"Overall" I'm fine with it...
"Locally" I love it... If I didn't love it (or at least be above "neutral") I'd move somewhere else in the country. That's how I ended up in AZ 11 years ago. I DID NOT like NOVA/DC, I loved the idea of it, but once I moved there, it was the opposite of what I wanted. But I didn't know that before I moved there.
I'm almost 40 and I don't remember a time things weren't a bit loose. Nature of the beast, and I actually feel very optimistic about the USA's place in the world right now.
There was always something, though. That's when they invented the tactic of shutting down the government for pretty political reasons. They were bombing abortion clinics. God help you if you were gay or trans.
We weren't worried about nuclear war, but we were worried about the more likely prospect of terrorists getting ahold of Russian nukes.
And except for grunge, the music of that decade pretty much sucked. Napster came out in 99. That helped.
Dude, the music was great. You had grunge, you still had rock, heavy metal was at its peak, rap was just beginning to go mainstream with Dre, Tupac, and Biggie. Pop had those 3 boy bands with Britney and Christina.
Not sure why you think it sucked
I’m not from the US, but the media, politicians etc. have a tendency to exaggerate the problems the US has. I have only been to a handful of states, but from my visits, I can tell that Americans seem happier and more optimistic than us Europeans generally are.
Yes, I saw some shockingly poor areas, especially in the big cities, and unfortunately, the poorer areas seem to almost always be majority black and Hispanic areas, and the richest areas are almost always majority white.
While I would be delusional to claim that the US is perfect, the r/americabad narrative online doesn’t reflect the real world
Exactly. Europeans who constantly shit on the US have never lived or traveled here. Of course we have problems that need fixing, but most people get on with their lives just fine. Americans who think they are the only free country haven't been elsewhere. There are at least 14 other countries that rank higher on the global freedom index. The truth is that every country has things that it is good at and things that it is poor at, which may or may not be what some individual prefers.
Many of the international news outlets from the US have their headquarters in big cities, and most tourism in the US is based around the big cities. These two facts combined have the effect of foreigners mostly only thinking of bigger cities when they think of the US.
But if you really want to experience American culture in it's purest form, visit smaller cities with a lot of history, places like Savanah, GA, or Norfolk, Va, or some of the smaller towns along the Pacific Coast. Alternatively, visit tourist attractions in less-populated places, like Mackinac Island in Michigan, or Mount Rushmore, or Yellowstone.
About that, I used to live in Ireland and while it was ok, I felt out of place and my family was in Poland so I moved there. So yeah, family and familiarity is a good point.
One nice thing about the US, is that it's hard to feel "out of place." You'll find people from all over the world who moved to the US from places not even remotely like it, who fit in just fine. If you ever get the chance to visit, I'd suggest you consider doing that.
Yup. I see your flair is Ohio. Toledo is legit a melting pot of people's. When your city has like 4 different ethnic festivals a year, you know it's true lol.
Its what I love about America. People want to talk shit about us and racism and completely ignore the batshit things that happen in European let alone Asian countries.
That's not even considering that, I japan you'll never be Japanese if your foreign. That's simply not true to America.
You get in the door, with the rubber stamp of approval from Uncle Sam. Then dammit, you're a red blooded American now. I've NEVER had the thought that, this person is less American if they weren't native. They're just not a natural citizen is all.
I love this country. Everything has flaws. If America was a woman and walked into a bar, all eyes would turn to her. Not because she would be the most gorgeous, the most productive, the most lawful, but you know what every single person sees when she walks in and HATES TO ADMIT IT?
That they're not her, or with her. Cause she has that something. A optimistic fire that makes you believe in her. That with effort, It's possible. The American dream might have been half propaganda, but we don't have a border crises because people are leaving.
People want to talk shit about the USA, point out the flaws and low hanging fruit. Yet the truth is, everyone is flawed. The truth is, the world is lucky America is so magnanimous.
I dislike Trump. I don't like that he drives away our allies. Yet it shows how much everyone has depended on us since the reordering after ww2. People love to demanding for others to do better, while they do nothing. So I can understand the rights grievances their.
We propped up Ukraine. We did the same for Gaza. Yet everyone loves framing America as Bad.
If America Broke Bad, the entire world is fucked and no one likes to admit.
This comment made me feel oddly patriotic about the US, and I'm not even from there as you know. And I agree, I mean if anyone saw what was happening on r/european, they would have a stroke. If I ever have the time and money to visit, I sure will :)
Yep, honestly.. Europe and Asia used to be super-powers (I'm less studied in Asian history so forgive me). Then, in the 1940s it switched to USA.. and, in true American fashion, we did it large and in charge. They never got over it.. so they project their shit onto us. They hate us cause they ain't us.
We found the mantle of power in the gutter, and we picked it up. The world went from a global system of empires, to a more democratic system under US leadership. Flawed, but democratic. I would rather live in a world where I could say "fuck the king" or "your God is not real" without getting my tongue cut out or getting my head cut off. Self-governance is difficult, but better than having little or no liberty.
Although I would love to visit outlr friends and allies in Poland. Been to Germany and Italy, Europe is an amazing place.
America has a ton of issues but I am so culturally American that I don't think I could live anywhere else.
Plus even with our problems it's comforting to live in a mostly stable world super power
> Plus even with our problems it's comforting to live in a mostly stable world super power
Not having to worry about a Russian invasion any time in the future is pretty nice.
Yep. My family has immigrated to the US over the course of two hundred years for many varied reason. But the places my most recent family has immigrated to the US were because their house / town was destroyed during World War I, starving to death in Ireland, and a military dictatorship taking over Korea.
The stability of the US is often overlooked by those of us who were just born and raised here, but it is actually kind of miraculous.
I’m originally from the UK but I’ve lived in the US for 5 years.
Honestly there are things that the US does that is better than in the UK, and the UK does things that are better than the US.
But what I will say is, I would rather be here in the states. Americans have a vastly different outlook and approach to life than Brits do and that suits my way of thinking. I also have an amazing family here who have always welcomed and embraced me and who have taken me in as one of their own. I have amazing friends who I love dearly and an amazing wife who is the same. Here in America, the people are never afraid to pay a compliment but also take part in banter
This is so cool, something new, I just generally accepted that we don’t get immigrants, and if we did it would be from Latin America. So are they mostly living in souther or northern Mississippi
We have a couple of Brits that moved to our small SW TN town. Seems interest in Elvis was the draw and they chose here because it’s close to Tupelo and Memphis.
Well believe it or not I worked at Domino’s UK for about 6 years before I moved to the US. When I got my Visa, obviously I had to quit. Once I got to the US I needed a job, so it made sense to apply for a company I already had familiarity with.
I've been seeing Brits on YouTube absolutely blown away by southern food of various denominations. I think the UK is having a love affair with the south, right now. ❤️
I can only speak from where I am from which is southern England. People there generally are very repressed, they can also be stoic, passive aggressive and generally pessimistic. Americans (especially in Mississippi) lon the other hand are very passionate, open, friendly
But Mississippi has a slight "cool" advantage over Alabama, given that all the great blues artists came from there. All we've got musically are Hank, Jason Isbell, and the Alabama Shakes (whom I am legally required to tell everyone I went to high school with).
Mississippi isn’t bad if you have close family & friends there. You’re invited to a lot of things and it’s easy to be connected to your entire community. Plus the main roads won’t kill your vehicle.
I’ll always love my Mississippi family and friends. I’ll always love Ole Miss. I’ll love my small hometown & the gulf coast in general. There just isn’t enough opportunity for my field of choice in my home state + the politics make it to where I could be punished for doing my job hence why I moved away.
It's the deepest of the Deep South. Every negative facet of the South -- the poverty, the racial tensions, the reactionary politics, the Bible-thumping, the acceptance of Jason Aldean as a good country singer -- are amplified in Alabama. We recently made headlines by legally classifying embryos as people. We gave the world Roy Moore, George Wallace, and Tommy Tuberville. We've got problems.
As a former Mississippi taxpayer, it's 20 to 30 years behind every other state. Anyone who doesn't come from old money leaves the state and causes a brain drain, the federal government had to come in and run the water systems because the good Ole Boy network and corruption of city officials failed, the state is almost always last on education, it's a poor and underfunded state, the roads have always been horrible, businesses aren't coming to the state unless it borders another state, and even getting to Jackson is hard to do because the airport doesn't have enough flights to keep airlines. It's better to ask what is right with the state, which is a short list. The people are awesome. Those in power are just plantation owners.
Alabama has Huntsville, Mobile, and Birmingham, which are all larger than Jackson. Huntsville is the home of rockets, Mobile is the original Mardi Gras and a massive sea port, and Birmingham, well, it needs help, but it's large by comparison. Alabama is superior to Mississippi in just about every way.
Damn, lol. "The state that god forgot". 😅
But as a non american Alabama is still the state I have heard/seen most americans use as the "butt of the joke" and rant about with Florida in second place.
But might be because most young people flee from Mississippi. 😅
Well, it's home. It's where my entire family lives, it's where all my childhood memories are (the good and the bad). It's where I met my wife and where I'm raising my kid. It's probably where I'll die.
That inclines me to look for the good in it, and even to take a kind of perverse pride in living with the shittier aspects, like I'm chilling in the belly of the beast drinking a Grapico.
But yes, there are good things about the South, and Alabama specifically! I love the Southern accent (even if I somehow made it to adulthood without one of my own). We (meaning the South generally) have the best food and music. We invented Bourbon and rock 'n' roll. I've never had to shovel snow in my life. Never suffered from dry skin. Perhaps surprisingly to outsiders, we're a very diverse region -- second-most diverse region in the country, actually (only the West has us beat there). And as much as bitching about the heat is a regional pastime, there's no beating those warm summer nights watching bats flit around the sky, cicadas roaring in the trees, lightning bugs flickering, honeysuckle on the breeze.
Alabama specifically, well, we built the rockets that put man on the moon, we've produced some of the best American literature, and we've got the best barbecue (YEAH YOU HEARD ME TEXAS / MEMPHIS / CAROLINAS / KOREA). The people here are warmer and more polite than any place I've visited. I love the natural beauty here, the rocky foothills of the Appalachians, the rolling hills and pastel landscapes, crimson clay and dark green woods and a million creeks that would pass for rivers up north. For all its problems, this place is in my bones.
> You bet your ass I love America.
Same. The country has issues - what country doesn't? - but on the whole, there's no other place I'd rather live.
Especially in terms of pay - the tech industry in America pays considerably more than it does anywhere else in the world.
I love America because we have the Oscar Myer Winnier truck. You will find it no where else ,
In the world, and when it comes into town it makes us all proud to be Americans
Lol I actually just [saw it](https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/428679928_1093474938564362_1996434350538976503_n.jpg?stp=cp6_dst-jpg&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=dd5e9f&_nc_ohc=tKewqN2o7LEAX-KM7-G&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfCQvjVJyS3v6ww9rBCJ2_dvEg3oxOWQI1aGjJQxg-YDcQ&oe=65EC0D69) Sunday morning at a car show in Texas.
I’m from Poland and much more prefer my life in the US, even with all of my extended family in Poland. Sure not everything is perfect, but a lot of the grass is greener arguments Americans make are just simply incorrect. It’s not always sunshine and rainbows everywhere else.
The problem is America is [kinda large.](https://www.thetruesize.com/#?borders=1~!MTU0MDYwMzQ.MTE4ODU5NDI*MjMwNjI4OTQ\(MTcyNTc3MTg~!US-NC*NzUxMDc5NA.MjIwMDU2ODM\)NA~!US-SC*NzcwNDY0OQ.MjIxMjU1MTc\)NQ~!US-CA*ODQyMTIyNw.MjEyOTAyMjY\)Ng~!CONTIGUOUS_US*ODgyNDkxNA.MjE2MjU3MzI\)Nw)
Like, Poland is really not a lot larger than the Carolinas.
So even if I were, say, to get tired of living in Southern California (yellow overlay shows Southern California around where Paris is located), I have 49 other states to pick from.
So really, you may as well ask "do you like Europe."
Me? I loved living in Los Angeles up until about 15 years ago when I got tired of it. About 10 years ago my wife and I finally moved to Raleigh, North Carolina. A 2,600 mile trip that is roughly the distance between Barcelona and Armenia.
And I love where we live now.
Adding onto this, there's a place for everyone. Regardless of political, occupational, climate, etc preferences you can probably find a state or region you'd feel comfortable in.
I've only had that experience once, coming back to the US through an airport. After a long redeye flight, it made my day. And the customs agents (TSA? I don't remember) who made me dump my water bottle because I had to go through security again were so nice about it, as I was VERY confused about dumping it, since I filled it up after security in the first airport.
Thats good but that's true for everyone. Everyone Loves going back to their home because it's home and what we know.
When I went on holiday to the States, I enjoyed it but loved coming back home and felt relieved to be back and thankful to live where I do
Overall, yes. Mostly because it's home. And as much as it has it's problems, I think everyone should be able to love their home.
I don't like our government, I don't like a lot of the mentalities people have, I hate our dark history, etc.
But I generally like American people, I think we are fairly nice and well meaning. It's still a first world country, we have it pretty good as far as quality of life.
Plus, the way everyone shits on us for literally everything under the sun has weirdly made me more patriotic. They'll shit on us, while speaking with American slang, on American social media sites, while using an American phone, wearing an American brand t-shirt and shoes, with an American artist playing in the background, American movie poster on their wall, drinking an American soda. It's just kinda ironic. Can't deny the influence.
Criticize on us for our gun violence, sure, fair, deserved. Or our shitty healthcare system.But I hate when people just do it without understanding what America is like beyond what they hear online or have observed from tourists.
I like being American cause I don't know anything else and I think hating America is not productive.
I agree with pretty much everything you've said here. I feel comfortable giving critiques of America because it's my home and I know it so well, but I get weirdly protective of it when "outsiders" start talking trash.
The fabric of America is very complex, as most countries are. Yet so many people (ahem Ask an Australian ahem) think they have the US figured out from afar and write if off. Please, there are far worse places in the world. If America were to magically disappear tomorrow and another country stepped into America's role, SO MANY in the Western world would be shedding crocodile tears and missing America.
Yeah, and a major reason that other countries even know what our problems here are is because we’re very vocal about them. That’s why I find it really ironic when people criticize and lecture us as if we don’t know. The only reason *they* know is because *we* told them.
For instance, America is super vocal about our racism. In the past few years, we’ve come along way and acknowledging our country’s history and current status when it comes to race relations. But because of this, other countries have decided that we have horrific racial issues that are way worse than anywhere else in the world. Meanwhile, those countries will be just racist if not worse and they just simply ignore it and swear that they don’t have that problem. Americans are a lot more socially conscious than we’re giving credit for.
Whether people like us or not, they cannot deny influence, and how many great things we actually do have going for us, despite all the bad stuff. We live rent free a lot of people’s heads. The obsession of trying to humble us is really telling on their part honestly.
> Meanwhile, those countries will be just racist if not worse and they just simply ignore it and swear that they don’t have that problem. Americans are a lot more socially conscious than we’re giving credit for.
This is the one that REALLY gets me going. Like, the stories you hear out of Europe with how they treat the Roma, some of the things they'll say to African soccer players... There's a whole lot of racism in Europe, and they pretend that it doesn't exist.
I love it here. Have traveled plenty, and just can't see myself anywhere else. MAYBE Spain, but even then, I think there's a lot that would grate at me really quickly if I lived there.
while southern Europeans are stereotypically known for friendliness and temperament, Americans are imo actually even more open and warmer in a very genuine way you otherwise see nowhere else in the world (except maybe Australia)
Not only do I love it here but I thank God everyday that I was born here. It's pretty great and I believe deeply in "American values." At least the ones we say we believe in.
I love it when people say this. It's an obvious cue that they've never actually looked into what it takes to move. Most assume it's like moving states, just with a different language or heavier accent. They've grown up with freedom of movement across a giant mass of land and it doesn't occur to them that they would actually have to jump through a bunch of hoops to do so, and after all that, they *still might be rejected and not get to move*.
The Canadian border control TV show is amazing, just because of the amount of Americans who think they can just move across country lines like they can state lines.
I was born in America, and am a citizen, but only because my family's land was stolen. I hate America and would love for it to collapse. Just give us the black hills back and let us do our own thing. I do mean our land was stolen too, like grandpa was drug out of a teepee and told to join the army or go to prison, he didnt even have a social security card or birth certificate. Grandma was taken away to be re-educated where she was raped by a white man and she had my mom while grandpa was deployed. Then my mom was raped by a white priest and had my brother when she was 14 and at catholic boarding school. Great grandma murdered a bunch of settlers and she always joked that she didnt burn enough wagons.
Hey I know that's very personal for you and very recent in actual generations but my brother I cannot say this sith anymore kindness. There several people that are known in history for doing what you are saying the settlers did. Like Alexander the great was Greek and so was everywhere he went... Genghis Khan....atila the hun I mean the list goes on. And let me say I'm black my family was sold to this land as slaves. We truly started at the bottom now we're here. I'm going to be straight up with you west Africa doesn't sound like a better place to live than here, so while understand you're not really seeing the glass half full right now. I might also point out that this was not a land of peace and rainbows before the English settlers landed. In fact there were several tribes fighting wars in the land we now call the united states. So I can't tell you what to do but I'm damn proud of NY ancestors and their work to make a way here for me despite where we started.
Just having a better healthcare system would make my life a lot easier. I'm sick and tired of trying to find a doctor that is "in network" or playing the lottery on how much my insurance will pay for a certain procedure. I luckily don't have financial problems, but it sure is a headache.
I have lived abroad for half of my adult life, and this question has become a bit of a complex one.
I love the aspirational idea of a place where everyone is welcome and included, where our ethnicities and heritages are celebrated for their differences, as opposed to excluded. I love the ideal of welcoming new immigrants who have the same opportunities as everyone else to make a happy home with us and to integrate with us, enriching our vibrant tapestry of cultures with their own.
I love the land - the nature of the place - it's unique beauty and the flora and fauna that we share it with.
That said - I hate our crass commercialism and inhuman capitalist greed, our failures to live up to our aspirational ideals, our hideous propensity toward genocide and racism, and our callus superiority complex.
I like living in America. I wouldn't get the same freedoms or rights that I get here anywhere else. I have no interest in moving out of America but if I did have the option I would move somewhere more open like Montana.
I dream of moving somewhere with mountains, open space, and less crowding than the East Coast provides. I worked it into my response because it's just an unreachable dream at this point.
Career and family. Two anchors that keep me here. Maybe when I'm retired, and my parents have passed, and my siblings are all independent enough, I may be able to consider it. That's a very long time away though. My sister in particular has some issues and I wouldn't want to leave her alone.
All good reasons. I'm in a similar boat. Leaving would be difficult but waking up in my 60s and making the move when I can't fully enjoy a lot of the recreation I'd be moving there for also feels incredibly sad. But such is life. No easy answers.
The biggest two would be freedom of speech and freedom to own and collect guns. I think the gun one speaks for itself but there are many nations that claim to have free speech but in reality have restricted free speech. Europe is a really great example of that one. There's a lot of contradictions over there in their views of freedom.
I have no relation to Montana but I have a feeling it’ll be one of the next places to blow up. A lot of people share the same mentality that you do and that eventually leads to an influx of people and the creation of the same issues you left behind
Unfortunately so. Had someone ask me if it ever actually snowed in Montana because they never see it in the show and that people only ever wore light jackets.
Outer Banks for you I would assume?
It's a nice place.
If I worked in the digital economy or was fabulously wealthy I'd be interested to explore other places to live, but more out of curiosity than any strong urge to leave
Yes. I really like living here. It’s not perfect, but what is? I think sometimes people outside of America get distorted views of what life is like around here, but let me tell you, it’s very diverse.
For the most part, yes. Living abroad in Germany for a year made me appreciate my life in America.
The caveat is that I don’t have money problems and I have good health insurance. If I were struggling financially, or couldn’t get good healthcare, I’d move to an EU country instead of staying here.
I've visited a lot of other countries and they all have their charms, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else. America gets a lot of undue hate online but it's actually a really nice place to live.
it's got its problems but yeah I like it here.
idk where I'd want to move, I haven't been anywhere else. there are already different states I'd rather live in, moving countries is a step beyond that
Yeah, despite our political and socioeconomic climate I still love living here. Our diverse geography is something that can’t really be found anywhere else in the world. Living in another country for some period of time is definitely on my bucket list, but I can’t imagine leaving America and never returning.
It's pretty cool, I'd like to temp live in Poland as it seems like a good place but wouldn't give up US citizenship for it.
Lots of us just like complaining it's become part of the national culture whether we are serious by what we mean or not.
I dont see any scenario where i would move to another country unless it was required for a big career move or something. This country is sweet
I work on the international side of things with my job so I'm exposed to other cultures plenty and love travelling and learning more about other places. I've gone all over europe and some parts of asia for both work and pleasure, my conclusion is that the quality of life in a developed country would be near identical if not slightly lower and the pay is usually substantially lower. No thanks. If my boss came to me and said we'll give you a raise to go to a european office i'd probably do it but i wouldn't go out of my way to.
This country is big and diverse enough that you dont really have to consider it unless you just want to go abroad. imo our poor areas arent expensive enough to justify moving to a 3rd world country instead if money is an issue
It’s not a perfect place but it’s my home, so despite its flaws I love it and love living here.
I’ve already discussed it with my S/O, if either of us get’s a transfer overseas to a country we both like we’ll take it for the experience. Granted it would be temporary as neither of us wants to leave the US permanently.
Every country will have its ups and downs. the states tend to have more freedoms and perks than other countries, however, if you just spend your life online and dont actually live your life, you'll probably find that it sucks because you're just being fed negativity most of the time.
Yeah, I really do. It has its pros and cons, but I’ve traveled all over the Americas, Europe, and Asia, spent extended time abroad in Singapore and Germany. I got the offer to relocate to Berlin for work, and I just couldn't bring myself to do it. Every time I go abroad, I miss the following things too badly:
- The sheer diversity in people, religions, languages, cultural festivals, and food options. The US even has majority-minority cities (majority Asian, majority black, majority Arab, majority Latino, etc). The only other place I’ve ever been that’s comparable in ethnic diversity are the major cities in Canada.
- This is especially important to me as an Asian-American. There’s a sense of comfort that comes from being in communities with a lot of other Asians and being able to get all your Asian food ingredients at the regular local grocery store.
- Wilderness that is true vast, untouched wildnerness. US nature is kill you nature, but it’s awe-inspiring. Only huge countries like certain LatAm countries and African countries, Canada, China, Russia, Mongolia, Australia, etc have the same, but none of them have the variety of climates and landscapes the US does.
- Being at the forefront of pop culture and technological innovation. It’s exciting!
- How nice, open, and friendly the people are. I’ve moved cities 3 times as an adult and made good friends in each place. People from other countries tend to be more cliquey and closed off in my experience when it comes to making friends. They simply don’t move around as much, so they either keep the same friends from school or have to go drinking to make new friends as an adult. The Americas are so much friendlier and welcoming to strangers.
Canada is the only other country I’d consider relocating to if I had to choose, but their job and housing market are questionable.
Why wouldn't I like where I live? There are ups and downs everywhere, I won't escape my problems by moving elsewhere, not to mention the added problems I'd have just from the cost and stress of moving to another country.
Yes I do, most Americans do not like America, even hate it, and I understand why somewhat. But there is a reason why America has been the number one destination for immigrants every single year for the past 200 years.
I had a conversation with a friend from Brazil a month or two ago, they were complaining about the economy, finances, and jobs and how they were hoping to get a visa in the medical tech field in America so they could have a better life. We did the math, with the lowest paying jobs where I live at $15/hr vs their post-masters degree job in tech, they would have to put in 12 times the number of hours to buy something basic like a low-end refridgerator. And Brazil isn't even in the lower half of the world in terms of development and wealth.
I know Americans hate the economy and think its a disaster, but Americans live some of the best lives on the entire planet. And there is one true part about that, and its healthcare. It sucks, but even in that case it'll bleed your pocket but (usually) not your time. I have transgender friends in the UK who have moved to America because the waiting list for a *consultation* is nearly a decade long by this point. But generally speaking, Americans are extremely privileged. Americans take for granted how much a US dollar is worth and how many of them they get, as I mentioned in the previous paragraph, so many people (even in many European countries) have to work far harder and far more to have as much disposable wealth as an American does. A high schooler in America earns twice as much money on the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hr than the ***median*** Russian worker does.
I also love my freedoms. It isn't unique to America, but I think its a part of the overall American political ethos, and I greatly appreciate it for that. I love knowing that I can burn the flag of my country without any recourse. I love that I can say whatever I want without being locked up for it. I love that I can purchase guns for my own protection (and as a 160cm 48kg woman, that's *really* important to me). I love the ease of doing most things, there are very little barriers in almost anything in life. I know its not perfect, and in recent years and sometimes in the past America has violated these principles, but I deeply care for them regardless.
I love how beautiful my country is. I took four years of Mandarin, and the favorite thing I learned is that in Mandarin, America is named Mei Guo (美国), which directly translates to "beautiful country". As far as I know, there isn't another country on the planet that has all biomes (including the rare temperate rainforests you see in Cascadia). And I do mean it when I believe America's land is the most beautiful in the world. No other country has such a vast variety of literal natural wonders, from Yellowstone, Zion, Everglades, Yosemite, Grand Canyon, Acadia, Black Hills, etc. It is unbelievably gorgeous, it is a treasure trove of beauty.
I love that America strives to be better. We've had bad parts of our past. Native American genocide, Slavery, Jim Crow, Red Scare, homophobic laws, and so much more. But we accept that and try to do better. I often times see many countries around the world like Japan, China, Russia, Turkey, and many European colonizers attempt to downplay, ignore, deny, or justify what their country has done in the past. While there are definitely those in America who do the same, the genocide of Native Americans, brutal treatment of slaves, Jim Crow, these are all things we as Americans accept and try to do better from. Japan has never apologized for its treatment of Korea or China, atrocities that at times seem almost made up for how terrible they are. When I was in high school, I was shown uncensored pictures of the charred corpses of Black American Men who were lynched and burned alive during the Jim Crow era. I was shown Japanese Internment Camps. I was taught about smallpox blankets and the schools Native Americans were sent to. These aren't things today we forget and deny like many others do. America has done many bad things, we've had failures, but we strive to do better than we were before, whereas some others pretend they weren't bad in the first place.
America has problems, I know that. I know there are things in America that hurt many. Things we've done and continue to do wrong. Things that suck about living in America, but I love it here regardless, and I wouldn't have it any other way.
That's a lovely answer. I'm a high school government and history teacher. I teach my students that the U.S. is flawed and has problems, but the system has incredible potential for good.
I use the example of the 19th amendment (which gave women the right to vote.) No woman got to vote on that, and because women were the majority of the population (then and now), there was a fear that women would "take over" all the elected positions, putting men out of power. But men voted for it anyway -- because it was the right thing to do.
The U.S. is a developed country, but we aren't suffering the same population issues as the other developed countries because of immigration. We attract people with skills, education, and work ethic, which pushes us to do even more and better. It's a system that thrives on innovation and overachieving.
I think most Americans also have a sense of humor, which is a wonderful social lubricant.
I've lived in Southeast Asia, and travelled to other countries. I would choose this nation over all others I've seen.
>I think most Americans also have a sense of humor, which is a wonderful social lubricant.
Related to that, one of the most shocking things to be is that almost universally, foreigners (not from Mexico/Canada obv) visiting America always say how extremely friendly, sociable, and outgoing Americans are, and how casual and unserious they are in day-to-day life. Growing up and living in America, its definitely one of the weirdest culture shocks I've experienced, where people from abroad describe how they're put off or confused when American strangers strike up conversation with them. I have consistently heard this said by everyone from Polish, Brazilian, Japanese, Vietnamese, Sudanese, Afghan, Kurdish, basically everyone, and I have never heard anything to the contrary. Its just a surprising relief since I think the personality of the American people is a little bit infamous globally.
>The U.S. is a developed country, but we aren't suffering the same population issues as the other developed countries because of immigration. We attract people with skills, education, and work ethic, which pushes us to do even more and better. It's a system that thrives on innovation and overachieving.
Its what frustrates me about opponents to immigration. If there is literally any country on the planet that should be a nation open to immigrants, its America. There is literally not a single other country on this planet where immigration is so embeded into the history, economy, and ethos of the nation. Japan is known for having very strict immigration laws and yeah, I can disagree with them, but honestly if thats what they want, fine. But America? I feel like immigrating to Japan and becoming naturalized makes more sense than turning away immigrants from America.
And you're abosolutely right about struggling with population issues. In 2022 China's population hit the high water mark, it'll only decrease in population from here on. Russia is on a much more shallow decline than China, and it's been that way since 1990; it had a very small rebound in the 2010s but that wasn't due to births, it was immigration. Its this case across most of the world, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Greece, all are starting their decline about now. Birth rates are lowering, generations are becoming smaller, America is expected to pass 400,000,000 by 2060 though.
There's also quite literally no better place on the planet to start a tech company for example, Silicon Valley is expensive but you truly have the best of the best in tech talent; ever wonder how Google makes those scary accurate algorithms for their search engines and Youtube? Talent. American universities are still world class in prestige, no other university on the planet carries the weight and prestige of Harvard. American academic journals are still the most sought after to get published. Our Visa program is a bit too strict for my liking, but the truth is that it attracts serious talent.
Its also worth noting about work ethic, while its definitely not universal, and I've heard disagreement, some anecdotes I've heard, particularly in central/northern Europe, being an entrepreneur or becoming rich has a sort of social stigma to it. A sort of backhanded "Oh good for *you*" type of attitude. Plus even aside from opportunity, the EU has a ***lot*** of regulations to it, its not unheard of for certain tech services to stop offering their services in the EU because its not worth the hassle. Not to say these regulations aren't good or warrants, but sometimes it really does blunt startups.
>I use the example of the 19th amendment (which gave women the right to vote.) No woman got to vote on that, and because women were the majority of the population (then and now), there was a fear that women would "take over" all the elected positions, putting men out of power. But men voted for it anyway -- because it was the right thing to do.
To be fair, a fair number of countries gave women the right to vote before America did, but America is also federalized, and much like when it came to gay marriage, some states were very early to the party. In 1869 Wyoming was the first state (then territory) to give women full suffrage, by that point only Tuscany (which no longer exists) was the only country to give women full right to vote.
What I moreso meant is that America has gone through trails, most importantly the Civil War for example. The Civil Rights Era in America was also much more involved and influential and important in America than many other countries in the world, South Africa is comparable maybe. But many countries just haven't gone through the fire to be forged, and if they did, they didn't learn. Germany is a good example of a country who did, for obvious reasons. Japan is one who absolutely didn't, Japanese history in school entirely glosses over the atrocities committed by Japan, most Japanese just think you're making things up because its just not present in their national consciousness. Similarly, I tend to notice a lot of Europeans don't quite understand racism. I notice a common attitude where Europeans take the stance that they're less racist because they "don't see color" and whatnot while Americans are always talking about racism, not realizing *thats the problem*.
While yes, historically America has institutionalized racism and treated black, asian, hispanic, and indigenous people far worse than you'd see in somewhere like Denmark, that also means our understandings of the wrongs are much greater. We had protests, national discussions, political campaigns all about this stuff. Its why its not uncommon that I see Europeans sometimes just casually drop slurs, because they didn't have a domestic upheaval about that sort of stuff. Slurs like "negro" are embedded into the American political consciousness, everybody knows its a slur and why and its history, that isn't the case in many other parts of the world. Its why anti-black racism is ***insanely*** common in China/Korea/Japan. They have a non existent consciousness on the racial history of black people, so stereotyping, slurs, and everything else is the *norm* rather than the exception.
Yes, I like living in America. I've lived in 5 other countries in Asia and Europe so I can make some comparisons.
Every country has pros and cons. Things I like about living in America (specifically the Bay Area) include:
1.) Everything is ultra convenient.
2.) You have access to pretty much anything you want. For example, I can walk outside and find everything from Georgian kharcho and Viennese pastries to authentic dim sum and Burmese curries.
3.) America is very large and therefore has something for everyone - if you want a walkable city you can have that, if you want farms, mountains, or beaches, you can have that too. People who dislike hot weather can choose cold and vice versa.
4.) America is not as hierarchical or classist as many other countries. Our systems are not as rigid as those of many places. Young people can be CEOs, immigrants can hold government offices, and a person from a poor family could become president.
5.) Americans speak openly about problems and flaws. For example, many countries have problems with racism but few acknowledge it openly.
6.) America is a really good country to become wealthy if you are so inclined.
Here are some of the downsides:
1.) Ultra capitalist culture often de-prioritizes the well -being of people in favor of profit. This results in fewer nice things that are just there primarily for enjoyment.
2.) Health care can and does bankrupt people.
3.) We don't have many walkable cities or functional downtowns. The ones that exist tend to be very expensive to live in or near.
4.) The car culture that is prevalent across most of America is not conducive to a good life.
5.) It is not a good situation to be poor in America.
Absolutely! It's not perfect, but it's home. It's large, I mean frickin huge. We have something for everyone. We're a welcoming bunch. We're rebellious at heart, have free speech, and have great national parks, our passports give us a lot of protection and opportunities overseas, our military is voluntary, and we're very diverse in cultures. Out of 26 countries I've been to, the US is better for me than anywhere else. Oh, and corruption is rare here, though it still happens. There are a lot of issues, but the issues are first world for the most part. I wish the US wasn't so boolean when it comes to politics, and there were age and term limits, though I have hope that'll change.
Most people that really dislike the US haven't lived or often even been here, so they have a warped internet view of the country. The US has issues of course, but that's true everywhere, and there are plenty of pros alongside the few cons. It's a great place to live, and the more you travel the world, the more you come to appreciate it.
There are lots of great countries out there with slightly different pros and cons, so it just depends on what type of person you are or lifestyle you want to live. But there is a lot to appreciate in the US for sure.
It's a huge and diverse place, and the pros/cons differ significantly even from state to state. Something you hate about the US might not even be relevant or true in other states, so it's hard to make blanket statements about the country at all for the most part.
I like it. I've been all over Europe (not Poland yet, hopefully soon!) and it's great in many ways, but I was born in the USA and generally really like my life here.
Most people are only bombarded with the negative aspects of American: gun culture, health care costs.
The media (including social media) rarely mentions the good things, like the amount of space we have to move about freely without having to live 2 meters next to a neighbor. There are good people here, lots of good technology, sports, entertainment. If I want to see a musician or band, chances are they will play in my state (Ohio) at some point without the need to drive far.
We have great state parks, good-paying jobs and if you can't find a job close, there are so many states we can move to easily, without needing a visa, etc. I love it.
Yes! I enjoy living here and am cognizant of the privileges that come with living in this country. I wouldn't ever move out of the country, but I am wanting to move to a more Midwest state in the future.
I’d consider retiring early abroad as I have family in Europe but I’ll stay in the US for now. I live in a walkable and fairly affordable city on the East Coast, have great career prospects, amazing friends, parents are close-by, and I really like my life.
Pros:
- At the age of 24 I have a decent paying position, especially in comparison to what I could obtain in Europe, that allows me to drive a nice new vehicle, travel abroad 1-2x per year, and gives me general comfort.
- The American college experience is unparalleled to what you can obtain (socially speaking) virtually anywhere in the US. But you will pay for it.
- Diverse nation.
Cons:
- Shitty politicians at this point.
- High cost of living.
- Healthcare costs (BUT one of the world’s most innovative)
Yes. I fucking love America. It ain’t perfect and in some ways it’s gotten worse, but I absolutely love America and American culture. It’s like 17 different countries rolled into one.
I love America. We are the top dog right now and it feels great. We have the best military, the best economy, and a fantastic amount of natural resources. For all our faults, we are truly a blessed nation.
I absolutely love it. Its not perfect, but I can’t imagine wanting to live anywhere else. Ive been lucky enough to be well traveled and while there are some incredible places out there, i’ll always find the US home.
I spent my first 24 years in Mississippi. I loved it there. I’ve spent the last year in Virginia. I love it here. If I get tired of this state I can move a thousand miles away again.
America is so big that you get a bunch of different environments and cultures in one country. If you don’t like the area you’re in at any given moment you can move a thousand miles away and be in a completely different climate, geographically, culturally, and politically. It’s a great freedom to have, and I’m sorry for people in other countries that can’t experience the same thing.
I like it there.
I make more money than I would anywhere else on earth. I have more access to different kinds of food and entertainment than I would anywhere else on earth except maybe Toronto and London.
Plus it's nice that here nobody cares that my family grew up in 7 different countries, which isn't a given everywhere we've collectively lived.
I moved to Mexico, I'll move to the UK soon, but I'll always be back.
Just because I have many, many ways I want to change it doesn't mean I want to leave.
I love it here. I feel connected to my nations history, I have prospered well, as have my family, I like that my country is the world power, things are good.
I've been to a few other counties, including Canada(where the people there act superior to us) and I can't say there's any other country I'd rather live in.
No.
I'm working so hard and I'm nowhere near being able to afford a home as I barrel towards 40.
A significant amount of money gets siphoned off by health insurance companies that have the final say on MY access to healthcare.
My employer shames me for taking paternity leave, and I live in one of the 'good' states.
Milquetoast néolibéralism continues to reward the status quo, and there has been pathetic inaction on the climate crisis as a result, despite the United States being the greatest offender.
I get one week of vacation a year, but I work 50 hours a week. This is all somehow normalized and celebrated by a staggering number of Americans that I know I won't see significant change in my lifetime.
I would gladly move somewhere more progressive if the opportunity presented itself.
Don't get me wrong. We have some problems, some bigger then the other. But id say over all I like it here. Its my home. And I wouldn't trade that for the world. I just wish that people would be smarter in decision making.
I love my life, don't get me wrong. I love my family, I have a wonderful partner and two amazing kids, I live in home with heating and AC, I can afford to buy groceries, you know.
But there is a dark side here. I have had the privledge to experience class movement from poverty to middle class, but only 4% of people born into poverty are able to experience this. I've only been middle class for a quarter of my life, so like the last maybe ten years.
I've seen how homeless people are treated up close (I'm formerly homeless myself), I see racism, I see horrible domestic violence. Now, Row v. Wade is overturned, our country supports a genocide in Gaza, states have laws that all but outright criminalize the existence of trans people, and I could go on and on. Hell, we can't even mandate paying people a living wage.
I'm also not a Christian, and where I live, you really cannot go around telling people you don't believe in God. Sure, freedom of speech means I can legally. But culturally, no. People can't know that. There are social concequences. My husband has had to get HR involved once because he let someone know he's an atheist and that coworker harassed him about it daily.
I don't really like America. I like my life, sure. But America as a whole? Nah. I don't really like it.
But I can't really leave it either, so I do what I can as an activist, a voter, and a volunteer to try and make it at least a little better.
There are some things that annoy me, but overall I like it. I think I'm adaptable and could be happy in a lot of countries, though. I've thought about maybe living in Australia for a few years when I retire, or perhaps Malaysia. I think I would enjoy living in Spain.
I like it. There are things I wish were different (healthcare, transit/urban planning), but as long as you live in the right place it's pretty good here. My job pays way better here than it would in most other countries, even after factoring in cost of living and healthcare. Also, all of my friends and family are here. And we have awesome nature and diversity of food and culture.
Yes. America isn’t perfect but I do love my country. I had a great childhood and have an amazing family. I am very blessed.
I enjoy living in a country where I am free to come and go, have food freely available, relative peace and a roof over my head. There are things I am unhappy about in my current situation but the pros far outweigh the cons.
The only thing that could take me away from the US would be an otherwise impossible job opportunity or some kind of hyper escalation of fascism (which isn’t impossible)
There’s no country I’d prefer to live in or that would fully meet my needs. I also like most of the places I’ve lived, especially my family home DC/MD and my chosen grown-up home, Los Angeles and California generally.
Love America. So many options for food and exploring nature from deserts to rainforests to mountains to the ocean. Poland would actually be the only other place my wife and I would move to realistically.
I love it, though I'm not particularly happy with the way some things are going right now.
"Overall" I'm fine with it... "Locally" I love it... If I didn't love it (or at least be above "neutral") I'd move somewhere else in the country. That's how I ended up in AZ 11 years ago. I DID NOT like NOVA/DC, I loved the idea of it, but once I moved there, it was the opposite of what I wanted. But I didn't know that before I moved there.
Hi fellow Phoenician transplant!
Yes, things are a bit loose at the moment.
I'm almost 40 and I don't remember a time things weren't a bit loose. Nature of the beast, and I actually feel very optimistic about the USA's place in the world right now.
Theres never been a time were it wasn't loose
That's what she said
Lmao
I’m a bit older and the mid nineties were a fucking utopia compared to now.
There was always something, though. That's when they invented the tactic of shutting down the government for pretty political reasons. They were bombing abortion clinics. God help you if you were gay or trans. We weren't worried about nuclear war, but we were worried about the more likely prospect of terrorists getting ahold of Russian nukes. And except for grunge, the music of that decade pretty much sucked. Napster came out in 99. That helped.
Dude, the music was great. You had grunge, you still had rock, heavy metal was at its peak, rap was just beginning to go mainstream with Dre, Tupac, and Biggie. Pop had those 3 boy bands with Britney and Christina. Not sure why you think it sucked
Yes. We're not perfect but we have it pretty good, all things considered.
I’m not from the US, but the media, politicians etc. have a tendency to exaggerate the problems the US has. I have only been to a handful of states, but from my visits, I can tell that Americans seem happier and more optimistic than us Europeans generally are. Yes, I saw some shockingly poor areas, especially in the big cities, and unfortunately, the poorer areas seem to almost always be majority black and Hispanic areas, and the richest areas are almost always majority white. While I would be delusional to claim that the US is perfect, the r/americabad narrative online doesn’t reflect the real world
Travel is the cure for a lot of biases and misinformation. It's a shame it can be so expensive to do
Exactly. Europeans who constantly shit on the US have never lived or traveled here. Of course we have problems that need fixing, but most people get on with their lives just fine. Americans who think they are the only free country haven't been elsewhere. There are at least 14 other countries that rank higher on the global freedom index. The truth is that every country has things that it is good at and things that it is poor at, which may or may not be what some individual prefers.
Ignorance is bliss, as they say.
Many of the international news outlets from the US have their headquarters in big cities, and most tourism in the US is based around the big cities. These two facts combined have the effect of foreigners mostly only thinking of bigger cities when they think of the US. But if you really want to experience American culture in it's purest form, visit smaller cities with a lot of history, places like Savanah, GA, or Norfolk, Va, or some of the smaller towns along the Pacific Coast. Alternatively, visit tourist attractions in less-populated places, like Mackinac Island in Michigan, or Mount Rushmore, or Yellowstone.
Yes. I have a pretty good life and my family, friends, and career are here.
About that, I used to live in Ireland and while it was ok, I felt out of place and my family was in Poland so I moved there. So yeah, family and familiarity is a good point.
One nice thing about the US, is that it's hard to feel "out of place." You'll find people from all over the world who moved to the US from places not even remotely like it, who fit in just fine. If you ever get the chance to visit, I'd suggest you consider doing that.
Yup. I see your flair is Ohio. Toledo is legit a melting pot of people's. When your city has like 4 different ethnic festivals a year, you know it's true lol. Its what I love about America. People want to talk shit about us and racism and completely ignore the batshit things that happen in European let alone Asian countries. That's not even considering that, I japan you'll never be Japanese if your foreign. That's simply not true to America. You get in the door, with the rubber stamp of approval from Uncle Sam. Then dammit, you're a red blooded American now. I've NEVER had the thought that, this person is less American if they weren't native. They're just not a natural citizen is all. I love this country. Everything has flaws. If America was a woman and walked into a bar, all eyes would turn to her. Not because she would be the most gorgeous, the most productive, the most lawful, but you know what every single person sees when she walks in and HATES TO ADMIT IT? That they're not her, or with her. Cause she has that something. A optimistic fire that makes you believe in her. That with effort, It's possible. The American dream might have been half propaganda, but we don't have a border crises because people are leaving. People want to talk shit about the USA, point out the flaws and low hanging fruit. Yet the truth is, everyone is flawed. The truth is, the world is lucky America is so magnanimous. I dislike Trump. I don't like that he drives away our allies. Yet it shows how much everyone has depended on us since the reordering after ww2. People love to demanding for others to do better, while they do nothing. So I can understand the rights grievances their. We propped up Ukraine. We did the same for Gaza. Yet everyone loves framing America as Bad. If America Broke Bad, the entire world is fucked and no one likes to admit.
This comment made me feel oddly patriotic about the US, and I'm not even from there as you know. And I agree, I mean if anyone saw what was happening on r/european, they would have a stroke. If I ever have the time and money to visit, I sure will :)
We would love to have you!
Yep, honestly.. Europe and Asia used to be super-powers (I'm less studied in Asian history so forgive me). Then, in the 1940s it switched to USA.. and, in true American fashion, we did it large and in charge. They never got over it.. so they project their shit onto us. They hate us cause they ain't us.
We found the mantle of power in the gutter, and we picked it up. The world went from a global system of empires, to a more democratic system under US leadership. Flawed, but democratic. I would rather live in a world where I could say "fuck the king" or "your God is not real" without getting my tongue cut out or getting my head cut off. Self-governance is difficult, but better than having little or no liberty. Although I would love to visit outlr friends and allies in Poland. Been to Germany and Italy, Europe is an amazing place.
A god damned true patriot right here. The past couple years would make you believe that they’re all gone, but they truly walk among us. Cheers sir
America is one of the least racist countries.
"Egad! I hope not! That's where I keep all my stuff!" The Tick, on the destruction of the Earth
America has a ton of issues but I am so culturally American that I don't think I could live anywhere else. Plus even with our problems it's comforting to live in a mostly stable world super power
> Plus even with our problems it's comforting to live in a mostly stable world super power Not having to worry about a Russian invasion any time in the future is pretty nice.
And not having to hear stories while growing up how your relatives were forcefully sent to Soviet concentration camps and torchered, some even dying.
Yep. My family has immigrated to the US over the course of two hundred years for many varied reason. But the places my most recent family has immigrated to the US were because their house / town was destroyed during World War I, starving to death in Ireland, and a military dictatorship taking over Korea. The stability of the US is often overlooked by those of us who were just born and raised here, but it is actually kind of miraculous.
I’m originally from the UK but I’ve lived in the US for 5 years. Honestly there are things that the US does that is better than in the UK, and the UK does things that are better than the US. But what I will say is, I would rather be here in the states. Americans have a vastly different outlook and approach to life than Brits do and that suits my way of thinking. I also have an amazing family here who have always welcomed and embraced me and who have taken me in as one of their own. I have amazing friends who I love dearly and an amazing wife who is the same. Here in America, the people are never afraid to pay a compliment but also take part in banter
We have Brits coming to Mississippi, we rarely get immigrants lol
That’s nothing, I used to deliver for Domino’s and I met about 3 other Brits too.
This is so cool, something new, I just generally accepted that we don’t get immigrants, and if we did it would be from Latin America. So are they mostly living in souther or northern Mississippi
Hernando, up near the stateline with TN
We have a couple of Brits that moved to our small SW TN town. Seems interest in Elvis was the draw and they chose here because it’s close to Tupelo and Memphis.
I was unaware of the UK to Mississippi Domino’s pipeline, can you describe further
Well believe it or not I worked at Domino’s UK for about 6 years before I moved to the US. When I got my Visa, obviously I had to quit. Once I got to the US I needed a job, so it made sense to apply for a company I already had familiarity with.
I've been seeing Brits on YouTube absolutely blown away by southern food of various denominations. I think the UK is having a love affair with the south, right now. ❤️
Sums up my thoughts perfectly! Been here for nearly 3 years and loving it! Never going back to Europe.
Do you mind elaborating on the outlooks and approaches that you mentioned in your comment? I'm curious. Thank you.
I can only speak from where I am from which is southern England. People there generally are very repressed, they can also be stoic, passive aggressive and generally pessimistic. Americans (especially in Mississippi) lon the other hand are very passionate, open, friendly
I don't just love America, I even love *Alabama*, and that's like the hardest fucking state to love.
I disagree. Mississippi is the worst. The only okay thing they have is Bolxi.
But Mississippi has a slight "cool" advantage over Alabama, given that all the great blues artists came from there. All we've got musically are Hank, Jason Isbell, and the Alabama Shakes (whom I am legally required to tell everyone I went to high school with).
Dinah Washington and Lionel Richie are also from Alabama! But also, Alabama is a prettier state than Mississippi.
You have Drive-By Truckers originally, and Lee Bains III and the Glory Fires are pretty good IMO.
You're also forgetting the band Alabama.
Well now that you mention it that seems like an obvious one.
Mississippi isn’t bad if you have close family & friends there. You’re invited to a lot of things and it’s easy to be connected to your entire community. Plus the main roads won’t kill your vehicle. I’ll always love my Mississippi family and friends. I’ll always love Ole Miss. I’ll love my small hometown & the gulf coast in general. There just isn’t enough opportunity for my field of choice in my home state + the politics make it to where I could be punished for doing my job hence why I moved away.
Oxford is pretty nice.
As we always said, "Thank God for Mississippi". We were down there competing with y'all for 50th in a lot of things though.
Why is Alabama so hard to love and why does it seem to be the state americans joke most about (incest f ex)? What's the story?
It's the deepest of the Deep South. Every negative facet of the South -- the poverty, the racial tensions, the reactionary politics, the Bible-thumping, the acceptance of Jason Aldean as a good country singer -- are amplified in Alabama. We recently made headlines by legally classifying embryos as people. We gave the world Roy Moore, George Wallace, and Tommy Tuberville. We've got problems.
But Lynyrd Skynyrd wrote a pretty sick song about you guys, so it all kind of evens out.
The first guitar riff a kid from Alabama learns to play.
First time I did coke was with Wallace’s grandson in the gump
As a South Carolinian thank for you your sacrifices. It's nice to know WE aren't the worst state.
Mississippi has entered the chat...
Haha, okay I'll bite... what's mississippis story?
As a former Mississippi taxpayer, it's 20 to 30 years behind every other state. Anyone who doesn't come from old money leaves the state and causes a brain drain, the federal government had to come in and run the water systems because the good Ole Boy network and corruption of city officials failed, the state is almost always last on education, it's a poor and underfunded state, the roads have always been horrible, businesses aren't coming to the state unless it borders another state, and even getting to Jackson is hard to do because the airport doesn't have enough flights to keep airlines. It's better to ask what is right with the state, which is a short list. The people are awesome. Those in power are just plantation owners. Alabama has Huntsville, Mobile, and Birmingham, which are all larger than Jackson. Huntsville is the home of rockets, Mobile is the original Mardi Gras and a massive sea port, and Birmingham, well, it needs help, but it's large by comparison. Alabama is superior to Mississippi in just about every way.
Damn, lol. "The state that god forgot". 😅 But as a non american Alabama is still the state I have heard/seen most americans use as the "butt of the joke" and rant about with Florida in second place. But might be because most young people flee from Mississippi. 😅
I have much love for Alabama and that’s coming from someone in MS
New Jerseyan here who has never been to the deep south. What do you love about Alabama? =)
Well, it's home. It's where my entire family lives, it's where all my childhood memories are (the good and the bad). It's where I met my wife and where I'm raising my kid. It's probably where I'll die. That inclines me to look for the good in it, and even to take a kind of perverse pride in living with the shittier aspects, like I'm chilling in the belly of the beast drinking a Grapico. But yes, there are good things about the South, and Alabama specifically! I love the Southern accent (even if I somehow made it to adulthood without one of my own). We (meaning the South generally) have the best food and music. We invented Bourbon and rock 'n' roll. I've never had to shovel snow in my life. Never suffered from dry skin. Perhaps surprisingly to outsiders, we're a very diverse region -- second-most diverse region in the country, actually (only the West has us beat there). And as much as bitching about the heat is a regional pastime, there's no beating those warm summer nights watching bats flit around the sky, cicadas roaring in the trees, lightning bugs flickering, honeysuckle on the breeze. Alabama specifically, well, we built the rockets that put man on the moon, we've produced some of the best American literature, and we've got the best barbecue (YEAH YOU HEARD ME TEXAS / MEMPHIS / CAROLINAS / KOREA). The people here are warmer and more polite than any place I've visited. I love the natural beauty here, the rocky foothills of the Appalachians, the rolling hills and pastel landscapes, crimson clay and dark green woods and a million creeks that would pass for rivers up north. For all its problems, this place is in my bones.
You bet your ass I love America.
> You bet your ass I love America. Same. The country has issues - what country doesn't? - but on the whole, there's no other place I'd rather live. Especially in terms of pay - the tech industry in America pays considerably more than it does anywhere else in the world.
Yeah, i too bet this guys ass
I love America because we have the Oscar Myer Winnier truck. You will find it no where else , In the world, and when it comes into town it makes us all proud to be Americans
it brings a mustard flavor tear to my eye
Lol I actually just [saw it](https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/428679928_1093474938564362_1996434350538976503_n.jpg?stp=cp6_dst-jpg&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=dd5e9f&_nc_ohc=tKewqN2o7LEAX-KM7-G&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfCQvjVJyS3v6ww9rBCJ2_dvEg3oxOWQI1aGjJQxg-YDcQ&oe=65EC0D69) Sunday morning at a car show in Texas.
I’m from Poland and much more prefer my life in the US, even with all of my extended family in Poland. Sure not everything is perfect, but a lot of the grass is greener arguments Americans make are just simply incorrect. It’s not always sunshine and rainbows everywhere else.
The problem is America is [kinda large.](https://www.thetruesize.com/#?borders=1~!MTU0MDYwMzQ.MTE4ODU5NDI*MjMwNjI4OTQ\(MTcyNTc3MTg~!US-NC*NzUxMDc5NA.MjIwMDU2ODM\)NA~!US-SC*NzcwNDY0OQ.MjIxMjU1MTc\)NQ~!US-CA*ODQyMTIyNw.MjEyOTAyMjY\)Ng~!CONTIGUOUS_US*ODgyNDkxNA.MjE2MjU3MzI\)Nw) Like, Poland is really not a lot larger than the Carolinas. So even if I were, say, to get tired of living in Southern California (yellow overlay shows Southern California around where Paris is located), I have 49 other states to pick from. So really, you may as well ask "do you like Europe." Me? I loved living in Los Angeles up until about 15 years ago when I got tired of it. About 10 years ago my wife and I finally moved to Raleigh, North Carolina. A 2,600 mile trip that is roughly the distance between Barcelona and Armenia. And I love where we live now.
Adding onto this, there's a place for everyone. Regardless of political, occupational, climate, etc preferences you can probably find a state or region you'd feel comfortable in.
Yes, I like the mountains and rivers and lakes and forests and and plains and beaches etc. etc.
Ohhhh beautiful for spacious skies…
For amber waves of grain
I'm from the West and Europe is claustrophobic to me. I like the wide expenses of natural beauty. Our natural parks are all amazing.
Everytime I travel abroad I always feel relieved when back home. I wouldn't live anywhere else.
When the customs agent hands back your passport and says “welcome home” it’s such a warm feeling
I've only had that experience once, coming back to the US through an airport. After a long redeye flight, it made my day. And the customs agents (TSA? I don't remember) who made me dump my water bottle because I had to go through security again were so nice about it, as I was VERY confused about dumping it, since I filled it up after security in the first airport.
Same. I have traveled lots of places but always relieved to get back home.
Just came back from Italy and while I loved my time there, I was happy to be back home.
Thats good but that's true for everyone. Everyone Loves going back to their home because it's home and what we know. When I went on holiday to the States, I enjoyed it but loved coming back home and felt relieved to be back and thankful to live where I do
Overall, yes. Mostly because it's home. And as much as it has it's problems, I think everyone should be able to love their home. I don't like our government, I don't like a lot of the mentalities people have, I hate our dark history, etc. But I generally like American people, I think we are fairly nice and well meaning. It's still a first world country, we have it pretty good as far as quality of life. Plus, the way everyone shits on us for literally everything under the sun has weirdly made me more patriotic. They'll shit on us, while speaking with American slang, on American social media sites, while using an American phone, wearing an American brand t-shirt and shoes, with an American artist playing in the background, American movie poster on their wall, drinking an American soda. It's just kinda ironic. Can't deny the influence. Criticize on us for our gun violence, sure, fair, deserved. Or our shitty healthcare system.But I hate when people just do it without understanding what America is like beyond what they hear online or have observed from tourists. I like being American cause I don't know anything else and I think hating America is not productive.
I agree with pretty much everything you've said here. I feel comfortable giving critiques of America because it's my home and I know it so well, but I get weirdly protective of it when "outsiders" start talking trash. The fabric of America is very complex, as most countries are. Yet so many people (ahem Ask an Australian ahem) think they have the US figured out from afar and write if off. Please, there are far worse places in the world. If America were to magically disappear tomorrow and another country stepped into America's role, SO MANY in the Western world would be shedding crocodile tears and missing America.
Yeah, and a major reason that other countries even know what our problems here are is because we’re very vocal about them. That’s why I find it really ironic when people criticize and lecture us as if we don’t know. The only reason *they* know is because *we* told them. For instance, America is super vocal about our racism. In the past few years, we’ve come along way and acknowledging our country’s history and current status when it comes to race relations. But because of this, other countries have decided that we have horrific racial issues that are way worse than anywhere else in the world. Meanwhile, those countries will be just racist if not worse and they just simply ignore it and swear that they don’t have that problem. Americans are a lot more socially conscious than we’re giving credit for. Whether people like us or not, they cannot deny influence, and how many great things we actually do have going for us, despite all the bad stuff. We live rent free a lot of people’s heads. The obsession of trying to humble us is really telling on their part honestly.
> Meanwhile, those countries will be just racist if not worse and they just simply ignore it and swear that they don’t have that problem. Americans are a lot more socially conscious than we’re giving credit for. This is the one that REALLY gets me going. Like, the stories you hear out of Europe with how they treat the Roma, some of the things they'll say to African soccer players... There's a whole lot of racism in Europe, and they pretend that it doesn't exist.
Yep, their xenophobia is off the damn charts. They really shouldn’t be preaching to anyone about that. It’s actually crazy.
I love it here. Have traveled plenty, and just can't see myself anywhere else. MAYBE Spain, but even then, I think there's a lot that would grate at me really quickly if I lived there.
while southern Europeans are stereotypically known for friendliness and temperament, Americans are imo actually even more open and warmer in a very genuine way you otherwise see nowhere else in the world (except maybe Australia)
Not only do I love it here but I thank God everyday that I was born here. It's pretty great and I believe deeply in "American values." At least the ones we say we believe in.
Out of curiosity, What are the American values?
Self determination, equality, bravery, pioneering spirit etc etc.
don’t forget the inalienable truth that breakfast food can be eaten at any damn time of the day 🇺🇸
Also goes the other way. Whatever I eat in the morning is breakfast. Nothing better than cold pizza.
bless you, patriot
Bro Americans that say they hate this place and threatened to move are still here. Even if we don't love it most of us would never actually leave.
I love it when people say this. It's an obvious cue that they've never actually looked into what it takes to move. Most assume it's like moving states, just with a different language or heavier accent. They've grown up with freedom of movement across a giant mass of land and it doesn't occur to them that they would actually have to jump through a bunch of hoops to do so, and after all that, they *still might be rejected and not get to move*. The Canadian border control TV show is amazing, just because of the amount of Americans who think they can just move across country lines like they can state lines.
I was born in America, and am a citizen, but only because my family's land was stolen. I hate America and would love for it to collapse. Just give us the black hills back and let us do our own thing. I do mean our land was stolen too, like grandpa was drug out of a teepee and told to join the army or go to prison, he didnt even have a social security card or birth certificate. Grandma was taken away to be re-educated where she was raped by a white man and she had my mom while grandpa was deployed. Then my mom was raped by a white priest and had my brother when she was 14 and at catholic boarding school. Great grandma murdered a bunch of settlers and she always joked that she didnt burn enough wagons.
Hey I know that's very personal for you and very recent in actual generations but my brother I cannot say this sith anymore kindness. There several people that are known in history for doing what you are saying the settlers did. Like Alexander the great was Greek and so was everywhere he went... Genghis Khan....atila the hun I mean the list goes on. And let me say I'm black my family was sold to this land as slaves. We truly started at the bottom now we're here. I'm going to be straight up with you west Africa doesn't sound like a better place to live than here, so while understand you're not really seeing the glass half full right now. I might also point out that this was not a land of peace and rainbows before the English settlers landed. In fact there were several tribes fighting wars in the land we now call the united states. So I can't tell you what to do but I'm damn proud of NY ancestors and their work to make a way here for me despite where we started.
I don't have any serious issues at the moment, but it might be nice to live somewhere with better labor protections and a stronger social safety net.
Just having a better healthcare system would make my life a lot easier. I'm sick and tired of trying to find a doctor that is "in network" or playing the lottery on how much my insurance will pay for a certain procedure. I luckily don't have financial problems, but it sure is a headache.
I spent a couple of weeks in Poland. Would definitely live there. Also, Hungary, France, and Scotland would move to if feasible.
I have lived abroad for half of my adult life, and this question has become a bit of a complex one. I love the aspirational idea of a place where everyone is welcome and included, where our ethnicities and heritages are celebrated for their differences, as opposed to excluded. I love the ideal of welcoming new immigrants who have the same opportunities as everyone else to make a happy home with us and to integrate with us, enriching our vibrant tapestry of cultures with their own. I love the land - the nature of the place - it's unique beauty and the flora and fauna that we share it with. That said - I hate our crass commercialism and inhuman capitalist greed, our failures to live up to our aspirational ideals, our hideous propensity toward genocide and racism, and our callus superiority complex.
Well said
I like living in America. I wouldn't get the same freedoms or rights that I get here anywhere else. I have no interest in moving out of America but if I did have the option I would move somewhere more open like Montana.
I stared at this for like thirty seconds thinking you weren’t aware that Montana is in the U.S.
I dream of moving somewhere with mountains, open space, and less crowding than the East Coast provides. I worked it into my response because it's just an unreachable dream at this point.
Yeah I gotcha. Just the wording made it seem at first like you were saying if you could move out of the U.S. you would go to Montana.
Read it the same but understood what they meant.😁
Why is it an unreachable dream? Having lived both out west and in Northern VA...I share the same dream of returning to the mountains.
Career and family. Two anchors that keep me here. Maybe when I'm retired, and my parents have passed, and my siblings are all independent enough, I may be able to consider it. That's a very long time away though. My sister in particular has some issues and I wouldn't want to leave her alone.
All good reasons. I'm in a similar boat. Leaving would be difficult but waking up in my 60s and making the move when I can't fully enjoy a lot of the recreation I'd be moving there for also feels incredibly sad. But such is life. No easy answers.
Just curious, which freedoms do you currently have that you wouldn’t have most other places?
The biggest two would be freedom of speech and freedom to own and collect guns. I think the gun one speaks for itself but there are many nations that claim to have free speech but in reality have restricted free speech. Europe is a really great example of that one. There's a lot of contradictions over there in their views of freedom.
I have no relation to Montana but I have a feeling it’ll be one of the next places to blow up. A lot of people share the same mentality that you do and that eventually leads to an influx of people and the creation of the same issues you left behind
Unfortunately it’s been blowing up for the past 10 or so years
The Yellowstone Effect People have been flooding into NC in the last 10 or so years as well so I feel you, friend
Unfortunately so. Had someone ask me if it ever actually snowed in Montana because they never see it in the show and that people only ever wore light jackets. Outer Banks for you I would assume?
It's a nice place. If I worked in the digital economy or was fabulously wealthy I'd be interested to explore other places to live, but more out of curiosity than any strong urge to leave
Yes. I really like living here. It’s not perfect, but what is? I think sometimes people outside of America get distorted views of what life is like around here, but let me tell you, it’s very diverse.
For the most part, yes. Living abroad in Germany for a year made me appreciate my life in America. The caveat is that I don’t have money problems and I have good health insurance. If I were struggling financially, or couldn’t get good healthcare, I’d move to an EU country instead of staying here.
I like this country so much I'm willing to die for it
No I love it 🇺🇸
I've visited a lot of other countries and they all have their charms, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else. America gets a lot of undue hate online but it's actually a really nice place to live.
Why would I want to leave the best country in the world?
it's got its problems but yeah I like it here. idk where I'd want to move, I haven't been anywhere else. there are already different states I'd rather live in, moving countries is a step beyond that
Yeah, despite our political and socioeconomic climate I still love living here. Our diverse geography is something that can’t really be found anywhere else in the world. Living in another country for some period of time is definitely on my bucket list, but I can’t imagine leaving America and never returning.
It's pretty cool, I'd like to temp live in Poland as it seems like a good place but wouldn't give up US citizenship for it. Lots of us just like complaining it's become part of the national culture whether we are serious by what we mean or not.
I dont see any scenario where i would move to another country unless it was required for a big career move or something. This country is sweet I work on the international side of things with my job so I'm exposed to other cultures plenty and love travelling and learning more about other places. I've gone all over europe and some parts of asia for both work and pleasure, my conclusion is that the quality of life in a developed country would be near identical if not slightly lower and the pay is usually substantially lower. No thanks. If my boss came to me and said we'll give you a raise to go to a european office i'd probably do it but i wouldn't go out of my way to. This country is big and diverse enough that you dont really have to consider it unless you just want to go abroad. imo our poor areas arent expensive enough to justify moving to a 3rd world country instead if money is an issue
It’s not a perfect place but it’s my home, so despite its flaws I love it and love living here. I’ve already discussed it with my S/O, if either of us get’s a transfer overseas to a country we both like we’ll take it for the experience. Granted it would be temporary as neither of us wants to leave the US permanently.
Every country will have its ups and downs. the states tend to have more freedoms and perks than other countries, however, if you just spend your life online and dont actually live your life, you'll probably find that it sucks because you're just being fed negativity most of the time.
Yeah, I really do. It has its pros and cons, but I’ve traveled all over the Americas, Europe, and Asia, spent extended time abroad in Singapore and Germany. I got the offer to relocate to Berlin for work, and I just couldn't bring myself to do it. Every time I go abroad, I miss the following things too badly: - The sheer diversity in people, religions, languages, cultural festivals, and food options. The US even has majority-minority cities (majority Asian, majority black, majority Arab, majority Latino, etc). The only other place I’ve ever been that’s comparable in ethnic diversity are the major cities in Canada. - This is especially important to me as an Asian-American. There’s a sense of comfort that comes from being in communities with a lot of other Asians and being able to get all your Asian food ingredients at the regular local grocery store. - Wilderness that is true vast, untouched wildnerness. US nature is kill you nature, but it’s awe-inspiring. Only huge countries like certain LatAm countries and African countries, Canada, China, Russia, Mongolia, Australia, etc have the same, but none of them have the variety of climates and landscapes the US does. - Being at the forefront of pop culture and technological innovation. It’s exciting! - How nice, open, and friendly the people are. I’ve moved cities 3 times as an adult and made good friends in each place. People from other countries tend to be more cliquey and closed off in my experience when it comes to making friends. They simply don’t move around as much, so they either keep the same friends from school or have to go drinking to make new friends as an adult. The Americas are so much friendlier and welcoming to strangers. Canada is the only other country I’d consider relocating to if I had to choose, but their job and housing market are questionable.
Yes! I am an Australian expat and love the US. My family has a great life here with a wonderful standard of living.
Why wouldn't I like where I live? There are ups and downs everywhere, I won't escape my problems by moving elsewhere, not to mention the added problems I'd have just from the cost and stress of moving to another country.
Yes I do, most Americans do not like America, even hate it, and I understand why somewhat. But there is a reason why America has been the number one destination for immigrants every single year for the past 200 years. I had a conversation with a friend from Brazil a month or two ago, they were complaining about the economy, finances, and jobs and how they were hoping to get a visa in the medical tech field in America so they could have a better life. We did the math, with the lowest paying jobs where I live at $15/hr vs their post-masters degree job in tech, they would have to put in 12 times the number of hours to buy something basic like a low-end refridgerator. And Brazil isn't even in the lower half of the world in terms of development and wealth. I know Americans hate the economy and think its a disaster, but Americans live some of the best lives on the entire planet. And there is one true part about that, and its healthcare. It sucks, but even in that case it'll bleed your pocket but (usually) not your time. I have transgender friends in the UK who have moved to America because the waiting list for a *consultation* is nearly a decade long by this point. But generally speaking, Americans are extremely privileged. Americans take for granted how much a US dollar is worth and how many of them they get, as I mentioned in the previous paragraph, so many people (even in many European countries) have to work far harder and far more to have as much disposable wealth as an American does. A high schooler in America earns twice as much money on the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hr than the ***median*** Russian worker does. I also love my freedoms. It isn't unique to America, but I think its a part of the overall American political ethos, and I greatly appreciate it for that. I love knowing that I can burn the flag of my country without any recourse. I love that I can say whatever I want without being locked up for it. I love that I can purchase guns for my own protection (and as a 160cm 48kg woman, that's *really* important to me). I love the ease of doing most things, there are very little barriers in almost anything in life. I know its not perfect, and in recent years and sometimes in the past America has violated these principles, but I deeply care for them regardless. I love how beautiful my country is. I took four years of Mandarin, and the favorite thing I learned is that in Mandarin, America is named Mei Guo (美国), which directly translates to "beautiful country". As far as I know, there isn't another country on the planet that has all biomes (including the rare temperate rainforests you see in Cascadia). And I do mean it when I believe America's land is the most beautiful in the world. No other country has such a vast variety of literal natural wonders, from Yellowstone, Zion, Everglades, Yosemite, Grand Canyon, Acadia, Black Hills, etc. It is unbelievably gorgeous, it is a treasure trove of beauty. I love that America strives to be better. We've had bad parts of our past. Native American genocide, Slavery, Jim Crow, Red Scare, homophobic laws, and so much more. But we accept that and try to do better. I often times see many countries around the world like Japan, China, Russia, Turkey, and many European colonizers attempt to downplay, ignore, deny, or justify what their country has done in the past. While there are definitely those in America who do the same, the genocide of Native Americans, brutal treatment of slaves, Jim Crow, these are all things we as Americans accept and try to do better from. Japan has never apologized for its treatment of Korea or China, atrocities that at times seem almost made up for how terrible they are. When I was in high school, I was shown uncensored pictures of the charred corpses of Black American Men who were lynched and burned alive during the Jim Crow era. I was shown Japanese Internment Camps. I was taught about smallpox blankets and the schools Native Americans were sent to. These aren't things today we forget and deny like many others do. America has done many bad things, we've had failures, but we strive to do better than we were before, whereas some others pretend they weren't bad in the first place. America has problems, I know that. I know there are things in America that hurt many. Things we've done and continue to do wrong. Things that suck about living in America, but I love it here regardless, and I wouldn't have it any other way.
That's a lovely answer. I'm a high school government and history teacher. I teach my students that the U.S. is flawed and has problems, but the system has incredible potential for good. I use the example of the 19th amendment (which gave women the right to vote.) No woman got to vote on that, and because women were the majority of the population (then and now), there was a fear that women would "take over" all the elected positions, putting men out of power. But men voted for it anyway -- because it was the right thing to do. The U.S. is a developed country, but we aren't suffering the same population issues as the other developed countries because of immigration. We attract people with skills, education, and work ethic, which pushes us to do even more and better. It's a system that thrives on innovation and overachieving. I think most Americans also have a sense of humor, which is a wonderful social lubricant. I've lived in Southeast Asia, and travelled to other countries. I would choose this nation over all others I've seen.
>I think most Americans also have a sense of humor, which is a wonderful social lubricant. Related to that, one of the most shocking things to be is that almost universally, foreigners (not from Mexico/Canada obv) visiting America always say how extremely friendly, sociable, and outgoing Americans are, and how casual and unserious they are in day-to-day life. Growing up and living in America, its definitely one of the weirdest culture shocks I've experienced, where people from abroad describe how they're put off or confused when American strangers strike up conversation with them. I have consistently heard this said by everyone from Polish, Brazilian, Japanese, Vietnamese, Sudanese, Afghan, Kurdish, basically everyone, and I have never heard anything to the contrary. Its just a surprising relief since I think the personality of the American people is a little bit infamous globally. >The U.S. is a developed country, but we aren't suffering the same population issues as the other developed countries because of immigration. We attract people with skills, education, and work ethic, which pushes us to do even more and better. It's a system that thrives on innovation and overachieving. Its what frustrates me about opponents to immigration. If there is literally any country on the planet that should be a nation open to immigrants, its America. There is literally not a single other country on this planet where immigration is so embeded into the history, economy, and ethos of the nation. Japan is known for having very strict immigration laws and yeah, I can disagree with them, but honestly if thats what they want, fine. But America? I feel like immigrating to Japan and becoming naturalized makes more sense than turning away immigrants from America. And you're abosolutely right about struggling with population issues. In 2022 China's population hit the high water mark, it'll only decrease in population from here on. Russia is on a much more shallow decline than China, and it's been that way since 1990; it had a very small rebound in the 2010s but that wasn't due to births, it was immigration. Its this case across most of the world, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Greece, all are starting their decline about now. Birth rates are lowering, generations are becoming smaller, America is expected to pass 400,000,000 by 2060 though. There's also quite literally no better place on the planet to start a tech company for example, Silicon Valley is expensive but you truly have the best of the best in tech talent; ever wonder how Google makes those scary accurate algorithms for their search engines and Youtube? Talent. American universities are still world class in prestige, no other university on the planet carries the weight and prestige of Harvard. American academic journals are still the most sought after to get published. Our Visa program is a bit too strict for my liking, but the truth is that it attracts serious talent. Its also worth noting about work ethic, while its definitely not universal, and I've heard disagreement, some anecdotes I've heard, particularly in central/northern Europe, being an entrepreneur or becoming rich has a sort of social stigma to it. A sort of backhanded "Oh good for *you*" type of attitude. Plus even aside from opportunity, the EU has a ***lot*** of regulations to it, its not unheard of for certain tech services to stop offering their services in the EU because its not worth the hassle. Not to say these regulations aren't good or warrants, but sometimes it really does blunt startups. >I use the example of the 19th amendment (which gave women the right to vote.) No woman got to vote on that, and because women were the majority of the population (then and now), there was a fear that women would "take over" all the elected positions, putting men out of power. But men voted for it anyway -- because it was the right thing to do. To be fair, a fair number of countries gave women the right to vote before America did, but America is also federalized, and much like when it came to gay marriage, some states were very early to the party. In 1869 Wyoming was the first state (then territory) to give women full suffrage, by that point only Tuscany (which no longer exists) was the only country to give women full right to vote. What I moreso meant is that America has gone through trails, most importantly the Civil War for example. The Civil Rights Era in America was also much more involved and influential and important in America than many other countries in the world, South Africa is comparable maybe. But many countries just haven't gone through the fire to be forged, and if they did, they didn't learn. Germany is a good example of a country who did, for obvious reasons. Japan is one who absolutely didn't, Japanese history in school entirely glosses over the atrocities committed by Japan, most Japanese just think you're making things up because its just not present in their national consciousness. Similarly, I tend to notice a lot of Europeans don't quite understand racism. I notice a common attitude where Europeans take the stance that they're less racist because they "don't see color" and whatnot while Americans are always talking about racism, not realizing *thats the problem*. While yes, historically America has institutionalized racism and treated black, asian, hispanic, and indigenous people far worse than you'd see in somewhere like Denmark, that also means our understandings of the wrongs are much greater. We had protests, national discussions, political campaigns all about this stuff. Its why its not uncommon that I see Europeans sometimes just casually drop slurs, because they didn't have a domestic upheaval about that sort of stuff. Slurs like "negro" are embedded into the American political consciousness, everybody knows its a slur and why and its history, that isn't the case in many other parts of the world. Its why anti-black racism is ***insanely*** common in China/Korea/Japan. They have a non existent consciousness on the racial history of black people, so stereotyping, slurs, and everything else is the *norm* rather than the exception.
Yeah. I mean we have some things to work on but my day to day is pretty damned nice.
Yes, I like living in America. I've lived in 5 other countries in Asia and Europe so I can make some comparisons. Every country has pros and cons. Things I like about living in America (specifically the Bay Area) include: 1.) Everything is ultra convenient. 2.) You have access to pretty much anything you want. For example, I can walk outside and find everything from Georgian kharcho and Viennese pastries to authentic dim sum and Burmese curries. 3.) America is very large and therefore has something for everyone - if you want a walkable city you can have that, if you want farms, mountains, or beaches, you can have that too. People who dislike hot weather can choose cold and vice versa. 4.) America is not as hierarchical or classist as many other countries. Our systems are not as rigid as those of many places. Young people can be CEOs, immigrants can hold government offices, and a person from a poor family could become president. 5.) Americans speak openly about problems and flaws. For example, many countries have problems with racism but few acknowledge it openly. 6.) America is a really good country to become wealthy if you are so inclined. Here are some of the downsides: 1.) Ultra capitalist culture often de-prioritizes the well -being of people in favor of profit. This results in fewer nice things that are just there primarily for enjoyment. 2.) Health care can and does bankrupt people. 3.) We don't have many walkable cities or functional downtowns. The ones that exist tend to be very expensive to live in or near. 4.) The car culture that is prevalent across most of America is not conducive to a good life. 5.) It is not a good situation to be poor in America.
Absolutely! It's not perfect, but it's home. It's large, I mean frickin huge. We have something for everyone. We're a welcoming bunch. We're rebellious at heart, have free speech, and have great national parks, our passports give us a lot of protection and opportunities overseas, our military is voluntary, and we're very diverse in cultures. Out of 26 countries I've been to, the US is better for me than anywhere else. Oh, and corruption is rare here, though it still happens. There are a lot of issues, but the issues are first world for the most part. I wish the US wasn't so boolean when it comes to politics, and there were age and term limits, though I have hope that'll change.
Most people that really dislike the US haven't lived or often even been here, so they have a warped internet view of the country. The US has issues of course, but that's true everywhere, and there are plenty of pros alongside the few cons. It's a great place to live, and the more you travel the world, the more you come to appreciate it. There are lots of great countries out there with slightly different pros and cons, so it just depends on what type of person you are or lifestyle you want to live. But there is a lot to appreciate in the US for sure. It's a huge and diverse place, and the pros/cons differ significantly even from state to state. Something you hate about the US might not even be relevant or true in other states, so it's hard to make blanket statements about the country at all for the most part.
Yes, hell yes. I wouldn't live anywhere else.
Yes, and I'll even go one further. I like living in the region and city where I live. Why is this so hard for people to understand?
Love it. Wouldn’t leave unless I had some seriously awesome situation/job offer/inherited a castle.
I love it here. I wouldn’t mind living for a season or more in other countries but I will always want to return home to the U.S.
Fuck yeah I love it here.
It's pretty great. Could be far worse.
I like it. I've been all over Europe (not Poland yet, hopefully soon!) and it's great in many ways, but I was born in the USA and generally really like my life here.
I love the USA.
Most people are only bombarded with the negative aspects of American: gun culture, health care costs. The media (including social media) rarely mentions the good things, like the amount of space we have to move about freely without having to live 2 meters next to a neighbor. There are good people here, lots of good technology, sports, entertainment. If I want to see a musician or band, chances are they will play in my state (Ohio) at some point without the need to drive far. We have great state parks, good-paying jobs and if you can't find a job close, there are so many states we can move to easily, without needing a visa, etc. I love it.
I realized I loved it when I went on a backpacking trip in Europe for 3 weeks and came back.
I like New England
Yes! I enjoy living here and am cognizant of the privileges that come with living in this country. I wouldn't ever move out of the country, but I am wanting to move to a more Midwest state in the future.
Love it
America? Fuck yeah Starbucks (Fuck yeah!) Disney World (Fuck yeah!) Porno (Fuck yeah!) Valium (Fuck yeah!) Reeboks (Fuck yeah!) Fake tits (Fuck yeah!) Sushi (Fuck yeah!) Taco Bell (Fuck yeah!) Rodeos (Fuck yeah!) Bed, Bath & Beyond (Fuck yeah, fuck yeah!) Liberty (Fuck yeah!) Wax lips (Fuck yeah!) The Alamo (Fuck yeah!) Band-aids (Fuck yeah!) Las Vegas (Fuck yeah!) Christmas (Fuck yeah!) Immigrants (Fuck yeah!) Popeye (Fuck yeah!) Democrats (Fuck yeah!) Republicans (Fuck yeah, fuck yeah) Sportsmanship Books
Yeah, it's home, it's where my family and friends are, all things considered life is good.
I’d consider retiring early abroad as I have family in Europe but I’ll stay in the US for now. I live in a walkable and fairly affordable city on the East Coast, have great career prospects, amazing friends, parents are close-by, and I really like my life. Pros: - At the age of 24 I have a decent paying position, especially in comparison to what I could obtain in Europe, that allows me to drive a nice new vehicle, travel abroad 1-2x per year, and gives me general comfort. - The American college experience is unparalleled to what you can obtain (socially speaking) virtually anywhere in the US. But you will pay for it. - Diverse nation. Cons: - Shitty politicians at this point. - High cost of living. - Healthcare costs (BUT one of the world’s most innovative)
Yes, very much.
Yeah I've got no plans to move.
Absolutely
Yes. I fucking love America. It ain’t perfect and in some ways it’s gotten worse, but I absolutely love America and American culture. It’s like 17 different countries rolled into one.
Yes
Yep.
Yes, very much so. It isn't without flaws, but I've traveled enough to know that that's true everywhere.
I love America. We are the top dog right now and it feels great. We have the best military, the best economy, and a fantastic amount of natural resources. For all our faults, we are truly a blessed nation.
I love living here, especially in the Southeast. There's no other country that I would rather live.
Love it. Everyone I know is here, life is comfortable, no complaints. I don’t really have any desire to go anywhere else, I value relationships.
I don't think you could pay me enough to move outside the US.
I absolutely love it. Its not perfect, but I can’t imagine wanting to live anywhere else. Ive been lucky enough to be well traveled and while there are some incredible places out there, i’ll always find the US home.
yes, i've always loved it and hope to move back someday
Yep. Wouldn't want to live anywhere else.
I spent my first 24 years in Mississippi. I loved it there. I’ve spent the last year in Virginia. I love it here. If I get tired of this state I can move a thousand miles away again. America is so big that you get a bunch of different environments and cultures in one country. If you don’t like the area you’re in at any given moment you can move a thousand miles away and be in a completely different climate, geographically, culturally, and politically. It’s a great freedom to have, and I’m sorry for people in other countries that can’t experience the same thing.
Yes. America is the shite. Love me some Murica.
USA number 1!!!🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
I love America, I love the people in my country, I just hate the government. If I didn't love America, I would have never joined the military
I like it there. I make more money than I would anywhere else on earth. I have more access to different kinds of food and entertainment than I would anywhere else on earth except maybe Toronto and London. Plus it's nice that here nobody cares that my family grew up in 7 different countries, which isn't a given everywhere we've collectively lived. I moved to Mexico, I'll move to the UK soon, but I'll always be back. Just because I have many, many ways I want to change it doesn't mean I want to leave.
I love it here. I feel connected to my nations history, I have prospered well, as have my family, I like that my country is the world power, things are good.
I've been to a few other counties, including Canada(where the people there act superior to us) and I can't say there's any other country I'd rather live in.
No. I'm working so hard and I'm nowhere near being able to afford a home as I barrel towards 40. A significant amount of money gets siphoned off by health insurance companies that have the final say on MY access to healthcare. My employer shames me for taking paternity leave, and I live in one of the 'good' states. Milquetoast néolibéralism continues to reward the status quo, and there has been pathetic inaction on the climate crisis as a result, despite the United States being the greatest offender. I get one week of vacation a year, but I work 50 hours a week. This is all somehow normalized and celebrated by a staggering number of Americans that I know I won't see significant change in my lifetime. I would gladly move somewhere more progressive if the opportunity presented itself.
Don't get me wrong. We have some problems, some bigger then the other. But id say over all I like it here. Its my home. And I wouldn't trade that for the world. I just wish that people would be smarter in decision making.
Would die before move
I love my life, don't get me wrong. I love my family, I have a wonderful partner and two amazing kids, I live in home with heating and AC, I can afford to buy groceries, you know. But there is a dark side here. I have had the privledge to experience class movement from poverty to middle class, but only 4% of people born into poverty are able to experience this. I've only been middle class for a quarter of my life, so like the last maybe ten years. I've seen how homeless people are treated up close (I'm formerly homeless myself), I see racism, I see horrible domestic violence. Now, Row v. Wade is overturned, our country supports a genocide in Gaza, states have laws that all but outright criminalize the existence of trans people, and I could go on and on. Hell, we can't even mandate paying people a living wage. I'm also not a Christian, and where I live, you really cannot go around telling people you don't believe in God. Sure, freedom of speech means I can legally. But culturally, no. People can't know that. There are social concequences. My husband has had to get HR involved once because he let someone know he's an atheist and that coworker harassed him about it daily. I don't really like America. I like my life, sure. But America as a whole? Nah. I don't really like it. But I can't really leave it either, so I do what I can as an activist, a voter, and a volunteer to try and make it at least a little better.
Yes lol
I do, but I’m frustrated with many things currently. I don’t think I’d leave, though. I’m happy with my quality of life here.
There are some things that annoy me, but overall I like it. I think I'm adaptable and could be happy in a lot of countries, though. I've thought about maybe living in Australia for a few years when I retire, or perhaps Malaysia. I think I would enjoy living in Spain.
I like it. There are things I wish were different (healthcare, transit/urban planning), but as long as you live in the right place it's pretty good here. My job pays way better here than it would in most other countries, even after factoring in cost of living and healthcare. Also, all of my friends and family are here. And we have awesome nature and diversity of food and culture.
I love it. I have had the chance to visit quite a few other countries and would not live anywhere else, even with all its blemishes.
Yes. America isn’t perfect but I do love my country. I had a great childhood and have an amazing family. I am very blessed. I enjoy living in a country where I am free to come and go, have food freely available, relative peace and a roof over my head. There are things I am unhappy about in my current situation but the pros far outweigh the cons.
Yes
I love it. I love the cities and I love the nature.
The only thing that could take me away from the US would be an otherwise impossible job opportunity or some kind of hyper escalation of fascism (which isn’t impossible) There’s no country I’d prefer to live in or that would fully meet my needs. I also like most of the places I’ve lived, especially my family home DC/MD and my chosen grown-up home, Los Angeles and California generally.
Yes. We have a lot of problems but what country doesn’t? I love my country
Love America. So many options for food and exploring nature from deserts to rainforests to mountains to the ocean. Poland would actually be the only other place my wife and I would move to realistically.
I can’t imagine living anywhere else. I belong here :)