How much, and how long?

[yssie]

Yes, let's not talk about them. That is my achilles heel to be sure. Ewwwwwwww and eeeeeeek and gross. And flying roaches? Just fuggadeboutit.

My mum has this story about my dad... Soon after they got married they moved to Bangalore. My mum wanted a warming drawer. My dad decided to make her one and asked his brother to help

Apparently the reflective-foil coated contraption that they came up with was a cockroach’s dream hideout. They left for a couple of days and when they came back the roaches were partying in the kitchen

This theme of mostly-unsuccessful DIY has continued, much to her dismay

 

[1ofakind]

part of me will always wish i was American
NJ or Texas

These are vastly different parts of the US...in every appreciable way I can think of. I am curious how these became your top options?

 

[doberman]

how things are right now im kinda very happy to be living in covid free NZ but a part of me will always wish i was American
NJ or Texas

but the exchange rate is soooooo bad right now anything involving US dollars is out of the question

i like Australia but their govt treat NZers working and paying tax in Australia as 2nd class citizens
as soon as anything goes wrong we are entitled to zero welfair and so many kiwis do not read the fine print before they pack their bags and move over

while its not perfect here i think Maori people have a better lot in NZ than Aboriginal people do in Oz, Australia do not have a great record in race relations
and we have free health care in NZ
i wish our housing wasn't so exspensive but hay! as a trade off cops on the beat don't carry guns

Trust me, you dont want to be in NJ. The taxes on our properties are so high it's ridiculous. It's a beautiful state but it was ruined back in the 90s by bad administration.

As for me, a lot of our money is in real estate and that's not something that can be liquidated easily. But I'm ready to move to Italy. Or Alaska, even though it's still the US. I could have my own dog sledding team!

 

[mrs-b]

I'm looking forward to retiring, moving into my little mountain cottage back in Australia, and cutting what I own by 75%. We do intend to extend out house there, but it will be the difference between 4000 sq ft with heaps of storage, a double garage with even more storage, and 2 separate workshops for my husband...and 1900 sq ft with not a lot of storage and no garage. I want to save only the very best, the most beautiful, the most beloved and meaningful things I own.

My suitcase would need to be a very odd shape, as I'd want to save the artworks I've collected over the years and all my favorite china. And my Christmas decorations. And my 5 gold trees....

Actually, thinking about it, I'm in completely the wrong thread. This whole 'one suitcase' thing isn't going to work for me at all.

But - Australia. That's where I'm going - this much I know. Unless I get a villa in Tuscany. Or an old stone mansion in Edinburgh. Actually - no...no...it's got to be Australia. Altho...I've always wanted 5000 sq ft on an acre in Sedona....

 

[Garnetgirl]

I have no clue as to the money part. The real estate market isn’t doing great atm and that is a sizable chunk of our assets.

Where would we go? Australia or perhaps Canada.

Any Australians or Canadians willing to sponsor us?

I would sponsor you coming to Canada , @missy ! The weather isn’t really THAT bad! And no venomous spiders that I know of.

 

[Dandi]

I'm looking forward to retiring, moving into my little mountain cottage back in Australia, and cutting what I own by 75%. We do intend to extend out house there, but it will be the difference between 4000 sq ft with heaps of storage, a double garage with even more storage, and 2 separate workshops for my husband...and 1900 sq ft with not a lot of storage and no garage. I want to save only the very best, the most beautiful, the most beloved and meaningful things I own.

My suitcase would need to be a very odd shape, as I'd want to save the artworks I've collected over the years and all my favorite china. And my Christmas decorations. And my 5 gold trees....

Actually, thinking about it, I'm in completely the wrong thread. This whole 'one suitcase' thing isn't going to work for me at all.

But - Australia. That's where I'm going - this much I know. Unless I get a villa in Tuscany. Or an old stone mansion in Edinburgh. Actually - no...no...it's got to be Australia. Altho...I've always wanted 5000 sq ft on an acre in Sedona....

Noooooo, come home! At least for a visit! And pop down to Melbs so we can do lunch ploise

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

These are vastly different parts of the US...in every appreciable way I can think of. I am curious how these became your top options?

well Bruce Springsteen lives in NJ (do i need another reason ) ahhhh to be a Jersey girl ...
and i really relate to the underdog, that place lots of people make fun of but its really an awsome place because i come from somewhere similar,

Texas, because in my heart of hearts i know that's the kind of American i would have been, im a conservative voter (please note in no way am i endorsing Trump) but if i were American im pretty sure up until this week i would have been pro Trump

please no one attack me for this, i can see from the outside quite clearly what is wrong with the man, but i just know what kind of American (hopefully just not a racist one) i would be

i think it would be cool to be from NYC - i think a New Yorker would be just born with confidence

after we have painted the house i intend to get a flag pole to attach to the porch so i can fly the Stars and stripes

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

I can catch roaches with my bare hands when the situation requires me to

please come over (i have cake and i have mellowyellogirl approved china cups and sauces)
i have one caught under a beer mug on the floor by the hall door
and now i don't know what to do
Gary can't see well enough and has vertigo to be able to do anything about it
he said they can survive 5 months with their head cut off

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

LOL. Well I am more concerned about crocodiles and sharks and snakes than I am about (mostly harmless) spiders. So perhaps I am not the typical American and I sure wouldn't let it stop me from moving to your part of the world. I will respect their space and hopefully they will respect mine or at least leave me alone. My dear friend lived in Australia for many years teaching at the Optometry school there. She loved it but ultimately moved back here for reasons I won't go into. Nothing to do with Australia.

i love crocs and gators
i know its too cold in NJ for Gators
do they have then in Texas do you know ?

 

[Begonia]

please come over (i have cake and i have mellowyellogirl approved china cups and sauces)
i have one caught under a beer mug on the floor by the hall door
and now i don't know what to do
Gary can't see well enough and has vertigo to be able to do anything about it
he said they can survive 5 months with their head cut off

Cake? There's cake?

 

[mrs-b]

Noooooo, come home! At least for a visit! And pop down to Melbs so we can do lunch ploise

I'll be home early next year, pandemic willing!

 

[Queenie60]

Me!!! I am PETRIFIED of spiders, even the teeny tiny ones. {{SHUDDERS}}

I was bit by a spider last week and have been on antibiotics. Can't believe this. Ugly and painful.

 

[GliderPoss]

I'm in Oz - I think considering what I own it would be difficult to sell everything & start again completely in another country, I have some family pieces of heirloom furniture I would never ever sell so have to ship it over at vast expense! In theory I'd love to live in Switzerland, Germany, Canada, Austria, Scandinavia or Scotland. I love skiing and don't mind the cold, love historical buildings/sites so they would be my top picks although obviously some are much more expensive than Oz to live in. I too hate spiders and not fond of snakes either... no problems with sharks & crocodiles where I live thankfully!

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

I was bit by a spider last week and have been on antibiotics. Can't believe this. Ugly and painful.

sorry to hear that
what kind of spider was it
we have tp be weary of white tails
they seem to be carriers of bacteria that causes horrible infections and often the person never feels the bite
i havn't seen them here but we had them at my old work in Porirua and i was always careful dusting the top of the curtains

i hope you get better soon

 

[Phoenix]

I was bit by a spider last week and have been on antibiotics. Can't believe this. Ugly and painful.

OMG OMG!! I am even more scared now!!

I hope you get better soon. {{HUGS}}

 

[yssie]

I was bit by a spider last week and have been on antibiotics. Can't believe this. Ugly and painful.

Oh ick. I'm sorry!! Hope you're healed up and all better soon!!

 

[Phoenix]

To answer the original Q: I've always thought we'd move to Melbourne or some place in Europe (maybe Portugal) eventually. There should be enough money. Bling will come with and cats (assuming they can travel). Everything else is replaceable and fairly quickly, I should think.

But I really like where I am now and would like to stay put if possible. The cost of living here is really high though.

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

what i like about living here is we don't get civil unrest
yes people protest
but we get elections every 3 years, most people just wait the 'bad guys' out

 

[Austina]

We are hopefully moving to another country next year. We won’t be taking one suitcase, we will be packing up some of our furniture because we want familiar things around us, our sitting room and dining room furniture, as well as china and glass ware. We will have to buy all new electrical appliances, (different voltage) a new car, and will buy new beds and bedding.

Our only child wants us to go and live near him, and we have nothing to keep us here, so we’ve agreed. Our only concern about going was getting our dog there, but sadly she’s no longer with us.

 

[PreRaphaelite]

I’d move to Canada to be close to my cousin, or back to Ireland to be close to my own soul. Alternatively I’d love to move to NZ to be close to Rhys Darby. Just sayin.

 

[1ofakind]

@Daisys and Diamonds MAYBE if Bruce Springsteen lived next door it would make NJ worth it, lol.
Side note....Davy Jones lived near where I grew up. We saw him in Kmart once. He was buying a vacuum cleaner.

We lived in TX for 8 years, sort of...we lived in 2 border cities which are culturally different than most of TX. Our kids were born in TX and while we moved when my DD was 4 she has always told people she is from TX. Something in the water....we used to say she was independent without a cause, lol. She's recently moved back to TX as an adult so I guess she is home where she belongs. Her hubby is from NJ.

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

I’d move to Canada to be close to my cousin, or back to Ireland to be close to my own soul. Alternatively I’d love to move to NZ to be close to Rhys Darby. Just sayin.

id post Rhys Darby to you but the post is really unreliable right now with not enough planes in the sky

 

[AprilBaby]

well Bruce Springsteen lives in NJ (do i need another reason ) ahhhh to be a Jersey girl ...
and i really relate to the underdog, that place lots of people make fun of but its really an awsome place because i come from somewhere similar,

Texas, because in my heart of hearts i know that's the kind of American i would have been, im a conservative voter (please note in no way am i endorsing Trump) but if i were American im pretty sure up until this week i would have been pro Trump

please no one attack me for this, i can see from the outside quite clearly what is wrong with the man, but i just know what kind of American (hopefully just not a racist one) i would be

i think it would be cool to be from NYC - i think a New Yorker would be just born with confidence

after we have painted the house i intend to get a flag pole to attach to the porch so i can fly the Stars and stripes

I used to live not far from Bruce Springsteen. Unless you have his salary you can’t afford it. The NY metro area is crazy expensive. That’s why we transferred to Illinois.

 

[1ofakind]

I used to live not far from Bruce Springsteen. Unless you have his salary you can’t afford it. The NY metro area is crazy expensive. That’s why we transferred to Illinois.

We might not be able to afford it here much longer!!!

 

[mellowyellowgirl]

Speaking of vicious Aussie wild life I saw a magpie today and crossed the road! Those things are vicious!!! They will swoop and peck your ears or eyes. Especially in spring! It's winter but I'm still scared!

 

[GliderPoss]

Speaking of vicious Aussie wild life I saw a magpie today and crossed the road! Those things are vicious!!! They will swoop and peck your ears or eyes. Especially in spring! It's winter but I'm still scared!

Awww I love magpies! There is a semi-tame one that comes & eats from my hand on my balcony. Truly they were the bird I missed most whilst living overseas, love their song too. They just have such personality.

 

[GreenPapaya]

Okay. After reading this I know I will NOT relocate to Australia! Yikes! Lol I don't think I'm terribly scared of bugs or predators but I'm a city girl, what the heck do I know??? I have a worm phobia so rainy places are out! I don't like mud either and nature smells funny to me.
We have thought about retiring in Barcelona or San Sebastian. That is, if we're lucky enough to retire. We don't own anything, no real estate or cars, furniture are mostly from ikea. I've always lived with one foot out the door. I never expect to stop moving, so thankfully haven't accumulated too much stuff (4 of us live in a 1000 sq ft apt). Right after college I moved to Germany with just a backpack and a duffle bag. Not sure if I can be that minimalist again but if we move to a warm climate I can go with a backpack and a suitcase. If moving to a cold climate i might need a truck for all the coats and stuff.

 

[yssie]

Okay. After reading this I know I will NOT relocate to Australia! Yikes! Lol I don't think I'm terribly scared of bugs or predators but I'm a city girl, what the heck do I know??? I have a worm phobia so rainy places are out! I don't like mud either and nature smells funny to me.
We have thought about retiring in Barcelona or San Sebastian. That is, if we're lucky enough to retire. We don't own anything, no real estate or cars, furniture are mostly from ikea. I've always lived with one foot out the door. I never expect to stop moving, so thankfully haven't accumulated too much stuff (4 of us live in a 1000 sq ft apt). Right after college I moved to Germany with just a backpack and a duffle bag. Not sure if I can be that minimalist again but if we move to a warm climate I can go with a backpack and a suitcase. If moving to a cold climate i might need a truck for all the coats and stuff.

When we moved I thought we had a "normal" amount of stuff.
We filled an eighteen wheeler.
Our family is two people.
Even the movers were taken aback when they loaded everything.
Part of our issue is stuff like six 8/10' cat towers that just take up a ton of room, no way to pack them tightly, but still.
We purged more mercilessly than we'd planned to whilst unpacking.
I'm pretty confident we'd fill another truck moving, though

 

[chrono]

If you decided to leave your country and move somewhere else, and you sold everything but one suitcase full of your possessions, how much cash could you get for all of it? And how long would it take you to replace everything once you’d settled in a new country?

Been there, done that. Came with only 1 or 2 suitcases. That's when you realize you don't need much at all. Furniture? Not a necessity but a nice to have. I live a cushy comfortable life now but when things get bad enough to leave your country, material possessions are the last things to be considered.

 

[Tekate]

Not all of us Texans are conservatives, I am not, not born here though (thank God). Rural Texas is very conservative, cities are democratic, someday we will be a blue state I hope. Texas is great to live in for the food, the wide open vistas, the heat sucks but you are in NZ DD so would not bother you I would bet, it used to be cheap here, but it's EXPENSIVE now, in 97 when we moved here I was shocked at no state income tax and low home taxes, welllll school and town/state taxes rival Jersey. You can carry a gun here, even if you are a psycho hopefully all the southern flags will go, people have them on their cars, their homes, schools, so hopefully that will leave.. Many people are nice and many people are racist pigs. But hey its part of America

well Bruce Springsteen lives in NJ (do i need another reason ) ahhhh to be a Jersey girl ...
and i really relate to the underdog, that place lots of people make fun of but its really an awsome place because i come from somewhere similar,

Texas, because in my heart of hearts i know that's the kind of American i would have been, im a conservative voter (please note in no way am i endorsing Trump) but if i were American im pretty sure up until this week i would have been pro Trump

please no one attack me for this, i can see from the outside quite clearly what is wrong with the man, but i just know what kind of American (hopefully just not a racist one) i would be

i think it would be cool to be from NYC - i think a New Yorker would be just born with confidence

after we have painted the house i intend to get a flag pole to attach to the porch so i can fly the Stars and stripes