Nothinbutjoy said:

retina said:

If you flip the question around, I've been to the US many times. The states I've visited:

Alaska

California

Connecticut

Delaware

Florida

Georgia

Hawaii

Idaho

Illinois

Indiana

Iowa

Maryland

Massachusetts

Michigan

Minnesota

Montana

Nevada

New Jersey

New York

North Carolina

North Dakota

Ohio

Oregon

Pennsylvania

South Carolina

South Dakota

Virginia

Washington

West Virginia

Wisconsin

Wyoming

No Utah I see.

No of course not. I've heard that the people there like True Blood.

retina said:

Nothinbutjoy said:

retina said:

No of course not. I've heard that the people there like True Blood.

There's so much more to UT than a love of True Blood. There's weak beer & frie sauce.

Ok, you've got yourself a deal then. It'll be my next stop.

Me.

I have been several times, but my experience is somewhat limited. I've visited the UK 4 times, Amsterdam twice and been through France and Italy once.

RenHoek said:

Lammastide said:

Does your EU citizenship come by way of your marriage to a German woman, or did you naturalize when you lived there?

[Edited 10/2/10 23:50pm]

My Dad is German and when I went over there I just accepted my dual-citizenship... It took me about 12mins. and a few Deutsch Marks...

That's awesome.

I have an EU passport and I have been to USA

retina said:

Lammastide said:

American here, been to Europe.

You live in Canada right? Are you a permanent resident? As I understand it you have to spend at least 9 months or something out of the year in Canada in order to keep your permanent residency? Maybe that's not a problem for you since you've set up base there anyway, but I have commitments and ties both here in Sweden and in Canada and would love to be able to come and go as I please. In order to be allowed to do that, it seems like you have to be a citizen though and in order to become a citizen you have to first have been a permanent resident for several years, right?

Just figured I'd ask in case you've already looked into these things for your own purposes.

The current law requires that you reside in Canada 2 out of every 5 years to retain Permanent Resident status, so it's not quite as stringent as you think. But, yes, the only way you can escape that ongoing requirement is citizenship, for which you may apply only after living here for 3 years and holding Permanent Resident status.

I'm actually still a temporary resident, here originally on a Study Permit and now merely on a Post-Graduate Work Permit. I could easily be a permanent resident by now (I've been here for 4 years), but I've honestly been too busy, distracted or lazy to apply. My Post-Graduate Work permit allows me to be in the country for another 3 years, and in that time I do plan to apply for Permanent Resident Status and then immediately for citizenship. At this point, the only real challenge for me in doing this is the money it will cost.

Are you married? Because if not, you could bypass all this crap by marrying a Canadian and getting near instant citizenship.

[Edited 10/3/10 15:58pm]

Lammastide said:

retina said:

You live in Canada right? Are you a permanent resident? As I understand it you have to spend at least 9 months or something out of the year in Canada in order to keep your permanent residency? Maybe that's not a problem for you since you've set up base there anyway, but I have commitments and ties both here in Sweden and in Canada and would love to be able to come and go as I please. In order to be allowed to do that, it seems like you have to be a citizen though and in order to become a citizen you have to first have been a permanent resident for several years, right?

Just figured I'd ask in case you've already looked into these things for your own purposes.

The current law requires that you reside in Canada 2 out of every 5 years to retain Permanent Resident status, so it's not quite as stringent as you think. But, yes, the only way you can escape that ongoing requirement is citizenship, for which you may apply only after holding Permanent Resident status.

I actually am still a temporary resident, here merely on a Post-Graduate Work Permit. I could easily be a permanent resident by now (I've been here for 4 years), but I've honestly been too busy, distracted or lazy to apply. My Post-Graduate Work permit allows me to be in the country for another 3 years, and in that time I do plan to apply for Permanent Resident Status and then immediately for citizenship. At this point, the only real challenge for me in doing this is the money it will cost.

Ok, so do they mean that it has to be 24 consecutive months or can it be 24 months spread out here and there over the five year period (in the latter case it's not at all hard to achieve!)? And are you saying that you have to complete a five year period as permanent resident before you can apply for citizenship? In that case it seems to be quite a long process since you first have to wait sometimes up to a couple of years (at least so I've heard) to even get the permanent residency in the first place. Or can you start the citizenship application process as soon as you've been granted permanent residency, meaning that you could potentially go from "total foreigner" to citizen in only a couple of years?

Sorry about all the follow-up questions and thank you very much for the answers you've already given. It's very helpful!

Having a dual Swedish and Canadian citizenship would be a dream scenario from me, and really facilitate a lot of things. As it is now, the (rude) customs reps just get more and more grumpy and suspicious for every time I request to stay for a few months after having been there previously less than a year ago in some cases. It's a huge hassle and means a lot of emotional tension, not to mention the risk of not being allowed in at all.

Yes. Back in 2006 we decided for my daughter's birthday we would visit some friends in Germany. We stayed 2 weeks.

I've been to London twice and other parts of England: Birmingham, York, and Stratford-upon-Avon. I've been to Paris once for a short 2.5 days. The last time I traveled overseas was about five years ago. I want to go back to Paris so bad and visit Rome.

Just passed my 3 yr anniversary of living abroad.

Shanti0608 said:

Just passed my 3 yr anniversary of living abroad.

I'm so glad you came!

That sounds a bit rude.... or maybe I just have a dirty mind.

funkyslsistah said:

I've been to London twice and other parts of England: Birmingham, York, and Stratford-upon-Avon. I've been to Paris once for a short 2.5 days. The last time I traveled overseas was about five years ago. I want to go back to Paris so bad and visit Rome.

Did you do Cadbury's World in Birmingham?

Did you do York Minster in York?

Did you see Shakespeare's house in Stratford-Upon-Avon?

Lisa10 said:

Shanti0608 said:

Just passed my 3 yr anniversary of living abroad.

I'm so glad you came!

That sounds a bit rude.... or maybe I just have a dirty mind.

Prince Fam!!

Lisa10 said:

Shanti0608 said:

Just passed my 3 yr anniversary of living abroad.

I'm so glad you came!

That sounds a bit rude.... or maybe I just have a dirty mind.

RenHoek said:

Lisa10 said:

I'm so glad you came!

That sounds a bit rude.... or maybe I just have a dirty mind.

Prince Fam!!

There's just something about Valory... it happens everytime. Whenever i'm around her...

Lisa10 said:

RenHoek said:

Prince Fam!!

There's just something about Valory... it happens everytime. Whenever i'm around her...

I've been to Europe.

France

Italy (my fave)

Germany

Czech Republic

Hungary

Spain

I'm going to Ireland next month

I've been to Europe twice, but I don't remember either time. My mother is from Ireland, and she brought me back to visit her parents when I was 3 months old and again when I was 18 months old.

Been several times. I'd like to live there, eventually, if it works in my plans. I'm eyeing Western or Northern Europe. Haven't had much interest in the South other than vacation.

Been to:

The United Kingdom

The Netherlands

Germany

France

Belgium

Denmark

Sweden

Paris

London

Milan

All on work.

BklynBabe said:

I havee never been overseas. I'm kinda weirded on flying so it may never happen. I would love to go to Greece, Spain, and Africa one day. I have met many people from Europe though. Growing up in New York, you tend to experience lots of different cultures. So in a way, I always feel a bit worldly just because I was exposed to different people, foods, cultures...

It's true. SO MANY Europeans pass through New York City, it's not even crazy. I meet Germans almost every time I go out.

Walk in Manhattan any given afternoon and start standing next to people in lines, you'll hear a lot of different European languages everywhere. That's one of the things strongly enjoy about New York and is partially the reason I haven't left yet, it's one of the few places in America where I feel like I'm part of The World. You feel like the world is walking with you.

drifit said:

Been several times. I'd like to live there, eventually, if it works in my plans. I'm eyeing Western or Northern Europe. Haven't had much interest in the South other than vacation.

Been to:

The United Kingdom

The Netherlands

Germany

France

Belgium

Denmark

Sweden

How did you like Sweden and which city did you go to?

about 10 years ago, i went to london and paris. as an american, one of the things you always hear is there is no place on earth more diverse than the u.s. of course, when i got to those places, i realized what a crock of shit that was. i am black, and there were tons of what we in america call 'people of color' in both london and paris.

the other thing you always hear is that these other places aren't as good to live in as the u.s. of course, that all depends on the conditions you'd have to live in, but that goes for the u.s., too. i'd rather live the miracle mile area of l.a. where i do reside than in some areas of south central l.a., that's just a fact. i could imagine myself living in both london and paris with no problem (except i'd torture parisians with my poor high school french!), if i could have a comparable standard of living. i didn't find either place to be lacking in anything vis a vis the u.s.

kibbles said:

about 10 years ago, i went to london and paris. as an american, one of the things you always hear is there is no place on earth more diverse than the u.s. of course, when i got to those places, i realized what a crock of shit that was. i am black, and there were tons of what we in america call 'people of color' in both london and paris.

the other thing you always hear is that these other places aren't as good to live in as the u.s. of course, that all depends on the conditions you'd have to live in, but that goes for the u.s., too. i'd rather live the miracle mile area of l.a. where i do reside than in some areas of south central l.a., that's just a fact. i could imagine myself living in both london and paris with no problem (except i'd torture parisians with my poor high school french!), if i could have a comparable standard of living. i didn't find either place to be lacking in anything vis a vis the u.s.

Do you ever check your org notes? lol

I sent you one in reference to another thread quite a long time ago now.

I've been to Germany (Wiesbaden), France (Paris), England (London), Italy (Rome).

Lisa10 said:

funkyslsistah said:

I've been to London twice and other parts of England: Birmingham, York, and Stratford-upon-Avon. I've been to Paris once for a short 2.5 days. The last time I traveled overseas was about five years ago. I want to go back to Paris so bad and visit Rome.

Did you do Cadbury's World in Birmingham?

Did you do York Minster in York?

Did you see Shakespeare's house in Stratford-Upon-Avon?

Were you there during my visits?

Yeesssssss Cadbury World!!! A must-go for chocoholics. I went there on my 2nd visit. At that time my friend moved to England less than a year after she was married. Birmingham was part of that trip, because we wanted to see a Duran Duran concert in their hometown.

I'm pretty sure I went to York Minister. My friend, who orchestrated the first trip around her wedding, and her family were very much cathedral focused. After awhile, I couldn't tell the difference since we saw so many. York was an interesting city to visit, and loved the cobblestones.

Warwick Castle was a major part of the 1st trip. We spent half the day there. I think we went there and York on the same day.

Yes, I saw Shakespeare's house and took a couple of pics. We wanted to go inside, but it was already closed for day. We made it there in the late afternoon.

retina said:

kibbles said:

about 10 years ago, i went to london and paris. as an american, one of the things you always hear is there is no place on earth more diverse than the u.s. of course, when i got to those places, i realized what a crock of shit that was. i am black, and there were tons of what we in america call 'people of color' in both london and paris.

the other thing you always hear is that these other places aren't as good to live in as the u.s. of course, that all depends on the conditions you'd have to live in, but that goes for the u.s., too. i'd rather live the miracle mile area of l.a. where i do reside than in some areas of south central l.a., that's just a fact. i could imagine myself living in both london and paris with no problem (except i'd torture parisians with my poor high school french!), if i could have a comparable standard of living. i didn't find either place to be lacking in anything vis a vis the u.s.

Do you ever check your org notes? lol

I sent you one in reference to another thread quite a long time ago now.

I've never been I've only been around the US and parts of the Caribbean and South America. I'd love to go to England, Spain, Greece, and Italy.

I've spent at least a few nights in:

Austria

England

France

Germany

Holland