Living in a foreign country

FRANCE! And I just may someday. I could easily have an EU passport, as I was born there.

Edited to add Switzerland,, just cause it is so pretty, but it is so expensive,, but in fantasyland that doesn't matter I suppose.

England, then Italy, France, Germany.

Ireland, hands down.

I have lived in Austria for six months, but didn't have to worry about working, finding a place to live, etc., as I was a student living with a local family.

Y'know to actually live in another country and visit another country as a tourist are are two different things. I hear Italy is very corrupt and it's hard starting a business there. I know a French guy in Toronto who says he doesn't want to live in Paris because it's hard to get jobs there etc. He's settling in Canada.

I would choose a country where I know the language already or where the language I speak is readily accepted (e.g. NL) or which I find easy to learn. For example, for somebody with a Roman language as a mothertongue another Roman language or Suahili is a much easier language to learn than an Asian language like Vietnamese. One year is not enough to immerse yourself in a country without knowing a word.

In my case, I would also try to choose a country that would provide a meaningful experience for my children, including good schooling.

I wouldn't mind going to France (again! lived there for a year some time ago) but I would also like to try a Skandinavian country such as Norway or Sweden (not Finland, that's a horrible language to learn) as their living standard would be very family friendly and it would be a completely new experience for me as I've never been there.

Even though I speak Spanish, I would have to pick Italy. For some reason I really really like the country. I think a month there would have me speaking Italian and the slow pace remindes me alot of South America. I have lived in 3 different countries on this side of the pond and would love to add ones on the other side to my list.

Even if I do pick Italy, I would in a heartbeat be open to live anywhere.

Without a doubt - SWITZERLAND! Can you imagine calling the Swiss Alps your home???

I'd move to England right this second if I could get a visa.

Tragic.

FRANCE!

Probably Germany. Definitely German speaking, so that includes Austria and part of Switzerland.

Switzerland.
(again)
:)

Somewhere on the continent. My German is best and my wife has some family there, so probably Germany first. France or Italy would also be nice. If you're on the continent, it's easy to get around.

Friends who have lived on the British Isles often say they felt confined. Any trip to the continent wasn't a weekend option. It had to be planned in advance.

Maybe with the advent of cheap air around Europe, it would be a little easier to take advantage of the continent from the Isles.

Interesting question, as I'm moving permanently to Belgium in a few years.

Switzerland, the Alsace/Lorraine region of France or southern Germany (I'm just a country gal at heart).

TOM, I could NEVER live in Belgium because of the beer and chocolate; with my lack of self control I'd weigh 200 pounds within a year.

Carole- that's my worry too!

Gaillimh, Erie!

Clairgirl; hope that isn't Pennsylvania.....

My choices would be Holland 1st, then England, followed by Belgium. Have done 3yrs in NL already, spending half my time in the UK, and a big chunk in Belgium, so am a bit biased I guess. As some have said, Belgium is highly underrated and that's without taking Brugge, Brussels and Antwerp into account; some beautiful countryside in this small, friendly country.

My first thought was "whoever would give me a visa!"

This was a challenging question though...I love Italy, but don't speak any Italian, and the only other places I've been so far are England & Scotland.

If I were going to pick any country, I would pick India. Staying in Europe, I think I would go with several other posters and choose Belgium.

I'm surprised no one has chosen Spain yet?

Liz, I thought Spain would be high on the list,too. FYI In my world of make believe we don't need Visas or work permits!

Hey Geoff! I guess Erie, PA would seem like a foriegn country even to us Yanks!

Gaillimh, Erie (irish for Galway, Ireland)... my dream is to have a tea room somewhere in the middle of the Burren; because I am a Clare Girl at heart. However, Galway is my favorite 'city' in Ireland. The arts & music scene & of course my Galwean relations!

Hi Clare, hope I didn't offend any Erie, Pa., folks! Been through there a few times enroute Toronto to the Carolinas/Florida and wanting to pick up the PennPike quickly; she has her redeeming qualities. I only voted for 3 foreign countries to live in; if I'd added 4 and 5 they would have been the US of A and the Green Isle.

Hi all,

Austria or the Sud Tirol (Dolomite region of Italy)!!!

Paul

I currently live in France, it's my second time living here...if I am ever lucky enough to live abroad again, I would chose Germany because my relatives are from there and I would love to learn German!! I may also choose Switzerland, because it is so pretty!!

Hi Carole,
My first choice would be the USA- and specifically, St. Augustine, just up the road from where you are. But the visa thing and health insurance are the usual stumbling blocks. So my next choice is Spain, and that's where I'm headed (God willing) at the end of the summer.
I see a few folks who would like to move to the UK, but are also prevented by the need for visas- don't you just wish we could arrange some kind of swap with our governments?

Maggie, Great choice! St. Augustine is my home town.