Dear Folks,

Recently, I have been thinking about returning to my home country, which is the USA.

And, which three states should I consider in order to reduce my Culture Shock upon my return?

I am a New England Boy.

About 60 years ago, I enjoyed my time on Martha’s Vineyard, but that island is just too insular for me.

I am now considering three states, Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont.

My choice will be guided by my need to find a place which has not experienced much social change during the past 55 years.

You know, one of our members, JingThing, is always harping on about his PLAN B.  And, I agree with him that we should think of some Plan B, if we are to be forward thinking tourists.

I have been a tourist in strange lands for many years, and I have zero regrets about most of it.

Yet, these days, or during the past week, or so, I have experienced a sudden urge to return to the USA, and to enjoy my own country. Surely, I have a right to do so, would you not think? I have saved all my USA passports for many years. I think I probably have five or six of them by now. Would these five passports not qualify me to return home?

If I choose Vermont, then I will never be able to get the song out of my head, of course

If I choose to return from BKK to New Hampshire, then how much will I need to pay for business class?

And, if Maine, then can I get a job as a lobster-man?

One thing though: I am aware that if I return to New England, then I probably will not be able to return to Asia, or Thailand, ever again.  I have a fear of flying.

BUT, I love New England, same as did Hitch, I think.....

What would you do if you were in my shoes?

Would you return to New England in time to see the colors of the Autumn Leaves?

Thank you.

Best regards,

Gamma

Note:  I think I feel this way because I have been watching just too many WW2 films this past week. Or, maybe it was, actually, The Big Chill which started me thinking of home.

Note2: Home, of course, no longer exists. One cannot go home, again. But, perhaps, I will return to Vermont, just in time to see the leaves change color.  Would that not be nice?

Edited July 6Jul 6 by GammaGlobulin

14 minutes ago, GammaGlobulin said:

What would you do if you were in my shoes?

Log out of the web board, and turn off the internet.

Get a cleaning job. They seem to get lots of holidays.

17 minutes ago, GammaGlobulin said:

Yet, these days, or during the past week, or so, I have experienced a sudden urge to return to the USA, and to enjoy my own country. Surely, I have a right to do so, would you not think? I have saved all my USA passports for many years. I think I probably have five or six of them by now. Would these five passports not qualify me to return home?

No, definitely doesn't qualify you. At least 12 are needed.

Vermont

6 minutes ago, BilllyGOAT said:

No, definitely doesn't qualify you. At least 12 are needed.

So, then, is it true what they say?

Edited July 6Jul 6 by GammaGlobulin

26 minutes ago, GammaGlobulin said:

And, if Maine, then can I get a job as a lobster-man?

If you already have crabs, then why not?

28 minutes ago, GammaGlobulin said:

I have a fear of flying.

Flying is way overrated. Take a tuk-tuk.

33 minutes ago, Celsius said:

Vermont

I Believe in Bernie.

2 minutes ago, GammaGlobulin said:

I Believe in Bernie.

Nice little town. Went to open a US account during Bush era and just after 9/11 for my Amazon deposits. Everyone was extremely helpful and they helped me get rich as Canada even back then was a basket case.

11 minutes ago, GammaGlobulin said:

I Believe in Bernie.

Hope you believe in 9 months of snow a year too.

38 minutes ago, GammaGlobulin said:

I Believe in Bernie.

Bernie is a stupid socialist.

2 minutes ago, TedG said:

Bernie is a stupid socialist.

But he hates the billionaires now.....after becoming a millionaire he had to move on.

1 hour ago, GammaGlobulin said:

My choice will be guided by my need to find a place which has not experienced much social change during the past 55 years.

I don't think you are serious. That being said, the entire eastern seaboard has grown substantially in the past 25 years. The last time I headed up to MDI in Maine, the entire island had become nothing but a playground for the rich, and it was a crowded tourist mob scene. It's not the same place that I used to visit as a kid.

You can't go home again, it's not there. You can't afford the North East.

5 minutes ago, blaze master said:

But he hates the billionaires now.....after becoming a millionaire he had to move on.

Yep, Bernie is the rich socialist.

2 hours ago, Celsius said:

Vermont

Vermont....!

The nice thing about returning to Vermont might be what?

Looking in my rear-view mirror and always seeing a police car?

But, thankfully, when I finally get myself togther....

I will gladly leave this Sunny Southern Weather......

Soon, I will have the flu every Christmas.....

New Hampshire

Maine

Vermont

These are the three best states in the USA.

So close to Canada, but not quite there.

Vermont has maple syrup, too.....

I feel......

I feel like I owe it to.....somebody......

Most people I meet these days seem not to be totally UP TO PAR.....

Are you up to par yet?

Have you ever been up to par?

Has your GF ever really been up to par?

Or, is there not something always wrong with your GF?

Tell the truth.

2 hours ago, BilllyGOAT said:

Hope you believe in 9 months of snow a year too.

I enjoy the purity of it.

1 hour ago, TedG said:

Yep, Bernie is the rich socialist.

Someday, he will share the wealth, and become a true socialist.

2 hours ago, TedG said:

I don't think you are serious. That being said, the entire eastern seaboard has grown substantially in the past 25 years. The last time I headed up to MDI in Maine, the entire island had become nothing but a playground for the rich, and it was a crowded tourist mob scene. It's not the same place that I used to visit as a kid.

You can't go home again, it's not there. You can't afford the North East.

Please do not worry about whether or not I can afford it.

I will be very content to live in my car....

Together with the vast majority of the American middle class.

It will be good.

It will be a different kind of poverty.

Edited July 6Jul 6 by GammaGlobulin

20 minutes ago, GammaGlobulin said:

New Hampshire

Maine

Vermont

I would actually choose the Berkshire County area in Western Massachusetts. Lenox.

But you are looking at serious annual snowfall in any of the areas you are considering, often for several months of the year. You’ll almost certainly need a car, and a fair amount of your life will be spent digging it out of the snow just to do something as simple as going to the grocery store. You'll save on air conditioning costs though.

3 hours ago, GammaGlobulin said:

And, which three states should I consider in order to reduce my Culture Shock upon my return?

Somewhere warm, avoid colder northern states.

Texas best country in the world 😂

Or Louisiana, I reckon you'd fit right in with those Louisiana boys, they're great fun working with on the offshore rigs.

Edited July 6Jul 6 by SAFETY FIRST

5 minutes ago, BilllyGOAT said:

I would actually choose the Berkshire County area in Western Massachusetts. Lenox.

But you are looking at serious annual snowfall in any of the areas you are considering, often for several months of the year. You’ll almost certainly need a car, and a fair amount of your life will be spent digging it out of the snow just to do something as simple as going to the grocery store. You'll save on air conditioning costs though.

Have you never hard of showshoes?

No need for a shovel, in my opinion, if one lives in a place with no roads.

Vermont there will be far less of the knuckle dragging brain dead MAGIdiots

Go to Monterey Park CA. According to Dr Google, 65% of the city's population are Asian immigrants. You should feel right at home....

3 hours ago, beautifulthailand99 said:

Vermont there will be far less of the knuckle dragging brain dead MAGIdiots

Maybe the peaceful Raleigh, NC is the spot. Please check it out.

Are these savage kids the MAGIdiots you talk about.

https://www.nbcnews.com/nightly-news/video/violent-teen-takeover-chaos-266263109611

4 minutes ago, EVENKEEL said:

Maybe the peaceful Raleigh, NC is the spot

My first time living in the US was 4 years in Raleigh, working in research triangle park. I couldn't believe how stupid the people were. The only thing I could come up with is that they were inbred because most of the males were killed off in the civil war and the gene pool had dried up.

It definitely explains why it's a red state.

18 minutes ago, EVENKEEL said:

Maybe the peaceful Raleigh, NC is the spot. Please check it out.

Are these savage kids the MAGIdiots you talk about.

https://www.nbcnews.com/nightly-news/video/violent-teen-takeover-chaos-266263109611

The Raleigh-Durham area is a huge tech area, along with great climate and outdoor activities. There's three major universities there including Duke. Major history surrounding the area, as well as a beautiful countryside.

Vermont is a very beautiful state. I used to deliver and pick up cheese from there and it was one of my favorite runs. it's still much the same 35+ years later. New Hampshire also, as well as Maine. Too cold for my tastes but wilderness areas, great hunting and fishing and country people outside the major cities. Massachusetts also.

At your age it might be impossible for yo to get a DL and hence living in your car would be an impossibility.

So you want to be transported to an America of 50+ years ago. Remember the popular show, Grizzly Adams from 50 years ago? Not a bad option and would be a noble way to pass your remaining days. Just hitch a ride to the Green Mountains in Vermont and walk in.

Mr. Adams died wrestling a bear but doubt that would be something that would interest you so you might survive and flourish. In all likelihood, you probably be dragged away eventually and spend your remaining days in a mental institution. You are watching "the Big Chill" but maybe the movie One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest from the previous decade is more appropriate for this adventure of yours.

13 minutes ago, atpeace said:

At your age it might be impossible for yo to get a DL and hence living in your car would be an impossibility.

So you want to be transported to an America of 50+ years ago. Remember the popular show, Grizzly Adams from 50 years ago? Not a bad option and would be a noble way to pass your remaining days. Just hitch a ride to the Green Mountains in Vermont and walk in.

Mr. Adams died wrestling a bear but doubt that would be something that would interest you so you might survive and flourish. In all likelihood, you probably be dragged away eventually and spend your remaining days in a mental institution. You are watching "the Big Chill" but maybe the movie One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest from the previous decade is more appropriate for this adventure of yours.

It surely is for a couple of members here.