Where would you live if not the US? (Page 2 of 2)

I myself dream of tropical isles... I've lived here all my life, so of course the contrast of a warm tropical climate appears tempting. But despite that, I was thinking that it would be a viable suggestion for people who don't mind actual seasons and a little cold in winter. Yes, Norway is cold, but it's less cold than most other countries this far north (Canada, and northern U.S., is colder in winter), due to the gulf stream bringing warmer waters up our way. On our west coast, temperatures below freezing are actually not that common, even. In the northern part of the west coast, they occasionally have hot air streams in a few very local areas, a couple of years ago they experienced almost 80 degrees over a couple of days in that area, in the middle of winter. Away from the coast and inland, it might get colder.. So really you can choose between "true" winters and a more barren and milder winter season.

Another thing I thought I'd mention is that Norway is situated on quite old bedrock and not near any fault zones. When it comes to volcanoes or earthquakes we have to go to Southern Europe to experience them (Italy, Greece, Turkey). In fact, I must say we're very lucky when it comes to all types of disasters or natural calamities, only thing is there can be an occasional storm or two, and they usually impact only locally (usually somewhere along the coast exposed to the Atlantic/Norwegian sea). Overall Norway is a very safe place under normal circumstances, when it comes to EQs, volcanoes, tornadoes/cyclones and so on. Also, I find it less likely that anyone would try to attack this country in the event of another huge war, compared to many other countries - of course due to our relatively remote location. Russia might pose a bit of a threat though, if I'm to be honest. On another note, we're connected to the Eurasian mainland through Sweden/Finland/Russia, and this might provide a good opportunity to move eastwards in case of a societal breakdown causing conditions to go in a unforeseen direction. Eurasia is the world's biggest continent and should provide a chance to stay away from the worst trouble (In the North-Am. continent, I'd say that even though it's huge, the possibilities of escape are rather limited considering a breakdown "mad max" scenario, if you go southwards, the width of the land shrinks as you go south (a chance for some agency or authority to stop you), and in the north you'd have to go for Alaska and Siberia - which would bring you into an extremely cold zone that even I find chilly ).

NightWatch,
Unfortunately I'm not aware of *all* the details regarding your inquiry but mainly, if you have an education that is in demand, you should not find it too hard. However it would be even better if you already had found employment somewhere - that would almost ensure that you'd be admitted entry, as Norway has a very low unemployment rate and has a need now for active working immigrants. I'd say Norwegian bureaucracy can in fact be quite streamlined in some instances (others, not so), and I think you might find it easier than you expect if you want to try it. In fact I've heard that some US nationals find several bureaucratic matters easier to handle here, than at home. For example, I don't even fill out my tax return papers most years - they're usually automatically correct. Norway has actually done a considerable bit to streamline a lot of governmental matters or matters where individuals apply for things, etc. Also we're among the most developed nations in terms of IT/mobile and some other modern technologies, this has also contributed to making life easier in terms of bureaucracy. I can deliver that tax return form using the internet or phone, for instance.

As I said I don't have all the details, but I was able to find out that you (and all foreign nationals) should contact your closest Norwegian embassy or consulate to find out more and get the appropriate info. From the U.S. Norwegian embassy: Residents in the greater Washington, D.C., area may contact the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Washington, D.C. Residents of other regions should contact the appropriate Consulate General in Houston, Minneapolis, New York or San Francisco.
The Norwegian embassy in the US website is at: http://www.norway.org - where you can find out more (section "visas and passports" for example).

One last comment to proto;

1. Norway is for the most part less cold than Canada or the northern U.S. I'd like to hear your rationale for thinking there is no other good place for you - not cause i care so much for Norway alone, but considering there's a whole world out there in general. AFAIK, a lot of Americans and the national culture as a whole is far too self-absorbed and lacks knowledge of the outside world, not that ALL are like that, but too many. In my eyes this is a negative trait w/the U.S. (and following that, the general attitude that there's no place that can match its good points and level of freedom -- nationalism). Also I think if TSHTF, the U.S. is at huge risk for DOOM (to use a little GLP terminology .

2. Yes, things are worsening everywhere. I'm sorry to report that to my knowledge, the slide towards worsening conditions has impacted the U.S. possibly the most of all western countries. Also according to my knowledge, the plan is to crash the worlds lone superpower first, as a part of achieving the NWO. When the last superpower is severely weakened, this leaves a space for new powers, i.e. a NWO, to arrive on the scene. This is not to bash the U.S. or anything, merely stating what I see as facts.

Of course, there's probably a few fairly safe places there as well. But i'd personally not dare move *from* where I am to anywhere in North Am. considering the current situation, trends and generally looking at what's going on.

Wow, this ended up a long post, well now I'm out, if you have any further questions about Norway or anything you could PM me - - I don't think I'll bog down this thread with any more posts like this, hehe. My intention was merely to mention Norway because as I said I believe many don't know much about it.... Anyway, good luck with whatever you choose to do...

contrasts....