# You Decide You Have to Leave Your Country. Where Do You Go and Why? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 31, 2025, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-decide-you-have-to-leave-your-country-where-do-you-go-and-why/1016395 "2025-03-31T12:46:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**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:** [May 22, 2025, 9:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-decide-you-have-to-leave-your-country-where-do-you-go-and-why/1016395/101 "2025-05-22T09:54:13Z")
Uruguay looks good to me. Temperate climate with ocean breezes. Full legal protection for LGBTQ rights. Legal ganja. The only full democracy in South America. Everybody forgets about Uruguay, so it won’t be crowded with Americans seeking asylum like Canada. ---
**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2025, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-decide-you-have-to-leave-your-country-where-do-you-go-and-why/1016395/102 "2025-05-22T14:13:23Z")
That’s my “Realistic” exile option too, ideally I would go to Greece or Italy but I wouldn’t be able to get citizenship. ( I don’t know about Uruguay but I’d hope I could be accepted as a refugee) The problem with Uruguay is that there is just no work opportunities there, the population has been about 3 million since forever because the young emmigrate looking for opportunities (most to Argentina). This may be changing though (In a recent job search I got a couple offers from business radicated there who were employing people from here) ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2025, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-decide-you-have-to-leave-your-country-where-do-you-go-and-why/1016395/103 "2025-05-22T15:01:17Z")
Did you ever see Anthony Bourdain’s shows about Uruguay? Very interesting. You might be able to watch them here: > **[Travel through Uruguay with Anthony Bourdain](https://explorepartsunknown.com/uruguay/)** > > Grab your mate gourd and some sunscreen, we're headed to the coast of Uruguay. Another one: **Anthony Bourdain - No Reservations - Se4 - Ep14 HD Watch** > **[Dailymotion](https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x8gxapt)** ---
**Author:** ![Charlie\_Tan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/charlie_tan/32/12582_2.png) [@Charlie\_Tan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charlie_Tan)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2025, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-decide-you-have-to-leave-your-country-where-do-you-go-and-why/1016395/104 "2025-05-22T17:59:16Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > First choice Greece, second Portugal. Apparently they have a program where they will give you a visa if you are willing to buy abandoned homes and fix them up. Could someone explain the (I think American) affinity for Portugal. I mean it’s nice and all, but I can’t help but raise a few questions (even if this is a fantasy thread): Do you intend to live there or just stay? I make a distinction because if you’re living in a gated community and plan on golfing and relaxing by the pool - then you’re staying. Living mean learning the language. If you’re only staying, you realize that you have to pay someone for all those things we take for granted: contracts, dealing with the plumber, renewing insurancer… For myself, if I’m not an actual refugee and I get to pick a country, I’d pick one where I want to live. And to adress what I quoted @Saint_Cad about - I have been trying to read up on official websites in Portugal (they suck) and you have to buy a property for €350K if you’re planning on going that way. Also, the golden visa program no longer lets you buy real estate in Lisbon, Porto or on the southern coast for the more expensive “invest in Portugal” program. That entails forking up €500K for the property. Check [idealista.pt](https://idealista.pt) for listings (available in English). Never buy from a realtor outside the country. They will add a lot to the price, and even if you don’t know the language, getting local help is better and cheaper. BTW, googling Golden Visa and Portugal turned up a zillion of agencies trying to sell the service. And the Portuguese government web is sorely lacking in good, up to date information. (Aside, my knowledge of Spanish lets me read Portuguese fairly well. I don’t understand a word when they’re talking). * * * I have my own preferences (Spain) but if I didn't, I'd give Slovenia a serious look. Their independence war from Yugolavia is called the [Ten Day War](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ten-Day\_War) and wiki lists every single day. I count to to 63 killed. It was first of former Yugo republics to join the EU and is very stable, very beautiful. It's almost landlocked (cost is about 10 mi), but since they are part of Schengen you have Italy and Croatia as neighbors. Also, mountains. Southern slope of the Alps means ski resorts. Highest peak is 9400 ft. Check out [Kranjska Gora](https://kranjska-gora.si/en). ---
**Author:** ![OldOlds](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a3d4f5/32.png) [@OldOlds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldOlds)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2025, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-decide-you-have-to-leave-your-country-where-do-you-go-and-why/1016395/105 "2025-05-22T18:03:12Z")
> [@Charlie\_Tan](#): > > BTW, googling Golden Visa and Portugal turned up a zillion of agencies trying to sell the service. And the Portuguese government web is sorely lacking in good, up to date information. (Aside, my knowledge of Spanish lets me read Portuguese fairly well. I don’t understand a word when they’re talking). I actually spoke to a dual-citizen dual-license Portuguese-American attorney about the golden visa. She told me that its still possible, though they have tightened things up a bit, and that I should expect to spend about $200,000 and five years on attorney fees, court fees, filing fees, travel, etc. She said that this was in addition to the investments in-country and this is the part the websites never mention. She was, FWIW, an attorney who did just this kind of work for a big name firm (Duane Morris) as I happen to have some connections to that firm. So I believe her. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2025, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-decide-you-have-to-leave-your-country-where-do-you-go-and-why/1016395/106 "2025-05-22T18:06:22Z")
> [@Charlie\_Tan](#): > > Could someone explain the (I think American) affinity for Portugal. I mean it’s nice and all, but I can’t help but raise a few questions (even if this is a fantasy thread): I’ll take this on since I was recently there. Lisbon is extremely over-rated. Heard great fado music at dinner but the city itself is very meh. Once you get into the country however, it is absolutely gorgeous. > [@Charlie\_Tan](#): > > Also, the golden visa program no longer lets you buy real estate in Lisbon, Porto or on the southern coast for the more expensive “invest in Portugal” program. I think they might make allowances for fixing up the abandoned property, but as an unusual circumstance. You are no longer allowed to buy a turnkey house in Lisbon for the visa anymore. ---
**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:** [May 22, 2025, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-decide-you-have-to-leave-your-country-where-do-you-go-and-why/1016395/107 "2025-05-22T18:07:27Z")
I am watching this right now. Thank you. ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2025, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-decide-you-have-to-leave-your-country-where-do-you-go-and-why/1016395/108 "2025-05-22T18:30:25Z")
> [@madmonk28](#): > > Right now, I’d rather not say, but it’s a country that allows people to buy property on a tourist visa and is pretty easy to get a long term visa for retirees. This is what my brother did when he moved to Costa Rica. He’s been there over ten years now and still likes it. Well, he recently moved from nearly right on the beach on the Caribbean side to over the mountains to a more highland site closer to San Jose. It was just too hot for his wife at sea level, and it really aggravated some of her health issues. Although CR does provide universal health care – even for non-citizen permanent residents. ---
**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:** [May 22, 2025, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-decide-you-have-to-leave-your-country-where-do-you-go-and-why/1016395/109 "2025-05-22T19:31:35Z")
Thanks! Ironically, I am a vegetarian. Doesn’t matter because I cook for myself and don’t go out much anyway. ---
**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:** [May 22, 2025, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-decide-you-have-to-leave-your-country-where-do-you-go-and-why/1016395/110 "2025-05-22T19:44:52Z")
[ > **hid off topic rant** > > quote=“ThelmaLou, post:103, topic:1016395”] > Anthony Bourdain - No Reservations - Se4 - Ep14 HD Watch > [/quote] > > Fucking fuck, this is making me feel miserable. I shut it off a few minutes in. I guess there is no place for me anywhere on this planet. I’m making every effort to not give up on existence, if you know what I mean. It’s all so depressing as fuck. ---
**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2025, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-decide-you-have-to-leave-your-country-where-do-you-go-and-why/1016395/111 "2025-05-22T19:46:00Z")
I can’t see the video (I’m at work), why the reaction? what do they show about Uruguay that is so bad? ---
**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:** [May 22, 2025, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-decide-you-have-to-leave-your-country-where-do-you-go-and-why/1016395/112 "2025-05-22T19:49:26Z")
> **off topic** > > My brother, you could not understand, so it’s better I don’t try to explain. I’m vegetarian. Now everybody go ahead and pile your mockery on me, I know you want to, I’m so fucking used to it. Vegetarians get no respect at all. Even vegans hate us. We get hate from both sides. Just forget I said anything, forget it. Olvídate de lo que dije, simplemente olvídalo. Pretend I’m not here . ---
**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2025, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-decide-you-have-to-leave-your-country-where-do-you-go-and-why/1016395/113 "2025-05-22T19:51:48Z")
> **Summary** > > There are lot of vegetarians in Uruguay, per capita probably more than in Argentina and we have lots of them, does the video imply that they are regularly mocked or something? > Because I don’t think that’s the case, not anymore and not among polite people. ---
**Author:** ![OldOlds](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a3d4f5/32.png) [@OldOlds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldOlds)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2025, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-decide-you-have-to-leave-your-country-where-do-you-go-and-why/1016395/114 "2025-05-22T19:53:02Z")
> **Summary** > > Jesus. Where do you live? Around Boston vegetarians are a dime a dozen and nobody cares. > > Hell, my house is the Designated Cookout Location for both my and my wife’s families and I’ve always got some veggie burgers in the freezer because there’s a few on both sides > > ETA: We also have a large Indian population, and lots of them are vegetarians; a good friend of mine isn’t “allowed” by his wife to eat meat, so whenever we go out to lunch he wants to get a burger while she isn’t looking. ---
**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:** [May 22, 2025, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-decide-you-have-to-leave-your-country-where-do-you-go-and-why/1016395/115 "2025-05-22T19:59:00Z")
> **Summary** > > I wasn’t going to get into this, but since you asked, I live in Northern Virginia. If you’re not a member of a despised minority, of course you won’t be aware of what it’s like to live as one. I can’t go to any social gathering without meathead snoops looking at my plate, seeing no meat, and harassing me about it, when I’m just quietly trying to mind my own business. Now I’d like to stop talking about me and return to the intent of the OP about international relocation. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2025, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-decide-you-have-to-leave-your-country-where-do-you-go-and-why/1016395/116 "2025-05-22T20:16:05Z")
> **Summary** > > Good grief. > > I don’t know what triggered you, but I’m sorry I posted that link without vetting it first. I remember seeing one of his Uruguay shows when it first ran and liking it. > > Keep in mind that Bourdain’s Uruguay isn’t everyone’s Uruguay. > > \ ---
**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2025, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-decide-you-have-to-leave-your-country-where-do-you-go-and-why/1016395/117 "2025-05-22T20:19:03Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > Keep in mind that Bourdain’s Uruguay isn’t everyone’s Uruguay. Specially if he went to touristy areas in the coast, that’s where we export the worst kind of Argentinians to (well there and Miami), so we don’t have to suffer them here all year! ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2025, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-decide-you-have-to-leave-your-country-where-do-you-go-and-why/1016395/118 "2025-05-22T20:22:48Z")
He **never** went to touristy areas. As I recall, he was interested in Uruguay because his father’s family was from there. I might have that wrong. But it was some family connection. ---
**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2025, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-decide-you-have-to-leave-your-country-where-do-you-go-and-why/1016395/119 "2025-05-22T20:23:49Z")
It’s not that, then. ---
**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:** [May 22, 2025, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-decide-you-have-to-leave-your-country-where-do-you-go-and-why/1016395/120 "2025-05-22T20:58:20Z")
> **Summary** > > I’m not upset with you that Bourdain’s fucking obnoxious video (“My bloodlust is still not sated!”) precipitated a psychiatric crisis in me. It was necessary for me to confront that unpleasant reality before throwing myself into it. A needed reality check. Get my head out of the dreamy clouds and back down to Earth. > > You see, as an American trans woman every day I feel the noose drawing tighter, which is why I’m in this discussion. The uncertainty of being able to find a way out is awfully stressful. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-decide-you-have-to-leave-your-country-where-do-you-go-and-why/1016395.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-decide-you-have-to-leave-your-country-where-do-you-go-and-why/1016395.md?page=7)