What is life really like for immigrants? Do you want to emigrate?

[LotusBud]

Maybe we can have a discussion here about immigration that does NOT focus on anyone's hysteria over illegal immigration (that's a whole other topic that I have plenty to say about, and probably not what you think, but let's NOT talk about that here).

What is it like to emigrate to another country, from anywhere, to anywhere, and what are some of the reasons for doing it? What are the challenges? What are the things you learn? What are some of the good experiences? Coming or going, either one.

And does anyone here want to emigrate, but hasn't done so yet?

This shouldn't be a political issue, but I don't want another thread of mine to be moved, so here it is.

 

[Bastard Factory]

Two separate questions and topics... "And does anyone here want to emigrate, but hasn't done so yet?"

Imo should've led with this one in the title... more interesting topic... carry on

 

[LotusBud]

I am a LEGAL immigrant. In three more years I'll be able to live anywhere in the EU. Currently, I can live 7 months in Portugal and 5 months anywhere else.

Maybe I'll check out Sweden for 5 months out of the year.

 

[Omnipotent]

No one should immigrate unless they happen to fall in love and wish to marry someone from a different place,...

People should stay in their own countries and make them better places...

Turn deserts back into forests...

 

[LotusBud]

No one should immigrate unless they happen to fall in love and wish to marry someone from a different place,...

People should stay in their own countries and make them better places...

Turn deserts back into forests...

I am not asking you to spout your unbelievably fascistic ideas here.

I am asking people who have something interesting to say.

No matter where we are or where we end up, we should try to make it a better place.

 

[LotusBud]

How is it to learn a new language?

For me, Portuguese is a real challenge, but I'm getting better, little by little.

 

[deport_liberals]

I thought it was great until the pandemic. Then the reality of how isolated a life it is really sank in. I agree with omnipotent, only do it if you are running towards something, not running away.

 

[Oerdin]

I have US and UK citizenship by birth. Why would I want a third one? I already won the global lottery at birth.

 

[LotusBud]

I have US and UK citizenship by birth. Why would I want a third one?

I don't know.

 

[LotusBud]

I thought it was great until the pandemic. Then the reality of how isolated a life it is really sank in. I agree with omnipotent, only do it if you are running towards something, not running away.

Did Omni actually say that?

I still think it's great, in spite of the pandemic. That has been horrible everywhere.

 

[Oerdin]

Lotusbud says "no politics" then shits the place up with garbage politics. What a crappy person.

 

[deport_liberals]

I thought it was great until the pandemic. Then the reality of how isolated a life it is really sank in. I agree with omnipotent, only do it if you are running towards something, not running away.

Did Omni actually say that?

I still think it's great, in spite of the pandemic. That has been horrible everywhere.

It would have gone easier in the us with my family to talk to though.

 

[LotusBud]

I thought it was great until the pandemic. Then the reality of how isolated a life it is really sank in. I agree with omnipotent, only do it if you are running towards something, not running away.

Did Omni actually say that?

I still think it's great, in spite of the pandemic. That has been horrible everywhere.

It would have gone easier in the us with my family to talk to though.

Well, yes. But you have family there now, no?

 

[Omnipotent]

No one should immigrate unless they happen to fall in love and wish to marry someone from a different place,...

People should stay in their own countries and make them better places...

Turn deserts back into forests...

I am not asking you to spout your unbelievably fascistic ideas here.

I am asking people who have something interesting to say.

No matter where we are or where we end up, we should try to make it a better place.

I think my idea tops EVERY other idea.

Being an immigrant is unrightfully glamourized. I know the immigrants in my family LONGED to be with their kin. I was under the illusion, that my country was the best place for them.

I don't think there is ANYTHING WRONG with the notion of improving the land you were born on and not invading other people's territory.

 

[Oerdin]

I am a LEGAL immigrant. In three more years I'll be able to live anywhere in the EU. Currently, I can live 7 months in Portugal and 5 months anywhere else.

Maybe I'll check out Sweden for 5 months out of the year.

If you are going to go to Sweden you should definitely go to Malmo. Experience in real life might actually open your eyes. Either that or you will just visit for a short while without learning much and just declare everything wonderful.

 

[deport_liberals]

I thought it was great until the pandemic. Then the reality of how isolated a life it is really sank in. I agree with omnipotent, only do it if you are running towards something, not running away.

Did Omni actually say that?

I still think it's great, in spite of the pandemic. That has been horrible everywhere.

It would have gone easier in the us with my family to talk to though.

Well, yes. But you have family there now, no?

Yeah but nobody to talk to in my own language. That is tough.

 

[Omnipotent]

I thought it was great until the pandemic. Then the reality of how isolated a life it is really sank in. I agree with omnipotent, only do it if you are running towards something, not running away.

I had a Filipina aunty that married my uncle, she had breast cancer that was cured but died a few years back of bowel cancer. One of her brothers worked in Arabia... he got 1 week off a year where he went home to see his wife and 10 kids... I was absolutely horrified those 10 kids had an absent father... that a father would have to leave his country just to feed his kids.

It's WRONG!~

 

[Seamajor]

I thought it was great until the pandemic. Then the reality of how isolated a life it is really sank in. I agree with omnipotent, only do it if you are running towards something, not running away.

Did Omni actually say that?

I still think it's great, in spite of the pandemic. That has been horrible everywhere.

It would have gone easier in the us with my family to talk to though.

Well, yes. But you have family there now, no?

Yeah but nobody to talk to in my own language. That is tough.

How do you manage in Mexico, when you buy your meds?

 

[LotusBud]

I thought it was great until the pandemic. Then the reality of how isolated a life it is really sank in. I agree with omnipotent, only do it if you are running towards something, not running away.

Did Omni actually say that?

I still think it's great, in spite of the pandemic. That has been horrible everywhere.

It would have gone easier in the us with my family to talk to though.

Well, yes. But you have family there now, no?

Yeah but nobody to talk to in my own language. That is tough.

Oh. Now that would be tough. We have a dozen friends here who speak English, and I know that makes it easier. Aren't there any expat groups there? You live in a big city, right? Go to facebook (I know, but it's the best place) and look for groups in English in your area. Type in the name of your area in English. We have all kinds. Gardening, hiking, Portuguese classes, history, buy/sell/trade, immigration advice, etc.

 

[LotusBud]

I am a LEGAL immigrant. In three more years I'll be able to live anywhere in the EU. Currently, I can live 7 months in Portugal and 5 months anywhere else.

Maybe I'll check out Sweden for 5 months out of the year.

If you are going to go to Sweden you should definitely go to Malmo. Experience in real life might actually open your eyes. Either that or you will just visit for a short while without learning much and just declare everything wonderful.

Why do always have to be such a cock block?

I said I might visit for five months. Is that a short visit?

 

[Omnipotent]

The Doctor who starred in "The Killing Fields"

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...a true hero... found at the border helping poor people's medical issues instead of living in his mansion in the USA... when he did go back to the USA, he was murdered by Asian slugs.

Why do I bring him up... he went back home to help his people... That is sort of person I look up to...

Remember his name!~

Haing Somnang Ngor

 

[deport_liberals]

I thought it was great until the pandemic. Then the reality of how isolated a life it is really sank in. I agree with omnipotent, only do it if you are running towards something, not running away.

Did Omni actually say that?

I still think it's great, in spite of the pandemic. That has been horrible everywhere.

It would have gone easier in the us with my family to talk to though.

Well, yes. But you have family there now, no?

Yeah but nobody to talk to in my own language. That is tough.

Oh. Now that would be tough. We have a dozen friends here who speak English, and I know that makes it easier. Aren't there any expat groups there? You live in a big city, right? Go to facebook (I know, but it's the best place) and look for groups in English in your area. Type in the name of your area in English. We have all kinds. Gardening, hiking, Portuguese classes, history, buy/sell/trade, immigration advice, etc.

I was good before the pandemic when meeting and talking with acquaintances was still ok. The being stuck at home just existing was extremely depressing. The pandemic made me realize how fragile it all is without your family, in a totally different culture with different values and such.

 

[Dove]

I've never had a desire to live in any other country. I have plenty that I would visit. But I've never wanted to move from America.

I dont think I would even in the scenario Caskur gave. Leaving my state for a man was messy and emotionally traumatic enough lol

And that was just a long car ride and few DMV trips lol

 

[Omnipotent]

I think border was Thailand and Vietnam ... I can't be bothered looking it up.. I've been on aphotoshoot all day and I'm rooted!~

 

[deport_liberals]

I suppose i can put it this way. When I came here I knew what I was giving up and I calculated I was gaining more, which was true for a time. But with the pandemic all those gains were lost, more or less overnight.

 

[Dove]

I suppose i can put it this way. When I came here I knew what I was giving up and I calculated I was gaining more, which was true for a time. But with the pandemic all those gains were lost, more or less overnight.

So you left America for Turkey?

 

[Omnipotent]

I've never had a desire to live in any other country. I have plenty that I would visit. But I've never wanted to move from America.

I dont think I would even in the scenario Caskur gave. Leaving my state for a man was messy and emotionally traumatic enough lol

And that was just a long car ride and few DMV trips lol

I always thought a good length of time to visit a foreign country would be two years.

Only two sorts of people want to leave their countries... very, very poor or the very, very rich... middle classes are quite happy to stay in their own country.

 

[deport_liberals]

I suppose i can put it this way. When I came here I knew what I was giving up and I calculated I was gaining more, which was true for a time. But with the pandemic all those gains were lost, more or less overnight.

So you left America for Turkey?

Yep...more for personal reasons than anything else. Otherwise i know it doesnt make sense..lol.

 

[Omnipotent]

I suppose i can put it this way. When I came here I knew what I was giving up and I calculated I was gaining more, which was true for a time. But with the pandemic all those gains were lost, more or less overnight.

So you left America for Turkey?

Yep...more for personal reasons than anything else. Otherwise i know it doesnt make sense..lol.

Escape... go home!~

 

[Dove]

I've never had a desire to live in any other country. I have plenty that I would visit. But I've never wanted to move from America.

I dont think I would even in the scenario Caskur gave. Leaving my state for a man was messy and emotionally traumatic enough lol

And that was just a long car ride and few DMV trips lol

I always thought a good length of time to visit a foreign country would be two years.

Only two sorts of people want to leave their countries... very, very poor or the very, very rich... middle classes are quite happy to stay in their own country.

I've only been normal poor lol.

That makes sense though. I guess a lot has to do with perspective and that "grass is greener" mentality.

It's so much easier to pull out of poverty in America. Shit it's easier being poor in America than most other countries.