If you could live anywhere

Quote from dhpar:
makloda, just that I do not misread it - what countries do you consider "Eastern Europe"?
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Anything east of Germany and Austria and northeast of Greece. I know many of these Ex-Eastern-Block countries joined the European Union but let's face reality here for a second: they have a rocky road in front of them and it will take them 25-35 years before these economies catch up with the western EU average. Many of these smaller countries (Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary etc.) unlike Russia have zero natural resources or any other hard or soft assets (yet) that give them an edge in international competition.
 
Quote from michaelscott:

I think most of you miss a key point. That point is being in a place where you feel like its *your home* and not someone else's home.

I feel like both SoCal and NYC are my homes.

NYC feels especially like my home since I grew up around the area. I know everyone around the area to include the guys who work at the local stores to the mechanics to the bartenders to the cops to just about everyone everywhere. I have lists of names and so many friends that its difficult to keep up with them all.

There are events, parties that I attend each week. So much to do and so many people to get to know. The many drunken happy hours at Proof, the many drunken wine tastings at the Gratto. The lists of women, business cards and phone numbers.

Being a native of the area, its easy to talk my way out of situations such as a drunk driving offense that I got caught for outside of the Holland Tunnel many years back. I simply looked at the cop and kindly explained that we both come from the same neighborhood and that he shouldnt be putting his own people in jail. That was enough and he let me go.

There is this commonality, this feeling of home and closeness that cant be beat.

The only hostile New Yorkers are the ones that didnt grow up there in the first place.

As for Southern California, I spent a lot of time there and know the area like the back of my hand. I know all the sites, all the places and many people as well.

I've been to other places in the world, but in the end, it just doesnt feel like home. I dont know anyone and I feel more like a visitor then a resident. The only place where I felt like a hero was in the Philippines where Americans are worshipped. Elsewhere I felt like a scrub, a visitor and nothing more.

The key to your sanity is having friends and knowing people, knowing the area and feeling comfortable.

I wouldnt feel right living in Europe. If my neighbor next door needs my help, then who will she call if I am not there?

This is my home, this is what I shall defend. These are my people and these are the ones I shall help. That is the bar (my bar) and thats where I will go drink.

I dont need some goofy place in Europe to make myself feel important. I have all I need right here. All the women, all the liquor, all the friends, all the sites to see. Everyday and in everyway.
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You prefer life with your feet inside your comfort zone.
Good on you ... at least you know who you are and what you want.
 
Quote from makloda:

Anything east of Germany and Austria and northeast of Greece. I know many of these Ex-Eastern-Block countries joined the European Union but let's face reality here for a second: they have a rocky road in front of them and it will take them 25-35 years before these economies catch up with the western EU average. Many of these smaller countries (Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary etc.) unlike Russia have zero natural resources or any other hard or soft assets (yet) that give them an edge in international competition.
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interesting - especially when it seems you are living there.
My experience is quite different - for instance in Prague most things are of the same quality as anywhere else (some are better). All services are timely, internet is fast enough (8Mb), women are gorgeous, city is beautiful, standard of living is on par with Portugal which is not high but not a poverty line, international connection (flights etc) is Ok and... beer is the best :). They do NOT have zero natural resources. They do have cheap and well educated labor and perfect infrastructure (that varies through the region you defined though).
Of course it helps when you have money - but that applies everywhere.
 
Quote from Drew07:

Zurich, Switzerland

Awesome city, beautiful setting, and convinient location to the rest of western europe.
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I'd imagine this really depends on your age. I have some friends who wouldn't go back to Switz if their job depended on it. They thought it was seriously boring, both Zurich and Geneva. Perhaps if you have a family it different.
 
Im not certain how one can build a life by constantly moving about to different places. I dont see the purpose.

There is one thing certain in life and that is death. You cant leave your mark on the world by rotating residences every few years. It may seem exciting when your young, but as you get older you realize that you have no ties to any specific community, any specific person and your impact upon the world has been zilch.

I've met quite a few older people who have moved out of the country and I have realized one thing. They didnt move there to live, they moved there to die.

I want to live and make an impact on the world not go someplace to die.

Quote from fearless9:

You prefer life with your feet inside your comfort zone.
Good on you ... at least you know who you are and what you want.
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Quote from michaelscott:

Im not certain how one can build a life by constantly moving about to different places. I dont see the purpose.

There is one thing certain in life and that is death. You cant leave your mark on the world by rotating residences every few years. It may seem exciting when your young, but as you get older you realize that you have no ties to any specific community, any specific person and your impact upon the world has been zilch.

I've met quite a few older people who have moved out of the country and I have realized one thing. They didnt move there to live, they moved there to die.

I want to live and make an impact on the world not go someplace to die.
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There is a lot of comfort in being part of and contributing to a village.

Its one path in life that may or may not lead to an inability to see value and joy in other paths.
 
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