# How much will it cost me to get you to abandon your real life forever? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [November 26, 2010, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-will-it-cost-me-to-get-you-to-abandon-your-real-life-forever/562020 "2010-11-26T23:16:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2010, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-will-it-cost-me-to-get-you-to-abandon-your-real-life-forever/562020/1 "2010-11-26T23:16:25Z")
[demonic bureaucrat hat on] For reasons that need not concern you scum, the LowerArchy is considering offering bribes to get people to abandon their current lives. You have to quit your job, leave your family, and move not only out of your current city and nation, but off your current continent, and to a location where you are not fluent in the native language. If you live on an island – for example, Bimini, in the Bahamas-- you may not move to any other island in the archipelago, nor to the nearest continent. You may not move to any city where you have lived before, nor to any city in which you have family or friends. You may not initiate any contact with anyone you currently know for at least five years. Currently we are in research/budgeting mode. How much will it take to get y’all to take Hell up on this? ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2010, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-will-it-cost-me-to-get-you-to-abandon-your-real-life-forever/562020/2 "2010-11-26T23:41:24Z")
hm, cash or annuity? Cash, $100 million Annuity, $1 million per year after the taxes of whichever european country I end up in. Holland or Denmark. [I speak smatterings of German, French, Spanish, Italian. You said it had to be somewhere I didn’t speak the language so that leaves Britain out] ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2010, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-will-it-cost-me-to-get-you-to-abandon-your-real-life-forever/562020/3 "2010-11-26T23:42:52Z")
I would not leave my family for any amount of money. ---
**Author:** ![Alpha\_Twit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alpha_twit/32/265_2.png) [@Alpha\_Twit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alpha_Twit)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2010, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-will-it-cost-me-to-get-you-to-abandon-your-real-life-forever/562020/4 "2010-11-26T23:47:09Z")
I need details of what I’m allowed to tell my family as I’m walking out the door. Can I at least say enough so that they don’t assume I disappeared due to someone’s violent criminal act? I don’t mind pissing them off but I don’t want them worried about me. ---
**Author:** ![AClockworkMelon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aclockworkmelon/32/10803_2.png) [@AClockworkMelon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AClockworkMelon)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2010, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-will-it-cost-me-to-get-you-to-abandon-your-real-life-forever/562020/5 "2010-11-26T23:48:47Z")
Enough to live comfortably without working in some European country. So whatever qualifies as upper-middle class in France, Germany, etc. ---
**Author:** ![Alice\_The\_Goon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Alice\_The\_Goon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alice_The_Goon)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2010, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-will-it-cost-me-to-get-you-to-abandon-your-real-life-forever/562020/6 "2010-11-26T23:49:00Z")
Right now? A hundred bucks would do it. Tomorrow, it’ll probably go back to millions, so you better act fast. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2010, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-will-it-cost-me-to-get-you-to-abandon-your-real-life-forever/562020/7 "2010-11-26T23:51:13Z")
> [@Alpha\_Twit](#): > > I need details of what I’m allowed to tell my family as I’m walking out the door. Can I at least say enough so that they don’t assume I disappeared due to someone’s violent criminal act? I don’t mind pissing them off but I don’t want them worried about me. You may leave a note explaining the situation so long as (a) you explain in detail what choice you have made, and (b) you do not include any information that could lead them to your new home. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Tao\_s\_Revenge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/73ab20/32.png) [@The\_Tao\_s\_Revenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Tao_s_Revenge)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2010, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-will-it-cost-me-to-get-you-to-abandon-your-real-life-forever/562020/8 "2010-11-26T23:52:07Z")
Sailors and explorers used to leave their families and such for a lot longer than 5 years sometimes. So basically you’re hiring me to go explore some new culture. I’m in for room, and board. Unless it’s a desert local, than room, board, and $100,000,000. I do not like the heat. ---
**Author:** ![InterestedObserver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/838e76/32.png) [@InterestedObserver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/InterestedObserver)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2010, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-will-it-cost-me-to-get-you-to-abandon-your-real-life-forever/562020/9 "2010-11-26T23:53:16Z")
Not interested. I wouldn’t leave my kids for 5 yrs for any amount of money. If not for them, however, I’d be willing to uproot for oh, a million or so. I’m a cheap date…I’d enjoy the adventure and could live quite well for the rest of my life on even that “small” lump sum payment. ---
**Author:** ![Alpha\_Twit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alpha_twit/32/265_2.png) [@Alpha\_Twit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alpha_Twit)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2010, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-will-it-cost-me-to-get-you-to-abandon-your-real-life-forever/562020/10 "2010-11-26T23:54:04Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > You may leave a note explaining the situation so long as (a) you explain in detail what choice you have made, and (b) you do not include any information that could lead them to your new home. On these terms, no deal at any price. I need a face to face meeting and at least a few hours to close up shop here. ---
**Author:** ![Lakai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9de0a6/32.png) [@Lakai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lakai)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2010, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-will-it-cost-me-to-get-you-to-abandon-your-real-life-forever/562020/11 "2010-11-26T23:55:16Z")
$280,000 $180,000 to cover my loans for law school; half of which will go to my parents. $100,000 is how much I need as an incentive to move. ---
**Author:** ![bucketybuck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/898d66/32.png) [@bucketybuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bucketybuck)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2010, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-will-it-cost-me-to-get-you-to-abandon-your-real-life-forever/562020/12 "2010-11-26T23:56:13Z")
Set me up somewhere interesting and I would go in the morning. Money isnt even an issue. ---
**Author:** ![Projammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/projammer/32/559_2.png) [@Projammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Projammer)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2010, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-will-it-cost-me-to-get-you-to-abandon-your-real-life-forever/562020/13 "2010-11-26T23:57:10Z")
No sale. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2010, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-will-it-cost-me-to-get-you-to-abandon-your-real-life-forever/562020/14 "2010-11-27T00:00:58Z")
> [@Alpha\_Twit](#): > > On these terms, no deal at any price. I need a face to face meeting and at least a few hours to close up shop here. Oh, I thought you were wimping out. The Boss finds the idea of that conversation entertaining, so he’ll allow it so long as you’re frank. He is confident that it’ll make things worse, not better, for both sides. > [@Lakai](#): > > $280,000 > > $180,000 to cover my loans for law school; half of which will go to my parents. > > $100,000 is how much I need as an incentive to move. $100K? Seems low. Because you’re moving someplace where you don’t know anyone and don’t speak the majority language; your law degree may be of limited use. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2010, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-will-it-cost-me-to-get-you-to-abandon-your-real-life-forever/562020/15 "2010-11-27T00:04:55Z")
I have a feeling this is going to break down sharply between people who have serious familial attachments (i.e. people with SO’s and kids) and people who are single and childless. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Tao\_s\_Revenge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/73ab20/32.png) [@The\_Tao\_s\_Revenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Tao_s_Revenge)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2010, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-will-it-cost-me-to-get-you-to-abandon-your-real-life-forever/562020/16 "2010-11-27T00:08:01Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > I have a feeling this is going to break down sharply between people who have serious familial attachments (i.e. people with SO’s and kids) and people who are single and childless. Pretty much. If I had any kids my answer would be a lot different. ---
**Author:** ![Markxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2010, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-will-it-cost-me-to-get-you-to-abandon-your-real-life-forever/562020/17 "2010-11-27T00:11:09Z")
Let’s see I’d do it for the cost of replacing my stuff, which would be a high estimate of $10,000 bucks, heck I’ve interviewed for jobs cross country for $9.00 an hour and I said, I’d pay my own moving costs. The fact I’d never have to see a bunch of people is only an added benefit in my case 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Alpha\_Twit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alpha_twit/32/265_2.png) [@Alpha\_Twit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alpha_Twit)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2010, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-will-it-cost-me-to-get-you-to-abandon-your-real-life-forever/562020/18 "2010-11-27T00:12:19Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > Oh, I thought you were wimping out. The Boss finds the idea of that conversation entertaining, so he’ll allow it so long as you’re frank. He is confident that it’ll make things worse, not better, for both sides. He’s quite possible correct. Either way, I’ll take 5 million US dollars in cash up front before I leave. Half of this money will be divided between my father and siblings and I pocket the other 2.5 mil. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2010, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-will-it-cost-me-to-get-you-to-abandon-your-real-life-forever/562020/19 "2010-11-27T00:13:02Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > I would not leave my family for any amount of money. Bingo. Money means nothing. My Wife and family do. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2010, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-will-it-cost-me-to-get-you-to-abandon-your-real-life-forever/562020/20 "2010-11-27T00:13:40Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > I have a feeling this is going to break down sharply between people who have serious familial attachments (i.e. people with SO’s and kids) and people who are single and childless. [dbh off] Oh, I’m certain of that, but I also expect there will be surprises. When I started the thread on being isolated from all human contact for a year, I was shocked that anybody was willing to do it at all, whereas I think over half were willing to do it. I think the real breakdown will be between childless or not, rather than being married. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-will-it-cost-me-to-get-you-to-abandon-your-real-life-forever/562020.md?page=2)