This was inspired by something moif said in the "America's Image" thread. For those who currently live in the US, let's say that for some reason you couldn't. Maybe you got framed in a horrible murder. Maybe the dictatorship of the left/right/whatever declared you an enemy of the state for adhering to your own beliefs. The question is:

Where would you go, and why?

After having been there, I'd say Australia. They're a lot like us, almost eerily so sometimes. Given their history it's no surprise that they're reluctant to judge others too quickly, resulting in a strong egalitarian strain. Their own frontier days were harsh enough and near enough that they still place great value on both self-reliance and bonds of friendship. They distrust intrusive government just as we do. What they lack are some of the stupider political divisions and the arrogance that seems to have come with "sole superpower" status. They think they're in the race, not that they've already won it. Plus, of course, the country is beautiful.

I'd have to say that Australia might not even be my second choice. It might be my first. I still think seriously about moving there, if not now then maybe in a few years when I've played my part and made my fortune in startup-land. And I don't think anyone here except maybe Alan Wood can appreciate what it means for someone who grew up in New Zealand to pass up Godzone for Oz.

I've never been to Australia, but it sounds wonderful.

I think I would move to Austria, but I would first have to learn the language. I like the quality of life over there, and the orderliness. It is a wonderfully child-friendly environment, and the people are very nice. There are hiking and biking trails everywhere, and most things are within easy walking distance.

I remember e mailing my father after visiting that heaven on earth. I told him I would give up my American citizenship in a minute if I could live on one of those simple and beautifully picturesque Austrian farms. He told me I'd better wake at 4 AM and milk a few cows for a while before buying that farm.

I would head to scotland, (at least initially) for one, they already speak english, and I feel strongly connected to that land (there is or was an area named kelsoland, for the kelso's, from which most of my ancestory comes) otherwise I may just wander til I find someplace.

Australia, i believe, was founded by political criminals from England who were exiled. I'd go to Australia. It's got room to roam in the desert and Sydney is a nice place to live

If I could live anywhere else I would go to the Bahamas or Jamaica. If I needed a real job I would go to Canada or Britain.

Mostly just common criminals, actually - the sort who probably neither knew nor cared much about politics. Except for South Australia; that was settled by free people and rumor has it that they're a bit touchy about being lumped together with all of those convict folk.



It's an absolutely amazing place to visit, but I've heard a surprising number of people say it's built for the tourists and not all that great a place to live. Hobart seemed like the most "livable" city we visited, and I've heard many great things about Adelaide, but I'd probably end up somewhere around Melbourne for various reasons.

If you moved, would you change your name to goaustralia?

maybe

I would like to see the Sydney Opera House.

I would move to Norway in a heartbeat, and if not Norway, I would default to one of the other Scandinavian countries, particularly Iceland or Sweden. They have a high standard of living, high quality of education, good medical care, low unemployment rates, a sustainable economy, good environmental polices, and the landscape is absolutely breathtaking.

I'd probably go back to Ireland - that's what happened the last time the dictatorship of the right declared me an enemy of the state for adhering to my beliefs. Plus, of course, my sons are there - and loads of good friends - and probably a job. If it had to be somewhere else, I'd go with the Netherlands or, to be really safe, New Zealand.

What about Switzerland?

That would be my second choice. My other family is over there (Aebersold is my maiden name), but I don't speak German, so I'd have to learn. It's a true paradise, in both environment and culture. Not much entertainment, though, other than skiing.

I'd move to Italy, Rome specifically. Rome is such a beautiful city. Besides I'd go there to see all of the Roman ruins. I could easily spend a lifetime studying them, and if I got tired of that I could study Latin (which I can't seem to do here anymore since the local school board cut Latin III-IV). And after I exhausted the history in Rome there are plenty of other places in Italy to study.