That's it, I want out while I can, but who wants American working class?

I want out of this place while leaving is an option.

But what country would take a working class american with a conscience who is sick of this?

Seems everywhere I would like to start again wants you to be a rocket scientist or be uber wealthy up front.

I am none of those things, I would consider bright and well read but not gifted with a large bank account.

Anyone know how hard it is to work under the table in Canada or Australia or some other friendly english speaking country?

Anyone know if their is another option? I have scoured the net for a few years now and find myself very frustrated every time I look.

The work sucks but you can do it anywhere.

Good point. That would open more options, thanks, maybe I can find a school on a budget around here.

I do like helping people a lot.

to the gills. It's one of the hardest feilds to get into right now.

Immigration is an expensive racket. No doubt of that.

Personaly, I find it pretty rewarding and, as you said, you can get a job anywhere. Once your personal economy begins to improve, your personal polictics might shift about a little bit too.

Start a new world. Just no slavery or genocide this time.

I would be first in line to sail off to squat some bend in a river and invite all who wish to start over fresh.

*sigh*

Finish either your first Bachelor's or try to get into a grad school. Do it all legally of course. After you graduate, petition the government to change your status. Go here for more info.

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/index.html

Or, if you fall under a job classification that is needed in a province, you can negotiate with the Provincial Govt directly to bring you in under their particular program. I have the site linked at home, but I am at work. Sorry.

One of the big pull factors for me is health care. American health care is a disgrace. Canada has it figured out, but there are differences among provinces. It should all be on the linked website.

I have been considering this for a long time. I am just waiting until I save the money then I'm out of here too. I don't need to bust my ass for 20 years, save a bundle of money and watch some doctor get it all instead of my daughter. I'm still relatively young so I'll probably go to grad school.

I saw a BBC news segment last year that said Australia is crying out for people working in trades like plumbing and auto mechanics and so on. Also hairdressers and beauty technicians. There are still places for white collar professionals, but now there's apparently a real shortage of blue collar workers down under. Depending on what your skills are, it's worth looking into doing it legally. You might be pleasantly surprised.

I will look into Australia further.

Problem is I am going to be homeless at the end of this month, working paycheck to paycheck and being layed off in the middle of the month sucks pretty bad.

I am going to be lucky to close out my utility bills and afford a train ticket _somewhere_ at the end of this month, just fed up and lost at where to go since I really have nowhere to go and will have to start from square one again.

Canada seems so close, and American cities are so unfriendly to those without tons of money nowdays, just wondering how much luck I would have if I need to hit the road for awhile there, just want to get away from the business-class uptight rat race, even San Francisco is gentrified nowdays and has pushed its starving artist community out.

Luckily I have some temp work for next few weeks, but after that, I just don't know.

All my friends got strung out on drugs long ago, drank themselves silly, no money in being a musician anymore or touring or working in nightclubs, what is a early 30s punk rocker and long time activist to do.

Sorry to unload but I feel like America has no room for those who are square pegs anymore.

Even the ones like me who always kept their heads straight when i comes to drink and drugs and really kept things moving in his community.

Sorry to unload there, Just frustrated with starting over, there has to be some niche somewhere for folks like me still.

I really worry about this country as so much of our culture is being eaten by materialism, so many lost souls who once provided hope through music or art cast aside.

You guys are probably 100% right, figuring out how to go back to school is the answer.

I know what you mean by square peg. I can relate to much of what you say about music/art.... lost souls no outlet, etc. It is sad, and I am searching for a balance.. I'm trying to adapt to this cold and material world and it is hard. Going back to school for a career that has some meaning to me with a serious demand for it, is my direction right now. As far as art/music.. I don't know what you do, are you an artist? Do you just want the communities back that hold an appreciation of it? I write/play piano, and I will be incorporating that as a hobby and that will be my balance.

I understand Vancouver Island is a place to look at. I had shared similar feelings with other people and they told me to check out V.I. Don't know much about it right yet, but will do so. Sometimes I feel I need to go NOW, but with kids it takes considerable, extensive planning. Don't want to leave them in the dust, EVER. One kid would want to go RIGHT NOW... I know that, but the older one is attached to "roots", which is GOOD, but geographically, it is and will be a challenge if that doesn't change as he gets a little older.

Hang in there, when things are incredibly difficult, it's a "positive" thing that things change. Sometimes they can only get better.

Hang in there, when things are incredibly difficult, it's a "positive" thing that things change. Sometimes they can only get better.

Change is good, and challenges are my specialty it seems, maybe I will hike some and get away from the news of politics and "babylon" for a bit.

I could use a bit of a change before making the inevitable new start in front of me just coming out of a long relationship and all, being on the road and camping always brought new insight to problems.

when you can, as often as you can, GO THERE. I hear it's becoming extinct.

I should count myself lucky as there is no reason for me not to for awhile.

http://www.appalachiantrail.org/site/c.jkLXJ8MQKtH/b.1423119/k.BEA0/Home.htm

Sounds good to me, before they do that hilltop busting coal stripping stuff to all the mountains. It's probably only a matter of time.

Marriage is the easiest way to get into another country. I had offers, but turned them down. Now sometimes I wondered if I made a mistake. I certainly tried for years to emmigrate and saw a lot of world as I tried. Alas, I'm now 50 - a very healthy 50, but that won't get me in.

Don't know if I would go through with it in the end for citizenship alone but I have nothing against non-american women. And I am single now.

French accent women mmmmmm ;)