this post was submitted on 03 May 2025
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With all the dismal news about America lately, my home, I'm starting to seriously look at where else to move.

Putting aside for now the difficulty of actually immigrating to some countries, I'm curious on the opinions of others (especially people living outside the U.S) on this.

What I'm looking for in a country is, I imagine, similar to many people. I'm trying to find somewhere that will exhibit:

  • Low racism
  • Low sexism
  • Low LGBTQ-phobia
  • Strong laws around food quality and safety
  • Strong laws about environmental protection
  • Strong laws against unethical corporate practices (monopoly, corruption, lobbying, etc)
  • Strong laws for privacy
  • Good treatment of mentally ill, homeless, and impoverished people

Those are the real important things. Of course the nice-to-haves are almost too obvious to be worth listing, low cost of living, strong art and cultural scene, nice environment, and so on.

My actual constraints that might really matter are that I only speak English (and maybe like A1-2 level German). It seems incredibly intimidating to try to find employment somewhere when I can hardly speak the language.

I know nowhere on Earth is perfect, just curious what people may have to suggest. I hope this question isn't too selfish to ask here.

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[–] Microw@lemm.ee 2 points 2 days ago

Portugal, but they hate expats at this point because they got overrun by them in the last couple of years

[–] SorteKanin@feddit.dk 12 points 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago) (1 children)

Denmark seems to fit fairly well and there are some English-only jobs in Copenhagen. I have a lot of colleagues that don't speak Danish.

[–] ThirdConsul@lemmy.ml 8 points 5 days ago (1 children)

Danish people rightly expect that immigrants should learn Danish within few years. Not like by law, but culturally.

[–] SorteKanin@feddit.dk 9 points 5 days ago

I mean if you truly intend to stay in a country for many years, shouldn't you learn the language? Also just for your own sake.

[–] edel@lemmy.ml 16 points 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago) (1 children)

After been in 5 continents in 30+ countries and living in 6... the best for your requirements is Spain. Spain, even the opposing parties are unlikely to touch most of those protections since it has wide support among the population. Now, Spain is not panacea, it still has stigma against Gypsies, older people face job discrimination, etc.

Regarding privacy is OK, more due to inaction than protection but far better than most neighbors in the north.

On corruption... the 'perception' is that there is plenty but no more than I witnessed in countries like Germany, UK or USA... the difference is that corruption in Spain is highly exposed by rival parties/media while in the other countries it is no so sensationalized, that is why of the increase 'perception'. By the way, Scandinavia, that I used to admire, above local governments, I donΒ΄t see it much better on corruption levels, specially since late 2000s.

Regarding foreigners, Spain has many offers in certain jobs, where English is a requirement, but not easy at all for more common jobs where the local language is what is mostly used, even if you dominate it well. Now, you will be surprised how many companies are moving jobs to Spain since it is easier to attract talent to Barcelona or Malaga than to Berlin or Grenoble... and they save in salaries.

Now, if you put less emphasis in sexism and LGBTQ, certain countries in Latin America like Mexico or Uruguay, or across the ocean others like Malaysia may be more appealing, it is not that they are expressively against those groups, it is just they demand a more quiet sexual expression from you.

Lastly, countries like Australia, New Zealand and the like have become so corrupt at high level and against privacy and freedom of expression in certain topics, should be disregarded if you emphasis on that. Ireland, is the only exception in the Anglo world, now, like Switzerland and Norway, they are floating in money o every one is okay while economies are good... the test comes, as always, come in challenging times. Till, then, consider those three too.

[–] hamburger@discuss.tchncs.de 6 points 6 days ago (5 children)

Spain is one of the main supporters of the infamous chatcontrol and wants to ban encryption. So, please tell me more about Spain and its stance on privacy …

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[–] jenesaisquoi@feddit.org 13 points 6 days ago

That's most European countries. Pick one, learn its language and immigration laws, and off you go

[–] vfreire85@lemmy.ml 4 points 5 days ago (2 children)

i''m tired of people complaining about bigoted america and "how i want to move to liberal europe". move that lazy ass and topple that idiot in the white house and the system that makes him possible (yes, that means ditching the democrat party too).

[–] bobbyfiend@lemmy.ml 4 points 5 days ago

My kid would like to still have a dad. One who is, ideally, not in prison or dead.

[–] MisterOwl@lemmy.world 2 points 5 days ago

This would be great, but the hard truth is this will get you executed in the street, and this country is no longer worth dying for.

It may reach a boiling point eventually, but for now, given the choice, I think I'd prefer to move house than be murdered by my own military.

[–] FriendBesto@lemmy.ml 8 points 6 days ago* (last edited 5 days ago) (10 children)

Funny enough, you are looking at the countries with the most homogeneity and lesser levels of multiculturalism per capita. In this case the most white countries, like Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Switzerland, Luxembourg, et al.
They all have what you are looking for. However, many of there are either fairly expensive, have less than optimal weather or have fairly strict laws, unless you are an EU member or want to ask for asylum, political or otherwise.

Like other have mentioned, at a recent WEF meeting, at DAVOS earlier in the year, the President of Spain stated that he wanted to ban encryption, or have access to encrypted services... Why? For your protection, obviously. Do a search on Youtube and you will find the video. Keep in mind the presentation is fairly long. You may be able to find a clip of it.

The UK and Germany have gone down the drain when it comes to privacy laws and they are heading straight into Big Brother or 1984 territory. No joke. So those should be avoided.

Like other have said, Uruguay and Argentina are pretty good options albeit both Argentina and Chile are not doing too well economically for now. But I do have a friend who is moving to Argentina,, albeit he is fluent in Spanish so for him it won't be hard.

Other possible options are Australia but if you think owning a home is hard in the USA, then you have seen nothing yet in Australia. New Zealand is also a good option, too although like some other countries at the top of the list, moving there can be a tad difficult Re: Red tape, albeit it is a bit easier if you are part of the Common Wealth, which I assume you are not.

Correction: Not the Spanish President, but the Spanish Prime Minister. as my links below. My bad.

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[–] absGeekNZ@lemmy.nz 9 points 6 days ago (2 children)

Reading the list, NZ does pretty well... Right to the end...

  • good treatment of mentally ill, homeless and impoverished people......
    We don't do that here
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