Discussion Has America lost it's allure as a place to live?

[nigelhernandez]

When I first came to Ireland in 2009, many teachers, classmates, and adults always talked about moving to the States in the future for a better life. People even envied me for living there and asked "Why the **** did you come to this kip called Ireland?".

Fast forward 11 years now, it seems the tone has completely changed. Sure, people still go there, but the numbers are fewer. After the mass shootings like Sandy Hook, Las Vegas, Isla Vista, the spying revelations by Snowden, the police brutality etc... has America became a first world nation relegated to third world status?

 

[Fizzel87]

Greatest place to live if you're rich.

 

[mediocre]

I'm from Ireland and in recent years people have been moving here for a better life. I don't quite understand it. It wasn't like that years ago. But life here has improved especially in the last 20 years. We've gone through a lot of social change and things just seem to be a lot better. It's now quite an expensive place to live especially Dublin. 10 years ago I would've definitely moved but now I don't think so. I live in the north which is poor in comparison but I would definitely be quite happy living down in the republic.

The same thing has happened in other countries. So maybe it's because people are realising that life is improving so there is no need to leave in search for a better life in the US? I don't know.

I really like the US but it just seems things there are very unstable compared to Ireland and other countries. It's crazy all the time. Maybe that puts some people off too? Also the American dream seeems like it would be much harder to achieve now compared to the past. People can now achieve this in their own countries.

Another thing is I feel relatively safe here I don't think I would feel as safe in the US. Even though I've grown up where there used to be a lot of violence and killings due to The Troubles. Things are much calmer now. There is a sense we've moved on from violence and are moving toward a better place...

maybe I am rambling

 

[4eyebiped]

I think Earth has lost its allure as a place to live...

 

[Green Destiny]

Americas coming apart at the seems. A collapse is inevitable whether it happens tomorrow or a few years down the line. But as a fellow citizen I can say without a doubt that this county fuckin' sucks to live in.

 

[Myforevercharlie]

Never wanted to visit, let alone live. Europe may be changing as well, but I'm still convinced I'm better of here.

 

[MaybeSoon]

I think the President is the main thing putting people off America at the moment.

 

[lostangel]

I think it has. As another user pointed out. The US seems from the outside to be a great place to live if you're rich. I've heard there are many poor people in America. I think there is 40,000,000 people unemployed. Out of a population of 300 million.

As well with the invention of social media, we see the flaws in America. Police brutality, corrupt system and injustice. I think moving from Ireland (where I am now) to America 10 years ago would be more appealing then it is now. While Ireland has it's own problems I don't think I would want to move to a place like America. Especially because of how unstable it is because of racial tensions.

 

[Jean Améry]

If you look at who they elected to be their president I think that answers your question. This isn't really a politically biased remark: I'm fairly sure mr. Trump has no political loyalty (he used to be a democrat) let alone a moral compass and any intelligence he once possessed has clearly vanished. All that remains is his gigantic ego: it's incredible how completely childish this man reacts to perceived threats or insults. My 5 year old nephew doesn't throw temper-tantrums like that.

If the old adage 'every people gets the leaders it deserves' is true then I'd say the US of A is in steep decline, morally and intellectually.

What is happening now could very well lead to a (second) civil war although it seems even republicans are waking up to this danger while their glorious leader apparantly inquired if tanks could be used to quell the protests... He clearly relishes violence and doesn't care about anything or anyone but himself. Least of all his country or people. That makes him supremely dangerous.

For the life of me I wouldn't want to live in a country that is so divided, so dangerous, so boundlessly individualistic (completely unsympathetic to vulnerable and suffering people and apparantly if you're poor in the US it's all your own fault), so seemingly hell-bent on violence and weapons with such a huge gap between the rich and the poor. I'm sure many if not most Americans are great people but what a country...

In theory the US should be a great country to live in (he land of opportunity and freedom), in practice it's not or at least no longer. The American Dream is pretty much dead and buried.

Even for a mere vacation I wouldn't want to go there: I've seen enough of the culture through popular media to know it's not worth the money, time or effort.

 

[Deleted member 1465]

America has lost its mind. I wouldn't be surprised if War was coming.

 

[Cosmiq]

I think with our most recent president it's deterred many from wanting to come here. Had an ex that was french/English say that many Europeans didn't think too highly of the average American. Many viewed America think of the stereotypical Walmart, country accent, overweight, and not bright and this was before we elected Trump.
But America has never been all the great for anyone without money or minorities. I think as far as when it comes to developed countries, America is the one that is weirdly uninterested in helping its own people and bettering its country.

 

[Anonymoussn]

Society in America might have lost it's allure, but the backcountry hasn't. The mountains and woods of the US is hands down my favourite place to be. Lets hope Trump doesnt get his dirty mitts all over them

 

[Green Destiny]

Society in America might have lost it's allure, but the backcountry hasn't. The mountains and woods of the US is hands down my favourite place to be. Lets hope Trump doesnt get his dirty mitts all over them

Wouldn't be surprised if he try's. Especially if he gets re-elected.

 

[Meditation guide]

For the life of me I wouldn't want to live in a country that is so divided, so dangerous, so boundlessly individualistic (completely unsympathetic to vulnerable and suffering people and apparantly if you're poor in the US it's all your own fault), so seemingly hell-bent on violence and weapons with such a huge gap between the rich and the poor. I'm sure many if not most Americans are great people but what a country...

It's always been like this in America. Every person for themself, sink or swim. Immigrants come here and are shocked at how hard life is here.

The woods, nature, wildlife, beaches, countryside is incredible. And there is lots of it.

 

[Peter_pan90]

America used to be my dream country. But the more I travelled I realised there are better places like Australia, New Zeland, Sweden! But America it's still America and I would love to live in LA.

 

[Meditation guide]

Many viewed America think of the stereotypical Walmart, country accent, overweight, and not bright and this was before we elected Trump.

That's it. Watch the videos of the people at Walmart and you will get some idea of the average American. Not good. That's why we have the idiot running things now. It's a hideous culture, the usual American diet, the lack of manners and crudeness, the lack of education. They LOVE Trump! Watch us re elect him.

 

[Deleted member 8975]

They LOVE Trump! Watch us re elect him.

Yup. He will be reelected without doubt. Doesn't help that no one is putting up any real opposition.

 

[Good4Nothing]

I'm American. Born in the 70s. I hate what has happened to my country in the last 20 years. It's always been a little rough around the edges, that's the nature of our rebel culture, but these days I feel like I'm living in upside-down bizarro-land clown-world. Nothing makes sense anymore, and it's so hard to make a living. Im making 20 bucks an hour and I'm having a hell of a time finding a place to live. I found one, finally, but it's so expensive I'll be living hand to mouth, not saving any money. How is 40k not enough for a decent living? Add to that the political landscape and the gutting of education, the politicization of the news networks... it's bonkers. I hate it. I want the 90s back.

 

[Meditation guide]

Yup. He will be reelected without doubt. Doesn't help that no one is putting up any real opposition.

I will never understand how anyone can vote for such a despicable excuse for a human being.

 

[Deleted member 8975]

I want the 90s back.

I grew up in the 90s. It was a slightly better time and it's only gotten progressively worse.

 

[Meditation guide]

it's so expensive I'll be living hand to mouth, not saving any money. How is 40k not enough for a decent living?

That is the worst problem, no affordable housing, aside from the climate change. Paying rent or a mortgage takes up literally all of people's monthly pay now.

 

[Deleted member 8975]

I will never understand how anyone can vote for such a despicable excuse for a human being.

9/11 really exposed American ineptitude. Both at the fact the attacks could happen in the way and magnitude they did WITH the forehand knowledge. The active confusion DURING the situation where it was reported that essentially "countless" planes we're being comandeered into weapons to attack the U.S. (the media), and the total lack of intelligible response to the attacks ("I have a great idea, let's attack IRAQ because we are so freakin' backwards we can't tell one arab from the other. This will be good! Right?") and yes it happened two years or so later but the beating of those war drums were set in stone that day and the lead up to it was long.

 

[Meditation guide]

9/11 really exposed American ineptitude. Both at the fact the attacks could happen in the way and magnitude they did WITH the forehand knowledge. The active confusion DURING the situation where it was reported that essentially "countless" planes we're being comandeered into weapons to attack the U.S. (the media), and the total lack of intelligible response to the attacks ("I have a great idea, let's attack IRAQ because we are so freakin' backwards we can't tell one arab from the other. This will be good! Right?")

Remember how Bush reacted when they told him it happened as he read to a children's class? His brain shorted out and he kept on reading to them.

 

[Deleted member 8975]

Remember how Bush reacted when they told him it happened as he read to a children's class? His brain shorted out and he kept on reading to them.

Yes it was total lack of empathy whatsoever which is no surprise. American presidents have not had empathy since I've been alive. The invasion of Afghanistan was it's own separate blunder...multiple times. Multiple times the U.S. has negotiated deals with the Taliban since the war! but "we don't negotiate with terrorists." It's always a tricksters act; look at my right hand and not my left. The government takes our own people for fools and sadly it seems the vast majority of them CHOOSE to be so because they are too scared of challenging the status quo. They'd rather be fat overweight Americans like you mentioned earlier, biting a tripple fried drum stick dipped in coke (either/or) then actually try to education themselves and challenge their own brain. My mom had a saying "don't believe what you hear and only half of what you see." In other words, challenge what information comes to you, don't just blindly accept it.

 

[Cherrypea]

I always disliked America and Americans as it seemed from TV they were really up themselves. Then 2 years ago I visited New York and found Americans are much nicer than English people

 

[Meditation guide]

found Americans are much nicer than English people

I always assumed
English people were all really nice until I started noticing a few I talked to online were a little bit bitchy and shady. It really surprised me, because they seem to have manners we lack generally.

 

[Deleted member 8975]

I always disliked America and Americans as it seemed from TV they were really up themselves. Then 2 years ago I visited New York and found Americans are much nicer than English people

Oh you'll find plenty of difficult people in NY NY.

 

[Dr Iron Arc]

America is such a diverse place. It's basically 50 different countries in one. Your mileage will vary based on where you get to live (and how much money you have). For example, I live in Northern California which usually has beautiful scenery, very comfortable weather (most of the time), and such a widespread variety of cultures living here that anyone living here can absorb if they know where to look (also the variety of food is nice). Even so, it's not for everyone. Housing is stupid expensive for one. Like anywhere else in the US and maybe some other parts of the world, it sometimes feels like I don't belong here. For example, car break ins are so frequent because in California you will never be put into prison if you steal total property valued under $950, even if you are caught. The worst you can get is fined for the damages and that takes an extra step of litigation. I also often hate it here because even though California is supposed to be progressive, a lot of that just translates to people with good intentions messing things up for everyone else and other people insisting they're right all the time just because their intentions are good. I guess it could be like this in other parts of the us too but it really bothers me in particular the way some Californians are.

That said, I don't think I can see myself living in any other country. I've spent a bit of time in Taiwan before (where my parents come from) and while it is nice and has some advantages, the feeling of being foreign there never subsided. Taiwan is also too humid and crowded all throughout the year for my liking anyway. I think other people who have lived in America their whole lives may find it harder to adjust because I started getting too frustrated about converting all measurements and having to get used to a new currency too. It just fucks with my mind trying to imagine a kilometer or an extra degree Celsius for example. I just can't visualize it.

 

[Panna]

Large scale shootings in general like isla vista or columbine are pretty irrelevant to the case at hand. I would certainly say that the biggest reason now is all the chaz and antifa and blm stuff. If you're a social recluse (like I am) and you just sit back and watch them make idiots of themselves on camera and just enjoy it, well it's perfectly nice. Trump is definitely a factor as well in why were looked down upon, but he's entertaining to watch if nothing else. He's going to be reelected, and were going to have four more wonderful years of anarchy, (unless he finally decides to have the police go out with lead). Hopefully though, after the next four years, things will finally calm down and we can begin returning to a more sensible and respectable norm.

 

[Chupacabra 44]

Can I get back to you on Wednesday, November 4th, 2020?