Europe has had its share of terrorist problems, but they don't HARP on it as much as the Americans and whip up pointless hysteria. Yeah, London has signs warning to call the police about unattended luggage, etc, but neither London nor Paris have those irritating recordings on their public transport systems like NYC and DC. "If you see something, say something, yadda, yadda, bladdadee, blah." Not to mention the recording on the NYC subway -- "Ladies and Gentlemen, unwanted sexual contact is a crime. Please report..." What are New Yorkers, children or cattle?

Sometimes I feel like the US is stuck in 1984 after 9/11, while the rest of the world has moved on. Whooping up fear of terrorism, war fervor, fear of sex(*). Perhaps 9/11 was so traumatic for the US because the US hasn't seen war on its continental soil for 150 years, whereas France and Europe in general have been through much worse, so the occasional terror attack pales in comparison.

Anyway, refreshing as hell to be out of the US, and seriously contemplating staying in Europe -- with citizenship in an EU country, I can easily get a work permit in any of the Schengen countries, and even Switzerland (not part of the EU, but there are reciprocal treaties that came into effect this year).

I love the US -- would keep my apartment in NYC and rent it out -- but feel like it's been a steady slope downhill since 9/11. Unfunded wars, hysteria, etc. Not to mention the culture of lawsuits and liability that is a big killjoy in the US. Imagine being able to rent a bicycle from an automated kiosk (that's just starting in the US, but many Euro cities have had it for 5+ years). Or hike across private land without risking someone shooting you or calling the police (legal in some countries).

(*) - yeah, the US has made some progress on gay marriage, but it's still VERY conservative and prudish and becoming more so in many ways. Relationships at work that would be looked upon with a wink/nod in many places are frowned upon, as are older woman/younger guy situations.

In my experience, the grass has always been greener on the other side of the fence. In fact, before coming here, the grass was perfect. It always is till you stay long enough to find that it too has it's share of issues. They are different issues but there are still issues. From personal experience, none of those issues were evident on first contact till 10-15 years later when you see them. At which point, an evaluation as to where to be becomes meaningful.

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01 Ford Excursion Powerstroke
99 E300 Turbodiesel
91 Vette with 383 motor
05 Polaris Sportsman 800 EFI
06 Polaris Sportsman 500 EFI
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Red
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Yellow
04 Tailgator 21 ft Toy Hauler
11 Harley Davidson 883 SuperLow

Not planning to sell my apt in NYC in the near future, so I can always go back if I end up not being happy wherever I go. Where did you come from, out of curiosity?

Honestly, I wouldn't go for the UK or France. Probably Krakow or Prague (speak both languages fluently) if it came down to it. Both cities also have the huge advantage of in EU countries, but having said countries be more economically independent. i.e. not on the Euro!!

Unfortunately I was born in Singapore. I have 2 trips there left in my life because I have 2 parents to bury.

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01 Ford Excursion Powerstroke
99 E300 Turbodiesel
91 Vette with 383 motor
05 Polaris Sportsman 800 EFI
06 Polaris Sportsman 500 EFI
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Red
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Yellow
04 Tailgator 21 ft Toy Hauler
11 Harley Davidson 883 SuperLow

Never been there, but from what I've heard about the place, I'd have run screaming as well. If I didn't end up in front of a firing squad for felony gum-chewing first

Have you considered helping your parents move to the US, or do they not want to?

I had a bad time when I was drafted. Besides that, I never felt really comfortable. Not sure how to define it.

No, they have family there. Only thing is I am not really close to my extended family as they are so they want to stay.

__________________
01 Ford Excursion Powerstroke
99 E300 Turbodiesel
91 Vette with 383 motor
05 Polaris Sportsman 800 EFI
06 Polaris Sportsman 500 EFI
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Red
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Yellow
04 Tailgator 21 ft Toy Hauler
11 Harley Davidson 883 SuperLow

Dang it! From the title I thought this thread was about a sex change operation. Especially when I saw that Aklim had joined in.

It depends on where you go I guess. The other countries I've spent much time in have not left me wanting to move. Iraq: ****hole. Afghanistan: even worse ****hole. Japan: Really seriously cool place to visit, but I still wouldn't want to live there. Philippines: Also an interesting place to visit. Cheaper than Japan, but not as nice.

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Whoever said there's nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes never had a cheap Jaguar.

83 300D Turbo with manual conversion, early W126 vented front rotors and H4 headlights 400,xxx miles
08 Suzuki GSX-R600 M4 Slip-on 22,xxx miles
88 Jaguar XJS V12 94,xxx miles. Work in progress.

If you are looking for such an operation, the Philippines are reputed to be decent and cheap.

__________________
01 Ford Excursion Powerstroke
99 E300 Turbodiesel
91 Vette with 383 motor
05 Polaris Sportsman 800 EFI
06 Polaris Sportsman 500 EFI
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Red
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Yellow
04 Tailgator 21 ft Toy Hauler
11 Harley Davidson 883 SuperLow

Been to Philippines and Japan very briefly. Somehow, I prefer the Philippines and would go there again

__________________
01 Ford Excursion Powerstroke
99 E300 Turbodiesel
91 Vette with 383 motor
05 Polaris Sportsman 800 EFI
06 Polaris Sportsman 500 EFI
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Red
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Yellow
04 Tailgator 21 ft Toy Hauler
11 Harley Davidson 883 SuperLow

I think the Philippines is a lot like Singapore. Can't wait to fly back there in December, I've been to Singapore as well and enjoyed my stay.

Where did you stay back there?

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Its a great thing that you are able to experiance being abroad, and I certainly hope that you can draw some reflection from your experiance.

I really do not think you should draw a conclusion about Singapore..from what you have heard...that is like someone telling me a Big Mac tastes good, when I have never eaten one..and then I tell someone else they really should try a Big Mac.

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CHILCUTT~
The secret to a long life. Is knowing when it is time to leave.

Hence I did say, "never been there." I'd love to visit, but living in a place where you can be locked up for life or shot for ownership of a certain green herbal substance is not my cuppa.

The conclusion that I'll draw is that I likely don't want to be stuck in the US for a good few years. Invest in the US, sure, but unless something changes radically between me and someone else (may happen, we'll see when I'm back in NYC a week from now), there's nothing for me in that country. Zero.

And all the "other fish in the sea" yammering won't serve to change my opinion, so don't bother trying.

A lot more space to move around in the Philippines. Less crowded and regimented.

I was in Manilla.

__________________
01 Ford Excursion Powerstroke
99 E300 Turbodiesel
91 Vette with 383 motor
05 Polaris Sportsman 800 EFI
06 Polaris Sportsman 500 EFI
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Red
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Yellow
04 Tailgator 21 ft Toy Hauler
11 Harley Davidson 883 SuperLow

Depending on the quantity, you will either be jailed or hung.

__________________
01 Ford Excursion Powerstroke
99 E300 Turbodiesel
91 Vette with 383 motor
05 Polaris Sportsman 800 EFI
06 Polaris Sportsman 500 EFI
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Red
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Yellow
04 Tailgator 21 ft Toy Hauler
11 Harley Davidson 883 SuperLow