer to the U.S. than England's is.
3. Ireland. Although English isn't the "official" language, it seems as though an English-speaker would be able to navigate around fairly easily. Plus, Irish is a European language, so learning it wouldn't be as difficult as, say, Arabic or Russian.
Non-English only:
1. Poland. Language would be difficult, since its closer to Russian than other European languages, but the Polish outlook is very Western. I'm also 1/2 Polish, so the culture wouldn't be totally foreign.
2. Germany. Interesting language, though the culture would take some getting used to. Interesting historical sites to visit, as well.
3. Japan. Tougher language to learn than one with a European-base, but a fascinating culture. Also many interesting historical places to visit.
* Canada being excluded as being too close & too similar to the United States.
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Date: 2006-11-05 02:25 am (UTC)Which, btw, would be my first choice for emigration under your #1 criteria. Followed by England/UK, then New Zealand.
For non-English speaking countries, I'd probably choose France as number one, though not Paris. More out in the countryside. After that, perhaps Spain, as their culture tends towards friendliness. Then Austria (motto: slightly less German than our neighbors).