“Commit Some Crimes, Go To Prison”: 40 People Share Where They Would Move To If Given The Chance
Everyone gets the so-called “travel bug” now and then, more often than not when seeing images of their friends' trips or just the wonderful cities and vistas other places have to offer. As is so often the case, there are a lot more dream destinations than there are time and resources to visit.
Someone asked “If you could move to any country right now for free and get instant citizenship, where would you move to and why?” and people gave their answers. A few focused on those hard-to-get citizenships while others just wanted a culinary upgrade. So get comfortable as you scroll through, upvote your favorites and be sure to share your thoughts below.
This post may include affiliate links.
Iceland. Less people to deal with.
pantherwest:
And no mosquitoes. But the added bonus of aurora borealis. Shocked I had to scroll so far to find Iceland.
Had the chance to visit a number of years ago. It was breathtakingly beautiful, and the people were friendly and incredibly good looking.
Canada
As an embarrassed American, I think I’d find it culturally familiar, more liberal, no Trump. I hear Vancouver is amazing too.
Vancouver is incredibly expensive especially for housing, although climactically it's pretty similar to Washington. There's a lot of amazing places in Canada and most of the population are within a couple hours drive of the USA so... There ya go!
Hands down - Norway.
Free healthcare, education. Nice clean air, no pollution. Friendly people. It is quite peaceful over there.
In Norway you are absolutely entitled to second opinions, you are allowed to change doctors at will, use a private hospital if you like. And in my experience, if I call my doctor and tell them I am coming but is a little delayed due to traffic, they tend to say okay and take in the next patient while waiting for me. If traffic have turned so horrendous in England people should take that into account when going anywhere. Also, ambulances and ER are free as part of the health package. Sure there are malpractice cases here in Europe as in the rest of the world, but quoting one tragedy as a reason to scrap the entire system?
Scotland or Ireland. Pale, freckles and lots of curly hair. The sun hates me, and I prefer cloudy cool places. It’s ideal.
I am a female, I live in the American south, the weather is a humid hot bastard and I’ve been ragged my whole life about being so pale. I have a lot of Irish, Welsh, and Scottish ancestry, I would love to visit if nothing else.
I am also of mainly Welsh descent, and I can confirm that the sun hates ALL of me! It burns my skin, I can never get a tan, and I’m practically blind when it’s too bright. During the day, I’m almost always in the shade, and when I’m not, you can find me being annoyed at the bright light and squinting so much it’s a surprise I can see at all.
Ireland, it's just so damn beautiful.
TokyoRachel:
That's my pick. Fiance and I spent 9 days there in 2019 and it was the most magical place I've ever seen. The food, the people, the nature, the sights, everything was so lovely that I cried for days when we got back.
I know they're experiencing a terrible housing crisis and I would hate to add to that but boy would I give almost anything to be able to call that beautiful island home.
I just left Ireland 5 months ago and I miss it everyday. I can’t wait to be back.
Probably New Zealand. I mean you've got beaches, mountains, Hobbiton, like what more could you want??
Alex_2259:
Only if a free house comes with it. Insanely bad housing market even worse than the states.
Probably Sweden. Similar to the commenter talking about Norway, you can get surprisingly affordable property on water outside the main cities. It’s hard to explain but I just vibe with Sweden a bit more vs. Norway, Finland, or Denmark, but overall, I love the Nordics. I don’t mind cold, I don’t mind the dark if appropriately accompanied by fun wintry things, love the values and general lifestyle. I know all countries have their problems and Sweden in particular has been struggling with integrating migrants, but nowhere is perfect.
For context, I am American, currently live in the Netherlands. And things are good here, I’m happy here, but I also…spend a lot of time in Sweden. Both my spouse and I have had work projects that have taken us to Sweden or had us working long time with a Swedish team, so we also know we vibe with the work culture etc., not only based on short vacations.
It's for me too dark and cold. However an amazing country. But for someone who hates the period november-february the most, any nordic european country for a constant living is a big NO.
Norway, commit some crimes, go to prison, play PS all day long.
Uruguay. The Northern Hemisphere wants to destroy itself, so looking south is a good first bet. Uruguay is one of the most progressive countries in South America. Also one of the safest. Add the people and the culture and the beauty of the land to the mix and it's a clear winner.
Denmark or the Netherlands. I hear people in Denmark are happy. I would like some of that too.
Danmark has very restriktive immigration laws, so good luck with that. The weather is miserable, and while we Danes are seen as happy we are also rather standoffish. Everyone speaks English but if you don't bother learning the language you will be whispered about behind your back.
Norway. Honestly, one of the few countries that seems to put their own people as a whole first, all the way down to nationalizing mineral wealth instead of giving it away to private enterprise, foreign national organizations, or individuals for nothing. Already fully recognize how deleterious many of the negative decisions other countries either are continuing to make, or trying to make, just a lot less work to be done to have a functional level of government.
Spain. Beautiful cities, awesome food, wonderful culture, and casual lifestyle.
I would move to Malta. I’m sixty years old and Malta is one of the top places to retire too. An island in the central Mediterranean Sea, beaches, affordable cost of living. And Malta has two spoken languages are Maltese and English. Yup with what’s about to transpire in the U.S. It gets more tempting everyday.
But they are misogynistic and shoot anything and everything that flies overhead! They are partly responsible for much of the decrease in birdlife in Central Europe!
I don't want to leave the USA. But if I were going to leave, I'd go to Canada. It's pretty much the same as the U.S. but with fewer guns and universal healthcare.
There's something I don't understand...(I'm not being sarcastic)...don't people realize that the higher taxes in countries with universal healthcare are what pays for the healthcare. I'm not trying to offend anyone...but governments that offer free healthcare gets the money to pay for it through higher taxes.
Scotland, I'd live a self sufficient lifestyle, and just enjoy the scenery.
Portugal. For the food, the people and history.
I knew a man who had hundreds of geese living on his front porch. He was Porch-u-geese.
The Netherlands.
Every time I go there I enjoy myself. I get the feeling that the Dutch have things figured out.
We've figured a lot of things out, but not the immigrant problem. We're now facing the consequences of having had a far too liberal attitude towards new-comers. There are 4th generation newc-comers who still don't speak Dutch properly and who retain their dual citizenship as a way out. I have never been so ashamed as when I saw Isrealis hunted like the Dutch jews were hunted by the Nazis in WWII, with the hunters being Moroccans. This is not why my grandfather joined the Reisistance, this is not what the majority of us wants. Which is why we have the government that we have now. Which is why underlying tensions, buried for decades, are coming to the surface.
Probably not the most common answer, but I think maybe Germany. I’m of German heritage and have been learning the language the past few years now to the point of reading Harry Potter and watching some tv somewhat comfortably. I like the culture and would enjoy the challenge of adapting to what feels like a midpoint between an English speaking comfort zone and something truly new.
Just choose your place wisely. There are big differences between north and south ... and sure, you can still say what's the exactly differences are between the former soviet influence East-Germany, and the rest of the whole country. The west side of the countr is somehow kind of "neutral".
Italy!! Studied abroad there a few years ago and have been thinking about it ever since. I love everything about it, the people, the food, the culture... it's a great place.
This makes for interesting reading if a doer upper retirement home is of interest. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-03-28/one-euro-homes-italy-sicily-foreign-correspondent/103415744
Croatia, along the dalmatian coast.
It's beautiful to begin with, the local food is amazing.
And there is something about their mentality and society with I very much enjoy. It's a bit more 'human' so to speak? And their society seems less polarized than what I'm used to back home.
Don't get me wrong the country where I now live the Netherlands is beautiful as well. But... It just feels a bit cold not just the outside temperature but also our society, it has something cold. We are friendly sure but... We will never invite a stranger into our homes.
I really feel at home every time I’m in Poland. I’m trying to revive the memories of the language (from my grandparents). It’s a beautiful country with great food. I also really enjoyed Iceland.
Australia, I visited there and it’s a beautiful country and I have some close friends who live there. Sure I’ve heard discrimination is a thing but that isn’t anything new to me living in the US. Seems like it’s holding up better than the US at least for now. Either that or anywhere up North in Europe (Iceland, Sweden, etc.) only problem then is I have to learn a new language.
Switzerland. Because I’ve been struggling for the past year to learn German language, to even get a chance to enter the country and do the job I love. So a shortcut would be phenomenal.
Japan. It has a blend of culture tech and nature that fascinates me would love to experience it.
Beneficial_Metal6155:
I lived there for two years. It’s a beautiful, clean, and safe country. Unfortunately it’s extremely racist.
Our daughter and her family are moving to Ireland (her husband's company has a branch there and they don't want to lose him) so Ireland.
So that's not a 'want to move' that's a 'have to' really isn't it?
I have Dual Citizenship in Mexico. I was born in Texas. But My husband and I have already made a pact that when s**t really hits the fan, we’re heading down.
World history will tell you once "s**t really hits the fan" it's too late!
I’d probably go to Thailand for the inexpensive living.
matt71vh:
Me too, I've been twice, my son lives there. It is a really cool country, the food is also cheap but amazing, they have top ranked health care choices, people are so cool and so many choices for inexpensive housing. And Bangkok, and beaches, aand and and. Yeah, in a heartbeat.
Housing might be cheap, but you can get a house in Sudan for almost nothing. A little more if you want one standing.
I'd move to New Zealand for the stunning scenery and laid-back lifestyle!
Ireland.
No risk of being involved in WWIII, close to tons of excellent vacation destinations, cool all year round, beautiful, and easy to get back and forth to my family in the US. Plus, I can transfer my professional license more easily than most other countries, so that would make finding work easier.
Hate to break the news, but the following nuclear winter is not going to stop at the British border.
UK, London specifically. Right now I am a Dutch expat living here, having citizenship would make live just a little easier (not much honestly). The free move to London is what would be the most appealing part.
Yes, but hideously expensive. It will take more than the current (timid) Labour government to repair the damage done by Thatcherites over the last 35 odd years.
I'm currently focusing my research on France b/c of culture, food, wine, beauty, tax structure, ability to buy property as a US expat.
You'll have to learn the language at some level. French people keep pride on that. In Paris, or some more touristic places, you can get away with just english, but in "resl France" you'll be dead without french knowledge. Sure you will be spogtted as a not french at your first sight, but trying to speek french will raise your chances to being accepted.
The main phrase I use when in France is 'Desole, je suis Anglaise' Which translates as 'Sorry that I'm English'. It often gets a laugh, and if you can make someone laugh, you're going to be fine.
Load More Replies...Definitely ANYWHERE in France!! The WHO declares they have the best healthcare in the world, (yes, I am aware they pay for it with high taxes), the best retirement plan, (again high taxes), the most regulated systems overall but that equates to knowing what they are getting in return. (Minute details regulated down to the specific ingredients of food products etc) The French, in my mind are justifiably proud of their country, culture and language.
I've been there! Everyone told me oh the French are all really rude but actually everyone was really nice and polite. I encountered exactly one (1) jerk. So basically it was the same as the time I went to California. Was told Californians are all rude a******s but instead everyone I met was friendly as hell and many of them commented on my accent and were interested to know where I was from. I was there for about a month and met exactly one jerk. And it was not me who ultimately regretted that encounter, heheheh.
Oh no, not another twat calling themselves an expat. Educate yourself on what really is french culture because it is not what you are imagining, learn the language, and remember that you will be an immigrant here so forget your feelings of excepionalisms.
I thought there was a difference between expat and immigrant, in that expats plan to return to their country of origin, but immigrants move for good? Upvote for correct use of the word twat though
Load More Replies...Panama or Costa Rica. I already speak the language. Relatively the same flight time from Puerto Rico (where my family lives) than where I live now. And they have some of the most stable economies and political environments in South America.
Lol I’ve been asking myself this question a lot lately. If I had to choose, I’d probably be stuck between Switzerland and Portugal. Switzerland has everything you could want—insane quality of life, amazing healthcare, and education, plus the views are literally out of this world with all the mountains and lakes. Plus, it’s so easy to explore Europe from there. But then there’s Portugal, with its perfect weather, lower cost of living, and super chill, welcoming vibe. It feels like the kind of place where you can enjoy life at a slower pace, plus the history and culture are amazing to dive into. Honestly, I’m torn!
yeah you're going to have to explore the rest of Europe from Switserland as you cant afford to do your shopping locally
Luxembourg. I work in banking.
W005EY:
I go there a few times a year. Luxemburg is a wonderful little country. Love it.
Luxembourg actually had one of the best beers I've had in my life. Like....I remembered it so well after weeks of backpacking around Europe. Super fortified country, I liked visiting there. Idk about moving there though.
Greece. Visited before and it’s absolutely beautiful. The people are so kind, and the food is great.
I’ve got it quite good here in the Netherlands but if I had to choose I’d be hopping the border to Germany. Always like going there, been on holiday there in different parts of the country and everywhere was good.
Finland, they are the happiest country. After the election, we're gonna need some happiness.
If you like cold and drakness 5-6 months per year, and no social interaction with strangers ... go ahead! But I think, you are from USA .... the worst choice for you! They are the happiest, because they don't give a f.ck, minding their own business.
Belize, Japan, or Scotland…. For safety reasons.
How come nobody chose Russia? Friendly country, free elections, and an amazing leader who keeps getting elected over and over again. And, if you're Korean, they'll fly you over for free and give you a job right away. And the vodka is to literally die for!
And there's always employment for you on the front lines!
Load More Replies...I live outside a small town in Northern Norway, and I couldn't dream of moving again. I can afford a nice house with a huge yard (filled with fruits, berries and chicken coop) on my disability pension, people are friendly, I have family here, summers are bright and winters are cosy. I see the local fjord, raggedy mountains and a field of wild flowers from my veranda. And if I wait a few years the ocean will be warm enough to swim
Iceland and Scandinavia attract me, I like the ethics and don't mind the cold. But I'll just stay here and grumble. Oh sorry, I forgot, I'm British, mustn't grumble!
Load More Replies...I live and work in the Netherlands after work brought me here (EU citizen, German), so it is refreshing to see "the Netherlands" in all these posts. Especially, because a lot of Dutch hate NL and leave/want to leave. Picking a country because of "had beautiful holidays there" is not a wise choice and will end in disappointment. I live in a very touristy region at the southernmost coast, can see the dunes from my bedroom. Many German tourists are jealous - until I tell them what it takes to live a moderate, small life. I almost never make it to the beach due to work, household, garden, volunteering (it is expected by te villagers and necessary to blend in). If you don't speak Dutch fluently, you can survive at work, but will never have it easy in the cosy little towns. Understanding the culture, which is totally different from the German one, takes effort. Winter is long, cold, stormy and wet. Lots of Germans are heavily disappointed after the first year, that they cannot live their beach holiday every day and that the locals are not like the constantly friendly, chatty people they encountered as tourists, but too are grumpy, tired and focused on themselves out of season.
This was ironic. People in the comments listing issues with their countries, and yet whenever the US is involved in any other post they act like the rest of the world is perfect.
In my opinion, any destination you want to go to? Learn the language first, and get to know the culture, the health care system and the educational system first. Then check if you pension payouts are valid if you're over 60. Make sure you have enough money to support your living there.
That's exactly why I haven't moved countries yet. Holidays are all fun and games but having to make a living somewhere isn't easy. And I need proper healthcare.
Load More Replies...I'd move to France. I found it incredibly beautiful and could spend half my life visiting Paris's museums. (And if the UK were still part of the EU I'd be able to. Darn you, Brexit!)
Australia or the Netherlands, but I'm sure there are so many amazing places, I'd never be able to choose if all countries were options!
Finland, Belgium, or The Netherlands if I had any facility for languages. But I don't, so Scotland (specifically, Orkney, somewhere with broadband but still far from civilization).
Moving to Ireland was my plan for a while but I couldn't possibly afford to move overseas. Failing that if I had the choice I'd move to Melbourne here in Australia; it's got great food, a fantastic local arts scene, and, I'm told, plenty of work available in my chosen field (while here in my current city, I cannot find a job. And hence cannot afford Melbourne either; the housing prices there are obscene).
I don't care about much anymore other than riding my motorcycles, so I'd pick the Big Island of Hawaii. No immigration headaches (soy de los EEUU), 12 month riding season, interesting roads, and enough of them that it would take me a while to get bored with them. Spectacular coffee too
I am an American. I will just stay here in the US with all the problems it has. If I wanted to move I find somewhere the weather is mild all year round and inexpensive. I would not to move to northern country where it is cold for 4 or 5 years. I don't like the cold. Even though I live in a area that is kind of like that right now.
lots of people just go "oh its so pretty id love to move there" uhuhhhh...
If I could l9ive anywhere, it would be on one of the Rings of Saturn. No people, no pollution, no crime, no Trump.
I know most people wouldn't consider South Africa because it can be dangerous but there are safe areas and our weather is fantastic, the food is amazing, the people are friendly and most places are within a 5-10 hour drive from the ocean. If you're not into oceans, there are mountains, deserts and you can visit Lesotho (a separate country surrounded by South Africa) for snow and skiing!
All hail his royal majesty king Julian! Oh sorry wrong film
Load More Replies...These posts make me want to visit Norway. I've always heard good things about this country, and now I have an even better feeling about it.
I'm in The Netherlands and I'll only move if I have to. I'd pick England because it's gorgeous and I love the people.
I’m Dutch & American, having grown up between the two with the majority being in San Francisco & Hawaii after a youth traveling & based in Kerala. My father is a Dutch national as is all my paternal family. If I choose to live somewhere other than between rural Hawaii & SF, I’d 100% live with/near/amongst my family in Utrecht. If I were not Dutch, or not an EU resident wanting to relocate to Netherlands, I’d recommend the same location.
Load More Replies...I've narrowed it down to Germany, Iceland,The Netherlands, Norway and Finland. With the exception of Germany, I've always loved those countries and they've appealed to me in ways I can't explain, except it looks so beautiful and peaceful. Germany however because it's my heritage. My maternal grandparents are from Germany, my grandmother became separated from her siblings (there were 15 in total) and by the end of ww2, half were unaccounted for. Some reported dead, some found, but some simply vanished. I'd love to find my missing family one day and to see where part of me came from.
Japan, probably. The highest of high technology? Sushi? Anime? (I may be slightly stereotyping here but ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ ) Those are three of my absolute favorite things, not to mention the culture! I’d move there in a heartbeat!
How come nobody chose Russia? Friendly country, free elections, and an amazing leader who keeps getting elected over and over again. And, if you're Korean, they'll fly you over for free and give you a job right away. And the vodka is to literally die for!
And there's always employment for you on the front lines!
Load More Replies...I live outside a small town in Northern Norway, and I couldn't dream of moving again. I can afford a nice house with a huge yard (filled with fruits, berries and chicken coop) on my disability pension, people are friendly, I have family here, summers are bright and winters are cosy. I see the local fjord, raggedy mountains and a field of wild flowers from my veranda. And if I wait a few years the ocean will be warm enough to swim
Iceland and Scandinavia attract me, I like the ethics and don't mind the cold. But I'll just stay here and grumble. Oh sorry, I forgot, I'm British, mustn't grumble!
Load More Replies...I live and work in the Netherlands after work brought me here (EU citizen, German), so it is refreshing to see "the Netherlands" in all these posts. Especially, because a lot of Dutch hate NL and leave/want to leave. Picking a country because of "had beautiful holidays there" is not a wise choice and will end in disappointment. I live in a very touristy region at the southernmost coast, can see the dunes from my bedroom. Many German tourists are jealous - until I tell them what it takes to live a moderate, small life. I almost never make it to the beach due to work, household, garden, volunteering (it is expected by te villagers and necessary to blend in). If you don't speak Dutch fluently, you can survive at work, but will never have it easy in the cosy little towns. Understanding the culture, which is totally different from the German one, takes effort. Winter is long, cold, stormy and wet. Lots of Germans are heavily disappointed after the first year, that they cannot live their beach holiday every day and that the locals are not like the constantly friendly, chatty people they encountered as tourists, but too are grumpy, tired and focused on themselves out of season.
This was ironic. People in the comments listing issues with their countries, and yet whenever the US is involved in any other post they act like the rest of the world is perfect.
In my opinion, any destination you want to go to? Learn the language first, and get to know the culture, the health care system and the educational system first. Then check if you pension payouts are valid if you're over 60. Make sure you have enough money to support your living there.
That's exactly why I haven't moved countries yet. Holidays are all fun and games but having to make a living somewhere isn't easy. And I need proper healthcare.
Load More Replies...I'd move to France. I found it incredibly beautiful and could spend half my life visiting Paris's museums. (And if the UK were still part of the EU I'd be able to. Darn you, Brexit!)
Australia or the Netherlands, but I'm sure there are so many amazing places, I'd never be able to choose if all countries were options!
Finland, Belgium, or The Netherlands if I had any facility for languages. But I don't, so Scotland (specifically, Orkney, somewhere with broadband but still far from civilization).
Moving to Ireland was my plan for a while but I couldn't possibly afford to move overseas. Failing that if I had the choice I'd move to Melbourne here in Australia; it's got great food, a fantastic local arts scene, and, I'm told, plenty of work available in my chosen field (while here in my current city, I cannot find a job. And hence cannot afford Melbourne either; the housing prices there are obscene).
I don't care about much anymore other than riding my motorcycles, so I'd pick the Big Island of Hawaii. No immigration headaches (soy de los EEUU), 12 month riding season, interesting roads, and enough of them that it would take me a while to get bored with them. Spectacular coffee too
I am an American. I will just stay here in the US with all the problems it has. If I wanted to move I find somewhere the weather is mild all year round and inexpensive. I would not to move to northern country where it is cold for 4 or 5 years. I don't like the cold. Even though I live in a area that is kind of like that right now.
lots of people just go "oh its so pretty id love to move there" uhuhhhh...
If I could l9ive anywhere, it would be on one of the Rings of Saturn. No people, no pollution, no crime, no Trump.
I know most people wouldn't consider South Africa because it can be dangerous but there are safe areas and our weather is fantastic, the food is amazing, the people are friendly and most places are within a 5-10 hour drive from the ocean. If you're not into oceans, there are mountains, deserts and you can visit Lesotho (a separate country surrounded by South Africa) for snow and skiing!
All hail his royal majesty king Julian! Oh sorry wrong film
Load More Replies...These posts make me want to visit Norway. I've always heard good things about this country, and now I have an even better feeling about it.
I'm in The Netherlands and I'll only move if I have to. I'd pick England because it's gorgeous and I love the people.
I’m Dutch & American, having grown up between the two with the majority being in San Francisco & Hawaii after a youth traveling & based in Kerala. My father is a Dutch national as is all my paternal family. If I choose to live somewhere other than between rural Hawaii & SF, I’d 100% live with/near/amongst my family in Utrecht. If I were not Dutch, or not an EU resident wanting to relocate to Netherlands, I’d recommend the same location.
Load More Replies...I've narrowed it down to Germany, Iceland,The Netherlands, Norway and Finland. With the exception of Germany, I've always loved those countries and they've appealed to me in ways I can't explain, except it looks so beautiful and peaceful. Germany however because it's my heritage. My maternal grandparents are from Germany, my grandmother became separated from her siblings (there were 15 in total) and by the end of ww2, half were unaccounted for. Some reported dead, some found, but some simply vanished. I'd love to find my missing family one day and to see where part of me came from.
Japan, probably. The highest of high technology? Sushi? Anime? (I may be slightly stereotyping here but ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ ) Those are three of my absolute favorite things, not to mention the culture! I’d move there in a heartbeat!