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[abculatter_2]

So, as I've become more and more politically aware, I've been slowly become more and more disgusted with my native country of the United States...

And now, I'm starting to humor ideas of moving out of the United States, as soon as it is safely affordable to do so....
But... Where should I go? I know practically nothing about the world outside the United States (Thanks, American educational system!)...

Italy sounds like an absolutely wonderful place to live, but what would be some downsides to consider?
What about Germany, or somewhere else in the EU? I've always loved the culinary, and because of my love of culinary I've started having an interest in farming, especially the research and development of new techniques...
Or Australia? I know they have a pretty good green/permaculture movement down there, which is something I'm a big fan of...

[GlyphGryph]

Italy sounds like an absolutely wonderful place to live, but what would be some downsides to consider?

Basically run by criminals and would be tyrants. Other than that, stay out of Rome and out of politics and it's a nice place. I guess.

Ok, I've actually got basically nothing good to say about Italy.

What about Germany, or somewhere else in the EU?

Germany is nice, but I recommend learning the language at least if you. Also, say goodbye to quality games that might breach societal standards, Germany LOVES to limit the message the media is allowed to convey in a lot of ways. Never been, myself, but the various Germans I've met in other parts of the world are also super friendly and otherwise good to know people.

Or Australia? I know they have a pretty good green/permaculture movement down there, which is something I'm a big fan of...

Australia is lovely so long as you don't mind the country itself being an environment geared towards killing you in the most painful manner possible. You also don't need to learn another language! Politics can get dirt, and they have their own issues with things like censorship, but overall much better than the US. And I've heard you can recently play the bulk of previously banned video games here thanks to a new ruling.

[MetalSlimeHunt]

I understand that some of our countrymen can be very disheartening, but that's no reason to take your ball and go to Europe.

[Leafsnail]

I think it depends partially on what job you'd be planning to do once you get there.  Looking up their immigration policies and whether there's a demand for your skills could be a good idea.  In terms of the two you mention Italy is currently struggling quite a lot economically (while Germany is doing great), but there's probably still demand for jobs in certain sectors.

In terms of how nice the countries are... Germany has always been really lovely when I've visited, I've only visited Italy twice (and in Venice and Pompeii, so not particularly representative places) but the main thing that stood out to me was the traffic dear god I thought I was going to die.  Be careful if you plan to drive since every single car there seems to be dented and everyone drives like a maniac.

[Megaman]

Perhaps it would be good to spent a while researching different countries individually on your own time? Make sure that they ain't even worse than what you're trying to leave behind.

Though if you ask me, I don't think any are much better. Or worse.

[Leafsnail]

And I guess you say that as someone who's had extensive experience living around the world?

[GlyphGryph]

Having had extensive experience living around the word, that is so very very false.

I mean, fuck, New Zealand has grass that is literally greener, and is the place I'm trying to get into, but getting in as anything but a tourist or student is a bitch.

It is quite literally a better place in every way that matters to me, and I actually like it in the US.

[Megaman]

And I guess you say that as someone who's had extensive experience living around the world?

Well, no need for such hostility, just giving my two cents.

All countries have their problems

[GlyphGryph]

But just like some foods are more less appealing to different people (and some foods unappetizing to most everyone), different countries tend to have different problems, or problems of less severity, making them a much better choice as a place to live for any given individual.

This applies /within/ the US as well, keep in mind - if you're frustrated where you are, in-nation relocation is often the best bet in a country like the US with such cultural variance.

[abculatter_2]

But just like some foods are more less appealing to different people (and some foods unappetizing to most everyone), different countries tend to have different problems, or problems of less severity, making them a much better choice as a place to live for any given individual.

This applies /within/ the US as well, keep in mind - if you're frustrated where you are, in-nation relocation is often the best bet in a country like the US with such cultural variance.

To be perfectly honest, the main reasons I wanna leave are things which are nation-wide... Such as the abysmal state of politics in America today, the overwhelming rise of stupid or unsavory people, and legal crap like this.
Oh god, the stupid, obviously biased laws we have here...

Maybe I'll change my mind when I can actually get a job... Whenever that will be...

[olemars]

Countries in the EU/EEA don't hand out work visas and residency permits like they're candy, so it depends on what your qualifications are. Italy, Spain, Greece, Portugal are all struggling with massive unemployment rates and budget deficits, so I'd stay way from those for a decade or two (except for vacations). Germany is nice. France and the UK can be nice. Ireland varies. Noone ever thinks of Malta, but it's a lovely little country.

Northern Europe needs engineers badly, so anyone with an engineering degree could pretty much have a job and a plane ticket tomorrow if they want to.

[GlyphGryph]

Only real engineers, or do they need software engineers to?

[olemars]

All kinds.

[Pnx]

I've been wanting to move back to the UK for a long while now, there's been some stuff that's been keeping me here though... I mostly want to go to the UK because I'm already a citizen there and I don't want to move somewhere that doesn't speak English because I went through the hassle of learning the local language twice already and I swore I never wanted to go through it again. However if I were considering non-English speaking countries I think I might like to go somewhere in Scandinavia, it seems to be one of the nicest places in the world, and I don't mind cold weather.

[MetalSlimeHunt]

I will just say this: Do not become enamored with Northern Europe, especially the Nordic countries. I realize that a lot of people on the internet fall into this romantic view of Sweden and the like as the kind of liberal paradise they'd love to live in above all else, but you have to realize that such a view is just that: romantic.

The reality of other nations is far different than the popular perception of them, and no one should know that better than an American on the internet.