# Someone Gives You $200,000 To Leave Your Home Country For A Year... **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 3, 2014, 8:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-gives-you-200-000-to-leave-your-home-country-for-a-year/677782 "2014-01-03T08:31:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Fretful\_Porpentine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fretful_porpentine/32/2873_2.png) [@Fretful\_Porpentine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fretful_Porpentine)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2014, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-gives-you-200-000-to-leave-your-home-country-for-a-year/677782/21 "2014-01-03T14:55:54Z")
It would depend on which places were actually willing to give me a visa for a year, but I guess Argentina would be my first choice. I’ve never been to South America, and it looks big and varied enough to be interesting for a year; plus, total immersion would do wonders for my fading Spanish skills. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2014, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-gives-you-200-000-to-leave-your-home-country-for-a-year/677782/22 "2014-01-03T14:56:19Z")
We’d follow winter - skiing all over the world. When money got tight near the end, we’d ski bum. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2014, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-gives-you-200-000-to-leave-your-home-country-for-a-year/677782/23 "2014-01-03T15:10:17Z")
Heck, since it’s a fantasy, I’m going to be selfish. I’d hop from cruise ship to cruise ship and work my way around the world. Altho $200K might not be enough. A few weeks ago, I was looking at cruise sites, and there was a 121 day cruise that ran almost $180K per person. It’s probably be cheaper to buy a boat and cruise it ourselves. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![epbrown01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7ba0ec/32.png) [@epbrown01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/epbrown01)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2014, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-gives-you-200-000-to-leave-your-home-country-for-a-year/677782/24 "2014-01-03T15:16:11Z")
I’d go to Europe and spend a year touring it by motorcycle, maybe on a [Ural Solo](http://www.realclassic.co.uk/bikepix/ural08081203.jpg). ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2014, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-gives-you-200-000-to-leave-your-home-country-for-a-year/677782/25 "2014-01-03T15:23:44Z")
I don’t think so. Only one country, and can’t keep any saved cash. I would almost certainly not be able to keep my job, and the odds of making anywhere near what I do now in a different job are nill. ---
**Author:** ![JustinC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justinc/32/8083_2.png) [@JustinC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JustinC)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2014, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-gives-you-200-000-to-leave-your-home-country-for-a-year/677782/26 "2014-01-03T15:31:54Z")
Only one country and I _have_ to spend $200k? In this hypothetical I have the benefit of choosing the US as I am a UKian (from England, aka Poundland). From what little knowledge I have of the US I think it wouldn’t be impossible to spend $200k in one year. Other than the US, I would choose a country with a lot to see/do. If I went to a European country it would be too frustrating as I’d want to see another because of their proximity. None of those problems with Oz or NZ but I want to go somewhere with more history. Ah, South Africa: 11 languages, ‘known’ by Europeans since the 15th century, swimming with sharks, bungee jumping, temperate climate, diverse as \*\*\*\*. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2014, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-gives-you-200-000-to-leave-your-home-country-for-a-year/677782/27 "2014-01-03T15:50:57Z")
> [@Telemark](#): > > We’d follow winter - skiing all over the world. When money got tight near the end, we’d ski bum. Oops, missed the 1 country rule. Probably France, Switzerland, or Italy - someplace with great skiing, access to summer mountains for play, and Italy/France have the added benefit of ocean access. New Zealand would also be in play. ---
**Author:** ![Scribble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scribble/32/3317_2.png) [@Scribble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scribble)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2014, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-gives-you-200-000-to-leave-your-home-country-for-a-year/677782/28 "2014-01-03T16:01:01Z")
So–the rules of this game state that you can’t save any of the $200,000, but could you invest it? What if you were to go somewhere and start a business or buy assets–like stock or real estate–while you were there? ---
**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:** [January 3, 2014, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-gives-you-200-000-to-leave-your-home-country-for-a-year/677782/29 "2014-01-03T16:02:18Z")
Sure, mrAru and I are accustomed to spending time apart. I could head over to Germany and kick in on a flat with a friend. If I bought a car could I bring it back? It seems a shame to get a car rigged for handicapped and get all comfy with it and have to sell or abandon it. [and why Germany? I could move to somewhere near Ramstein and take advantage of the base hospital for my medical needs.] ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2014, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-gives-you-200-000-to-leave-your-home-country-for-a-year/677782/30 "2014-01-03T16:27:31Z")
If I can’t keep the money, maybe not. I’d be out of work for a year after finishing school (and not licensed to work overseas). If you’d asked me four years ago, hell yes. ---
**Author:** ![Precambrianmollusc](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/precambrianmollusc/32/63_2.png) [@Precambrianmollusc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Precambrianmollusc)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2014, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-gives-you-200-000-to-leave-your-home-country-for-a-year/677782/31 "2014-01-03T16:28:56Z")
Chamonix, France, epic skiing in winter, long season, lots of backcountry touring. Short mud season and then more epic mountain biking and hiking in spring / summer. Not sure how long 200K would last with wife 3 kids and a dog. ---
**Author:** ![pancakes3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ba9def/32.png) [@pancakes3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pancakes3)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2014, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-gives-you-200-000-to-leave-your-home-country-for-a-year/677782/32 "2014-01-03T16:31:32Z")
Australia. I’d be so tan and fit by the end just by the virtue of living in Australia - or so I suspect. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2014, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-gives-you-200-000-to-leave-your-home-country-for-a-year/677782/33 "2014-01-03T16:33:03Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > I’d be out of work for a year after finishing school What? You’re going to a [charm school??!!](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finishing_school) I assumed they were passe`. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2014, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-gives-you-200-000-to-leave-your-home-country-for-a-year/677782/34 "2014-01-03T16:56:04Z")
The only problem would be picking the place: France Spain Italy Australia New Zealand Tahiti Argentina… That’s just what I get by thinking for 15 seconds. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2014, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-gives-you-200-000-to-leave-your-home-country-for-a-year/677782/35 "2014-01-03T16:57:42Z")
Global three month Eurail Pass to find out where I’d want to spent the rest of the year. ---
**Author:** ![Helena330](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/helena330/32/531_2.png) [@Helena330](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Helena330)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2014, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-gives-you-200-000-to-leave-your-home-country-for-a-year/677782/36 "2014-01-03T17:05:52Z")
I’d go to Latvia, and bring my Mom. Both of my parents’ families fled to the US during WWII. I still have lots of family there, and while I’m familiar with the culture having grown up with it, I haven’t actually been IN it. Any extra money I’d give to a museum or two, and/or some other organization I think is important. I’d also want to find a copy of my paternal grandfather’s book on pig husbandry. 😉 I’ve no interest in pig farming, but man, he wrote a book! That got published! ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2014, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-gives-you-200-000-to-leave-your-home-country-for-a-year/677782/37 "2014-01-03T17:28:54Z")
> [@Helena330](#): > > I’d go to Latvia, and bring my Mom. Both of my parents’ families fled to the US during WWII. I still have lots of family there, and while I’m familiar with the culture having grown up with it, I haven’t actually been IN it. Any extra money I’d give to a museum or two, and/or some other organization I think is important. > > I’d also want to find a copy of my paternal grandfather’s book on pig husbandry. 😉 I’ve no interest in pig farming, but man, he wrote a book! That got published! You have inspired me to [start a new “vacation” thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=712035) over in Café Society. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2014, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-gives-you-200-000-to-leave-your-home-country-for-a-year/677782/38 "2014-01-03T17:35:44Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > What? You’re going to a [charm school??!!](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finishing_school) > > I assumed they were passe`. Trust me, I need the help. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2014, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-gives-you-200-000-to-leave-your-home-country-for-a-year/677782/39 "2014-01-03T17:36:32Z")
Paris. It’s one of the few places that my partner and I both love. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2014, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-gives-you-200-000-to-leave-your-home-country-for-a-year/677782/40 "2014-01-03T17:40:43Z")
I have always wanted to go back to India for a year and live there, but our household standard of living depends on both our salaries, and I don’t think I could convince him indoors to go with me. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-gives-you-200-000-to-leave-your-home-country-for-a-year/677782.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-gives-you-200-000-to-leave-your-home-country-for-a-year/677782.md?page=3)