Does everyone want to live in the US?

[AteRiri]

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

Is this true?

There are advantages and disadvantages, like anywhere.

And it's a hugely diverse country. San Fran, New York, Dallas, New Orleans, Kansas City - would all be wildly different experiences.

There are plenty on this thread keen to quash it without actually knowing much about life there, I suspect. Many parts of the country have much to recommend them.

At the same time it's far from a given that everyone wants to live there. That feels like a 1980s notion.

I can't wait to visit one day! There are some really vibrant cities and stunning landscapes. The climates and scenery is so varied! It also feels a big part of my life because of films and tv shows. But I wouldn't want to live there.. with the healthcare and gun laws. I wouldn't be able to relax knowing so many people are carrying one.. I love England too much aswell!

I just think of that poor bloke who couldn't afford health insurance who had to push his 10 stone testicles around on a trolley. He lived in Vegas.
How can a first world country have a health care system only for the people who can afford it?

I would for a year or so. But I like variety, and don't think my birth country is perfect. Wouldn't emigrate permanently though.

My DD is desperate to visit there but the guns put me off.

No way in hell would I live there. A holiday maybe, at some point. Not sure atm. I have a feeling the already trigger happy folk in the US will become even more trigger happy when the reality of Trump hits home.

I'm sure there are some lovely places and people there, but the guns concern me. I genuinely cannot wrap my head around their attitude towards weapons. Your children are shooting each other dead, ffs. Get rid of the guns.

Absolutely not. Ever. Under any circumstances.

And I have seen that statement ('everyone wants to come here') made a lot by USAians.

Errr nope think Trump nuff said ! Catastrophe waiting to happen heaven help em !

As a recent immigrant to the US I'm not feeling the MN-love at the moment!

I live in the upper Midwest. I like it (and was initially reluctant to move here, citing many of the reasons given above). My city is liberal and welcoming, the schools, libraries and parks are wonderful, and the Americans we've met are kind, compassionate and committed to the community; almost every family we know is involved in community service in one way or another.

We're lucky to have good healthcare via my husband's job, and we live in a nice area, where we can walk to everything (school, grocery store, restaurants etc). We left Canada to move here, and it is a great country, but every country has its issues.

I don't think I want to stay here forever, but it has pleasantly surprised me.

Seneca -i think when people say no healthcare they mean that it is all private, so you absolutely have to have insurance ( although I know there is now obamacare, but I think that's for the poorest).
For us in the UK this is pretty shocking. We never have to worry about affording healthcare if we lose our jobs or end up with a serious illness ( although the Tories want to change that).

Another problem for me living in the us would be the 2 week annual leave if I was working.

No! Specially now!

My 11 year old boy walks to school. No gun control in the school and no shoot outs.
We have a half-decent health care and social services.

And we're in one of EU countries that has been battling economic difficulties.

I lived there for several years and whilst I wouldn't want to stay permanently, it is a fabulous country with so many different opportunities to see great things and have memorable adventures. However there were too many things like the lack of gun control, extreme political and religious opinions, the medical system and now, Trump, that would deter me from making it my home long-term.

I love living in the UK and for all its faults, wouldn't want to live anywhere else on a permanent basis.

But it's the image that anti-immigration campaigners give, isn't it?

That everyone is desperately trying to get in and the US has to work hard to keep everyone at bay.
Worse, that they are the best society ever, with the best democratic system in place. It's laughable.

No. Nice place to visit. But a place where many people can't afford to have a long-term condition like epilepsy or diabetes is not my idea of civilization.

Only about 1/4 eligible voters (i.e not even 1/4 of everyone) voted for Trump. That doesn't change the fact that he won, but it does suggest Americans aren't all rabid fans of the Orange One.

I don't think anyone thinks all Americans are Trump fans. I feel massive sympathy for those Americans who are devastated by his win.

In time I may even feel some sympathy for some of those who voted for him!

His tweet today on nuclear weapons. Absolute head in hands stuff.

I live in the US, in the Midwest. Certainly the country had its issues - as does every country - but I can honestly say that I've never spent any amount of time "wondering if I'm going to get shot." Now on a night out in almost any city in England, on the other hand, my American husband is often concerned about looking at someone the wrong way and getting glassed...

Ten stone testicles?

It was on TV and still no one gave him medical care?

No, not remotely.

I've been a couple of times and not really enjoyed it.

Is your friend Texan? I have friends in Texas and they say it is assumed that you have achieved life's ultimate dream if you get a job in the states...

Wow. A almost totally unamerican thread. I'm a Brit living in NYC. There are certainly parts of the US that wouldn't be my first choice to live in for lots of reasons including politics, weather, transportation and all sorts of other things. But there are lots of places which are full of great people who think the same way as me on lots of things. Beautiful scenery, history, strong and welcoming communities. Saying you'd never live here is like saying you'd never live anywhere in Europe.

Nope.

And I've visited twice. It has a lot going for it (bigger houses, nice climate, beautiful scenery) but far more against it.

Guns, death penalty, earthquakes, Trump, insular. Ugh .

Fuck no. It's nice for a holiday but - healthcare. Too much religion. Awful politics. No welfare state to speak of. Appalling drivers. Guns.

Also I'm a chameleon when it comes to accents so I'd end up with an awfully weird twangy accent.

Though, actually... They do have some really great ski resorts. #WhenThreadsCollide

No! Not even if they paid me to move there.

I don't like to think our American friends being hurt by this thread so I'd like to put forward Wyoming scenery, South Dakota scenery (like being a cowboy film), lobster rolls, Johnny Cash, Dollywood, Paul Rudd, really genuinely friendly people, confidence, and cheese burgers as bloody marvellous American things!

I'm not saying I wouldn't move there if a job opportunity came up. I'm just saying I would choose to.

I currently live in a country that mostly noone would choose to live in if it weren't for the money. Again, I am here but I wouldn't choose it.

I would choose Italy.