[Malachai Constant]

I have been an expat in both Australia and Canada liked both. It is not for everyone, to some degree you are always a stranger in a strange land. You meet some resentment. You learn that the other countries regions are as different as those in the US. Ontario is as different from BC as New York is from Seattle and Quebec is another story. Brisbane is as different from Melbourne as Dallas from Boston. Canada and the US allow dual citizenship OZ and NZ do not. I could have become a permanent resident and Citizen of either but always returned home. The ties that bind. As far as the US this too shall pass. If it does not I can always return. Immigration to Canada is not as easy as you may think especially if you are not commonwealth they have a point system and a dui can keep you from even visiting. I have not lived in New Zealand but have known several kiwis, in general they are somewhat less friendly than Aussies. Kind of like the difference between Norwegians and Danes or Seattlites and Texans.

[cascadeclimber]

[Tom]

This has jumped the shark in terms of politics. Let's stick to the question phrased in the thread title and OP.

[Blue Dome]

I know a guy who, a few years ago, retired from a large local company after working there for about 30 years. He was in an executive position, made a substantial salary, has a substantial retirement nest egg, a master’s degree, and is quite active. He’d had a recent health scare, though he fully recovered. His wife of 30 years has a bachelor’s degree, and is quite healthy and active. They loooked into moving to New Zealand permanently and retiring there — they might have completed some paperwork — and were officially told no. The sense was it was due to their ages, early 60s, and New Zealand’s generous healthcare system.

[Malachai Constant]

It is reasonable for countries with generous retirement systems to reject those who have never contributed.

[Blue Dome]

Of course, though he seemed surprised about being turned down.

[Malachai Constant]

I receive a pension from Canada but I resent that uncle same deducts my SS for the windfall.

[GH_Hiker]

[MtnGoat]

Stop arguing for the policies which cause the problems you see. Healthcare being the best example. I can see from the content in the rest of the post that these ideas are not acceptable, but what the heck. Yes, there would be an uproar for sorting people by race, for govt positions, with full intent, as there should be. Some folks have had it with the blind pursuit of backwards, anti individual, totalitarian ends. There's finally push back on that. /politics off

[iron]

CC's post basically 100% mirrors my feelings and is the driver behind wanting to leave. notably, school safety is a primary concern for me as i would not be able to live with myself were something to happen to my daughter as a result of what is now typical in this country.

[AlpineRose]

I strenuously object to those who are complaining this thread has gotten too political. That includes complaints from the moderator. Where one chooses to live and wanting a good quality of life for oneself and one's family is NOT political. It goes to the core of who we are and what we think is important. Politics is something that affects quality of life. But quality of life in and of itself is not political.

[DIYSteve]

[AlpineRose]

[reststep]

And some people become expats when they retire.