# Leaving USA for someplace saner- easier said than done? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 6, 2024, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leaving-usa-for-someplace-saner-easier-said-than-done/1009810 "2024-11-06T20:05:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2024, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leaving-usa-for-someplace-saner-easier-said-than-done/1009810/101 "2024-12-31T17:18:09Z")
@CairoCarol lives in Hawai’i I don’t live in Seattle, but I have friends who do. It’s a very nice, if rainy, city. Lots to do, and lots of wealth disparity. Housing is astronomically expensive. ---
**Author:** ![CairoCarol](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cairocarol/32/3825_2.png) [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2024, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leaving-usa-for-someplace-saner-easier-said-than-done/1009810/102 "2024-12-31T17:26:08Z")
> [@beowulff](#): > > @CairoCarol lives in Hawai’i There are, or at least have been, other posters who do as well, although at the moment I am blanking on the names of any currently active ones. I’m just a carpet-bagger, although I try to contribute to the community and be respectful of local knowledge and traditions. Still, if @survinga is thinking of moving to the islands in middle/retirement age, my experience would probably be more relevant than that of someone born and raised here, so ask away about living here if you like. (I’m on Hawai’i Island, aka “Big Island.”) ---
**Author:** ![survinga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cab0a1/32.png) [@survinga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/survinga)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2024, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leaving-usa-for-someplace-saner-easier-said-than-done/1009810/103 "2024-12-31T18:55:19Z")
OK, thanks, I’ll message you offline. ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2024, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leaving-usa-for-someplace-saner-easier-said-than-done/1009810/104 "2024-12-31T20:08:18Z")
> [@beowulff](#): > > I don’t live in Seattle, but I have friends who do. It’s a very nice, if rainy, city. Lots to do, and lots of wealth disparity. Housing is astronomically expensive. Traffic, and crowding in general, is as bad as L.A.; There are two seasons: August, and Rain; and it’s one of my favorite places to visit. ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2025, 5:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leaving-usa-for-someplace-saner-easier-said-than-done/1009810/105 "2025-01-01T05:42:11Z")
If you have a UK grandparent, you might qualify for a UK Ancestry visa. It grants you indefinite permission to live in the UK, where you can then work towards citizenship. Warning: it’s expensive and involves a LOT of paperwork. I was looking into it, but it’s a lot less attractive post-Brexit. ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2025, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leaving-usa-for-someplace-saner-easier-said-than-done/1009810/106 "2025-01-01T05:46:18Z")
> [@snowthx](#): > > I have a friend who retired early and splits time between the US and Mexico. I think he said the visa is for only 90 days, then you have to leave Mexico. But, you don’t have to leave for long, so he comes back to the states every couple-three months for a few days visiting family and friends, then goes back to Mexico with a fresh 90-day visa… I read somewhere recently that Canada is disallowing this type of behaviour. ---
**Author:** ![Askance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/askance/32/8281_2.png) [@Askance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askance)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2025, 5:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leaving-usa-for-someplace-saner-easier-said-than-done/1009810/107 "2025-01-01T05:52:39Z")
I’m surprised to see no mention of Australia here, certainly very little language problem to overcome! And I think you’d find the local culture close enough to not be too challenging. That said, I know little to nothing about the requirements to move here temporarily or permanently. ---
**Author:** ![dolphinboy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dolphinboy/32/330_2.png) [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2025, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leaving-usa-for-someplace-saner-easier-said-than-done/1009810/108 "2025-01-01T13:48:31Z")
Thanks for that. I will look into it. ---
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2025, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leaving-usa-for-someplace-saner-easier-said-than-done/1009810/109 "2025-01-01T14:01:04Z")
I beleive Ireland has this, too, but you have to prove ancestry with an ancestor’s birth certificate or other official documentation. ---
**Author:** ![OttoDaFe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ottodafe/32/356_2.png) [@OttoDaFe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OttoDaFe)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2025, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leaving-usa-for-someplace-saner-easier-said-than-done/1009810/110 "2025-01-01T15:35:30Z")
^ Correct. Document gathering was a bit of a challenge, but once that was done the process was pretty straightforward (and can probably be done online). (High point was when I called the registrar’s office in Ireland to inquire about document fees. The nice lady replied, “Oh, just tuck a five dollar bill in with the letter and you’ll be fine.”) ---
**Author:** ![Johanna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johanna/32/8318_2.png) [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2025, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leaving-usa-for-someplace-saner-easier-said-than-done/1009810/111 "2025-01-01T16:07:21Z")
I could totally get citizenship in Italy… unfortunately, Italy has gone Fascist again for the first time since Mussolini was overthrown. 🤬 _Disgrazia._ ---
**Author:** ![suranyi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@suranyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suranyi)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2025, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leaving-usa-for-someplace-saner-easier-said-than-done/1009810/112 "2025-01-01T16:51:58Z")
I’m pretty sure I qualify for Hungarian citizenship. But for one thing, the paperwork to get it done is immense (I have relatives who have done it) and second, Hungary isn’t really saner than the US. It would give me access to the entire EU, though. ---
**Author:** ![PatrickLondon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/patricklondon/32/4422_2.png) [@PatrickLondon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatrickLondon)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2025, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leaving-usa-for-someplace-saner-easier-said-than-done/1009810/113 "2025-01-01T19:14:37Z")
> [@suranyi](#): > > Hungary isn’t really saner than the US. > > It would give me access to the entire EU, though. For now… ---
**Author:** ![bobsmom101](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobsmom101/32/2867_2.png) [@bobsmom101](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobsmom101)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2025, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leaving-usa-for-someplace-saner-easier-said-than-done/1009810/114 "2025-06-23T15:04:15Z")
If you have a spare $5M lying around, you can now move to NZ! The article says most applicants are from the US & want to get away from Trump > **[Rich Americans flock to apply for New Zealand’s ‘golden visas’ after rules...](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jun/23/americans-new-zealand-golden-visas-trump)** > > Coalition government loosened requirements for its Active Investor Plus visa in bid to boost flagging economy ---
**Author:** ![MacDoc](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/macdoc/32/18696_2.png) [@MacDoc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MacDoc)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2025, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leaving-usa-for-someplace-saner-easier-said-than-done/1009810/115 "2025-06-23T16:57:04Z")
> [@Askance](#): > > I’m surprised to see no mention of Australia here, certainly very little language problem to overcome! And I think you’d find the local culture close enough to not be too challenging. > > That said, I know little to nothing about the requirements to move here temporarily or permanently. **Permanent?** Pretty rigorous without a sponsor and expensive even to apply. Cost us $11k non -refundable to apply through a licenced immigration consultant and since I had a sponsor we were pretty confident of succeeding and we did. [https://www.abf.gov.au/entering-and-leaving-australia/moving-to-australia](https://www.abf.gov.au/entering-and-leaving-australia/moving-to-australia) **Temporary** Easy to visit and if under 30/35 there are cool work/visit combos that are popular. [https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/work-holiday-417](https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/work-holiday-417) You might get boggled with Stralian slang - her’s some > **[A Beginners Guide to Aussie Slang | Over 120 Slang words](https://nomadsworld.com/aussie-slang/)** > > Arriving into Australia with little knowledge of Australian slang may get you into a few awkward situations. So read our Aussie slang guide with video I still get caught out at times. Where I live now and about to be a citizen - I will keep my Canadian passport as well. > **[Travel Guide to Cairns, Queensland - Tourism Australia](https://www.australia.com/en/places/cairns-and-surrounds/guide-to-cairns.html)** > > Visit our guide to Queensland’s tropical centre Cairns and explore the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest. Enjoy the cafes, bustling markets and nearby beaches. 🦘 ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2025, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leaving-usa-for-someplace-saner-easier-said-than-done/1009810/116 "2025-06-23T17:05:25Z")
> [@bobsmom101](#): > > If you have a spare $5M lying around, you can now move to NZ! Huh, I thought the threshold was much lower than that, c. $700,000 American. ---
**Author:** ![PatrickLondon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/patricklondon/32/4422_2.png) [@PatrickLondon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatrickLondon)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2025, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leaving-usa-for-someplace-saner-easier-said-than-done/1009810/117 "2025-09-17T14:16:15Z")
> **[Why are so many Americans moving to Portugal? Apart from the obvious reason …](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/sep/16/why-are-so-many-americans-moving-to-portugal-apart-from-the-obvious-reason?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other)** > > Vietnam and Albania have their fans. Some Americans might even enjoy the UK. But there’s a lot to be said for a country with universally accessible healthcare and freedom of movement within the EU ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2025, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leaving-usa-for-someplace-saner-easier-said-than-done/1009810/118 "2025-09-18T14:32:39Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > Native speakers use colloquial language and tend to be a bit sloppy whereas someone who has learned it formally and really put in the time can be amazingly well spoken in the second (or third or whatever) language. IME, this can be very much true. My dad was an Air Force cryptolinguist (i.e., listening in and translating military communications in adversary languages) stationed in Japan. My mom was Japanese. Dad’s background and skill in languages came across to Mom in how carefully and skillfully he spoke Japanese. She called his speech “beautiful”. ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2025, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leaving-usa-for-someplace-saner-easier-said-than-done/1009810/119 "2025-09-18T17:23:24Z")
There’s been at least 3 recent threads here active in the past year, but using this one… Every web site I search on this gives different info. For New Zealand for example, I recall 700K being the minimum from a thread last year on the topic, but the site linked above says that is actually 5 MILLION (which is an adjustment _downwards_ from where it apparently was, 10M), but [another](https://sirelo.com/moving-abroad/moving-to-new-zealand/) (which bills itself as the “complete” guide) doesn’t even mention any of these gargantuan fees/requirements at all. I am also not sure what is a “fee” which is gonzo forever, and what is merely one’s total net worth, which of course I can hold onto. I just turned 63 but am as healthy as a horse (they need a health checkup form filled out note), and while I am not working right now I guess I could get back into teaching/tutoring if need be, if they look down on retirees that much. ---
**Author:** ![Raza](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/raza/32/213_2.png) [@Raza](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raza)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2025, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leaving-usa-for-someplace-saner-easier-said-than-done/1009810/120 "2025-11-24T20:40:53Z")
_NOTE: I really thought I had initially read about this new path to UK citizenship within the past week here on the Dope, but I can’t find it; maybe it was Reddit and my addled brain done forgot._ There seems to be a recent adjustment to applying for UK citizenship under section 4L of the British Nationality Act of 1981, with the potential new path for folks like me being introduced by the Nationality and Borders act 2022. This new route is for those who: - were born before 1988 - were born outside the UK - have either grandmother born in the UK It turns out that I meet those requirements. I contacted a law firm in the UK that specializes in this, and they confirmed that I meet the criteria. By going through a law firm, there are certainly additional costs beyond the 130 Pound application fee, but it’s important enough for me to pay the five figures to ensure it is done right and in a reasonably expeditious manner (my expectations is it will take a year, almost entirely based on the speed of HM Government). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leaving-usa-for-someplace-saner-easier-said-than-done/1009810.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leaving-usa-for-someplace-saner-easier-said-than-done/1009810.md?page=7)