Anyone ever considered an expat move?

[Felonious Monk/Fignozzle]

As in...New Zealand?  I'm serious.
Why?
Their .gov is interested in my specific skillset and I've begun to correspond with a manager within their dep't. of internal affairs.

I'm doing the crash course on all of the considerations, but my family is just weird enough to be up for such an adventure, whether for a season or for a lifetime.

How bizarre.
Anybody ever even been there?  Are they gunny-friendly?

[Cromlech]

They aren't as gunny friendly as most people here would like, that is for damn sure.

[280plus]

Last I heard the only people who have any rights are the Maori descendants and all others are considered to be squatters. For example you may NOT defend yourself against a Maori attacking you, should you fight back you are in violation of the law. If you are approaching a Maori on the sidewalk you must step aside and let them pass. IIRC they even had legislation pending at one time where they would be able to tax broadcasting companys for use of the AIR because it was THEIR air to start with. Granted it went nowhere and those extremist types are a small minority but you get an idea of the mindset that exists. I suggest you head over to Lightning Ridge in Australia instead and try your hand at mining opal. Gold prospecting is pretty big too. There's still plenty of gold out there.

[Manedwolf]

Very gun-bureacratic. Seem barely tolerant of ownership, and frown on handguns. I wouldn't be surprised if they someday pull an Australia-style confiscation. Apparently, the police can come in every year to inspect that your guns are properly locked up. You need special endorsements to own any pistol or anything but a "sporting" rifle or shotgun. And I believe everything is registered as well. It's like Massachusetts X10, and I don't believe there's any concealed carry allowed.

Note also that only approved SPORTING or collector handguns are allowed. Nothing else may be imported. Handgun restrictions seem close to UK type.

The Commissioner of Police strictly controls the importation of pistols, semi-automatic military-style and automatic restricted weapons. To possess revolvers and pistols (both classed as pistols in this country) one has to have either a B or C endorsed firearms licence. A B endorsement is issued to a member of a recognised pistol shooting club for pistols approved for pistol club use only, and a C endorsement, as a bona fide collector. The latter includes revolvers, pistols, or restricted weapons that are either heirlooms or mementos. Hunting with pistols is strictly forbidden in New Zealand.

I wouldn't move there. Pretty mountains, but nowhere near as free as the US. You'd find out what "at the whim of the goverment" means, I think.

Here's their basic license thing:

A standard firearms licence allows you to have and use sporting type shotguns and rifles. You also need this licence if you are aged 16 and 17 years and wish to buy or use an airgun. Standard licences are valid for 10 years. A licence holder will require an endorsement to:

    * Own pistols (B endorsement)
    * Collect firearms, or stage theatrical performances involving firearms (C endorsement)
    * Own or possess military style semi-automatic rifles or shot guns (E endorsement)

    *  Standard licence: $123.75 - For a new firearms licence or renewal of a licence before expiry.
    * Visitor's licence: $25.00 - For any person visiting New Zealand for less than 12 months. Includes any application for an endorsement to the licence to possess a pistol and/or Millitary-style semi-automatic rifle or shotgun for competition purposes.
    * Dealer's licence: $200.00 - For a new dealer's licence or renewal of a dealer's licence.
    * Standard licence expired: $236.25 - For any person whose previous firearms licence either expired, or was a "life time licence" which was deemeed revoked.
    * Standard licence replacement: $25.00 - For a replacement firearms licence (eg, current licence lost/stolen/damaged, change of name).
    * Standard licence endorsement(s): $200.00 - For one or more endorsements to a standard firearms licence, for the posession of; Target pistols ("B" endorsement), Millitary-style semi-automatic rifles or shotguns [MSSA] ("E" endorsement), a collection of pistols or restricted weapons ("C" Collectors or Museum endorsement), Pistols or restricted weapons for performing a play/film/re-enactment ("C" Theatrical endorsement), Pistols or restricted weapons for hire or sale ("F" endorsement - dealers or their employees).
    * Dealer's gun show consent: $50.00 - Application by a dealer for consent for a gun show.

[Art Eatman]

Nanny-state regulations, but the hunting and fishing is great.

Art

[mtnbkr]

The only way I would consider an expat move is if I could afford to fly home whenever I felt like it.

Otherwise, no.

Chris

[The Rabbi]

I occasionally think about retiring to a place like Panama.  This is a growing trend and works well for all parties concerned.

[Antibubba]

Does leaving California count?

[Devonai]

I think it would!

My roommate dated a Czech au pair while she was working stateside, and visited her over the holidays back in Europe.  His "last ditch" plan is to move over there and open a pub for expats.  I have to admit it sounds pretty cool.

[charby]

I almost became an expat back in 2001 with a move to New Delhi, India. After I negotiated my contract 9-11 occured and I decided to wait it out a little while before I tried expat again. Since then I acquired a good job and a wife so I'm probably not going to try that again.

[Balog]

I've always thought Switzerland seemed the only half-decent alternative to the US in terms of freedom, especially of the gun variety. However, my (very limited) understanding is that they are increasingly following the socialist track set by the rest of Europe.

[RevDisk]

I think it would!

My roommate dated a Czech au pair while she was working stateside, and visited her over the holidays back in Europe.  His "last ditch" plan is to move over there and open a pub for expats.  I have to admit it sounds pretty cool.

Met a couple expats in Bulgaria who did exactly that.  Started a pub, internet/gaming cafe, strip club under one roof.  No way it'd fly in the States, probably for the best...  I wanted to live in that place.  On the other hand, they did offer me a place to crash if I wanted to go expat.  Hrmph.

Officially, the gun laws are unfriendly in Bulgaria.  Unofficially, you can own and operate anything up to and including RPG's.  If you have the cash, I'm very sure they'd be willing to sell ya just about anything in their military's arsenal.   

[theCZ]

Yeah I've thought about it, but not a super permanent move.  I've been intrigued with the idea of living somewhere different for a year or two, mainly Korea or central Europe.

[Headless Thompson Gunner]

I've occasionally considered an expat move to rural Mexico.  The accounts I've heard indicate that there is less liberty to be found there, but more freedom.  Rural Mexico simply doesn't posses the resources to enforce most of their laws.  For instance, it's patently illegal to own most guns in Mexico, but since the Mexican government doesn't have functional BATFE you could own and shoot as many machine guns as your heart desires and nobody would bother you.  The worst you might have to deal with is a bribe to a local cop.  Probably far cheaper on balance that the "bribes" we pay to keep the IRS from making our lives miserable.

I'd bet that most of the rural second and third world would make a great home for a freedom lover.

[Art Eatman]

Hey, you odn't "bribe a cop", particularly not after the fact.

Before the fact, you offer your regrets about the unfair treatment as to his salary, and offer to help him maintain a status more suitable to his station.

, Art

[Felonious Monk/Fignozzle]

Well actually, I've also thought about Costa Rica for the retirement thing, which has the highest standard of living of any Central American country, US-trained doctors, well-run hospitals, and on an income of anything over $25-30k USD annually, most folks have a full-time maid, cook, and other domestic staff.  Beautiful beaches, good climate, non-stifling laws.
Only problem is, the wife is intimidated by a non-English speaking populace.

Still, it's a consideration and I'd jump at it if I was single or it appealed to SWMBO.

[Felonious Monk/Fignozzle]

...and re: Aotearoa (NZ), I gather that the Maori DO have rather 'special' status over there.  I'm a little unsure re: the tax structure, but they appear to have the Euro work mindset (e.g. 4 weeks mandatory minimum 'holiday' annually, and 11 additional national days off observed as well).  6 weeks vacation right off the bat doesn't suck, as long as I'm not paying 60% or so in taxes.  We'll see...