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Original poster

Does everyone want to live in the US?

846 replies

AteRiri · 22/12/2016 19:43

I was talking to an American friend and he made this blanket statement, "Everyone wants to come here!"

Is this true?

OP posts:
LeadPipe · 23/12/2016 19:27

pipe, I think the wider point is that all countries have serious problems in need of attention. This thread seems to ignore that and single out US as a special case.

It is a special case and it is worrisome that Americans don't understand that.

America is the superpower of the world. With power comes responsibility and with responsibility comes accountability -on a global platform.

And Americans first and foremost bear the responsibility to be critical of their country.

The nationalist rhetoric that places America above reproach is extremely dangerous.

WappersReturns · 23/12/2016 19:29

If I were single I'd probably live in one of the Northern states, wouldn't consider any of the southern states though.
I wouldn't want to bring up my children there. That's not a reflection on the millions of perfectly lovely American people at all, it's a societal preference.
I'm English and I decided I didn't want to bring up my children in England either! I'm not offended Grin
I genuinely dislike England as a place to live, work and raise a family. I'd be devastated if I ever had to move back there just as I'd be devastated if I ever had to move to the US. If it's any consolation to those of you upset by this thread, the chocolate is mostly shit here too Wink

RufusTheSpartacusReindeer · 23/12/2016 19:30

pipe, I think the wider point is that all countries have serious problems in need of attention. This thread seems to ignore that and single out US as a special case.a

Well its a thread about moving to america...

I think america is fine, massive diversity of climate and landscapes.

There are bit i dont like about it but there are bits i dont like about the uk

Its not the fault of americans on here that your chocolate isnt any good....that would be the cows fault. And paydays are awesome

RufusTheSpartacusReindeer · 23/12/2016 19:32

wappers

How very dare you!!! Shock

British chocolate is good(ish)

midsomermurderess · 23/12/2016 19:34

Good god no, and the next 4 maybe 8 years, out of the question.

Slightlyperturbedowlagain · 23/12/2016 19:34

Surely the point of the thread is not denigrating any particular country but raising eyebrows at the 'national ego' of a person complaining that 'everyone wants to live in my country'. Cos clearly that is never the case for anywhere.

sn0wne · 23/12/2016 19:37

Good God no! I have zero interest in the US. I've been to Toronto and it was all shopping malls, freeways and junk food. I imagine America's even worse. Plus the racism - I'm not white and don't fancy getting arrested or worse for looking at a policeman funny

FudgeBiscuits · 23/12/2016 19:38

Not even a little. Too many Americans.Shock

BantyCustards · 23/12/2016 19:40

I'm certainly not anti-septic-tank, Seneca. As I already said some of the best people so know come from my time in the USA. However, the intolerance and social inequalities I experienced over there was utterly shocking - and I come from one of the more deprived areas in the UK). To visit New Oroeans 5 years after Katrina and find it still looking like a set from Thd Walking Dead (and to know that people were basically left to rot because they were predominantly non-white in Katrina's aftermath) is horrific to contemplate. And as I also noted, to return to the UK 6 years later to find that it had taken such s massive step towards similar attitudes is one of the reasons why I want absolutely nothing to do with the USA. It's a world leader in many things - greed and bigotry being one of them and it's a huge shame that the UK is wanting to 'keep up with the Joneses'.

AppleMagic · 23/12/2016 19:40

It's a big country and very politically diverse. My city (and neighbourhood in particular) is significantly more left-leaning than where I lived in the UK.

I did find that my labour here was more medicalised than my UK births, but the flip side of that was that I was offered adequate pain relief (my local maternity hospital is even getting gas and air soon) and postnatal support.

LeadPipe · 23/12/2016 19:40

Alright, WappersReturns where are ye?

I prefer the British chocolate bizarrely, in spite of having grown up noshing mostly American chocolate.

BayaGoji · 23/12/2016 19:48

You're perfectly welcome on MN, Seneca. But if you're this easily upset, then you probably won't want to stay for long anyway.

oldlaundbooth · 23/12/2016 19:59

I love how people are raving about the healthcare system : it only costs 50k etc Confused

Great : IF you happen to have 50k through great employment to spend on healthcare. What if you don't? You're fucked.

As a PP said lots of people are stuck in shit jobs to pay for their kid's diabetes medicine or whatever. They have you by the balls.

The US is like many places, great if you are wealthy.

oldlaundbooth · 23/12/2016 20:02

And 99% of these posts aren't anti American per se, they are anti America. Big difference.

Indoctrination at its finest I'd say, unable to handle any criticism at all.

NinjaLeprechaun · 23/12/2016 20:09

"Good God no! I have zero interest in the US. I've been to Toronto and it was all shopping malls, freeways and junk food. I imagine America's even worse."
Well based on that logic, do you think that somebody who doesn't like London shouldn't go to France? Confused
Also, even most Canadians I know don't want to go to Toronto.

TeaPleaseLouise · 23/12/2016 20:09

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

OhMrsQ · 23/12/2016 20:35

Hmm.
I do understand the worry of guns, misogny, racism and the complete twunt who is going to be in power next year.
All countries have flaws. Racism, sexism, homophobia is not limited to the US.
When I did my first round the world trip, I was so excited about a certain country (which I shan't name in case of offense) but not America. When I arrived it blew me away. The scenery is diverse and beautiful. The people I found interesting and for the most part, friendly. I also travelled round on a Greyhound bus, so I was able to see a variety of small towns as well as the standard large cities. When I had the opportunity to move here, I jumped at the chance.
Admittedly I am in an incredibly liberal city. Its also the most expensive one to live in over here, and I'm a struggling artist as poor as a church mouse! I am trying so very hard to get my citizenship. I do not want to leave. I have fallen in love with this country, with all its faults, and wish more people would not dismiss it straight out as a bland place full of shopping malls with a gun toting crackhead on every corner.
And I am not a Christian, rich, middle class straight female either.

Happy holidays all

Peace from Cali

Dozer · 23/12/2016 20:41

I might seriously consider Stars Hollow.

Atenco · 23/12/2016 21:05

Unfortunately some American tourists are no advertisement for America.

Because Mexico is so easily accessible to them, we often get the worst of them. Extremely uneducated louts who think that, by dint of being American they obviously know much more than Mexicans. Who, when a Mexican speaks bad English, take that as is a sign of lack of intelligence. And some of my best friends are American Grin

CoteDAzur · 23/12/2016 21:19

God no.

Everyone for themselves. Very superficial social interactions. The ignorance and self-importance. Religion in your face. Freezing cold public spaces, summer or winter. And I can't stand "How are you doing today?" from everyone, knowing full well that they don't care to hear the answer one bit.

BantyCustards · 23/12/2016 21:29

Yes Cote, in the pursuit of the almighty $ there has been a widespread campaign to make everyone 'feel good' - customer is king and all that and any sincerity has been lost in a sea of saccharine. And again I say - in the past 10 years the U.K. us quickly catching up.

midcenturymodern · 23/12/2016 21:30

Not a chance. There are a lot of beautiful places and I'm sure there are many nice things about America but the 'Greatest country in the world' and 'The American Dream' are beyond wanky.

As national slogans they smack of 'me first' and the attitude towards women (particularly reproductive rights and bodily autonomy) and guns and healthcare do rather back it up.

I wouldn't mind visiting NY on holiday and I think New England looks beautiful and I bet you can have an amazing time on a horse riding holiday or visiting yellowstone etc but I wouldn't live there for quids.

TheOtherGalen · 23/12/2016 21:35

*I was talking to an American friend and he made this blanket statement, "Everyone wants to come here!"

Is this true?*

Of course it's not true. Duh. When have you ever heard a blanket statement regarding everyone's beliefs about any country that's true?

Moreover, it's not true that all Americans automatically think what your friend thinks. Your friend sounds kind of like a dick, to be honest. And you posting this seems rather like an open invitation for people to rag on America.

BayaGoji · 23/12/2016 21:42

When have you ever heard a blanket statement regarding everyone's beliefs about any country that's true?

When have you ever heard a blanket statement regarding everyone's beliefs about ANYTHING that's true?

Original poster
AteRiri · 23/12/2016 21:51

And you posting this seems rather like an open invitation for people to rag on America.

It was a question out of curiosity if this is true - or at least, with the majority.

I am not from the UK and originally came from a country where most would jump at the chance to migrate to a first world country. I wanted to know if the American dream is also true for citizens of developed nations.

OP posts: