Where in the world shall I live?

[katzluva]

Literally. I am young, equipped with an undergraduate degree, and boundless. Unfortunately I'm currently living in a state (california) with one of the worst unemployment rates in the nation and is not expected to improve for another 2-3 years. Naturally, it is unwise for me to stay until the economy gets better. Until then, I want to travel the world and gain some work experience!

I've already made an attempt to gain a work VISA for the United Kingdom, but I learned just yesterday that getting the permit is going to be an impossible thing to do. Companies that hand out permits usually require their potential applicant to be highly skilled (a manager, a doctor, a social worker...masters degree and above). I'm just a new college grad w/ 6 months tops of work -- so that's out of the question.

The ideal place I would like to live must be:
1. A predominantly English speaking country
2. Is doing well economically
3. Fun and cool!

Where do you think I should temporarily relocate to? Maybe even the country you're living in now?

[Clarity]

Hmm, I wish I knew about other countries, but I only know about my own :P

I'm in Australia, and.. we're not as hard hit with the economy as most other countries. I live in a really small town, but even so, if I walked down the street i'd find work within a day (: I'm unsure about the big cities though.

Uhm.. There's a lot of fun places here too ^^; Depending on where you go, you could either live in the drier more outback places, or wetter coastal area's. I live in a coastal area and I must say, it's beautiful (: (Nothing like the red hot desert most people assume australia to be :P)

[Eminee]

Not sure about where.. but you should probably count yourself lucky that its hard to get into the UK, lol. Our economy is really bad at the minute. And in my area we have an average of 100 applicants going for each job. Sooo many graduates are unemployed its ridiculous. Its the same way all over the UK.

Saying that, I don't think theres many English speaking countries whose economy is great at the moment!

[diadori]

well same as clarity, i only know about my own country.
/i think canada's doing better than almost all other countrys (i think) because of our banking systems. i know for sure we have the best in the world (it's on the news 247. it's our pride haha. they're extremely well regulated so you can never take out more than you can pay back). we got hurt in the recession (obviously, who didn't), but not nearly as bad as like, anywhere else (again, our banks). plus i heard on the news last night that unemployment's down by 0.3% (which is good!).
//i just figure canada might be good since it's english speaking (mostly haha). i don't know how easy it is to get a work visa is, but my cousin got one within like a year. plus you're from the states so it should probably be easier for you (he's from ireland).
/// there'd be no culture shock either, canada is a lot like the states. there're some differences, but just get a thick coat for the winter and everything's fine haha.
////toronto, vancouver and montreal are the biggest cities. i live in halifax and we basically had like, no recession. i think it's a little tougher further west, but i don't really know how bad. here people mostly lose jobs who work in factories (but factories have been moving out of here for as long as i can remember). other jobs people lose are like, american companies which go under.

that seems really unorgainized, but i hope it gives you some kind of idea haha.

[catclaw]

tbh i don't think people realize how difficult it can be to gain entrance into another country, especially for work purposes. they're obviously going to want to employ people from their own country and only consider outsiders if they're, like you said, highly skilled/trained people that will benefit them. so i do wish you luck but unless you like had some other kind of "in" (know someone in the other country and stuff) i'm not sure how much luck you'll have

[katzluva]

Originally Posted by Clarity

I'm in Australia, and.. we're not as hard hit with the economy as most other countries. I live in a really small town, but even so, if I walked down the street i'd find work within a day (: I'm unsure about the big cities though.

Uhm.. There's a lot of fun places here too ^^; Depending on where you go, you could either live in the drier more outback places, or wetter coastal area's. I live in a coastal area and I must say, it's beautiful (: (Nothing like the red hot desert most people assume australia to be :P)

What city are you in, exactly? I love coastal cities as well and it's something I sort of grew up in. Australia is probably on the top of my list because like you already said, it's doing pretty well compared to the rest of the world.

Originally Posted by Eminee

Not sure about where.. but you should probably count yourself lucky that its hard to get into the UK, lol. Our economy is really bad at the minute. And in my area we have an average of 100 applicants going for each job. Sooo many graduates are unemployed its ridiculous. Its the same way all over the UK.

Yea I kind of sensed that too. It's just that my relatives live there and I could pretty much get free accommodation ^^;

Originally Posted by diadori

/i think canada's doing better than almost all other countrys (i think) because of our banking systems.

Thanks for your helpful input! I didnt realize canada had such strong banks. It gives me an idea of how its actually like there. Perhaps canada will be an option in the near future...

Originally Posted by catclaw

tbh i don't think people realize how difficult it can be to gain entrance into another country, especially for work purposes.

Applying for work visas are a pain in the butt. It's a long paper work process and most of the time they wouldnt let you stay there for more than two years tops. I can go for the working holiday ones though...at least it can give me time to kill before the economy recovers a little.

[Clarity]

Originally Posted by katzluva

What city are you in, exactly? I love coastal cities as well and it's something I sort of grew up in. Australia is probably on the top of my list because like you already said, it's doing pretty well compared to the rest of the world.

I don't live in a city as such, the closest one to me is about an hour away, and that's called Brisbane :]

I actually live in a place called the Sunshine Coast (Noosa, specifically), in the state of Queensland (It lives up to it's name -- They say 300 sunny days a year is the norm.. But we still get enough rain to keep the place green). I wouldn't be able to tell you much about the other states in australia.. I've only visited them quite briefly, but if you want to know anything all about queensland, feel free to ask ^^

[Wonderwall]

Toronto's all right. Minimum wage is going up to $10.25 next April.
http://www.labour.gov.on.ca/info/minimumwage/

[Asuka_X]

Katzluva, you said you live in Cali with an undergrad degree completed.
Did you by any chance complete your undergrad at UC Davis???

[katzluva]

^ Wow, how'd you guess? Yes, I came from UCD ~ Are you too?

[Asuka_X]

I currently attend UCD as an undergrad!
xD
Go Aggies!

[katzluva]

^ Cool!! I'd never have guessed an Aggie would be here. Small world! How I miss the fast foods in Silo, the coffee and pasta in MU, and the suburban forestry...

What year are you currently?

[sumie]

what about ireland?
i love the atmosphere there & I believe the economy in ireland ist definitely doing better than UK.
nevertheless I would try finding work within the US. going abroad might not always be the best option!
and do you have a bachelor degree?if yes then your first step should be doing a master before attempting anything abroad.

[Asuka_X]

Originally Posted by katzluva

^ Cool!! I'd never have guessed an Aggie would be here. Small world! How I miss the fast foods in Silo, the coffee and pasta in MU, and the suburban forestry...

What year are you currently?

I'm a junior currently.
I plan on graduating next year in the spring.
I use to live in the Tercero dorms when I was a freshmen.
I will always miss the DC! I use to love getting late night snacks during dead week.
My favorite place to eat is acutally off campus at the Old Tea House.
They make really good Green Milk Tea w/boba and noodle dishes.

&&&sorry about making you post go off topic.
I would recommend Spain as a country to study abroad.
Many people speak English there and I use to live there until I was 14.
The middle school I went to had 4 English teachers from the United States who were recent graduate students. It seems knowing English is highly sought after and respected in Spain as well in other countries.
It really does give you an advantage in the working field.

[katzluva]

Originally Posted by sumie

what about ireland?
i love the atmosphere there & I believe the economy in ireland ist definitely doing better than UK.
nevertheless I would try finding work within the US. going abroad might not always be the best option!
and do you have a bachelor degree?if yes then your first step should be doing a master before attempting anything abroad.

I looked it up...ireland only offers working holiday visas to countries outside of US like Japan and Canada...They hate us >_<

If I had the money, sure I'd go to grad school for a masters. But obviously I need money to go there, and trust me I searched and searched and searched for a job for nearly a year now. I have no competitive advantage.

Originally Posted by Asuka_X

I'm a junior currently.
I plan on graduating next year in the spring.
I use to live in the Tercero dorms when I was a freshmen.
I will always miss the DC! I use to love getting late night snacks during dead week.
My favorite place to eat is acutally off campus at the Old Tea House.
They make really good Green Milk Tea w/boba and noodle dishes.

&&&sorry about making you post go off topic.
I would recommend Spain as a country to study abroad.
Many people speak English there and I use to live there until I was 14.
The middle school I went to had 4 English teachers from the United States who were recent graduate students. It seems knowing English is highly sought after and respected in Spain as well in other countries.
It really does give you an advantage in the working field.

Duuuuude I used to live in Tercero too!! The 'M' Building I believe (AKA the asian one). And the DC! I had that stuff for four whole years cause I bought the meal plans well after my freshman years XD. I liked it too much to give it up after the first year. And then for another year while in the apartments, I literally lived half a block from the Old tea house (Sycamore apartments) heh heh! Had it like once every two weeks.

I decided on going to Australia for a year ^^ ~ Then after I finish maybe I'll teach English abroad in China.

[KatieGoLucky]

Live some place where you can commute to nyc? xDDD

[breemm]

Hi, I'm from Australia too (Melbourne to be exact), that's so exciting you are coming here to live & work for a year! I hope you really enjoy it. When are you coming & what city are you going to?

[katzluva]

^ I'm coming real soon! Early next month to be exact, and in Sydney. I considered Melbourne, but picked the city with the "better" weather...plus the largest chinatown is there too!

[breemm]

Awesome, I hope you enjoy our country! I don't blame you for choosing the better weather, Melbourne isn't acting anything like Spring right now.

[flyingmochi]

Sorry, I'm no help but

BRING ME WIF JOO! >_<

Seriously, I'm going to hide in one of your suitcases.
I also live in Bay Area of California. I can totally do it.
It's not impossible