Lawrence's post on the Gratitude thread got me to thinking.
What if you couldn't live in the United States, where would you live? (or for our members from other countries, if you couldn't live where you do, where would you live?)
Why?

On a cruise ship - of course!!!

Right, Betty! An apartment on The World of Residensea!

(another) Betty


ps. If it has to be on land ... Australia.

Yes, Betty, but from what country would you hold a passport??

I would pick New Zealand.

Betty

First of all are you packed yet???

That was exactly what I was thinking, although if it just HAD to be on a RSSC ship - hey, no problem. I could cope.

Vickie
I don't think I could ever relinquish my US passport - I consider it a precious document - but if I had to, I would pick Canada or Australia. Betty & I could be neighbors and Suzanne & I could fly back & forth. Now that would be fun. And we could through a huge party every January for our LCT friends on the World Cruise.

Well, the grandkids live here. If they wanted to live somewhere else then we would live there. That's the law of Grandma.

In the meantime, I told Joy & Bill (Oceancruiser)in San Diego that I want to be their critter sitter when they cruise during the winter months.

Cheers! Ray

Well, I'm one of the few Canadians on the board.

My husband is dual, so living in the States is always an option. But, if I could not live in Canada, perhaps the U.K.

Of course, if you want to get fanciful, if I was retired and very wealthy, I would spend:

- the winter somewhere like Costa Rica
- the summer somewhere like Scotland or France (instead of Toronto and my summer cottage here in Canada)
- the spring in New York city (or a variety of beautiful exotic destinations like Greece, Turkey, FP, etc.)
- the fall in New England (instead of Toronto and the cottage)

I have enjoyed living in Basel, Switzerland. The only drawback is the high cost of living here. I surprised myself by loving living in the heart of a city and my 1426 built home. I love the Swiss people. Hate the food, but it is right over the border from France, so I eat out there. The weather is better than the northeast (where I also live) and the cultural events are plentiful...there are 40 museums. I can get to a multitude of different countries very easily.

I think, though, that I would like to live in Southern France. You have the ocean, mountains, country and city and you are only 2 hours from Paris by TVG, 4 hours - driving- to Barcelona; 1 to 1.5 hours to Nice, Antibbes, Cannes,St. Tropez, etc. Great food, wonderful homes, good weather, variety of topography, chic styles, historical sites, art museums, cultural events, affordable homes, sea, and importantly -- close to ports to jump on a cruise ship.

I would like to establish a permanent residence on Motu Mahana.

MarnaLou

Ireland, between Waterford and Dublin.

I would have to say Rome overlooking the Spanish Steps or Nice, France. I love both places

They would have to pull me kicking and screaming to move out of the United States. However, if I did have to leave, I would probably choose California.

Tough question!! I suppose Switzerland would be my first choice especially in the summer, Italy my second choice!

LOL...Marc!

Marc
<img border="0" alt="[rofl]" title="" src="graemlins/rofl.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="[rofl]" title="" src="graemlins/rofl.gif" />

to everyone -
What I was thinking when I wrote the question:
If we are grateful that we are Americans (with all that that entails about rights and freedoms, etc) what if this country did not exist? Where in the world could I live?

I think I'm probably being too serious for this time of year!

I agree with Andi, the French Riviera. So beautiful, I was there for two weeks and cried when we had to leave. :mecry:

There is a little valley up high in the Colorado Rocky Mountains....

Okay, this one gave me a bit of a doubletake!! So....what are ya sayin? ;)

Me, I'd choose Italy in a heartbeat. First of all, I'm Italian...second of all, I've made an effort to learn the language, although I'm very bad at it, and third, I just LOVE the food! The big question is, where on earth would I choose within that country? I'm sure I'd stay out of the big cities, but which one would I prefer to be at least near? Rome...Florence...Venice... And where would I reside? A hilltown in Tuscany...a farmhouse out in Chianti country...a villa in the Cinque Terre...somewhere along the Amalfi Coast...

Betty,

Am I packed ??!!?!? Well, so far I have three suitcases ready for pickup totalling 200lbs. Which means I still have another 70-lber I can give them! I have a printed list where I'm trying to record what's in each case, so that I won't duplicate too badly. And I just spent an hour trying on 'maybe' clothes to make some decisions. Plus don't forget we'll have 4-50lb cases we can check -- I expect to be using every single ounce of allowance!! But two weeks from now we'll be in our suite (which will be filled to the brim with all this luggage!) trying to unpack and put it all away.

By the way, virtually all of Al's stuff fit into just one case :D

As to where would I live -- yes, RSSC would certainly do! But when it's a fantasy, dream BIG! One of those 2-bedroom apartments on The World with my own laundry and kitchen and two bathrooms and two walk-in closets and jacuzzi on the deck would be quite lovely!

Back to the packing ...

Betty

ITALY!

Marc - you are too funny. (California)
And if I could pick anywhere in the US, I would live in Houston in the winter & Vail in the summer. And I do mean in Vail or Lionshead. Love the shuttle. And I would fly all over the country to any party any LCTer would invite me to attend.

England, or NZ...

Gee, I think that's tough. I can't imagine living anywhere but here. I am a 4th generation Californian, which is rare. I can see living maybe in Florida or NYC (or both). Outside the USA? Maybe Canada if they warmed it up. Maybe in the Carribbean or somewhere like Bermuda but no hurricanes. As they say in my favorite movie, There's no place like home.

I would pick Scotland! Having spent time there I can say I never get enough.

Our plans (when the kids get much older) is to take an extended land tour and cruise the entire countryside.

Anthony

Oh I would third the vote for Switzerland in a heartbeat!

To be practical, I'd have to take into account that I only speak one language (English) and am not very proficient at that! I tried to learn French in high school, but flunked! So I would move to either Australia, New Zealand, the UK, Republic of Ireland, or Canada --- listed in no particular order.

Thanks,
Richard :) :) :)

For out of USA, I would choose Italy or Switzerland (although I've never been to Switzerland...just know I would like it.)Might as well add New Zealand also.

In the USA - western Montana, in the mountains with a stream nearby so that Alan can learn to fly fish. Of course there would be the hired help to shovel snow, etc. for when I decide to visit for my yearly dose of snowy weather. Hey, I might as well dream big!

On a cruise ship!

Good answer! Me too! :)

Betty

For those of you that mentioned Europe, have you ever actually lived in Europe? I know Andi has but how about the rest.

I have lived in both France and the Netherlands which is why I didn't select either one :D (but for different reasons).

St Barts in the winter, Ponte Vedra spring and NYC rest of the time - 4 months each - and lots of $$$ Joanna

If I can't live in San Francisco or Guatemala, I would only consider Florence (and thereabouts) or Paris...both cities feel like home to me ;)