Non-Americans: Could you live in the United States?

[Saint Jade IV]

Coming from a country where shops and restaurants have to show the full price including Goods and Services Tax in the display price (they then have a line that shows how much GST is), it was really surprising when I went to purchase something I thought was $20 to have $22 (or something like that) rung up and to be told that that is sales tax. I got used to it after a while, but it made me feel a little ripped off at first.

If any state actually has 10% sales tax, that is unusually high.

But I think some places also have a meal tax, so if you are going to a lot of restaurants it might feel like you're being bombarded with taxes.

I didn't even know that until right now! No wonder Americans get shitty about their tax system.

[Bunkeranlage]

Well, this is a hard one for me. I spent a little more than a year studying in the US (Los Angeles, to be exact) and generally had a good time. Except that one of my teachers there may or may not have been a white supremacist or something. She used to openly criticise my essays in front of the whole class for trivial things, like not using the Oxford Comma, or something like that. I also noticed that the whites, especially the females, were almost never the target of her wrath. Also, the following:

1) The gun laws need serious revision. I remember going to the downtown part and seeing weird people with their hands suspiciously positioned... When they made their constitution, it was the 18th century. There were wild animals, and there was no internet or warning system... Now, most people live in cities, where there's no threat of animals. Not saying they should ban guns outright, but rather to make sure that not just any nut can get hold of one.

2) Legalisation of homosexual marriage- I'm against the LGBT movement (my opinion, not forcing it on anyone), so I believe this is quite obvious.

3) They spend too much on their defence budget. According to Time, 2 billion is spent on cancer research yearly, while 683 billion goes to their military...

I suppose, that's about it. So, the final verdict? No.
Wouldn't mind a holiday, though, just no citizenship for me.

[Rephesus]

That's true, Scholarships are very helpful assets, but still I'd much rather study in the US and leave without having to spend half my adult career paying back my loans.

Wait, so your plan is study in the US and leave so you won't have to pay student loans back?

No, my plan is to get a scholarship, and if it happens to be to a US University, I'll go there. Otherwise, Canada.

[Bunkeranlage]

Coming from a country where shops and restaurants have to show the full price including Goods and Services Tax in the display price (they then have a line that shows how much GST is), it was really surprising when I went to purchase something I thought was $20 to have $22 (or something like that) rung up and to be told that that is sales tax. I got used to it after a while, but it made me feel a little ripped off at first.

If any state actually has 10% sales tax, that is unusually high.

But I think some places also have a meal tax, so if you are going to a lot of restaurants it might feel like you're being bombarded with taxes.

Also the obligation to tip the staff

[Nazi Flower Power]

The sales tax doesn't bother me because it's not that much and you don't have to guess how much you're supposed to pay; they'll tell you when they ring it up. Especially when you live in the US, it is not so confusing because you spend most of your time in one state with one set of rules -- though here in MA we do have sales tax on some items and not others.

But yeah, when you have to tip as well, it can add up.

I will also add that I found it kind of hilarious to interact with Americans who hated on Obamacare, seemed to only know that Australia has very heavy gun restrictions (although their actual understanding of this was farcical), who couldn't shut up about the evils of welfare, and who then claimed they wanted to live in Australia for a while because of our high standard of living, and how safe it was.

Yeah, some people are pretty clueless. I am not that knowledgeable about Australia myself, but at least I realize I am not knowledgeable about it. I like the Aboriginal art and I'm curious about the food, but I don't know how the government works or what the political climate is like.

[Nazi Flower Power]

If any state actually has 10% sales tax, that is unusually high.

But I think some places also have a meal tax, so if you are going to a lot of restaurants it might feel like you're being bombarded with taxes.

Also the obligation to tip the staff

Yeah, that was where this conversation started, because Jade was saying the tips and taxes were confusing.

[Saint Jade IV]

I will also add that I found it kind of hilarious to interact with Americans who hated on Obamacare, seemed to only know that Australia has very heavy gun restrictions (although their actual understanding of this was farcical), who couldn't shut up about the evils of welfare, and who then claimed they wanted to live in Australia for a while because of our high standard of living, and how safe it was.

Yeah, some people are pretty clueless. I am not that knowledgeable about Australia myself, but at least I realize I am not knowledgeable about it. I like the Aboriginal art and I'm curious about the food, but I don't know how the government works or what the political climate is like.

Aboriginal art is far more complex than many Australians give it credit for. Which is a real shame, considering how internationally renowned it is.

As for the food, what specifically are you curious about? Our weird obsession with Vegemite?

[The Isles of New Babylon]

Yes, even though I disagree with the gun laws, the backwards healthcare system and the anti-science stance of certain states. As a Brit who's visited the US a few times and lived in the Bahamas I've found Americans to be quite friendly generally. That and I love the food, I miss those amazing pancakes they make!

Though I'd have to bring a lifetime supply of proper English tea, American tea is awful!

[Wind in the Willows]

Possibly.

[Risottia]

I've often found myself thinking about this question: could I ever find myself living happily in the United States?

Uh, dunno.
Depends a lot on the city I guess. I think I would be fine in NY City, in Boston or in San Francisco. Most of the other parts of the US, likely not.

I would also be slightly pissed off by the gun/suing/praying bit of the American culture, but frankly, as long as no one tries to get me to pray or to own a gun...
Oh, I forgot, the tipping thing. I really hate it.

[Cymrea]

I'm originally from Canada, moved to the States in 2005, ended up getting married, and naturalised in 2010. I had considered the OP's question a fair bit. This is what finally clinched it for me:

The United States no longer recognises me as a Canadian citizen. But!

Canada does.

So, a de facto dual citizenship means I'm free to bail when this country gets too bloody squiffy and goes all the way sideways.

[Stahlarev]

I won't take too kindly to people calling me 'Ahmed' and making jokes about exploding and being cavity searched every time I want to borrow a book from a library.

[Nazi Flower Power]

Yeah, some people are pretty clueless. I am not that knowledgeable about Australia myself, but at least I realize I am not knowledgeable about it. I like the Aboriginal art and I'm curious about the food, but I don't know how the government works or what the political climate is like.

Aboriginal art is far more complex than many Australians give it credit for. Which is a real shame, considering how internationally renowned it is.

Some people just don't appreciate art or aren't very open-minded about it.

As for the food, what specifically are you curious about? Our weird obsession with Vegemite?

Where the ecosystem is so different from other parts of the world, you guys have a lot of unique local ingredients, and I'm curious what you can do with them.

[Seshephe]

I've often found myself thinking about this question: could I ever find myself living happily in the United States?

I'm a Canadian and have visited the United States many times. I've found the people friendly, the sites to be seen beautiful, and their cities (well NYC, e.g.) to be vibrant and colourful (note the "U" in colourful). Americans are amongst the most generous people in the world when disaster hits, and to many, the USA is still the unparalleled beacon of opportunity in the world.

But: could I ever see myself living in the United States permanently? I've decided, that in a word: no.

I find my values and opinions conflict with what are many mainstream American values, and would not find myself "at peace." Here are my entirely subjective reasons as to why:

1). Guns in the constitution. Ah yes. The beloved 2nd Amendment. The gun loving culture many Americans espouse is something I just utterly revile, and cannot reconcile myself to accept, by living in a country where people are guaranteed the right to be able to easily kill each other in the name of self defense, due to the pervasive availability of guns. I know many Americans too revile US gun culture, but until the 2nd Amendment was itself amended or ideally removed (no chance in hell), I'd find this one of my biggest stumbling blocks.
2). Two party system. Two parties, different, yet the same. Both have been bought out by corporate interests and have done an equally terrible job in governing the state, which is trillions in debt and is often mired in political gridlock. One of my favoured sayings is the US is so free, they have one whole other party more than North Korea! (I know there are independents and other smaller parties, so take my "joke" with a grain of salt.)
3). "Backward views." Again, I know this applies to only some, but when a large percentage of Americans deny climate change (about 25%), wish to have Evolution discredited in schools in favour of Creationism (and I say this as a Christian myself) and oppose equal marriage opportunities for homosexuals, again, these are things that just make me cringe.
4). Health care. I am pleased to live in a country where healthcare is available for all, and I'm happy to pay the taxes for it, even if it does at times mean longer waiting periods.
5). Natural disasters. Pretty much every corner of the USA is affected or vulnerable to natural disasters, which happen on a fairly regular basis. The west has drought and earthquakes, the central states can be hammered by tornadoes, and the south and east are vulnerable to hurricanes and severe snow storms (the latter which we Canadians are very used to as well).
6). Death penalty. I am vehemently opposed to its use and implementation.
7). US reality TV programming blows.

Well, #7 to me is true, but isn't a serious reason.

Those are my reasons, and while they are invalid to some, they are entirely subjective to my state of mind. Again I will state I admire much of the USA, I just couldn't bring myself to live there.

So, could you find yourself living happily in the USA? Why or why not? I'm sure many could and of course about 300 million do!

This is not intended to be an America bashing thread, gun control or health care debating thread, etc., so if you wish to merely bash the US or attack on these subjects then please make your own thread; please keep it civil.

I just want to hear reasons why people would or would not want to live there; thank you!

I feel pretty much like you do for pretty much the same reasons. I could live there for maybe a year or two but I wouldn't want to live there. (For life, that is).

[Saint Jade IV]

Aboriginal art is far more complex than many Australians give it credit for. Which is a real shame, considering how internationally renowned it is.

Some people just don't appreciate art or aren't very open-minded about it.

In our case, it's both

As for the food, what specifically are you curious about? Our weird obsession with Vegemite?

Where the ecosystem is so different from other parts of the world, you guys have a lot of unique local ingredients, and I'm curious what you can do with them.

Weirdly, we haven't done much with the local produce, although this is changing slowly. A lot of restaurants are starting to incorporate native fruits and greens into their dishes, and there is a greater focus on locally produced seafood. Kangaroo and crocodile is beginning to be experimented with.

However, we have clung so long to England's apron strings when it comes to food that we have lost a lot of the native indigenous knowledge that would have made cuisine so much better.

I mean, we use some native plants, but in very traditionally English ways, like making jams or butters.

Though, we are also making some pretty nice alcohols in boutique distilleries.

[Nazi Flower Power]

Though I'd have to bring a lifetime supply of proper English tea, American tea is awful!

You can actually get decent tea in the US. The problem is that a lot of places serve Lipton, and Lipton is not good tea. I don't know why it is so common...

[The Isles of New Babylon]

Though I'd have to bring a lifetime supply of proper English tea, American tea is awful!

You can actually get decent tea in the US. The problem is that a lot of places serve Lipton, and Lipton is not good tea. I don't know why it is so common...

What good teas are there? Yes Liptons is the only tea I've ever been able to find and it is bad.

[North Coast Portugal]

I cannot live in the US, because I was member of a Communist Party, and in the US communist people are not allowed in.

[Nazi Flower Power]

A lot of restaurants are starting to incorporate native fruits and greens into their dishes, and there is a greater focus on locally produced seafood. Kangaroo and crocodile is beginning to be experimented with.

I would make it a point to try that stuff if I ever visited Australia.

However, we have clung so long to England's apron strings when it comes to food that we have lost a lot of the native indigenous knowledge that would have made cuisine so much better.

Bummer.

I mean, we use some native plants, but in very traditionally English ways, like making jams or butters.

Though, we are also making some pretty nice alcohols in boutique distilleries.

Hey, booze is good.

[Risottia]

I cannot live in the US, because I was member of a Communist Party, and in the US communist people are not allowed in.

Bullshit. There's also a perfectly legal Communist Party in the US.

[Saint Jade IV]

A lot of restaurants are starting to incorporate native fruits and greens into their dishes, and there is a greater focus on locally produced seafood. Kangaroo and crocodile is beginning to be experimented with.

I would make it a point to try that stuff if I ever visited Australia.

There are some really good restaurants that specialise in it. If you do, I'll give you some recommendations

Bummer.

Yeah, it sucks. Legacy of colonisation.

I mean, we use some native plants, but in very traditionally English ways, like making jams or butters.

Though, we are also making some pretty nice alcohols in boutique distilleries.

Hey, booze is good.

Yeah, I've had some wicked lemon myrtle liqueur from this distillery about an hour from me. It's one of the few awesome things.

[Nazi Flower Power]

You can actually get decent tea in the US. The problem is that a lot of places serve Lipton, and Lipton is not good tea. I don't know why it is so common...

What good teas are there? Yes Liptons is the only tea I've ever been able to find and it is bad.

Mostly I meant that you can often find English and/or Chinese tea at grocery stores in the US. Tazo is not bad. I am not sure where that is from, but you can definitely find it around here. Sometimes I'll go to Chinese grocery stores and just buy whatever tea looks interesting. I do that more for green tea.

If you go to a diner and order tea or you're eating breakfast at a hotel, those are usually Lipton.

[Torvalyn]

I'm from the UK and have visited New York once. It was nice but I certainly couldn't live there. Here are my reasons:

1) You need to be 21 to drink. I mean wtf guys!? Is that even enforced? It's just crazy.
2) Guns. What is it with you lot and guns?
3) The fear of 'socialism'. Any sort of welfare idea seems to be immediately dismissed as socialism. I mean what you lot consider to be centre-left is our centre-right. To put that into perspective: gay marriage was introduced here under a conservative government.
4) Politics. Whilst your system is arguably more democratic than that of the UK, the two-party system is counter-productive.
5) Too big. Your country is just too effin massive. I mean your states might as well be countries of their own. I like to travel around which is why Europe suits me nicely.

But there are a few reasons I would like to live in the US:

1) Legal marijuana in some states.
2) Lots of cities and urbanization.
3) Diversity, both ethnic and climatic.
4) Nice people. There's a stereotype that British people are polite? Well polite is very different to nice. Politeness just sounds like sarcasm, niceness and friendliness is uncommon among strangers. I mean for the first time in years I had a chat with a woman at the busstop the other day. She wasn't actually British.
5) Beer, English beer is not nice. At least you guys have the sense to drink it cold.

[Nazi Flower Power]

I'm from the UK and have visited New York once. It was nice but I certainly couldn't live there. Here are my reasons:

1) You need to be 21 to drink. I mean wtf guys!? Is that even enforced? It's just crazy.

Some places enforce it more strictly than others.

5) Too big. Your country is just too effin massive. I mean your states might as well be countries of their own. I like to travel around which is why Europe suits me nicely.

The way state laws are, they might as well be -- especially when you are comparing to Europe and the EU is making the divisions between European countries less meaningful all the time.

4) Nice people. There's a stereotype that British people are polite? Well polite is very different to nice. Politeness just sounds like sarcasm, niceness and friendliness is uncommon among strangers. I mean for the first time in years I had a chat with a woman at the busstop

New York is definitely good if you like to have conversations with random people.

[Kiruri]

I like the US. I go there at least once every year. I was raised in the US for part of my childhood and I enjoyed my time there, but now that I'm older and will, in the near future, decide on very important personal issues, such as where would I live, I've come to the conclusion that the US is not the best place for me.

There are other places where I feel much more comfortable living in than the US (in general) for a multitude of reasons, some of which I share with the OP. But all in all, the US is not on the top of my list.

With that said, I'll probably, eventually, find myself living in the US again... but I assure you, I won't like it one bit lol