Just curious about Emigration...

As far as I know, it has always been the man who has come to the woman...and for the most part, that has been America. BUT has anyone from America done the opposite and move to the other person's country? I know that Jason may be going to Brazil to be with Maria for awhile, but that is not a permanent thing (?) or could it become one?? Plus he is a male! I know that may sound sexist or ageist.... But for the older female, many of us have children here and maybe even parents who need help, and since we are the nuturers, we tend to stay put, hence it is the male who leaves his fatherland. Then I guess, one would have to look at the job situation too, and where the best opportunity would lie.... Hmmmmm besides our world traveller Maria, have any of you considered moving from your homeland? What are your thoughts on this? And what about dual citizenships? Do they work?

I considered it at one point, however, the healthcare and economic conditions in Romania have a major influence on why I would not want to move there. That, and the fact that I feel it would be extremely difficult for my child to move to a foreign country.

It is something though that is always on my mind in the event that Remi's visa is not approved. An attorney once told me he has never seen a fiance visa not be approved, but I'm always thinking about it in case his is turned down for some reason. He and I will definitely have to have a plan B.

The Brasil move *could* become permanent, but for us, we are a pair of nomads. I don't think there is any way we'd be able to stay in one place for long, unless Maria has a solid practice that takes up too much time to allow for travel.

But, I guess the answer to the question is, yes, I most certainly would move to another country for my love. I know it sounds cliche but...life is just too short.

Hikmet and I have talked about what to do if his residency is not approved and he has to go home. I wouldn't hesitate to move to Turkey to be with him, but he knows that I wouldn't be able to do it right away. It would take time for me to retire from my job and wind up my affairs here. I would love to live in another country and work part-time. As for family, they would have to come to visit me and I might come back here to visit once in a while.

When I had my e-mail year-long thingie with the British guy living in Thailand (it turned out not to be a match made in heaven, but we've stayed close friends - and then I met my guy a few months later) - I gave serious thought to whether I would be willing to relocate to Thailand and I was willing......That said, I was free of entanglements at the time, including pets, and now I'm not and that would be a major problem, but I was certainly open to it.

My mother, however, was not very happy with this notion at all :<

As I get older though, I find it less appealing than I did 5 years ago. After all the upheaval of Chicago and back, I'm liking feeling settled at the moment.

I think there are windows of opportunity for these kinds of moves :>

I am not American, but the "OW" (from Germany) and yes, I have been considering relocating to my b/f's country - but this would have to be conditional on getting a "decent" (i.e. career-compatible) job there; I already lived abroad in Britain for some years in my 20s, so relocating to another country/European culture is not that daunting ...

The difference was, last time I pretty much spoke the language (English), whereas currently I am just learning Norwegian and will need a bit of more time to get my language skills up to a semi-professional level - which, together with a qualified job, I consider necessary before I am going to uproot myself again.

Not having any kids or tremendously close links to my family helps of course with such a decision, even thought it would take some arrangements for my litte cat.

All in all, I am looking at a time frame of 18 months to 2 years to the actual relocation, which would coincide with my b/f finishing off school - provided my sweetie and I are still together then and willing to take that leap .... ;) But really, I think these things should not be rushed but "organized" ...

I was just curious as to how others felt about this topic as the world is getting smaller. I do agree that there is a "window of opportunity", but for me I also feel that I would need to look at the country itself before I would leave mine. For example, I personally would not be able to handle Thailand, fot it is just TOO foreign to me, while on the otherhand, Canada is almost like a sister country, so that would be no problem, plus it is right next door! I just find it amazing that we even consider anyone moving from country to country for love.... and treat it like were just moving to another state! I guess since the advent of the net, we are discovering that people are basically the same, no matter where they live....hence the connections/bonds that are formed just seem "normal"!

I would go ... in a flash ... and set up a visitation schedule with my children. It can work ...

(Couldn't hep myself gurl ... :D )

Hugs ...

D

I moved from the US to Australia to be with my husband. I came for a visit in November and after almost 3 years of doing long distance (with 2 visits from him in the US) we decided to get married in January while I was here. I filed my residency paperwork, but still haven't been approved yet. It takes a while for things to move along in Australia. But I am hoping to hear within the next few weeks on whether my application has been approved.

I just found out this week that my 23 year old daughter is pregnant! I am totally excited and want so badly to be there with her, but we have the phone and she emails me almost everyday with questions about the pregnancy. I am going to fly back to Utah in February to be with her for a few weeks when the baby is born!

My parents called me yesterday with the news that my dad has been diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver. Not good news and it means that I have to keep enough money set aside for a plane ticket to fly at a moments notice to be there when he dies. I don't mean to sound so nonchalant about it, but reality is reality.

Eventually I will most likely become an Australian citizen, but maintain my American citizenship as well. Just for the purpose of being able to live in whichever country we choose to live in. We have talked about living in the US and my husband acquiring citizenship there, but for now this is the best place for us, because of his job and things. But I do have days when I get very very homesick!

Dual citizenship is not always possible, there are countries that make it impossible. I have a Brazilian friend who, once given the German citizenship some years ago, was required to prove she had renounced to her Brazilian citizenship. Japan and Brazil close an eye to dual citizenship for people who have both nationalities. Portugal and Brazil (Italy and Brazil, too) have a special agreement, and we can keep both. I don't know what are the parameters.

I will soon have the Portuguese citizenship, since my father has it and legally I am entitled to it. I should get it in some months, which is very funny since when I finally got it, I decided to leave Europe. But this will be helpful when going abroad; European citizens don't need a visa to many places I like as for instance the US and Japan. If one day I live in the US, I wonder if I can have three citizenships!

I would like Jason to keep his, even if once living in Brazil (and only then) he'll have the right to become a Brazilian citizen. My grandparents never renounced to theirs and thanks to that my father could claim it and so can I. We never know the future, and honestly, I'm proud of being Brazilian and I am proud of Jason being American. If I can't keep mine, I don't think I would change.

I have some good friends - one an Australian citizen, who married an American while over here and then took him back to Australia with her. They're lving in Sydney now with their baby. While the baby is going to have dual citizenship, they have noth maintained their citizenship in their birth countries and have permanent resident status in the other. It seems to have worked out, but they spent a lot of time doing paperwork over the last six years :(

Please, never underestimate the difficulties of moving to another country, especially if you have never lived outside of your home country or did not travel extensively abroad. Take my advice (I lived 13 years in 4 different countries and 3 different languages).

Do all you can to arrange a sort of trial period, take a sabbatical, a special leave or whatever from your job and spend not one week, not 2 or even 3 weeks, but at least a couple of months where you want to go.

The cultural schock, the language, the unspoken rules can all be very hard to overcome and adpat to. (Sorry if I am being very direct but this is especially true for americans).

And try to live these months in a "real life" situation, not a "vacation" situation (e.g. your loved one disappearing for 10/12 hours a day for his job ...)

Reading back my post I did not want to scare people, just make them think. If there is real love, it will overcome most of the trouble I guess...

Raven, I have sorta looked into this area, but your information was very heplful.

Luka, thank you for your insight and opinions. I know that Americans tend to think the world revolves around them and that most areas will be similar to ours, and are shocked when they discover many countries are not Living in a country that does not have English as their language does scare me, that is for sure, esp. since the country I am concerned about, Serbia, has a very difficult one to learn! But it is amazing in some areas how "American" they are in a way. For example, all of the American tv shows and movies are in English with Serbian subtitles. But I know the Serbian temperament and outlook on life is not like what I am use to at all! But since nothing has been discussed yet regarding anyone's emigration, this is all just conjecture and fascinating discussion!

I think you are giving precious advice! It's true that it's better to experience life together for a while before deciding anything for good, if this is possible.

And then, as your signature says so well, no pain, no gain!