Why does anyone go to America?

Manic Moran · 13-11-2010 05:47PM

We have lower taxes, better schools (by about a million percent) and very generous welfare payments.

Stay off welfare, and that's not so much of a problem. Taxes seem to be about equal overall, income tax and sales tax are lower, there are reverses on capitol gains and such like.

In my case, what really sent me across the water was the fact that as I was slaving away in Dublin, I was working out my income vs how much it cost to buy a house, and it didn't take me very long to figure out that buying something I could be satisfied with wasn't going to happen any time soon.

The fact that I'm wearing short sleeves in mid-November helps too. Tax/insurance/fuel/weather means that I can enjoy driving a nice, high-horsepower convertible with the roof down in January. The fact that my hobbies tend to be better supported in the US was also a driving factor.

Outside of leaving some very good friends behind in Ireland, I have not looked back.

NTM

Overheal · 13-11-2010 05:48PM

OisinT wrote: »

We have lower taxes, better schools (by about a million percent) and very generous welfare payments. Not to mention free healthcare and free schools.

There is loads of stuff to do in this country too... but people tend to do things on holiday and not do things when they live somewhere. We have a zoo and helicopters and places to drink too.

Did someone say Ireland has low taxes? Don't be silly Deeds.

FreudianSlippers · 13-11-2010 05:49PM

Overheal wrote: »

Did someone say Ireland has low taxes? Don't be silly Deeds.

Lower than many states in the US actually. You have to factor in federal, state and county taxes.

OctavarIan · 13-11-2010 05:50PM

OisinT wrote: »

oh god I hope that was sarcasm!

If you get away from the rich f*cks it's pretty much perfect. No sarcasm.

FreudianSlippers · 13-11-2010 05:52PM

OctavarIan wrote: »

If you get away from the rich f*cks it's pretty much perfect. No sarcasm.

Kudos to people who like a simpler lifestyle. I could not handle living in a place like that

Ruu_Old · 13-11-2010 05:55PM

We in Illinois, have to make up $15 billion, have numerous corrupt Chicago politicians. See recently ousted Rod Blagojevich. 3% tax rate though that will have to go up.

Oh wait, what was the question?

OctavarIan · 13-11-2010 06:00PM

OisinT wrote: »

Kudos to people who like a simpler lifestyle. I could not handle living in a place like that

I didn't think I could either but I lived there for a while and (excuse the cliché) it changed my view on life completely! The people there are the friendliest, most welcoming and just genuinely happy I've ever met.

Only other place I've lived in USA was Chicago. It's a nice city in certain neighbourhoods, just a pity about the people who run it. Not really cheap to live in at all, wages are crap and downtown is one big greasy money pit. I wouldn't advise anyone to spend longer than a few days there given the choice.

FreudianSlippers · 13-11-2010 06:02PM

OctavarIan wrote: »

I didn't think I could either but I lived there for a while and (excuse the cliché) it changed my view on life completely! The people there are the friendliest, most welcoming and just genuinely happy I've ever met.

Only other place I've lived in USA was Chicago. It's a nice city in certain neighbourhoods, just a pity about the people who run it. Not really cheap to live in at all, wages are crap and downtown is one big greasy money pit. I wouldn't advise anyone to spend longer than a few days there given the choice.

I've been to small towns like that in Wisconsin and couldn't wait to get out. It just isn't for some people I think.

Saila · 13-11-2010 06:44PM

why do you hate america!

JONJO THE MISER · 13-11-2010 07:01PM

I love the U.S.A.

Princess Peach · 13-11-2010 07:54PM

Austerity wrote: »

Why does anyone travel to America when you have to undergo humiliating treatment from TSA staff, such as going through porno scanners or possibly have one of them feeling you up. I for one will never go to America if I have to take this kind of treatment. I'd much rather go to Canada instead. Canada feels much more civilized to be honest.

Eh so I have traveled all around America and never had any of this treatment.
What is a porno scanner??

My time in America was the best in my life. I want to go back now

Saila · 13-11-2010 07:57PM

Princess Peach wrote: »

What is a porno scanner??

scans your bags for leprochaun DVD's incase your trying to bring them across the border

Augmerson · 13-11-2010 07:57PM

It's worth it. You have to see America at least once, but I only say that in the context of seeing everywhere else too. I had to pass through a bag search coming into Philadelphia before and the same at La Guardia, but then later I got stoned. So very, very stoned.

Princess Peach · 13-11-2010 07:59PM

Saila wrote: »

scans your bags for leprochaun DVD's incase your trying to bring them across the border

Oh the bag scanner they have in EVERY airport in the world.

That is the most ridiculous reason I have ever heard to avoid the states :pac:

Don Juan DeMagoo · 13-11-2010 09:47PM

blorg wrote: »

I would have more issues with US foreign policy than the security at the airport to be honest. Yes, it is a pain in the neck, yes, it is offensive, but I wouldn't let it stop me visiting the country.

Have you ever actually been to the US, OP?

@tolosec- every Canadian I have ever met refers to those south of the border as "Americans." Get used to it.

Yeah so the U S of A have patented the term American..... let me just consult a map... yep there is a south America..... oh look there is a north America and what do you know .... look Canada is in the north Americas as well. Damn faulty map;)

Finally every Canadian I have ever met refers to those south of the border as "Loud Morons." Get used to it

Don Juan DeMagoo · 13-11-2010 09:50PM

krudler wrote: »

Now you're just being a dick for the sake of it, Vegas is an awesome place to visit once, anyone whos been there will tell you the same.

I liked the experience of visiting it, wouldn't go back though. I was lost without a car though... not a very handy public transport service

Don Juan DeMagoo · 13-11-2010 09:53PM

krudler wrote: »

I've been to Paris, and even though the museums and sights are amazing, the city itself is hole,its filthy and the people seemingly would rather stab you in the face than say hello.

Bloody hell ..... starts banging head of keyboard....

thetonynator · 13-11-2010 10:12PM

They feel you up if the scanner goes off going to england . . .

michellie · 13-11-2010 11:29PM

OP has been banned !! Ive been to Chicago & St.louis as my boyfriends bro lived there, loved both and hope to visit him in NYC soon

Found security fine, id rather that they made a big effort than not at all at the end of the day!

mattblacktiger · 13-11-2010 11:31PM

OisinT wrote: »

I meant anywhere worth going (to live) does not have a cheap cost of living. I generally don't choose my living conditions on the price of beer though

Not true
Arrived in the USA , worked hard , bought a house , paid house off.
Now I live in a very desirable area and get to look at sunsets off my deck in the evening.
Once you seperate needs from wants , it's amazing how cheap it is to live.

Don Juan DeMagoo · 14-11-2010 12:07AM

OisinT wrote: »

I didn't say it about all of America. I said it about Las Vegas. There are some very nice places in America: New York, Chicago, Vancouver BC, Québec, Portland, San Francisco.

Eh OisinT they are in Canada:D

But yeah I loved America and Canada I adored their landscapes, they are amazing even autumn in upstate new york countryside near the Rockefeller estates (truly beautiful scenery) and the majority of their cities with a few exceptions.

And never mind the searches it is worth the visit.... just stay out of the paddy areas.... flipping **** holes;)

El Horseboxo · 14-11-2010 12:22AM

America has been shoved down our throats ever since we were kids so it's only natural people get curious to see what it's like. Other than to see friends or family i've no real interest in ever going back. Maybe to do a bit of storm chasing.

skipz · 14-11-2010 12:58AM

Austerity wrote: »

Why does anyone travel to America when you have to undergo humiliating treatment from TSA staff, such as going through porno scanners or possibly have one of them feeling you up. I for one will never go to America if I have to take this kind of treatment. I'd much rather go to Canada instead. Canada feels much more civilized to be honest.

Bit of a odd reason not to travel to the usa, but sure then again i woulnd'nt be bothered going as i dont like the way the yanks think everything but them is the evil in the world;)

southsiderosie · 14-11-2010 01:15AM

OisinT wrote: »

High taxes, poor schools, no welfare... the list goes on with all the negatives for days.

This is waaay too much of a sweeping statement. If you don't want to pay taxes, live in Florida. If you want good public schools live in Massachusetts or Virginia. Personally, I don't see the welfare thing as an issue (and it does exist, just not at European levels).

OisinT wrote: »

How so? Where in the US is cheap cost of living that is worth living? You were there on J1, hardly an expert on the place :rolleyes:
I'm so sick of idiots who post replies like this with no support.

What is a place "worth living"?

Outside of New York, California and Massachusetts, I think the cost of living is not bad for most of the US.

cc-offe · 14-11-2010 03:12AM

krudler wrote: »

I've been to Paris, and even though the museums and sights are amazing, the city itself is hole,its filthy and the people seemingly would rather stab you in the face than say hello.

That's so true about Paris, it is filthy, beside every nice street there's 2 or 3 s**thole streets and most of the people are very rude.....or else want to mug you...one or the other

Don Juan DeMagoo · 14-11-2010 04:04AM

cc-offe wrote: »

That's so true about Paris, it is filthy, beside every nice street there's 2 or 3 s**thole streets and most of the people are very rude.....or else want to mug you...one or the other

What??? Listen I will have to organise a trip to Paris for you lot, cos apart from some of the suburbs the city is cool..... unless you lads were stupid enough to get mugged around the moulin rouge, if so ..... Haahaahaa;)

krudler · 14-11-2010 04:32AM

Don Juan DeMagoo wrote: »

Bloody hell ..... starts banging head of keyboard....

It is though, around the Eiffel Tower is nothing but gypsies trying to rob you, and the side streets even the locals tell you to stay away from, gorgeous in places, a complete dump in others. just like any other major city in the world tbh.

cc-offe · 14-11-2010 04:46AM

Don Juan DeMagoo wrote: »

What??? Listen I will have to organise a trip to Paris for you lot, cos apart from some of the suburbs the city is cool..... unless you lads were stupid enough to get mugged around the moulin rouge, if so ..... Haahaahaa;)

Woohoo free holiday! No didn't get mugged but saw a few people getting mugged, I suppose I was very naive when we went because I didn't really expect crime but first morning in Paris we went to the Virgin Megastore on the Champs Elysees, went up to the toilets and I went to the ladies and my partner went into the mens with our 3 year old son, anyway a minute later I heard this French guy screaming at someone in the gents so I ran in to the mens toilets cos I thought he was screaming at my boyfriend and I wanted to get my son out of there, anyway he was a big huge french black guy screaming at this Japanese tourist to give him money and he was searching his pockets and all, he stopped when I went in (I think he might have thought I was French because I have black hair and I was really tanned at the time) and he started apoligizing to him and he left the toilets and went down to the top of the steps where there was a whole gang of them who seemed to be taking it in turns to go up there.

Got talking to some locals at the hotel we were in and they said it was a dump and to be very very careful not to speak english loudly while we were walking around.

Oh and then there was the guys on the metro with their guns sticking out of their jackets, it was taxis from then on!!

Also why do they not drink milk in Paris, explain that one!!!!

To be honest I would go back to Paris but I would like to have my days fully planned out before I got there as I would be too wary to just wander around and go with the flow.

FreudianSlippers · 14-11-2010 05:53AM

Don Juan DeMagoo wrote: »

Eh OisinT they are in Canada:D

But yeah I loved America and Canada I adored their landscapes, they are amazing even autumn in upstate new york countryside near the Rockefeller estates (truly beautiful scenery) and the majority of their cities with a few exceptions.

And never mind the searches it is worth the visit.... just stay out of the paddy areas.... flipping **** holes;)

Yeah, Canada... in America. L2Geography

Anyway, you cannot lump all of the Americas in with the US. I think there are lots of good places in America (mainly North, not a huge fan of the places I've been in South).

ArmaniJeanss · 14-11-2010 07:59AM

cc-offe wrote: »

Also why do they not drink milk in Paris, explain that one!!!!

Bloody foreigners and their different ways.

Why does anyone go to America?

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