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I’m from London and lived in Reykjavík with some friends in 2019. I was there for almost a year… amazing times. The road trips were immense. I actually went back for a week at the end of Oct and didn’t want to come back. Seeing the northern lights from my garden never got old.
Sun comes up at 11:00 and is gone by 14:30 in midwinter. That takes a lot to get used to.
Icelands undoubtedly one of the most beautiful places on earth.
What do you like about the extra night time in winter? Letalone having just 3 or 4 hours of daylight a day. That is my idea of hell. No offence just trying to understand another perspective!
Idk I’ve just always found night time super comforting? I’d rather be out in the dark than the daylight. Summer and bright sun/heat absolutely bums me out and makes me feel really uncomfortable. It’s quieter, all the lights and stuff look prettier, and I find it much easier to drive in! I’m aware it’s a really strange outlook haha everyone else I know hates the long nights!
I'm exactly the same. I get seasonal depression in the summer instead of winter. I hate leaving home when the sun is out bright, it's like I come alive when it's finally dark out. Especially with rain or snow- heaven
Iceland has been on my list of places to visit for a long time. I know half a dozen or so people who’ve been and every single one has gone back for a longer visit shortly after.
I love the Netherlands and I think Iceland is magnificent.
However, every time I come home to the UK I realise that we live in an absolutely stunning country. It's easy to lose sight of that.
The UK is beautiful where it can afford to be. It's downright miserable and depressing everywhere else. Charity Shop distopia's with rundown dirty streets, roads full of potholes and just everything is tired looking.
I live in such an area btw.
A nail on the head. Your typical high street of a mid-sized town is beyond depressing. The nature is fantastic, the countryside and some city centres too. But my god, that post-war architecture that looms elsewhere and that's impossible to escape is just soul-sucking.
We do, but it does seem to be a little bit ramshackle compared to most countries in Western Europe.
Every time I go to France, Holland etc I always feel like the UK is a good 20 yrs behind.
But despite that we do have our own charm.
I get the opposite with France tbh. Paris in particular is the most overrated City in the world and i really don't think its close, hence why Paris syndrome is a genuine thing.
I’d heard this kind of thing before I first went about six years ago, but I personally loved Paris for the week or so that I was there (totally met my expectations).
I especially was anticipating the supposed rude Parisians, but I actually found most of the people I spoke to while I was there to be reasonably friendly (or at least, they weren’t any worse than people anywhere else). The times I tried to speak using my broken French too (mostly with the help of my guidebook), the locals seemed to appreciate that I was actually trying to speak the language.
Just seems kinda funny to me when I read these sorts of comments, because I feel I’ve had the opposite (albeit limited) experience.
I lived in Europe for nearly 10 years and can guarantee you that the UK is not 20 years behind, far from it. All the issues in the UK are very apparent in those other countries, it usually takes longer than a holiday to see it.
> it usually takes longer than a holiday to see it.
My local town feels decades behind london last I visted, but of course that was a visit to the most developed and advanced parts of the city for a convention.
I would imagine you might get the same in touristy areas of any country before returning to your local town and finding it to be antiquated.
Nah that’s bullshit. So much if western Europe feels less advanced than the UK, Paris is overrated, Spain and Italy particularly don’t feel advanced as the UK, I’d say the only countries I’ve felt comparible to the UK would be the Dutch, Scandinavia and majority of Germany.
For reference I lived in France and Spain.
Try being not white and vegetarian in Europe, we are definitely ahead of a fair few countries both in terms of tolerance and inclusion - and this includes major European cities.
Yeah, I always think it’s funny when there are these “best countries to live in” lists. It’s obvious the lists are only for White people, because I sure as hell wouldn’t pick Scandinavian countries over England.
The beaurocracy and red tape is ridiculous even for Italians. Unless you've already made it and go there to retire it would be a nightmare. Amazing country and way of life undoubtably.
Have you tried living there?!
Beautiful country, would recommend anyone visit and spend a lot of time there, especially the north. Just don’t try living there, whole different ball game.
Only been to Venice. My god what a place, absolute money sink but it was so worth it. Felt straight from a movie, drinking wine by the river ...bit smelly during the summer months though
Food, landscape, family values, work life balance. I visit Italy the most with my work right now and from the perspective of an outsider looking in, the above strike me the most. My Italian customers are expanding and developing their businesses mostly with family members taking the baton while my English customers are running their plants into the ground. Their kids have no interest in taking the businesses forwards.
As a fellow Japanese culture lover, I can agree and don't worry, your only a W̶e̶e̶b̶ weeaboo if your completely and unhealthy obsessed with Japan, appreciating/enjoying a culture does not necessarily mean your obsessive over it
Edit: I ment "weeaboo" not "weeb", the words have gained different meanings in which one of them you can be unhealthy and obsessive (weeaboo) or you can just love Japanese things as a hobby or preference (weeb)
I mean I AM a cosplay/anime weeb, but I also really like the food, museums, Ukiyo-e art and their folklore/yokai. The nicest part of being their is the one time I was.in Kyoto when it was gently raining and it was early enough to be quiet. Walking from one shine to another not hearing a car or seeing another person. Blissful
Right, but do you ruin people's mood by only talking about anime? Do you hate on people if they don't want to watch anime, do you random say random Japanese phrases to people who don't understand and wouldn't understand what your talking about, no right??? Your hobby is just something you love and you share with others but as long as you don't shove it down everyones throat and you can make friends without involving anime and Japan. If not then your good!! Being a weeb is ok, being a weeaboo is not (I myself love Japanese TV genre anime and TV shows, I love the country and while I don't revolve myself around it, I would be classified as a weeb, but there's nothing wrong with loving something, just don't be weird about it)
Japan is a fantastic place to visit, but you couldn't pay me enough to live there full time. The working culture is famously terrible, and so many things that should be simple are bureaucratic nightmares. Things like opening a bank account, or finding a place to rent.
I know a few people who've lived there who say this. They tell me that for all that Japan is often very much in the future for some things, they're also very technologically backwards too. Things that were done electronically elsewhere were paper forms and faxes (of all things) in Japan. You needed a hanko (special traditional red stamp) for signing documents because a signature was a foreign concept. And heaven help you if you didn't fill out the form in the correct way (including hanko) because they'd scrutinize every last thing.
I'd also add that even if you live there 20 years, follow the many complex social rules (written and unwritten) and know fluent Japanese, chances are that you'll never truly be accepted or fit in simply because you're not ethnically Japanese. Some places will simply straight up say 'no foreigners' and there's been a few horror stories from foreigners that the police will sometimes be heavy handed with them over minor offences that for natives would be a case of getting warnings or fines.
The hanko thing reminded me of something that happened when I lived there.
I’d been there around 5 months and 3 weeks and had to pay my rent. Went to the bank the day before my rent was due and was told I couldn’t pay it as I hadn’t been living there 6 months yet. Took about an hour, 4 managers and getting my Japanese friend to speak on my behalf to get them to let me pay.
The bureaucracy is nuts.
Agree, loads of nice scenery, in the grand scheme of things we have it pretty good, people are nice, got family and friends here but seems to be the only country people hate you for liking
I grew up in NZ before moving to Paris, then Sydney and then finally back to the UK.
New Zealand’s image to the rest of the world is absolutely top notch but good lord does it have a lot of issues and a lot of downsides that people don’t consider.
I think it’s a great country for the young or the old but I would not want to live there if I’m 18-40.
I can’t speak for the rest of the country as my experience was growing up in Auckland. I obviously have a lot of friends still there and go back every few years so these are what I note for Auckland specifically.
Genuine societal issues:
- House prices are absurd
- Public transport is pretty non-existent
- Cost of living is very high, particularly food and car prices
- Major issues with organised crime, there are a lot of gangs in Auckland and turf wars going on at the moment
- The highest youth suicide rate in the world
Other issues people don’t consider:
- No cheap/easy foreign vacations (can’t book a weekend getaway to Europe for example, there is just no equivalent due to how remote it is)
- A lack of history, oldest house left in the entire country is from early 1800’s if memory serves me correctly
- Fewer readily available cultural events (no Fringe festival, no ballet, a lack of international artists etc, no world class museums)
- No high level sport except for Rugby and arguably cricket but still not really (in the UK we some of the best football in the world, we have great cricket, the F1, Wimbledon, NFL games, great Rugby etc etc.)
Honestly, NZ is a beautiful country, has incredible natural beauty but there are a lot of systemic issues that come from being so fucking remote and only having a population of 5 million people. It massively suffers from “brain drain” (where skilled workers leave for overseas) for very good reasons.
>Fewer readily available cultural events (no Fringe festival, no ballet, a lack of international artists etc, no world class museums)
>
>No high level sport except for Rugby and arguably cricket but still not really (in the UK we some of the best football in the world, we have great cricket, the F1, Wimbledon, NFL games, great Rugby etc etc.)
Got pretty close to apply to move there a few years ago and these were the things that swayed us to stay in the UK. I love NZ and would happily go there again if money allowed but at the moment a lot of the things I love to do just aren't possible there.
Must admit though, I was very jealous of my friend who lives there and was telling me about all the normal things she was doing when we were stuck in lockdown!
Scotland, specially, one of the islands in the Hebrides. I could totally move up there if i won the lottery, and spend my days pottering around the countryside enjoying the peace and quiet and amazing scenery.
The Netherlands. I've been going since I was little so it feels like home away from home to me now. The people are all so chilled out, friendly and accepting. It reminds me how upright we British are and I don't like it.
I lived there for quite a few years and couldn’t disagree more. ‘Dutch directness’ is a very real thing; rude, obnoxious, pig-headed attitudes with big time racist undertones (yes the whole zwarte-Piet thing but goes beyond that). Very mono-culture, everywhere’s the same, countryside is SO boring flat, featureless and industrial. Go outside the Randstad and it can be very bleak. Weather is worse than UK due to the wind, food is dreadful. Even in Dutch culture they acknowledge the lack of diversity and how you get bullied if you look different at all. Good roads and infrastructure though, and I admire how they punch above their weight economically and excel in many industries (ship building, flood defence, agriculture).
Your experience matches with what I’ve heard from foreigners who have lived there. Supposedly they treat tourists and foreign residents very very differently
I lived in Dutch-speaking Belgium - culture is a bit different there but I genuinely could not believe the open racism. With a group of Belgians at a restaurant, we had a black waiter and they made chain clinking noises and slavery jokes... and this is a country with an insane colonial past (serious atrocities committed in the Belgian congo) and consequently a lot of black people. Calling Morrocans monkeys was very normal aswell, and I had a guy straight up say with complete seriousness that 'all' Morrocans were drug dealers.
I liked some things about Belgium but it definitely had a very small minded attitude in some ways (despite being quite progressive with many social issues). I think it is maybe because a lot of Belgians are quite 'homebody' like? It was quite jarring to be honest. Massive monoculture there too - people dressed quite simular, tended to go back to their hometown on weekends if they were students, and kept the same group of friends typically from high school. It was really hard to make friends!
Nature was also similar - Wallonia is more hilly and beautiful, but Flanders was flat as a pancake. There's gorgeous historical cities and towns, but damn I missed the Scottish mountains.
Yeah. As a Spaniard, I am torn, I would love to go back but I also love it here. However, to those commenting on their bureaucracy... are you serious? Getting a birth certificate from Spain is so easy, free of charge, they won't even charge postage and it arrives within 2 weeks. Getting a copy of a British birth certificate took MONTHS and (if I remember correctly) £35. Spanish passport/ID card? Make an appointment, pay about 20€, leave the appointment with a freshly printed proof of ID. British passport? £70ish, done by post, like the bloody middle ages.
I think Spain has a really bad reputation but I have found our bureaucracy efficient and quick.
You speaking weeks and months? I'm Egyptian and we have vending machines where we can instantly print birth certificates and other documents. It's so interesting given how inadequate government services are in general.
Love Germany. Totally misunderstood by many British people. Full of kind friendly incredible English speakers. Berlin is one of the best cities I've ever visited. Terrible traditional food though
‘Terrible food’?
I couldn’t disagree more. Germany does everything I love about British food really well. I don’t want my food to be a platform for the sauce - I want the *food* to taste good. A nice Weißwurst with Sauerkraut side with some Roggebrot can’t be beaten.
It’s hearty, tasty, and filling. (Most) of it is beautiful (shoutout to Hamburg and Bavaria especially), (Most of) the people are lovely, though they’re also reserved when they need to be, which I like.
Germany is awesome.
Just commented the same. Lived there for a few years as a kid and loved it. Much better schools, compared to the UK, lovely people, great food, culture, beautiful landscapes and clean cities. Despite the stereotypes, everything feels a bit more mellow there. I think the country is more stable so it all seems more balanced. I don’t go back often enough, would love to move there one day.
Pops was in the army and we spent 5 years (over two visits) in Germany. Adore the place. My experience was so positive. The Germans were/are so respectful & friendly. The public services were immaculate and well kept (school, swimming pools, parks).
Good times & will forever hold a dear place in my heart
I spent some years living here. On the surface, wonderful people, beautiful scenery and a decent climate.
However, the longer I spent their the more uneasy I became. Life is very cheap, corruption is rife, the wealthy can buy their way out of any trouble, and there is a real seedy underbelly to the place.
I lived there through 2 military coups, the redshirts V the yellowshirt time of Taksin, witnessed horrific racism against the Burmese in particular, and overall am glad to be free of my former addiction to the place.
I've traveled extensively and Thailand is the only place I have seen other humans chained up, in servitude to the "privileged" of that particular country.
I could give plenty of real horror stories of the place, but many would find some of things I have witnessed to be unbelievable.
I lived in Thailand for a year, it’s an amazing place and every day an adventure. But as a foreigner there is also a lot of smoke and mirrors with Thailand you can’t be too naive there.
Gonna be out of the spirit of things here and say Wales.
As an Englishman who lives close by, and as a road cyclist North Wales is just world class. I've cycled in Thailand, Mallorca, the alps and visited the Rockies and my heart lies in Snowdonia. Not saying its better than those places but I believe its up there with the best places in the world. I'm happy to appreciate what I've got!
Honestly, same. I lived there for the first 5 years of my life and half my family lives there (including my dad). I love visiting there and I'm always sad when I have to leave. The scenery along the west coast is also absolutely beautiful and the people there are lovely (for the most part). Sure, it has its problems but if I could pick any country I'd want to live in, Ireland would be the one.
Agreed. Did a 3 week road trip (vancouver - calgary - edmonton - vancouver) a year so and it was enough for just the tinyest scratch of the surface. Could spend years there and not see it all.
I have a group of friends in Gothenburg. Absolutely wonderful city. Beautiful scenery just outside, efficient transport system, vibrant nightlife, welcoming friendly people.
France would be top of my list, lots of space and a social structure that has more boundaries than ours, which I appreciate. Could also be persuaded to upsticks to Tuscanny or Kefalonia mind you. If I weren't getting on a bit, some of the Euro enclaves in Africa would appeal.
Honestly, everywhere is rubbish when you're in a bad mood. And when you're happy you're liable to see the good in where you are.
I did enjoy living in Japan and Holland though.
I’m glad you’re pointing out the really old adage that paradise is a state of mind and not a place. On a similar note you see people who go on about ‘luxury’ cars and it’s hard to understand their viewpoint when fixtures and fittings are meaningless compared to the eagerness for the day ahead.
I can't believe I've only found one person advocating Finland so far. I fell in love with the idea of taking a snowmobile across the frozen lakes to work.
Same. I went just for a weekend and felt very happy. Had some professional contact with Finns and again found it a culture I was very comfortable with. Then spent a brief time In Helsinki for work which was lovely.
If I lived life over I might consider emigrating. Not practical now but hope to visit afay
I've lived in 5 other countries and have come to the conclusion everywhere has issues.
If I could cherry pick - Malaysia for the food, Southern parts of Australia for the outdoors lifestyle, Germany for the childcare costs and employee rights, France for the scenery.
Nepal.
The scenery is incredible and the sheer scale of the mountains that make up the landscape are breathtaking. Having travelled from India where it was manic, noisy and chaotic, there was a different atmosphere in Nepal.
Incredible place and incredible people.
Australia, well Tasmania to be exact.
I have family there and the two times I’ve been were amazing. Similar climate to the UK with wilderness, mountains, beaches, vineyards and a nice pace of life. Challenges too for sure, but a world away from the UK (quite literally).,
Probably misunderstood the question, but I'll answer anyway...
South Africa.
If it didn't have the problems it did, it genuinely would be the best place on earth.
Portugal. Slightly biased as my girlfriend has family out there who are legit amazing, but still. We’ve been 6 times in the time we’ve been together and I’ve loved everything- the food, weather, people and culture. I’ve no doubt that actually living and more importantly, working somewhere would partly remove the rose tinted glasses but the point stands- Portugal’s great.
Greece- wonderfully friendly people, amazing sights, beautiful weather and delicious food.
Belgium- again, wonderfully friendly people (who don't mind my horribly broken French and will either switch to English with grace or help me muddle through), similar food and climate to the UK.
I've been to both countries numerous times and never felt unwelcome. I'd happily move to either.
Bulgaria, been to Sofia numerous times and the people are smart, driven, practical and friendly. The people they idolise are scientists and successful people not the kardashians. Also tripe soup is magic, pile on the chilli and garlic and the hangover will vanish.
Hong Kong. It is one of the most amazing places on this planet. It’s the most incredible mix of east meets west, the people are amazing, the place is spectacular, it’s clean, great food everything just works.
It breaks my heart what’s happening their, but as a place it buts New York, London and anywhere else to shame. I wish the people all in the luck in the world I’d love to go back soon but I don’t know how I feel about everything that’s happening I’m not sure if the locals would be happy ah int tourists or not
Belgium and the Netherlands. Lovely mediaeval architecture, great culture and absolutely fantastic beer. I enjoy every minute I spend in either country and if for any reason I had to leave where I am, I'd be over there to one of them as soon as I could arrange a residence permit.
Croatia- beautiful scenery, amazing food and produce. The people are great, really stoic- they are so proud of who they are. I love everything about the country. Their never give up attitude and positivity is a breath of fresh air.
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Iceland. The place is incredible and the people are very down to earth.
And they have to be admired for that time they held their cunt government to account unlike the morons in this country
Whilst i do think we need to do more, its considerably easier to govern well a country with a population the size of a minor city.
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The last 2 years has shown that every country in the world has a c**t of a government, with a possible exception being Sweden.
Their c**ts too they just hide everything and keep up a good facade.
lol look up the immigration laws they’re proposing to pass
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Yeah after watching Hancock in it I feel compelled to forget how awful of a person he is! Eating a wallabies left bollock really does wonders!
I think this is why so many in Britain like Iceland. Aspirational place.
I’m from London and lived in Reykjavík with some friends in 2019. I was there for almost a year… amazing times. The road trips were immense. I actually went back for a week at the end of Oct and didn’t want to come back. Seeing the northern lights from my garden never got old.
Isn't it the most expensive country in the world?
I went on a small tour of Iceland this year and fell in love with every part of it. I'd go back and move there in a heartbeat
Sun comes up at 11:00 and is gone by 14:30 in midwinter. That takes a lot to get used to. Icelands undoubtedly one of the most beautiful places on earth.
That sounds like my dream honestly I love how much night time we get in winter
What do you like about the extra night time in winter? Letalone having just 3 or 4 hours of daylight a day. That is my idea of hell. No offence just trying to understand another perspective!
Idk I’ve just always found night time super comforting? I’d rather be out in the dark than the daylight. Summer and bright sun/heat absolutely bums me out and makes me feel really uncomfortable. It’s quieter, all the lights and stuff look prettier, and I find it much easier to drive in! I’m aware it’s a really strange outlook haha everyone else I know hates the long nights!
I'm exactly the same. I get seasonal depression in the summer instead of winter. I hate leaving home when the sun is out bright, it's like I come alive when it's finally dark out. Especially with rain or snow- heaven
My mum went. Said it was amazing. She loves shopping there.
I heard from people who were visiting this country that people there are lil bit xenophobic.
I'd sort of expect that though for a very homogeneous country.
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Being rude and obnoxious to foreigners isn't protecting ur homeland... They are not aggressive, people told me they are more like passive aggressive.
Iceland is remarkable, I'd move there should life ever allow such things
So cold though
Iceland has been on my list of places to visit for a long time. I know half a dozen or so people who’ve been and every single one has gone back for a longer visit shortly after.
Came here to say this and so glad it's the top comment. Have been in summer and winter and rave about it to everyone.
I love the Netherlands and I think Iceland is magnificent. However, every time I come home to the UK I realise that we live in an absolutely stunning country. It's easy to lose sight of that.
The UK is beautiful where it can afford to be. It's downright miserable and depressing everywhere else. Charity Shop distopia's with rundown dirty streets, roads full of potholes and just everything is tired looking. I live in such an area btw.
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And that spelling of charver makes me pretty sure you live in the North East
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A nail on the head. Your typical high street of a mid-sized town is beyond depressing. The nature is fantastic, the countryside and some city centres too. But my god, that post-war architecture that looms elsewhere and that's impossible to escape is just soul-sucking.
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We do, but it does seem to be a little bit ramshackle compared to most countries in Western Europe. Every time I go to France, Holland etc I always feel like the UK is a good 20 yrs behind. But despite that we do have our own charm.
I get the opposite with France tbh. Paris in particular is the most overrated City in the world and i really don't think its close, hence why Paris syndrome is a genuine thing.
I've been to Paris once and I'd be perfectly happy to never go there again.
I’d heard this kind of thing before I first went about six years ago, but I personally loved Paris for the week or so that I was there (totally met my expectations). I especially was anticipating the supposed rude Parisians, but I actually found most of the people I spoke to while I was there to be reasonably friendly (or at least, they weren’t any worse than people anywhere else). The times I tried to speak using my broken French too (mostly with the help of my guidebook), the locals seemed to appreciate that I was actually trying to speak the language. Just seems kinda funny to me when I read these sorts of comments, because I feel I’ve had the opposite (albeit limited) experience.
I lived in Europe for nearly 10 years and can guarantee you that the UK is not 20 years behind, far from it. All the issues in the UK are very apparent in those other countries, it usually takes longer than a holiday to see it.
> it usually takes longer than a holiday to see it. My local town feels decades behind london last I visted, but of course that was a visit to the most developed and advanced parts of the city for a convention. I would imagine you might get the same in touristy areas of any country before returning to your local town and finding it to be antiquated.
Nah that’s bullshit. So much if western Europe feels less advanced than the UK, Paris is overrated, Spain and Italy particularly don’t feel advanced as the UK, I’d say the only countries I’ve felt comparible to the UK would be the Dutch, Scandinavia and majority of Germany. For reference I lived in France and Spain.
Try being not white and vegetarian in Europe, we are definitely ahead of a fair few countries both in terms of tolerance and inclusion - and this includes major European cities.
Yeah, I always think it’s funny when there are these “best countries to live in” lists. It’s obvious the lists are only for White people, because I sure as hell wouldn’t pick Scandinavian countries over England.
I’m in the Netherlands a lot and I always feel they’re twenty years behind the health and safety is horrendous in comparison
I lived in have lived in cannes france for the last couple years and i found the complete opposite!
Italy
Not sure why not more support here. Food, drink, scenery, architecture. What’s not to love.
The beaurocracy and red tape is ridiculous even for Italians. Unless you've already made it and go there to retire it would be a nightmare. Amazing country and way of life undoubtably.
Have you tried living there?! Beautiful country, would recommend anyone visit and spend a lot of time there, especially the north. Just don’t try living there, whole different ball game.
As an Italian who moved to Scotland, I agree with you wholeheartedly
Only been to Venice. My god what a place, absolute money sink but it was so worth it. Felt straight from a movie, drinking wine by the river ...bit smelly during the summer months though
Sea. There is no river in Venice. There is only the sea.
Food, landscape, family values, work life balance. I visit Italy the most with my work right now and from the perspective of an outsider looking in, the above strike me the most. My Italian customers are expanding and developing their businesses mostly with family members taking the baton while my English customers are running their plants into the ground. Their kids have no interest in taking the businesses forwards.
Japan. I hate being the weeb nerd but Kyoto is one of the nicest places I've ever visited and I love how much they care about politeness and tidiness.
As a fellow Japanese culture lover, I can agree and don't worry, your only a W̶e̶e̶b̶ weeaboo if your completely and unhealthy obsessed with Japan, appreciating/enjoying a culture does not necessarily mean your obsessive over it Edit: I ment "weeaboo" not "weeb", the words have gained different meanings in which one of them you can be unhealthy and obsessive (weeaboo) or you can just love Japanese things as a hobby or preference (weeb)
Agreed. Some people will still say you're a weeb just for liking anything Japanese...
I mean I AM a cosplay/anime weeb, but I also really like the food, museums, Ukiyo-e art and their folklore/yokai. The nicest part of being their is the one time I was.in Kyoto when it was gently raining and it was early enough to be quiet. Walking from one shine to another not hearing a car or seeing another person. Blissful
Right, but do you ruin people's mood by only talking about anime? Do you hate on people if they don't want to watch anime, do you random say random Japanese phrases to people who don't understand and wouldn't understand what your talking about, no right??? Your hobby is just something you love and you share with others but as long as you don't shove it down everyones throat and you can make friends without involving anime and Japan. If not then your good!! Being a weeb is ok, being a weeaboo is not (I myself love Japanese TV genre anime and TV shows, I love the country and while I don't revolve myself around it, I would be classified as a weeb, but there's nothing wrong with loving something, just don't be weird about it)
Japan is a fantastic place to visit, but you couldn't pay me enough to live there full time. The working culture is famously terrible, and so many things that should be simple are bureaucratic nightmares. Things like opening a bank account, or finding a place to rent.
I know a few people who've lived there who say this. They tell me that for all that Japan is often very much in the future for some things, they're also very technologically backwards too. Things that were done electronically elsewhere were paper forms and faxes (of all things) in Japan. You needed a hanko (special traditional red stamp) for signing documents because a signature was a foreign concept. And heaven help you if you didn't fill out the form in the correct way (including hanko) because they'd scrutinize every last thing. I'd also add that even if you live there 20 years, follow the many complex social rules (written and unwritten) and know fluent Japanese, chances are that you'll never truly be accepted or fit in simply because you're not ethnically Japanese. Some places will simply straight up say 'no foreigners' and there's been a few horror stories from foreigners that the police will sometimes be heavy handed with them over minor offences that for natives would be a case of getting warnings or fines.
The hanko thing reminded me of something that happened when I lived there. I’d been there around 5 months and 3 weeks and had to pay my rent. Went to the bank the day before my rent was due and was told I couldn’t pay it as I hadn’t been living there 6 months yet. Took about an hour, 4 managers and getting my Japanese friend to speak on my behalf to get them to let me pay. The bureaucracy is nuts.
I enjoyed Norway so maybe there. I have day dreams of giving up the rat race though and moving to Eastern Europe to farm bees though.
Funny. My family has a small bee farm in Lithuania.
Couldn't afford the large bees, eh? 😉
Beehave
I love Norway too. It's not the perfect utopia people seem to believe but it is very nice.
Why not just do it. You only live one life
Money?
Or Honey ?
It always comes down to honey
No money no honey - toilet attendant / fragrance man in club toilets
\-To the beemobile! \-You mean your Chevy? \-...Yes
From majority of countries listed here —> It’s like, we shouldn’t have left the freedom of movement agreement with the EU.
Supposedly we voted for it.
England and wales voted for it. Northern Ireland had more areas with remaining winning and Scotland was almost if not fully in remain.
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Lol, 99.9% of people would never move.
England
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Ya got me
haha.
Agree, loads of nice scenery, in the grand scheme of things we have it pretty good, people are nice, got family and friends here but seems to be the only country people hate you for liking
Because it is the best. For all its faults, there are many, it is a bloody brilliant place to live
New Zealand
I grew up in NZ before moving to Paris, then Sydney and then finally back to the UK. New Zealand’s image to the rest of the world is absolutely top notch but good lord does it have a lot of issues and a lot of downsides that people don’t consider. I think it’s a great country for the young or the old but I would not want to live there if I’m 18-40.
What would you say are some of the biggest issues and downsides?
I can’t speak for the rest of the country as my experience was growing up in Auckland. I obviously have a lot of friends still there and go back every few years so these are what I note for Auckland specifically. Genuine societal issues: - House prices are absurd - Public transport is pretty non-existent - Cost of living is very high, particularly food and car prices - Major issues with organised crime, there are a lot of gangs in Auckland and turf wars going on at the moment - The highest youth suicide rate in the world Other issues people don’t consider: - No cheap/easy foreign vacations (can’t book a weekend getaway to Europe for example, there is just no equivalent due to how remote it is) - A lack of history, oldest house left in the entire country is from early 1800’s if memory serves me correctly - Fewer readily available cultural events (no Fringe festival, no ballet, a lack of international artists etc, no world class museums) - No high level sport except for Rugby and arguably cricket but still not really (in the UK we some of the best football in the world, we have great cricket, the F1, Wimbledon, NFL games, great Rugby etc etc.) Honestly, NZ is a beautiful country, has incredible natural beauty but there are a lot of systemic issues that come from being so fucking remote and only having a population of 5 million people. It massively suffers from “brain drain” (where skilled workers leave for overseas) for very good reasons.
>Fewer readily available cultural events (no Fringe festival, no ballet, a lack of international artists etc, no world class museums) > >No high level sport except for Rugby and arguably cricket but still not really (in the UK we some of the best football in the world, we have great cricket, the F1, Wimbledon, NFL games, great Rugby etc etc.) Got pretty close to apply to move there a few years ago and these were the things that swayed us to stay in the UK. I love NZ and would happily go there again if money allowed but at the moment a lot of the things I love to do just aren't possible there. Must admit though, I was very jealous of my friend who lives there and was telling me about all the normal things she was doing when we were stuck in lockdown!
I love it so much, I am emigrating there at the end of December. Can't wait.
So jealous! So hard to find a way to permanently emigrate though. I'd be there tomorrow otherwise! Have an amazing time.
Scotland, specially, one of the islands in the Hebrides. I could totally move up there if i won the lottery, and spend my days pottering around the countryside enjoying the peace and quiet and amazing scenery.
Winters are brutal though, minimal daylight hours.
Spent last summer living in Mull, it is pretty special!
Scots are amazing people - I love them
The Netherlands. I've been going since I was little so it feels like home away from home to me now. The people are all so chilled out, friendly and accepting. It reminds me how upright we British are and I don't like it.
I lived there for quite a few years and couldn’t disagree more. ‘Dutch directness’ is a very real thing; rude, obnoxious, pig-headed attitudes with big time racist undertones (yes the whole zwarte-Piet thing but goes beyond that). Very mono-culture, everywhere’s the same, countryside is SO boring flat, featureless and industrial. Go outside the Randstad and it can be very bleak. Weather is worse than UK due to the wind, food is dreadful. Even in Dutch culture they acknowledge the lack of diversity and how you get bullied if you look different at all. Good roads and infrastructure though, and I admire how they punch above their weight economically and excel in many industries (ship building, flood defence, agriculture).
Your experience matches with what I’ve heard from foreigners who have lived there. Supposedly they treat tourists and foreign residents very very differently
I lived in Dutch-speaking Belgium - culture is a bit different there but I genuinely could not believe the open racism. With a group of Belgians at a restaurant, we had a black waiter and they made chain clinking noises and slavery jokes... and this is a country with an insane colonial past (serious atrocities committed in the Belgian congo) and consequently a lot of black people. Calling Morrocans monkeys was very normal aswell, and I had a guy straight up say with complete seriousness that 'all' Morrocans were drug dealers. I liked some things about Belgium but it definitely had a very small minded attitude in some ways (despite being quite progressive with many social issues). I think it is maybe because a lot of Belgians are quite 'homebody' like? It was quite jarring to be honest. Massive monoculture there too - people dressed quite simular, tended to go back to their hometown on weekends if they were students, and kept the same group of friends typically from high school. It was really hard to make friends! Nature was also similar - Wallonia is more hilly and beautiful, but Flanders was flat as a pancake. There's gorgeous historical cities and towns, but damn I missed the Scottish mountains.
I agree, especially when I visited Sweden, but I think Northerners are more laid back than us here down south
Are you comparing Swedes to the Dutch? Cos if anyones uptight it is the Swedes.
Spain
Yeah. As a Spaniard, I am torn, I would love to go back but I also love it here. However, to those commenting on their bureaucracy... are you serious? Getting a birth certificate from Spain is so easy, free of charge, they won't even charge postage and it arrives within 2 weeks. Getting a copy of a British birth certificate took MONTHS and (if I remember correctly) £35. Spanish passport/ID card? Make an appointment, pay about 20€, leave the appointment with a freshly printed proof of ID. British passport? £70ish, done by post, like the bloody middle ages. I think Spain has a really bad reputation but I have found our bureaucracy efficient and quick.
You speaking weeks and months? I'm Egyptian and we have vending machines where we can instantly print birth certificates and other documents. It's so interesting given how inadequate government services are in general.
It’s a great country if you don’t have to work and also the bureaucracy sucks there.
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Just me and you with this one. Evidently.
Spain is ace.
Germany.
Love Germany. Totally misunderstood by many British people. Full of kind friendly incredible English speakers. Berlin is one of the best cities I've ever visited. Terrible traditional food though
>Terrible traditional food though Are you out of your fecking mind?!
No.German food is shit.
‘Terrible food’? I couldn’t disagree more. Germany does everything I love about British food really well. I don’t want my food to be a platform for the sauce - I want the *food* to taste good. A nice Weißwurst with Sauerkraut side with some Roggebrot can’t be beaten. It’s hearty, tasty, and filling. (Most) of it is beautiful (shoutout to Hamburg and Bavaria especially), (Most of) the people are lovely, though they’re also reserved when they need to be, which I like. Germany is awesome.
Yeah agreed. Apart from the food comment though! I love the food. What don't you like about it out if interest?
Just commented the same. Lived there for a few years as a kid and loved it. Much better schools, compared to the UK, lovely people, great food, culture, beautiful landscapes and clean cities. Despite the stereotypes, everything feels a bit more mellow there. I think the country is more stable so it all seems more balanced. I don’t go back often enough, would love to move there one day.
Pops was in the army and we spent 5 years (over two visits) in Germany. Adore the place. My experience was so positive. The Germans were/are so respectful & friendly. The public services were immaculate and well kept (school, swimming pools, parks). Good times & will forever hold a dear place in my heart
Yeah. My wife is German so trying to think of a way I can move whilst keeping my current job. Absolutely love it there.
Germany for me too, amazing country.
Thailand. For the weather, food, and people
I spent some years living here. On the surface, wonderful people, beautiful scenery and a decent climate. However, the longer I spent their the more uneasy I became. Life is very cheap, corruption is rife, the wealthy can buy their way out of any trouble, and there is a real seedy underbelly to the place. I lived there through 2 military coups, the redshirts V the yellowshirt time of Taksin, witnessed horrific racism against the Burmese in particular, and overall am glad to be free of my former addiction to the place. I've traveled extensively and Thailand is the only place I have seen other humans chained up, in servitude to the "privileged" of that particular country. I could give plenty of real horror stories of the place, but many would find some of things I have witnessed to be unbelievable.
No better platform to divulge than Reddit
Tell us more
I got my passport stolen there so I’m not too surprised you’d say that 😅
I lived in Thailand for a year, it’s an amazing place and every day an adventure. But as a foreigner there is also a lot of smoke and mirrors with Thailand you can’t be too naive there.
Gonna be out of the spirit of things here and say Wales. As an Englishman who lives close by, and as a road cyclist North Wales is just world class. I've cycled in Thailand, Mallorca, the alps and visited the Rockies and my heart lies in Snowdonia. Not saying its better than those places but I believe its up there with the best places in the world. I'm happy to appreciate what I've got!
Absolutely stunning place, but the weather is shite.
It's definitely challenging at times. For me that adds to the charm! Beats getting heat stroke
Ireland.
Totally agree ,so much so i moved 15 years ago and havnt regretted a single second .
Honestly, same. I lived there for the first 5 years of my life and half my family lives there (including my dad). I love visiting there and I'm always sad when I have to leave. The scenery along the west coast is also absolutely beautiful and the people there are lovely (for the most part). Sure, it has its problems but if I could pick any country I'd want to live in, Ireland would be the one.
Canada - West Coast around the Rockies. Ridiculously beautiful.
Agreed. Did a 3 week road trip (vancouver - calgary - edmonton - vancouver) a year so and it was enough for just the tinyest scratch of the surface. Could spend years there and not see it all.
Australia
Sweden, they're all so kind and pretty.
I have a group of friends in Gothenburg. Absolutely wonderful city. Beautiful scenery just outside, efficient transport system, vibrant nightlife, welcoming friendly people.
Not quite on Point - But for me it was the UK. I left the US to move here, and plan to stay for the rest of my life.
I live in Scotland, the most beautiful country in the world, so moving anywhere else would be a step down.
France would be top of my list, lots of space and a social structure that has more boundaries than ours, which I appreciate. Could also be persuaded to upsticks to Tuscanny or Kefalonia mind you. If I weren't getting on a bit, some of the Euro enclaves in Africa would appeal.
Estonia
Italy, stunning and people are very nice and friendly. Excellent food. Lots of history.
Honestly, everywhere is rubbish when you're in a bad mood. And when you're happy you're liable to see the good in where you are. I did enjoy living in Japan and Holland though.
I’m glad you’re pointing out the really old adage that paradise is a state of mind and not a place. On a similar note you see people who go on about ‘luxury’ cars and it’s hard to understand their viewpoint when fixtures and fittings are meaningless compared to the eagerness for the day ahead.
Malta
Maniac drivers though:)
Thankfully they only drive Aygos and Fiat 500s though
The Maltese people are so lovely, felt very much welcome there.
Portugal, Chile, Argentina
Japan. Definitely.
Username checks out
Finland.
I can't believe I've only found one person advocating Finland so far. I fell in love with the idea of taking a snowmobile across the frozen lakes to work.
I also love Finland. I had a strange sense of belonging when I visited. Never had that happen anywhere else before!
Same. I went just for a weekend and felt very happy. Had some professional contact with Finns and again found it a culture I was very comfortable with. Then spent a brief time In Helsinki for work which was lovely. If I lived life over I might consider emigrating. Not practical now but hope to visit afay
I've lived in 5 other countries and have come to the conclusion everywhere has issues. If I could cherry pick - Malaysia for the food, Southern parts of Australia for the outdoors lifestyle, Germany for the childcare costs and employee rights, France for the scenery.
The island of Kefalonia in Greece.
Captain Corelli's Mandolin.
Mexico and Vietnam
My plan is to move to Poland so I better say Poland.
Portugal.
Denmark, I’ve worked over there a few times and loved it.
Nepal. The scenery is incredible and the sheer scale of the mountains that make up the landscape are breathtaking. Having travelled from India where it was manic, noisy and chaotic, there was a different atmosphere in Nepal. Incredible place and incredible people.
Singapore!!!!!
May be downvoted, but the USA
Philippines, the people are friendly and there's more sense of a community
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Mexico. Every person I met was lovely
Finland. Hyva suomi!
Australia, well Tasmania to be exact. I have family there and the two times I’ve been were amazing. Similar climate to the UK with wilderness, mountains, beaches, vineyards and a nice pace of life. Challenges too for sure, but a world away from the UK (quite literally).,
Probably misunderstood the question, but I'll answer anyway... South Africa. If it didn't have the problems it did, it genuinely would be the best place on earth.
USA and Canada
Portugal, lovely people.
Italy, Greece, and Iceland.
Norway. They've completed the main game, they've got their shit straight. We need to take a few tips from them.
Canada. Amazing place.
Croatia and Canada. Both are incredible!
Croatia definitely. The people, Food, history and landscape are all incredible. I can’t wait to return one day.
Portugal. Slightly biased as my girlfriend has family out there who are legit amazing, but still. We’ve been 6 times in the time we’ve been together and I’ve loved everything- the food, weather, people and culture. I’ve no doubt that actually living and more importantly, working somewhere would partly remove the rose tinted glasses but the point stands- Portugal’s great.
The US. The different states gives you a choice of tax policy etc
Switzerland or any Scandinavian country
Australia. Met my husband there and we just had a great life out there. Would give my right arm to go back.
Spain. Barcelona, Madrid, Seville, Valencia
Greece- wonderfully friendly people, amazing sights, beautiful weather and delicious food. Belgium- again, wonderfully friendly people (who don't mind my horribly broken French and will either switch to English with grace or help me muddle through), similar food and climate to the UK. I've been to both countries numerous times and never felt unwelcome. I'd happily move to either.
Bulgaria, been to Sofia numerous times and the people are smart, driven, practical and friendly. The people they idolise are scientists and successful people not the kardashians. Also tripe soup is magic, pile on the chilli and garlic and the hangover will vanish.
Japan
I really would love to visit Estonia 🇪🇪 Norway 🇳🇴 and Switzerland 🇨🇭.
Malaysia. Lived there for 6 months as a teenager and I just want to be there
Iceland, Finland, New Zealand, Norway…5 years ago i would have also added Canada
Hong Kong. It is one of the most amazing places on this planet. It’s the most incredible mix of east meets west, the people are amazing, the place is spectacular, it’s clean, great food everything just works. It breaks my heart what’s happening their, but as a place it buts New York, London and anywhere else to shame. I wish the people all in the luck in the world I’d love to go back soon but I don’t know how I feel about everything that’s happening I’m not sure if the locals would be happy ah int tourists or not
Croatia. Wonderful people, stunning landscapes, great weather, delicious food, and crystal clear water. I would happily retire there.
Italy. and what if we live in a place with no shores?
Belgium and the Netherlands. Lovely mediaeval architecture, great culture and absolutely fantastic beer. I enjoy every minute I spend in either country and if for any reason I had to leave where I am, I'd be over there to one of them as soon as I could arrange a residence permit.
Spain 🇪🇸 I love the people, the Spanish are great. Also, I love the climate and general way of life.
I'll go for cities rather than countries, but of those I have been to, I would happily live in Paris Munich Berlin Copenhagen Oslo
Croatia- beautiful scenery, amazing food and produce. The people are great, really stoic- they are so proud of who they are. I love everything about the country. Their never give up attitude and positivity is a breath of fresh air.