Hey All!
I don't know what kind of posts I will read or write in the future, but like the look of this forum from a few posts I've read and wanted to introduce myself and my situation.
Like a lot of people who post on here, I am deplorably, wretchedly, freakishly, unfathomably, outrageously unhappy in america. For years I tried blogging and ranting and complaining about the country. I don't like the people. I have lived in many states (IL, CA, CO, MI). Indeed the east coast seems more me, but I hvae pretty much abandoned it emotionally, mentally, and in many ways possible. I hang up a british and australian flag and indeed most of very few friends (whom I keep up with online or skype) are in europe or oceania (aus, nz, singapore, japan).
I don't feel I have a safe place (actually this is not a "feeling" it's truth, it's fact. this feels refreshing to share this, by the way) to just enjoy life.. Like go out for a cup of tea and swim. I feel america is a grody, disgusting, disruptive place. I have tried to enjoy it but the beliefs and outlook people have is the complete opposite of the beliefs I hold. I can't stand this country.
Great. But politics and borders and huge problems arise. I don't want my passport to say USA citizen. I do want a passport though! I have been unsuccessful earning and getting a stable job here (despite a 4-year bachelor's degree and other certifications), primarily because my dislike for the country gets in the way of getting a job; there are also a lot of people that were in (but no longer are ) in my social sphere who used libel to hurt my reputation (which certainly didn't help getting a job), but mainly I don't think I want a job in america.
Anyways, I tried to go to the UK but they wouldn't let me in! I have lived in australia and france for a few months and wanted to move to australia.
Right now, my main obstacle to (at the very minimum) getting out of america for a year is financial and a few logistics (like transporting my cat or, *sniff* hopefully not, finding a loving family for him, but I still don't like that; I like my feline friend; AND getting the best technology gear. I would likely travel with this great mini tablet I have (archos) and a netbook). I love technology. I have tried urban and rural (and mountain and coastal actually!) I have given america every chance; done my best to like it, and find it a very depressing, ridiculing, unpleasant, and bloody awful place.
Australia is very bright and enjoyable. France was very very serious, but I liked that seriousness. Both of those places offered things that america lacks (enjoyableness and brightness or seriousness).
I don't have much experience nor "knack" for getting paying work (I've started many websites and maintain some blogs and podcasts that I love thoug, which I can do from anywhere, and which would be my main solution if they become lucrative enough).
Hhmm...a mini bit of history..
In 2009 I sold my car and flew to Dublin (with this kind of desperate "i need to get out of that country" drive. It didn't go so well. I went ot britain and france, and then back to britain and uk border patrol set a time that I had to leave on my passport (which I think should still be adjudicated as unfair and unsupported and actually illegal).
So then I tried again and was out of the usa for most of the first half of 2010. Astonishgly I've been in usa the past, well 1.5 years. It's felt like a prison.
I hope things improve (actually I don't know if I even wish that anymore, I may ahve just moved on, but I guess some improvement wouldn't hurt; but what I am getting at is, well, I have had so many poor experiences in america, that while I'd love some great experiences (that would be nifty!), ultimately there's nothing that could happen to repair damages, I want out of this country and it's just a matter of time (and finances and logistics) but I am not opposed to trying to or actually having a great time while here (the next couple of months, or hopefully not more than a couple of years).
Getting back to australia before 31 is a goal.
I have felt trapped financially.
That's about it really.
P.S. some more thoughts.
Other obstalces: getting paying work.
Doubting that the other coutnry will be better (the grass may not be greener, but when american grass is brown and rotten, this seems unlikely).
Considering east coast might feel more congruent with me.
I can survive in french and spanish-speaking areas (occasionally getting compliments on my not-so-fluent "fluency").
I guess I don't really need advice on destination (well, maybe).
What does one know of living/moving to (for a year or more)
Singapore
Japan
Eastern Europe
I feel I know france and australia pretty well (and liked both of them, individually, better than america). I won't go into all the wretched (concentration camp-like experiences in america - even the water in usa has been the worst diarrhea-inducing water I have found)).
I guess probably my main obstacle in relocating is not finances (although that truly does seem like the main one) but rather, completely knowing that relocating to xyz country is the best thing to do. Once I know and understand that completely, then all these decisions (on selling computer parts and more) will be more clear.
I guess I have a slight idea that going more east in america would be good. I have had a few good (actually quite great) experiences in NY and FL, but that was many many years ago.
In addition to being around people with beliefs tha I like and respect more (I am an atheist, is one), getting paying work, and beign in an environment where I can go outside and just enjoy my day and not have to feel threatened or as-if I need to hide, is where I need to be.
Another obstacle is a part of me just wishes (because I am here, my cat is here, my few minimalist belongings are here) that american and I would find a compatibility in some way or some place....but that doesn't seem likely, but I think a part of me DOEs prefer that because then I wouldn't have to move! But if that won't happen or doesn't happen, moving is the best thing.
I guess I will have to do one of two things:
make the best, avoid many places, bear for much of my life, and try to find good small "islands" of safety in america
commit to relocating but do so (unlike past two times) very prudently with months and months of planning and making arrangements many months in advance.
EITHER of those seems daunting.