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[Lil' Dice]

To those of you that moved from the US to Europe, or vice versa, please share your experiences in regards to the cultural/social changes that ensued.
As an American, do you prefer the European way of life? Or do you, as a European prefer the allure of "freedom" afforded to you by the living in the US?

 

[Koshiro]

I love how Americans think Europe doesn't have freedom, cracks me up every time.

 

[nathkenn]

I love how Americans think Europe doesn't have freedom, cracks me up every time.

only the stupid ones but I think that's why he quoted freedom

 

[Lil' Dice]

only the stupid ones but I think that's why he quoted freedom

Thank you.

 

[demi]

Europe has such better television shows!

*sheds a tear for spaced*

 

[megateto]

I love how Americans think Europe doesn't have freedom, cracks me up every time.

I've heard lots of weird things off/about USA citizens, but never that one.

Gosh, they brought us Europeans freedom (well, they left us Spaniards behind with the little man)... Don't they remember that???

 

[ToxicAdam]

Whats the point of this thread? Do you want to move to Europe? Is that the question? Or is this just a topic to get people to American-bash or draw out a flamewar?



People generally stay in thier country because they love the culture and love thier family. So, if you don't ... move.

 

[JoshuaJSlone]

I love how Americans think Europe doesn't have freedom, cracks me up every time.

We have the freedom to go without health care!

 

[SatelliteOfLove]

Whats the point of this thread? Do you want to move to Europe? Is that the question? Or is this just a topic to get people to American-bash or draw out a flamewar?



People generally stay in thier country because they love the culture and love thier family. So, if you don't ... move.

Thank you. Besides, "Europe" is so vague a term; it sounds needlessly homogeonous, too.

 

[megateto]

Thank you. Besides, "Europe" is so vague a term; it sounds needlessly homogeonous, too.

Yes, and the truth is that all Europeans just want to move to Spain so they can stay out until late, enjoy some sunny weather and get drunk for real cheap.

 

[Suerte]

In Europe we all get naked and have sex all the time, and swear a lot. FUCK YEAH!

 

[beerbelly]

The best women are from Czech Republic and Slovakia

 

[Lil' Dice]

Whats the point of this thread? Do you want to move to Europe? Is that the question? Or is this just a topic to get people to American-bash or draw out a flamewar?



People generally stay in thier country because they love the culture and love thier family. So, if you don't ... move.

You're the one being confrontational. The discussion has been civil so far.

 

[Chittagong]

I saw a dude from US (I think) in the gym sauna today. He was wearing his boxers - I guess the full frontal male nudity was too much freedom for him.

:lol

 

[Funky Papa]

Well, Sweden is quit a place for that kind of things :lol

If we are going to compare the USA with Europe we should define freedom.

 

[SlickWilly223]

I really like America, and I really like living here. I don't know why everyone has to complain about it.

As a Roman-Catholic Italian-American, I have enough culture as it is, anyway..

 

[Lil' Dice]

I really like America, and I really like living here. I don't know why everyone has to complain about it.

As a Roman-Catholic Italian-American, I have enough culture as it is, anyway..

I'm an Italian native baptised in the Roman Catholic church, and i miss European culture.
I was hoping for some personal accounts of how life has changed for those who moved there from the US and vice versa.
And when i say "Europe" i mean all of it, with the exception of Easten Europe

 

[Guileless]

You envy all Europeans, even Albanians? I'm sure you can find one that would switch places with you.

 

[Pug]

Well I have visited American on 10 occasions now, Loved NY, SF, and Louisville. Didn't like Miami, LA or Seattle actually Seattle was okay. As for freedom the most important freedom is being able to legally drink yourself into a stupor, something us Europeans, well the British and Germans are great at. In Europe its legal at 18 States 21. That’s all the information I needed to decided where 'd rather live. Hey simple things for simple minds. It also shows some of the warps laws they have in the States, want a Hand Gun that can blow brains out from 100 metres, sorry I mean American yards (what ever they are) here you go you trustworthy 16 yr old. Want a Stella, hmmm sorry son not till your 21.

Anyway I need to SF again, oh by the way I'm married with a kid so its not cause of that.

 

[Tuvoc]

do you envy them because their president/prime minister isn't a fuckass like ours?....cuz thats why I envy them...

..well that and the fact that there are pictures of naked girls everywhere...I love it!

 

[Hooker]

Actually Pug, legal drinking age is 16 is most places in Europe

 

[Lil' Dice]

You envy all Europeans, even Albanians? I'm sure you can find one that would switch places with you.

Albanians reside in Eastern Europe, i don't envy them at all.

 

[MrPing1000]

Northern Ireland is a bit shitty. Lots of green though

 

[MC Safety]

We have the freedom to go without health care!

And Canadians come here when they don't want to wait years for surgery.

And people from the other parts of the world come here for the best medical care anywhere.

 

[MrPing1000]

but if you are poor you are fucked

 

[Lil' Dice]

And Canadians come here when they don't want to wait years for surgery.

And people from the other parts of the world come here for the best medical care anywhere.

Who are these people you speak of? Are they low/middle class citizens from abroad?

 

[gofreak]

Ireland's great, just a little expensive. But it's a great place to live right now.

I've never been to America, so I can't really pass comment on it comparatively.

 

[norinrad21]

but if you are poor you are fucked

motorcycle :lol :lol :lol

 

[MrPing1000]

motorcycle :lol :lol :lol

Que?

 

[norinrad21]

As in you are 100% correct sir

 

[scorcho]

traveling through Spain for a few weeks last year i became totally transfixed with the 'European' lifestyle. it's such a mishmash of cultures and political involvement that doesn't end on college campuses. Barcelona was a microcosm of New York City - great food, amazing bars/night life and an influx of foreigners to keep things interesting. that and siesta. god damn, nothing beats being intoxicated by noon.

that said, i wouldn't want to live in Europe right now, as the continent is exploding militant muslim groups, and the situation is only to get worse with the US amazingly narrowminded foreign policy.

 

[Lil' Dice]

that said, i wouldn't want to live in Europe right now, as the continent is exploding militant muslim groups, and the situation is only to get worse with the US amazingly narrowminded foreign policy.

Are you of Middle Eastern descent?

 

[Pug]

Hooker 16! what countries are that low. Germany is 18 I've just come back, Belgium is 18, Spain is 18 not sure about the Netherlands but last time I was there is was certaintly 18. France has a 16 yr old policy but I thought that was for resturants not Bars

 

[Solid]

I envy Canadians. I've always wanted to live up there.

That and Italy. I'd love to able to speak italian. It's a beatiful language and the people are really nice, and the women.. oh boy, Monica Bellucci's every where

I do feel rather lucky to live in Sweden though. We have a great country with high standards for being such a little country. Many blondies too if you're in to them.

 

[scorcho]

Are you of Middle Eastern descent?

no, even worst - asian/french.

 

[Socreges]

I love Canada. But I'd like to travel around Europe more (already have a flight for July) and get a better idea of what it would be like to live in certain countries (economically, socially). I've been there on vacation, so I've got a dose of the grass being greener, but that doesn't necessarily mean I'd have a better quality of life. I think the allure comes from the cities having superior livability, and the people often being more passionate and interesting. But again, my judgement was probably clouded since it was leisure time and a completely new experience.

I envy Canadians. I've always wanted to live up there.

"Up there"? You live in SWEDEN.

 

[Solid]

"Up there"? You live in SWEDEN.

I know :lol

Anyway, here is Francesco Totti's girlfriend. She's italian as well. Oh, and did I tell you italians were hot?

 

[Tarazet]

I'll stay here for as long as I pay less in taxes than I would in Germany. That shouldn't take a whole lot longer.

 

[MC Safety]

Who are these people you speak of? Are they low/middle class citizens from abroad?

Turn on the TV news. Wait until the feel-good segment where they do a story on a small child with [insert ailment here] who's come to America for treatment/transplant/surgery.

I don't care one whit to further debate the American health care system. It's not perfect by any means. But the people who think there's a magical health care system out there wherein everybody gets free and universal health care without paying for it with extremely high taxes, long waits for treatment, or both, is sorely mistaken.

 

[Lil' Dice]

Turn on the TV news. Wait until the feel-good segment where they do a story on a small child with [insert ailment here] who's come to America for treatment/transplant/surgery.

I've seen them. I've also specials on shildren of middle class Americans have to wait hours in some county hospital for treatment, or college kids being turned away from urgent care because of lack of medical insurance(happened to me).

I don't care one whit to further debate the American health care system. It's not perfect by any means. the people who think there's a magical health care system out there wherein everybody gets free and universal health care without paying for it with extremely high taxesng waits for treatment, or both, is sorely mistaken.

There is, in Italy.

 

[Deleted member 1235]

And people from the other parts of the world come here for the best medical care anywhere.

I'll attest to that. Well not exactly that, but that's why my father isn't coming back to New Zealand.

There is, in Italy.

Also New Zealand. Now I'm sure in Italy there is a wait for treatment as there is in New Zealand, however we have the optional private health insurance where you get treated immediately if you have it.

Tax rates are

for up to 38000 pa salary 19.5cents per dollar
for 38000 to 60000 pa salary 33 cents per dollar
over that 39 cents per dollar

No idea how that compares to you. Your health care is very leading edge though, if you can get it.

Also lifestyle wise before the sickness my dad far and away prefered both Maastrict and Canada to live in. mostly due to the government and americas obsession with enormous things (cars, trucks fat asses).

 

[Loki]

I've seen them. I've also specials on shildren of middle class Americans have to wait hours in some county hospital for treatment, or college kids being turned away from urgent care because of lack of medical insurance(happened to me).

Not to call you a liar, but nobody in the US, regardless of ability to pay, citizenship/residency status, whatever, can be denied emergency medical treatment, which I presume the word "urgent" means. There's a law and everything (EMTALA), and US hospitals lose hundreds of millions of dollars providing said free care each year.

 

[Tarazet]

I'll attest to that. Well not exactly that, but that's why my father isn't coming back to New Zealand.



Also New Zealand. Now I'm sure in Italy there is a wait for treatment as there is in New Zealand, however we have the optional private health insurance where you get treated immediately if you have it.

Tax rates are

for up to 38000 pa salary 19.5cents per dollar
for 38000 to 60000 pa salary 33 cents per dollar
over that 39 cents per dollar

No idea how that compares to you. Your health care is very leading edge though, if you can get it.

Also lifestyle wise before the sickness my dad far and away prefered both Maastrict and Canada to live in. mostly due to the government and americas obsession with enormous things (cars, trucks fat asses).

US federal income tax is a bit strange. It's multitiered. If you're single and you make up to $7,150, you pay 10%. If you make more than that, up to $29,050, you pay 10% on the $7,150, then 15% on what's left, i.e. up to $21,900. If you make up to $70,350, you pay all of the above, then 25% on what's left.

The highest bracket is 35%, for income from $319,100 up.

California also has their own income tax, which is tiered from 1.0%-9.3%.

 

[Boogie]

Also New Zealand. Now I'm sure in Italy there is a wait for treatment as there is in New Zealand, however we have the optional private health insurance where you get treated immediately if you have it.

Hey, now that's an interesting ide--- "OH WAIT, TWO-TIER HEALTH CARE?! F*CK THAT!" [/Canadian knee-jerk response]

 

[Drozmight]

My income is $0... I'm such a drain on the economy.

 

[Dr_Cogent]

If you're so envious of the people back in Europe, what's keeping you around?

Why not just go back?

 

[Kiriku]

I like living in Sweden. It's a nice country, a country I can trust. Anywhere I go, Sweden will always be there for me, waiting!

But seriously, since it's such a small place, I think people come closer together as part of the country. And when I go abroad, I feel that my identity as a Swede grows stronger. I'm one of the few people in the world who's actually a Swede, and I'm proud of being that. It's a kind of patriotism I guess, but I don't walk around telling everyone how awesome Sweden is. It's just the inner knowledge that I am a Swede...it makes me relaxed, for some reason.

The taxes suck though.

Anyway, you're all welcome to Sweden!!

 

[Socreges]

If you're so envious of the people back in Europe, what's keeping you around?

Why not just go back?

....Cooter?

 

[Lil' Dice]

If you're so envious of the people back in Europe, what's keeping you around?

Why not just go back?

I'm looking into employment in Italy.

 

[fennec fox]

Anyway, you're all welcome to Sweden!!

I'd like to retire there, as it'll still be reasonably cold and I know the southern end of the US won't be!