Jingthing

Thanks for sharing!

Exactly though it is definitely more feasible in the internet age. I have found U.S. financial institutions extremely unfriendly to expats and that has given me major headaches for decades now. If I knew what I know now, I might have hesitated, but I don't regret it either. So many people move abroad totally unprepared, with very little research, and end up being forced back in shame very quickly. Not that there's anything wrong with moving back if you want to of course.

There is really no such thing as a normal person. Period. Everyone is a kind of weirdo in their own special way. I find that fantastic.

I'm not going to go there but you can if you want. My political philosophy about collective responsibility for what a country actually is, and right now the U.S. has given TOTAL POWER to maga Trump, is more holistic and not specific. So go ahead, but don't expect me to play.

Good point about tax. I don't know the details but Portugal did some things making things less tax friendly for expats. So of course you need to look at tax anywhere. Some people solve this by having multiple homes and never being a tax resident anywhere. Not for me but many wealthy people like it. Another question is what you get for the tax. In France for example you have full access to their health system which is world class.

I guess I can see how you perceive it as an accusation but I suggest you not take it so personally.

You asked.

Even though I weathered so many vile personal attack snipes and disgusting flames from maga sore winners on this topic, I really I am very happy that I started it now. It was rather an abstract question so expecting a good answer was kind of remote. It's not like asking for how to pay your electricity bill which you can expect a clear and correct answer here quickly. Let this be an inspiration to others to start similar topics. You never know -- it might be productive for you.

Definitely those who didn't vote. Dude. I'm sharing my political philosophy. Not telling you that you need to agree. Take it or leave it.

That's a good one. Sometimes I feel that way about Thailand. California does have a magical cultural patina about it. Part of America, but somehow something else entirely.

I just said it's part of my political philosophy. I never said I'm forcing everyone to share my political philosophy or that I speak for everyone so I find you accusing me of that to be quite bizarre.

This is part of my political philosophy. Take it or leave it. Obviously there are levels of complicity. Obviously my level would be very low but the USA is indeed now Trump's maga America and as an American even though I hate maga, it's as impossible for me to totally divorce myself from that any more than an anti Putin Russian.

Yeah baby.

It's not a lie for me to say California. I lived there longer than any other U.S. state. For me at least the California response is truly perfect. To be clear, I won't say America. I'll say California. I used to find that a bit obnoxious but everyone has heard of California. and it really works for my subtle coding purposes in this the dark age of Magautocracy. Of course I do realize there are maga Californians. but it's their problem if saying California codes to many people that they likely aren't. I won't worry about that.

Chiang Mai is more of a crunchy granola type of place. Definitely the least maga of the major expat magnets unless you count Pai as a major destination. I agree don't aggressively push politics. I already said I would never say I'm American and I hate Trump. I was looking for something more subtle and dignified because I know for a fact that some foreigners are thinking about the U.S. divide when they meet an American. But surprise surprise, I'm kind of shocked but I have now gotten exactly what I was looking for when I started this thread. Where are you from? CALIFORNIA If the person is interested in taking the code and interested in politics, they make the move. This is sorted for me now.

No idea what you're talking about.

Of course I don't want to make America worse. What a sleazy thing to accuse.

Thank you!

It sounds like you might be talking about fellow Americans. I enjoy talking with old style never Trumper republicans. I have a lot in common with them. However, I don't think I have anything to say to full blown maga cult members or me to them. You've given me an idea though with your Alabama reference. Yes many people would get that code for likely maga. I suppose I could say I'm "from" San Francisco which isn't technically true but that code would work for many people including foreigners. But San Francisco is loaded in too many ways so maybe California would be better as a more generic code for not maga. I kind of really like that idea -- CALIFORNIA. For any informed person on the U.S. divide saying that would at the very least indicate a person who can't be assumed to be maga, and more likely than that, probably not maga. Then if they want to pursue a discussion, it gives them an in. Otherwise. probably enough.

I'm an expat. The random European I met a tourist.

The international press finds this topic juicy. There is a verifiable big spike in searching about moving abroad. But remains to be seen if much ever becomes of it. Of course Americans are moving abroad all the time for non-political reasons. Digital nomads trying to avoid high U.S. costs, and of course retirees more and more.

Nothing will stop that. With maga cruelty is the point.

Bye.

That's the next big story. Trump voter regret as he destroys the economy with his tariff idiocy and fascist style mass deportations.

No. I didn’t get any original ideas addressing the actual topic here. So as I didn't, I'll just play it by ear on a case by case basis.