I've given thought about trying to move to another country. For those who have done it, can you give me any advice? I'm figuring you have to get a work visa first, then perhaps a residence license, and then perhaps if it works out you can apply for citizenship.
I think the country is going to pot and it ain't going to get better.
It depends on what you are looking for, your skill set, and your willingness (and ability) to become fluent in another language. There are various culture shocks that may, or may not, bother you. Gas prices, grocery selection, housing, cost of goods, firearm controls, and taxes may not be to your liking in many countries. On the other hand, if you are seeking universal health care, enjoy walking, don't mind public transit it may be attractive.
The safest bet for any American is Canada and Australia whose product diversity and lifestyle opportunities are most like the US (although it is said that Australian taxes are high by American or Canadian standards). On the other hand, the UK and Europe are far different and, these days, economically challenged. And anywhere in the under-developed world you will be subject to issues of safety (in addition to culture shock).
New Zealand is also a possibility. The climate is very moderate, the landscape generally gorgeous, and the opportunities for home ownership and a few acres comparable to the US (although the Auckland area is rapidly becoming an example of "California" disease). The people are very friendly (unless they are driving) and easy to engage. You would, however, have to become accustomed to grocery and retail stores not being as diversely stocked, significantly more expensive, etc. For example:
- I enjoy cooking. However, in my stay I had to get used to the fact that the product variety in NZ supermarkets are about 2/3rds to 3/4s that of my local Safeway or Lucky market (and in the US I live in a below average economic area). One will not find various fat content mixes of ground beef (minced) as we do here (4, 7, 10, 15, 20 percent beef), ground turkey, many cuts and forms of chicken, etc. On the other hand, you will find far more variety in cuts of ham and lamb. For those with more specific tastes in various Mexican (etc.) ethnic products may be disappointed.
- I enjoy making pottery and ceramics. However, while NZ potters are very active, sources of supply are not nearly as available (and sometimes very expensive). Nelson is one of NZ's most popular and economically vibrant towns but in spite of its size and location, there is no pottery supply store. So a store that sells NZ pots and ceramics stocks, in its back room, stocks supplies that it sells to the many distant potters across the north of South Island.
- I suspect that you would find that the broad range of hobbies and avocations are one of the American lifestyle options that are less available in many or most other countries. My impression is that no country offers (except Canada) the diversity of life experience choice. Woodworking, pottery, boat building, shooting, off-road vehicle building, muscle cars, hunting, sailing, recreational vehicle living, etc. are not, as a whole, widely available elsewhere. Yes, NZ is great for those into boats and sailing, but in other areas not so much.
Hence - if you like sailing, great beers, wine, hiking, rose growing, gardening and lamb you might like NZ. If you enjoy handgun shooting, pottery making, Mexican food, jacked up pickups and SUVs, or new cars (most cars are imported used cars), low fat cooking, etc. you might be disappointed.
On the whole, I would recommend to any young person to apply for immigration to NZ...the job experience is valuable and you can always return if its not to your liking.
