if i were swiss, i would love to live in switzerland. low crime rate, and access to european sights and attractions.

FnkyManifesto7 said:

Stay away from America. Even I'm considering leaving the shit hole we call the USA. We're nowhere as good as you think. USA is getting dummer by the day, and we're disappointing our founding fathers big time!! I'd try Canada, or pull off a Jesse Ventura and move to Mexico (kidding).

What aboot Canada?

I feel un-Canadian for saying it like that now but seriously, we have free health care and so much diversity, even though you guys have it too, I think it's more here though that could just be me. I would come to the US to be in a better climate like in Florida or to NYC for the excitement if you guys had free health care, cause I need it, but that would not be an option.

I'd love to suggest Sydney, but we are about the most expensive country to live in in the world now, and although we have good public healthcare (for residents/citizens only) we have a poor reputation when it comes to racism - just ask anyone here from India

flyorra said:

if i were swiss, i would love to live in switzerland. low crime rate, and access to european sights and attractions.

my family lived there for 5 years in the 70s. My parents, who had foreign accents never felt fully accepted there, and it rained a hell of a lot!

I'm pretty cool with being in Canada but I would like to switch living on the east coast for the west coast.

JustErin said:

I'm pretty cool with being in Canada but I would like to switch living on the east coast for the west coast.

You've been talking about that for quite a while now. Are you actively looking for a job over there?

Hi by the way.

alphastreet said:

What aboot Canada?

I feel un-Canadian for saying it like that now but seriously, we have free health care and so much diversity, even though you guys have it too, I think it's more here though that could just be me. I would come to the US to be in a better climate like in Florida or to NYC for the excitement if you guys had free health care, cause I need it, but that would not be an option.

Once an immigrant gets their permanant residency then they can access health care.

retina said:

JustErin said:

I'm pretty cool with being in Canada but I would like to switch living on the east coast for the west coast.

You've been talking about that for quite a while now. Are you actively looking for a job over there?

Hi by the way.

No, I've been working out here and dealing with a lot of personal stuff...but now that a situation I was in has suddenly changed drastically I would like to start looking at other options.

And hi.

I'm glad you're finally making it out to BC.

luv4u said:

alphastreet said:

What aboot Canada?

I feel un-Canadian for saying it like that now but seriously, we have free health care and so much diversity, even though you guys have it too, I think it's more here though that could just be me. I would come to the US to be in a better climate like in Florida or to NYC for the excitement if you guys had free health care, cause I need it, but that would not be an option.

Once an immigrant gets their permanant residency then they can access health care.

Guh, I hate when people say we have "free" healthcare in Canada.

It's not free, it's healthcare that is accessable to all residents but it sure as hell is not free.

We are taxed to death in this country.

JustErin said:

luv4u said:

Once an immigrant gets their permanant residency then they can access health care.

Guh, I hate when people say we have "free" healthcare in Canada.

It's not free, it's healthcare that is accessable to all residents but it sure as hell is not free.

We are taxed to death in this country.

Yes that's the catch

KingBAD said:

Empress said:

Call me biased, but I think Canada is one of the finest countries in the world. There are so many wonderful things about Canada. I'm proud to be citizen.

of the countries i'm familiar with

canada does seem the best except for CUBA

i love warm weather and white sands

I have authority issues.

I tend to react fierce when I'm told to obey, without being able to discuss or negotiate. I don't think I'll adjust well to the Cuban regime.

The people, climate and music are very appealing, though.

dJJ said:

KingBAD said:

of the countries i'm familiar with

canada does seem the best except for CUBA

i love warm weather and white sands

I have authority issues.

I tend to react fierce when I'm told to obey, without being able to discuss or negotiate. I don't think I'll adjust well to the Cuban regime.

The people, climate and music are very appealing, though.

i've always been a lil less than law abidin

why would i become more abidin elsewhere???

novabrkr said:

It's just harder to live as a foreigner in any country. I tried to live for a while in London (UK, you know) over ten years ago and it was just hard to find my place there. You know, if I happen to lose my job in Finland I am eligible for benefits at the very least. If that happened in London I'd have to find a new one as soon as possible or end up on the streets. It's pretty much the same scenario with health care in many places.

That used to be similar in Holland. Holland was a save, friendly, comfortable and wonderful country to live. That was the past though. It's not the Dutch heaven that it used to be.

*****

I'm very sorry for my lengthy tekst. Only read it if you are extremely bored

Summary: I'm staying in Holland, become an activist and contribute, so Holland will be heaven again

*****

Governmental ruled infrastructures didn't surive the '90's greed. Dutch people used to have a save and comfortable life, guaranteed transport, energy, health care, pension, housing and acces to communication. The high tax standard was worth the benefits.

Unfortunately, the liberal kapatalist party has encouraged to sell out Dutch governmental utilities. Gas, Electricity, Communication infrastructure for radio, tv and internet, public transport etcetera.

Now Dutch people pay a lot, for bad functioning monopolist services, run by extremely rich boards and commisionnaries who don't care about servicing costumers.

Dutch taxmoney has been used to bail out banks. European banks have bought risky loans from their American collegues. The greed of these European banks have not been paid by the white, grey, males that rule it. No, the rest of the taxpayers have to pay for their mistakes. Pressured because otherwise the monetary system would have collapsed, the banks were saved.

The last two decades, our social system has been overburdened, among others due to an increasing number of immigrants. It's hard for immigrants to find a job. They don't speak the language and don't understand the cultural subtelties that are required for good functioning, hence a career.

Dutch are calvinists by nature, hard work, no nonsense and helping others is in our nature. Working for your own money is a holey law and benefit is something you only apply for when it's your last possibility.

Unfortunately, the possibility of welfare and disablement payment has been very appealing to people from other cultures. Immigrants oftentimes view a government as alien from themselves. They don't consider a government to be a reflection of themselves and paid by themselves. They come from countries with corrupt irreliable governments/dictators. Therefore, to them, being on welfare, even when it's not absolutely neccesary, seemed an easy income. However, the working population just can't afford the social system anymore.

For example, a lot of Marocan immigrants had welfare benefits, while working on the side. On paper they did not have a lot of money, so eligible for social housing and rent subsidies. With the money they earned, they bought houses in Marocco. The Maroccan government does not cooperate with the Dutch government in order to detect this fraud. That is unfortunate, because a lot of resentment has grown against Maroccan immigrants. And the youngest generation is paying for these apparent unsurmountable cultural gasps. Unemployment is very high among that group.

Even our medical health system has not been save for the '90's greed. There is a limit on how many students can study medicine. Therefore, docters and specialists call the shots. Policy and services seemed not to serve a solid basic medical care for everybody, however, pivotal decisions were made in order to ensure hot shot careers for big egos. Recently health insurance became private to. I'm happy it's mandatory to have health care, however, it's costly.

University fee is rising, now it's 1.713 euro a year. Students only get monthly financial support for 4 years. If they need more years to study, university fee is higher and they can't get any monthly support anymore, only student loans. There have been major cutbacks on primary schools. The extra teachers for children who need extra attention have been cut down. Fortunately, primary school is still for free. However, the quality has suffered from the cuts. Obesity isn't a rarity anymore, and it seems that the moderating of schoolsports contributes to more unhealthy fat children.

English people laugh when they hear Dutch people complain about our current state of affairs.

I have started a big protest because the government considers to lower the standard for public transport. Now transport companies are obliged by law, to service a halting-place within 400 meter of every adress, they want to get rid of that. My English friends think that I have luxury problems.

Allthough, I know that Holland still is a great country. However, I fear the growth of racist and dividing political forces. Intolerance and aggressive behavior in public is at an all time high.

Now that I've written down all my thougths, I notice that I do love Holland a lot. I should not be leaving or complaining. I should do something and contribute to my surroundings in a positive manner.

I was shocked by the English destructive and pessimistic attitudes when I dated Londonboy. As if they don't belief in their own country anymore. I would hate to see that happen to Holland. I really hope for change, and will do everything I can to prevent that people grow the same listless numbness about their environment and fellow-countrymen that I encountered in London.

Did anybody actually read this?

luv4u said:

Empress said:

Call me biased, but I think Canada is one of the finest countries in the world. There are so many wonderful things about Canada. I'm proud to be citizen.

Yeah, move to Canada. My sister's hubby was born in Amsterdam and there is an active Dutch community here in my city so you would feel at home.

I'm going to give it another try.

If not, please ask around for some good marriage material for me

retina said:

dJJ said:

Yep. Vancouver seems pretty perfect!

Need a wife to accompany you?

You'd be better off finding a Canadian husband. Automatic citizenship!

If you happen to run into one; orgnote me! I might plan a Canadian holiday next summer

flyorra said:

if i were swiss, i would love to live in switzerland. low crime rate, and access to european sights and attractions.

I have this allergy for racist people. Especially two-faced ones; those that keep their wealth for themselves and have it paid for by foreign dictators and criminals. I would not feel comfortable enjoying the Swiss luxureous life, knowing it comes from enabling horrifics outside Swiss whilst closing the borders and careeropportunities for victims of these dictators and criminals.

What excuses do Swiss people tell themselves it's okay to continue their self enriching racist system?

ZombieKitten said:

I'd love to suggest Sydney, but we are about the most expensive country to live in in the world now, and although we have good public healthcare (for residents/citizens only) we have a poor reputation when it comes to racism - just ask anyone here from India

Sydney has been on the top of my list for years!

It must be such a great place.

And yes, I am appalled by the detentioncentres for asylumseekers and general mistreatment of people of colour. On the other hand, I fear that Dutch government is not doing any better at the moment.

ZombieKitten said:

I'd love to suggest Sydney, but we are about the most expensive country to live in in the world now, and although we have good public healthcare (for residents/citizens only) we have a poor reputation when it comes to racism - just ask anyone here from India

double post edit

[Edited 7/17/12 17:27pm]

KingBAD said:

dJJ said:

I have authority issues.

I tend to react fierce when I'm told to obey, without being able to discuss or negotiate. I don't think I'll adjust well to the Cuban regime.

The people, climate and music are very appealing, though.

i've always been a lil less than law abidin

why would i become more abidin elsewhere???

Stonger law enforcers that make sure you abide.

JustErin said:

I'm pretty cool with being in Canada but I would like to switch living on the east coast for the west coast.

Yes, it seems Canada wins.

Do you know any good Canadian dating sites you'd advise me?

dJJ said:

KingBAD said:

i've always been a lil less than law abidin

why would i become more abidin elsewhere???

Stonger law enforcers that make sure you abide.

tougher laws just motivate my greativity,

if you live lavish in cuba you don't worry about laws...

KingBAD said:

dJJ said:

Stonger law enforcers that make sure you abide.

tougher laws just motivate my greativity,

if you live lavish in cuba you don't worry about laws...

What do you mean?

I didn't know Cubans could afford to live lavish and not worry about repercaution of government?

dJJ said:

retina said:

You'd be better off finding a Canadian husband. Automatic citizenship!

If you happen to run into one; orgnote me! I might plan a Canadian holiday next summer

Citizenship and Immigration Canada look for 'fraud marriage of convenience'. If it's not legit it's a no go, and they have their ways of checking stuff out. Some foreign nationals look for marriage as a ticket into Canada. You are not 'automatically' a citizen upon marriage. There is so much homework involved...... police clearance certificates, proof that there is a legit relationship/marriage, etc, etc.

dJJ said:

KingBAD said:

tougher laws just motivate my greativity,

if you live lavish in cuba you don't worry about laws...

What do you mean?

I didn't know Cubans could afford to live lavish and not worry about repercaution of government?

exactly...

i'm not cuban.

dJJ said:

JustErin said:

I'm pretty cool with being in Canada but I would like to switch living on the east coast for the west coast.

Yes, it seems Canada wins.

Do you know any good Canadian dating sites you'd advise me?

No.

dJJ said:

Yes, it seems Canada wins.

dJJ said:

I've seriously been thinking about moving to another country, because of the horrible bad weather over here in Holland. I don't have an exciting career, nor relationship or children.

So, I'm as free as a bird to pick up my stuf and settly somewhere warmer.

The problem is, that I don't know any alternative country with similar just law system, social system and ingrained aversion of violence.

I think Canada and Norway are the only two countries that match Holland's political culture. And these two countries also have nature (non existing in Holland). However, it's not that much warmere in Norway or Canada.

Any suggestions about best country to live?

I've lived in Canada and I think you'd probably like it in Ontario or Vancouver. Vancouver has weather not too unlike Holland, but Ontario's a bit more progressive and has the best climate imo.

dJJ said:

Did anybody actually read this?

I did

You make some good points but as your experience with "Londonboy" proved to you, it's all relative and not THAT bad.

I admire your will to try and do something about it tho'. Chapeau. Still in touch with the mayor's office?