Thinking About Moving...outside of USA
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Christoffer
Puritan Board Sophomore
This day and age, I would rejoice in living in the US and I would stay there if I could.
Europe would drive you insane with our big governments and social programs. On the other hand it badly needs reformed missionaries (both to the christians and the secular).
I can recommend the Alsace region in eastern France (playing with the idea of going back myself)
1) You got some reformed churches there (have no idea about the status of them, they might be liberal)
2) You got some of the best white wine in the world
3) You got access to switzerland and germany also by car (why not Italy, the Netherlands and Belgum also if you are willing to make the effort)
4) The people there aren't that difficult to get along with even if you are a foreigner. So as an English speaker you would be fine (I was)
The city of Strassbourg is located in Alsace. It is highly international, parts of the european parliament are located there. I suspect many americans live there.
Hey, you asked for ideas
Europe would drive you insane with our big governments and social programs. On the other hand it badly needs reformed missionaries (both to the christians and the secular).
I can recommend the Alsace region in eastern France (playing with the idea of going back myself)
1) You got some reformed churches there (have no idea about the status of them, they might be liberal)
2) You got some of the best white wine in the world
3) You got access to switzerland and germany also by car (why not Italy, the Netherlands and Belgum also if you are willing to make the effort)
4) The people there aren't that difficult to get along with even if you are a foreigner. So as an English speaker you would be fine (I was)
The city of Strassbourg is located in Alsace. It is highly international, parts of the european parliament are located there. I suspect many americans live there.
Hey, you asked for ideas
Tim
Puritan Board Graduate
Yes, all of these things are interesting.
My personal experience has taught me that there are usually two reasons for moving to another land:
1. One is unhappy with where they currently reside;
2. One just has a great degree of wanderlust and they want to see the world...all of it.
I can identify with both of these to some extent (currently or in the past).
Feel free to not to comment on this, as you have posted this thread in a general area of the Puritan Board. I guess I just mean to encourage you (if you haven't already) to think if there are any deep reasons you may have for contemplating such a move. Is there any discontentment?
Of course if after serious consideration, if you have the means and are otherwise not attached to any one place AND if there will be a good church to attend...why not move away to some foreign land.
-----Added 4/9/2009 at 07:22:31 EST-----
Just my two cents from someone who has lived in three different countries.
Ethiopia is wonderful. It is mostly high altitude and thus temperate climate. There are many opportunities for ministry. With a little ingenuity you can earn your own way there rather than being supported like most missionaries. English goes a long way and Amharic is not that hard to learn. We've lived there for 14+ years and will be going back next month.
SolaScriptura
Puritanboard Brimstone
Unfortunately, the best way to start anew with a socio-polictical experiment is to move to a new place, deem the place uninhabited, push the inhabitants (who we just declared to NOT inhabit the place) out of there, and then set up our own government.
Unfortunately, the world in which we live won't allow that.
Ooh, let's take over Newfoundland. No one would complain if we did that.
Unfortunately, the world in which we live won't allow that.
Ooh, let's take over Newfoundland. No one would complain if we did that.
baron
Puritan Board Graduate
My sister in law moved to Southern France. Her husband job took them there for five years. She and her husband love it there. Espically the history. The house they purchased is like two or three hundred years old. They end up traveling all over Europe. They love the bullfights in Spain, the museums in France, Spain, Germany. She said they might try England next. So if you like old history that might be the place for you.
Kim G
Puritan Board Junior
I love South Korea! Beautiful land, friendly people, fun things to do day and night in the city, cheap and delicious food, and LOTS of job opportunities if you're willing to teach English. If you get hired by the public school, they'll pay full benefits, give you an apartment, and set up a bank account for you. After their taxes (around 4%), and after you spend money on food and local entertainment for the year, you're still looking at saving around $15,000 a year.
Oh, and they have a thriving Presbyterian community throughout the country, if you can avoid the charismatic movement.
If my husband hadn't found a job last week, we were thinking about moving to South Korea. But we decided that my parents would not be happy if we took away their first grandbaby
Oh, and they have a thriving Presbyterian community throughout the country, if you can avoid the charismatic movement.
If my husband hadn't found a job last week, we were thinking about moving to South Korea. But we decided that my parents would not be happy if we took away their first grandbaby
Montanablue
Puritan Board Doctor
I lived in Great Britain for a year and Mexico for a summer and LOVED it. If you can find a job, I think moving to another country is a great experience. I definitely had a pretty arrogant "The US is the best" mentality before living in GB - even though I wasn't aware of it. Living in another place opened my eyes to different ways of living and the reality that my own country and culture didn't have a monopoly on godliness or right living. I don't think I had ever really grasped the diversity of people that God created. Its a great experience - if you can work it out, I'd encourage you to go for it.
As for suggestions as to where to go - first I would recommend making sure that there are church options before you move somewhere. I don't think my experience would have been as beneficial if I hadn't had a church family.
Specific places:
Mexico - beautiful country, wonderful people, a lot of protestant churches believe it or not, amazing food. Largely very safe too, as long as you stay away from the US border. I lived here for a summer and really liked it.
Great Britain - Again, beautiful country, generally friendly people, and quite a growing church movement, especially in the cities. I attended St. Helen's in London and was very blessed by it. The obvious benefit is that you will also speak the language - although be prepared for the culture to be TOTALLY different even though the langugage is the same. I actually found that I had more in common with the Mexicans than with the British!
Australia - I've never been, but a friend lived here for a year and loved it. She also found a great church - but I think that the church hunting was a bit more difficult. Again, even though they speak the same language, the culture is totally different.
Korea - someone else suggested this, and I think its a great idea too. There's a huge Christian movement in Korea, so finding a church probably wouldn't be a problem. Also, lots of jobs. And there's the definite advantage of leaving western culture altogether and experiencing something totally different
Good Luck!
As for suggestions as to where to go - first I would recommend making sure that there are church options before you move somewhere. I don't think my experience would have been as beneficial if I hadn't had a church family.
Specific places:
Mexico - beautiful country, wonderful people, a lot of protestant churches believe it or not, amazing food. Largely very safe too, as long as you stay away from the US border. I lived here for a summer and really liked it.
Great Britain - Again, beautiful country, generally friendly people, and quite a growing church movement, especially in the cities. I attended St. Helen's in London and was very blessed by it. The obvious benefit is that you will also speak the language - although be prepared for the culture to be TOTALLY different even though the langugage is the same. I actually found that I had more in common with the Mexicans than with the British!
Australia - I've never been, but a friend lived here for a year and loved it. She also found a great church - but I think that the church hunting was a bit more difficult. Again, even though they speak the same language, the culture is totally different.
Korea - someone else suggested this, and I think its a great idea too. There's a huge Christian movement in Korea, so finding a church probably wouldn't be a problem. Also, lots of jobs. And there's the definite advantage of leaving western culture altogether and experiencing something totally different
Good Luck!
LadyFlynt
Inactive User
They have in recent years been throwing fits and making laws against religious coverings in public. I definitely would not be able to move there.
Montanablue
Puritan Board Doctor
My aunt and uncle lived in France for several years. There were many things that they loved about it, but the heavy-handed dealing with religion was not one of them. Most of the laws seem to be directed at the Muslim population, but they have consequences for Christians and Jews too... its really unfortunate.
sastark
Puritan Board Graduate
Two suggestions (one I have been to, the other I haven't, but still want to go):
Chile. Beautiful country. A wide variety of climates (desert in the north, moderate, California-like climate in the middle/Santiago area, Arctic in the south). You can live on the beach (2,580 miles of coastline) or you can live in the mountains (Andes) or anywhere in between. Although the population is heavily Roman Catholic, there has been a Protestant (that is, Presbyterian) witness in Chile since the mid-1800s. The people are extremely friendly and English is widely spoken. If you love the outdoors, Chile is the second best country to live in (after the U.S.). Plus, Reformation Day is a national holiday!
Zambia. I haven't been there, but I would love to visit. An officially Christian nation. Home of Victoria Falls. English-speaking. It seems like if I were to live in one place in Africa, Zambia would be it.
Chile. Beautiful country. A wide variety of climates (desert in the north, moderate, California-like climate in the middle/Santiago area, Arctic in the south). You can live on the beach (2,580 miles of coastline) or you can live in the mountains (Andes) or anywhere in between. Although the population is heavily Roman Catholic, there has been a Protestant (that is, Presbyterian) witness in Chile since the mid-1800s. The people are extremely friendly and English is widely spoken. If you love the outdoors, Chile is the second best country to live in (after the U.S.). Plus, Reformation Day is a national holiday!
Zambia. I haven't been there, but I would love to visit. An officially Christian nation. Home of Victoria Falls. English-speaking. It seems like if I were to live in one place in Africa, Zambia would be it.
AThornquist
Puritan Board Doctor
Australia! I hear the Outback has just a fabulous steak house.
21st Century Calvinist
Puritan Board Junior
Seeing as I am from Scotland, I guess I should say go live in Scotland. But you probably already know that you should.
If you are serious about living in another country, then why not do it as a short term missionary. Your skills as a RN would be most valuable on the mission field.
If you are serious about living in another country, then why not do it as a short term missionary. Your skills as a RN would be most valuable on the mission field.
creformed01
Puritan Board Freshman
Travel broadens the mind. if we only stay within our own comfort zones we may never get to really appreciate what we have here in the USA. I can tell you one thing having been to other countries: they all have their own share of problems. people are people wherever we may go. Personally though I preferred Japan, Tokyo was awesome.
PresbyDane
Puritanboard Doctor
Easy!!!!
Come to Denmark!!!!!!!
Next question please....
-----Added 4/9/2009 at 12:29:21 EST-----
From where you live would Texas not be like another country ?
Come to Denmark!!!!!!!
Next question please....
-----Added 4/9/2009 at 12:29:21 EST-----
If I lived in the States I might travel to another country but I would not move to any other country.
I might however move to another state such as Idaho, Montana or Texas.
From where you live would Texas not be like another country ?
OPC'n
Puritan Board Doctor
AThornquist
Puritan Board Doctor
He's right! You haven't seen diversity until you've been to the land of fruits and nuts (which may or may not be referring to agriculture).
That is the last place to where I would move...sorry no offense!
Oh RIGHT moving, not traveling. True. Flee Sodom! FLEE!
-----Added 4/9/2009 at 03:21:58 EST-----
Hey Sarah, what kind of weather do you like? That might help narrow down the suggestions.
Hamalas
whippersnapper
I spent a month in Chile and I can offer a hearty amen to Seth's comments! Chilean legend says that after God made the world, he took all the left over pieces and made Chile. It is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been and the diversity in nature is tremendous. It is also one of the few really stable Latin American countries. In addition to that if you live in a populous area, like Santiago, many people there speak English. Definitely something to consider.
Speaking of Uganda, you can also get in touch with Emmanuel Kiwanuka who is the pastor of Zana Community Presbyterian Church and one of the faculty members of Westminster Theological College & Seminary Uganda. Emmanuel Kiwanuka studied at Westminster Seminary in California and his church was planted by a PCA church. My church supports him.
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