After several vacations in the UK, I decided to live in London for a while. I had a lovely flat just a few blocks west of Kensington Palace and could walk everywhere. Brits are NOT standoffish, but reached out to this Canadian and couldn't have been warmer or more helpful. When I occasionally had insomnia, I'd go out walking in the middle of the night and felt perfectly safe. Although I came back to Canada, I have maintained close connections with friends I made there. Loved the experience and would recommend it to anyone!

I grew up in New Zealand, spent time "OE" in UK and France, moved to Australia, then Malaysia and now am resident in US. Living abroad is a magic experience which is why I have the OE in quotes

At age 63, I went to Morocco with the Peace Corps. I am a professional artist and I taught art glass at an artisnant in Essaouira under direction of the King. I also taught quilting in small women's co-ops in the Atlas Mountains where I slept, cooked and danced on many a dirt floor. I loved it and I have an understanding of Islam that my American friends and family will never have. The oldest Peace Corps volunteer is 87 and lives and works in Rabat Morocco. Peace Corps isn't for everyone, but it rocked my world! I have also lived in 9 states and can honestly say that West Virginia and Alaska are almost like developing counties HA HA.

Yes, twice. I lived in a Kibbutz in Israel when I was 18. And I lived on an island off the coast of Venezuela when my daughter went off to college.

As a teen in the early 70s, I was fortunate that my parents wanted my sister and I to broaden our horizons so they sold everything and moved us to Mallorca, Spain! We were there for almost two years, traveled all over Europe and even to Algeria! It was an experience that has shaped my life! Then I joined the Navy and continued to travel and lived for four years in Hawaii which is like living in a foreign country! My husband and I have been living full time for twelve years now in Mexico's Yucatan, I dragged him here for his first out of the US living experience and he loves it! Every day is a unique adventure and we find the local people to be inspiring to us and delightful! Can't say enough about broading one's horizons living abroad- thanks to my insightful parents!

Gaymon

I have lived in England for 8 years, Germany for 11 years, and Iceland for 12 years, and have loved the experiences. I would not have traded the experiences for anything. I have had the opportunity to travel throughout Europe, and Asia. However, there's no place like home, Northern California.

I lived & worked in Florence, Italy for 9 months. I fell in love with Italy.

I lived in Madrid, Spain for 12 years. Elementary schooling plus 1 year in university. It was fantastic!

When I was in the Air Force I lived in Japan for over 2 years. The people were so friendly and welcoming. I loved it when I went shopping I would try to figure out what things were used for what. (I didn't speak or read the language)

Went to Perugia, Italy at age 19 for 9 month education abroad program. Loved it so much I found a job in Naples and stayed for 2 years. Ten years later my career navy husband was stationed in Sicily where we lived for 2 years. Have re-visited multiple times - it feels like a second home.

Yes, I lived in Mali, West Africa for 2 years, yes Peace Corps, the toughest job you'll ever LOVE!! It was true, but I still had a great home, with handmade, amazing hardwood tables, local art pieces.... and local fabric for my bed, and window covers! ....

and the best gardens around!

We're Swiss and in 2004 (29 years old), we moved to Singapore where we were supposed to stay 3 years. But we ended up staying 7 months and move to Autralia (Sydney) for about 4 years!

Mobing in my husband's work was that reason we left Singapore, but we just loved the place and the Singaporians anyway!

We had our first child at home, in Sydney and it's when we were thinking about having another child that we came back to Switzerland, wanting to be closed to family!

"Closer to family"

I lived for about ten years in northeast Africa, on a consulting job. (But travelled frequently back to the States and to Europe). It was a good introduction to how completely off-base American stereotypes are! The most annoying thing was how Americans would socialize with other westerners, rarely seemed to make real friends with the local people. It taught me a lot about western racism.

I leaved in ancient city of IBADAN in Nigeria- Africa for a decade during 90s. The beautiful town of Ibadan is spread through seven hills and this makes it even more beautiful. In 90s, its population was not much, so one would see colonies on the hills and lush greenery in the valleys. So driving between colonies was a joyous experience. It used to rain from month of March till October so climate used to be cool and comfortable throughout the year. Local people used to be very friendly and courteous. Main source of income, for the local population, was growing and selling of Farm produce besides petty trading. So it was fun and good experience to visit a local markets.

we lived in south Africa from 1982 till 1989, totally great experiance

Lived in England 3 years and China 3 years. Great experience to live and learn other cultures.

The way the world is going today, there is no doubt that living abroad will only bring positives into your life. I have been away from my country of origin for the last thirty years calling Canada as my home now. Not only you but your kids will learn to overcome challenges, frustrations and the best of it, they will be stronger and more appreciative of their surroundings. If you have the chance to live abroad, GO for it!!! Do not think it twice.

Chinwoo, your comments reminded me of one of my favorite quotes from Mark Twain, "Innocents Abroad" - "Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness and many of our people need it sorely on those accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime".

These words were true in 1869 when first published and even more true in 2016. Wishing all nomads, armchair and otherwise who may be reading this, may peace be upon you.

Thank you Paula. It is refreshing to know that you and others who have written here know, or have some inkling of what it is like to roam the globe and maybe settle down in some corner of it, either for a little while, or forever. I simply can't understand anyone who says that they have never been out of their hometown, and never will go out, unless they haven't the funds. I have heard that from several people while standing in line in a grocery store when I lived in Florida. Needless to say that I was shocked at not only how ridiculous they sounded, but more, how sad they were (are) as humans. Learning through reading is one thing, learning through experience is something else altogether.

Seeing, smelling, tasting, breathing, doing, feeling and interacting, is a must to learn about the world you live in. No man is an island, this is a global community and thank goodness not everybody want to be left alone. To REALLY live, you must experience things everywhere, not just your backyard!

Paula, my husband is also German and yes, German is a challenging language, but you have to stick with it. It takes years to learn the language well. I have taken several courses over the years, but I always had to drop them because he would be working somewhere else in the world and wanted me to join him. I am sorry to hear that you did not acclimate very well to the German way of life. I love Germany, but it is not for everyone. We have relatives and many friends there and in Switzerland, not to mention other countries, and when we don't get there to visit a least once a year, they come to us. I wouldn't trade their friendship for anything in this world, or the experiences. Speaking of England, like you I have had this fascination with the country, it's culture and history since childhood. I have always wanted to live there, and my husband did so years before I met him, but I too would love to live there. One year we actually went there to buy a house. Unfortunately that didn't pan out. I am still looking to live there someday, a nice cottage in one of those quaint English villages, or in the Scottish Highlands! Good luck to you wherever you are and wherever you go.

Crazyhen, keep doing it, but now a days, carefully.

MandyD. Your life is, and sounds amazing! Keep traveling. The best to you, your husband and kitty!

Chinwoo, I have made several attempts at learning German over the years, in fact, it ended up being my minor in college. I think I would like Germany better today in my older age than I did in the late 80's when I lived there. Thank you for your kind words, the same to you fellow nomad.

Chinwoo, I have made several attempts at learning German over the years, in fact, it ended up being my minor in college. I think I would like Germany better today in my older age than I did in the late 80's when I lived there. Thank you for your kind words, the same to you fellow nomad.

I have lived in Germany and got the chance to spend time with my mother's family. I loved the house my uncle and she grew up in. It was many years old and full memories from my grandparents. Some of which came back to the States with us.

I lived in Central America for 26 years and loved every minute of the adventure. Times were''t always easy but I always felt like if I could survive this I could live and survive anywhere. Back in the US now I sometimes miss the challenges of living in a foreign country, the wonderful people I met and the closeness to nature that on can only feel living in a thatched hut in the subtropics on a subtropical island. If I was younger I would do it all again.

born and raised in germany :) miss my family in friends, but happy in california since 2001.

xoxo eva @ MONARCH SOFAS

CLICK HERE TO VIEW HUNDREDS OF CUSTOM SOFA AND SECTIONAL PROJECTS

A year in Belize in 1981, we were there for their Independence day. It was so undeveloped that it makes my mind rattle when I see the fancy houses there on HGTV shows. In 1990 our family of 6 lived in Singapore, very urban then but now it's like the disneyland of cities/countries. Lived spring and fall in Chandigarh,India for 3 years until the jet lag was too much. Traveled around the world with our two younger kids (15 & 18) in 2003-2004. That was amazing, the essay for college entrance was a breeze for my daughter.

I think everyone should travel and if possible stay in a different country for a long season. It helps your brain to grow and your heart to also.

I lived in Villefranche-sur-mer, France for a year of university. It is located between Nice and Monaco. Probably the best year of my life.

When I read the question it made me wonder where I considered 'abroad.' I spent my first twenty years in England, then emigrated to Canada, and am now a Canadian citizen, so one of those counts as abroad. I also lived in Brazil briefly, and after my husband and I fell in love with the Turks and Caicos 27 years ago we started spending time there, so that for the last fifteen years we spend six months each year there. The more people travel the more understanding of other cultures they have.

Have previously lived in London & Paris; am presently living in Italy...

Yes I did leave my birth town on the French Riviera (Nice) at 18 and came to Montreal, Canada...fell in love with the city and the people and never went back, married a canadian man, had my daughter here...it has been 34 years !!!! I am now more canadian than french since I have lived here longer...that's life ! No regrets, my second life is great !

Studio, I don't blame you that you fell in love with Montreal..I love that city,,lived there for a year and we still visit our friends there. I know it's cold, but that is fine with me..Only if those QC taxes would be a bit lower:)

We sold our house pulled our two daughters from school put them in virtual schools, on line.Hopped on a cruise ship headed to Spain, crossed over the Atlantic saw 23 countries came home the Pacific, biggest adventure of our Lives thus far.
Anybody can do it.

OK GUYS IM lost!~!!!!!!!!........ what are you doing///???????

Newly married and off to Singapore for 3 years, followed by 5 years in Scotland. Guess the employment involved in the early 1980s? Many early marriage furniture and art are still part of our home.

Thailand, Vietnam, Spain, Malta, France, Egypt and now back in wonderful Spain and settled.. but every country was special in its own way and we loved every second and all the memories ......

My husband and I are currently living in Hong Kong with our three boys and it's been a great experience and an amazing opportunity to travel all over Southeast Asia. After two years we've made wonderful friends and have some unique memories, but are now looking forward to moving back to The US to be with our families! Blue skies and fresh air, here we come!

This has become yet another annoying chat page. Please just tell you story.

beejay77, who are you talking to?

one year in Greece with children and spouse
home schooled children

In responding to your question, have you ever lived abroad. Yes, and it was quite an experience. We arrived shortly after a civil war had ended and to get to our home, we had to go through a Military Guard Post. Just imagine being stopped and recognized with a gun pointed at you before you could get to your home. It was an inconvinence, but now I simply include it as another adventure in my life. This was in Enugu, Nigeria, West Africa,1973.

I lived on the tropical Caribbean island of Antigua for 17 years!

London and Bangkok. Loved them both.

MichaelFrankN

Amsterdam, Zaandam, and Arnhem, The Netherlands, from 2003 to 2014. Love the Spring and Summertime. It's a fabulous gateway to all of Europe as well as countries like Egypt, The Canary Islands, and more. I would move back if I could!

Still male.

France, twice. I speak the language and lived with French people - in Paris and in the countryside with dirt roads. Best experiences of my life. I think in French every day, so a big part of me is still there! A return trip is set for 2018.

Having lived in different continents and in different hemispheres I realized there is no best place to live. The ideal place would be the one reuniting the nice things of each country.

Moved to Colombia in 2002 from US. Wonderful choice.