Looking for life experience.
Posted by mustachedmarauder@reddit | expats | View on Reddit | 25 comments
I believe this is allowed here. If I'm wrong delete please. But to the point.
I'm a 27 year old man who has led a relatively boring life. Gratituded highschool starting working. And that's pretty much it. I live in Michigan where I was born and raised. Moved around in Michigan but thags the extent on moving. I've visited Canada and Mexico. As well as other US states. Driven from Michigan to Florida been to California.
But I want like more life experiences I would absolutely love to live in a different country. And my experiences with the places I have been and living in Michigan I know that I HATE being to hot(I'm going to use Fahrenheit). But here in Michigan it can get well below Zero in the winter. And it can get into the 100s. I don't mind the cold but it limits the amount of time I can do the one thing I love most in the world. Riding Motorcycles.
So here is my ask. Input on places where I could live for a period of time find a job (I have experience in manufacturing with welding and working with CNC equipment and working on vehicles but open to anything really) and with that job have a simple life somewhere else in the world just ride motorcycles and explore where I'm staying at that time.
So this place ideally wouldn't be to hot. (Again Fahrenheit) Like 55-75 is ideal temperature for me.
I struggle with languages but immersion helps significantly.
So, main asks a place with a forgiving and understanding population that wouldn't mind a "dumb American" hanging around and had weather and environment cohesive with riding motorcycles. Also getting a Motorcycle and riding it ideally wouldn't be impossible or extremely difficult. And able to find a job and make a living.
Almost Everything about Spain is super appealing to me. But I hear it's difficult to get in. And the language would be a huge barrier. Portugal as well. Maybe on the hot side for both of them but gorgeous countrys. I'm just thinking about riding a motorcycle along Spains Southern coast.
I thought about new Zealand I read that they had a labor shortage and it looks like a gorgeous country to ride in as well.
A big limiting factor for me is my financial situation has never been amazing and I don't have any degrees or certifications to allow me to make tons of money and my education isn't the best. I'm not stupid by any means and willing to learn just not easy where I'm at.
Long winded post asking for input on something I've been thinking about for a while hopefully it's allowed and hopefully I get some input. (Obviously if I decide on a place I'd visit for a short period fitst before jumping in)
expats-ModTeam@reddit
If you are currently not an expat, and are looking for information about emigrating, you are required to ask specific questions about a specific destination or set of destinations. This means you should have already put some thought and research into where you might want—and be able—to go.
You must provide context for your questions which may be relevant. No one is an expert in your eligibility to emigrate, so it’s expected that you will have already done some research to get an idea of what countries you might be able to get a visa for.
r/iwantout may be a better sub for you to post in. Make sure you abide by their rules as well.
mayfeelthis@reddit
In case it helps you start your research, try this article for countries that allow US citizens for working holidays (short and you can work to cover the expenses).
It’s gonna take planning and some saving/finding a job where you wanna go. Don’t let people discourage you, but for sure this isn’t the sun for this and it’s frustrating cause so many people post such broad wish lists anyway.
numb3rsnumb3rs@reddit
Sorry dude, got some news for you.
The Spain you are thinking about doesn’t exist.
The people here are wonderful and won’t have an issue what you are saying in concept, but the truth is this would never work out that way. The further north you go or more inland you go the weather varies from the heat but in general the country is hot, and southern Spain is extra extra hot. There aren’t enough jobs for the Spanish or qualified people here who do speak the language and have work rights, let alone those who don’t speak the language and aren’t from the EU. If you can manage to find a job as digital nomad and bring your job remote to Spain that could work but everything else you’ve described isn’t reality for your situation. If you were independently wealthy or retired maybe you could ride your motorcycle along the coast during the winter, but year round doesn’t fit the bill for the temperature ranges you’re talking about.
Consider looking at other US states. Maybe parts of California or even will Hawaii have a warmer temperate climate as to what you are used to in Michigan.
Zapp_Brewnnigan@reddit
There are lots of metal working (steel, mainly) jobs in Styria, like southeastern Austria and north / NE Slovenia. You could probably find a job there. Beautiful part of the world. Safe, central, and dependable.
Willtip98@reddit
NZ has a Working Holiday Visa available for 18-30 year old Americans.
Pale-Candidate8860@reddit
Real talk homie,
with your experience in welding, I would suggest pursuing that as a trade. Become a journeyman in that. From apprentice to journeyman, you're looking at a 5 year commitment, but your income does go up, plus lots of overtime opportunities. After becoming a journeyman, work a couple years(1-3) and then you're ready. I know it sounds like b.s., but a lot of countries that pathways that as a journeyman in a trade(depends on what's in demand at that point in time for that nation), can get into their country. Either being employer sponsored, state sponsored, or self-sponsored. Which can include immediate permanent residency before you step foot into the country.
A lot of the English speaking countries have the skills shortage type of list and would be begging for most tradesmen to come into the country. The lists change based on demand, current government, etc. For example, New Zealand is basically only taking in electricians right now when it comes to journeyman trades. But the list will adjust as there has been public outcry on shortages in other categories.
Sometimes putting in hard work and waiting can pay off. I would consider being flexible in things such as country selection and wages. At least in the beginning.
WorkingCharge2141@reddit
Additional thought for you, as an American who has moved around within the US- move to an east coast blue state where residents can get a low cost education.
Massachusetts is really cold in the winter, just like Michigan, but once you’re a resident, community college is free for many. If you’re interested in studying engineering, you should absolutely go for it! Having a degree makes the work visa thing a lot easier, especially if you are reasonably young and have tax paying years ahead of you.
MA is just an example, but getting out of your home state is a great way to broaden your horizons and it’s loads easier than moving out of the country. I’ve done three big moves across the country a few times, and it’s helped me grow tremendously. I’m hoping to expat, but it is a tough process even with a degree and a fair bit of money.
zyine@reddit
Puerto Rico can be fun on a motorcycle, and you could get on a plane tomorrow with no visa necessary,
Wiscodoggo5494@reddit
Hi. I also grew up in the Midwest and am in the process of moving abroad for a short period. My advice is that it would benefit you a lot to travel a bit more before making a move. It doesn’t sound like you’ve been to Europe so your ideas of living in Spain etc aren’t based on real life feelings about those countries. Being a tourist in a country isn’t the same as living there, but it’s a logical first step before moving somewhere and not knowing the culture, cost of living, lifestyle of other places. I’m not discouraging your plan in the future, I just think you are skipping critical steps in the process.
3andahalfbath@reddit
Also Spain (most of it where expats go) is hot as hell
DifferentWindow1436@reddit
So, maybe not what you are looking for, but have you thought about the military? There could be a number of advantages for you - the GI Bill, deployment, skill building, stable income.
Apart from that, you'd need to look at different countries and their visa programs. In some countries, there is very little chance you'd be eligible without a bachelor's degree and/or some specific skillsets. Others, Idk. Jump on Chatgpt, put in your background and questions and start researching. 27 is a good age to take chances.
mustachedmarauder@reddit (OP)
Yea I tried I got sent home from the Marines because I have arthritis in my knees. (It's pretty bad I walk with an occasional limp now).
I was planning on using my GI bill to get an engineering degree and use my MOS to be around Aircraft and officers to hopefully help me with college.
I should have probably gone air force. But it's to late now. They wouldn't take me. With my arthritis and over a foot of stainless steel in my shoulder.
PacificTSP@reddit
You have a GI bill. Use that to get a degree and move into a career then you can worry about where in the world you are.
mustachedmarauder@reddit (OP)
I don't have the GI bill, I didn't get any benefits of being in the military
LateBreakingAttempt@reddit
If you just want an adventure, just to try somewhere new, maybe a working holiday?
I think a few countries offer this possibility for Americans. I know I've seen people comment on this before, but I've never done one so I can't say for sure. Hopefully someone else will chime in with more info
Catcher_Thelonious@reddit
I sympathize. Try r/iwantout or r/AmerExit
Rule 4:
If you are currently not an expat, and are looking for information about emigrating, you are required to ask specific questions about a specific destination or set of destinations. You must provide context for your questions which may be relevant. No one is an expert in your eligibility to emigrate, so it’s expected that you will have an idea of what countries you might be able to get a visa for.
mustachedmarauder@reddit (OP)
I was hoping to get like real personal experience but I'll check out those subs as well.
I've tried doing some research yes it was basic but it's kinda hard to find information on motorcycle licenses specifically. Like I know in the UK they start people off on essentially mopeds. Would I as an American be able to jump on a big bike right away because I have my motorcycle tip here. I could Google that. But doing it for every possible country seems insane. Also trying to find one that's "nice" and has an easy language to learn or just uses English. And will let me ride and not have to work a ton to even survive.
satedrabbit@reddit
Norway has a seasonal work visa. You could try to land a 3-4 month hospitality job at a ski resort or small town restaurant.
Financially... you'd probably break even at best, but it would be a different experience.
PacificTSP@reddit
To answer your bike question. Mopeds from 16. 125 at 17. You can do a big bike test at 18 but are limited to 33bhp. Or you can do the advanced course which is about a week long and unlocks big bikes.
The real problem you have is that before you research what bikes you can ride, you need to know where you can get a visa.
Frankly with no specific career and no significant money saved up you are unlikely to get a visa in most countries.
You could do a temporary working visa in Australia for some experience abroad.
mustachedmarauder@reddit (OP)
Yea I've thought about Australia and New Zealand. I heard AUS isn't particularly friendly to Americans.
And do you mean with my current US license with motorcycle tip I could ride big bikes in the UK ?
PacificTSP@reddit
Yes. As a tourist. But you can’t work. You can stay for up to 6 months.
Safe-Device4369@reddit
You seem to be focusing on the motorcycle license and not the visa. You’re not going to get a work visa for the UK based on the details you have provided.
mustachedmarauder@reddit (OP)
Not entirely I figure I should be able to find a way to ride wherever I am but it is. A HUGE part of who I am. And UK is DEFINITELY not a place I Wana live in. I was just using their motorcycle laws as an example because I know a little bit about them
Safe-Device4369@reddit
That's great but you will have have very limited visa options available to you - most likely a working holiday visa is your only realistic path - for US citizens you have 6 countries that offer you a working holiday visa - Australia, Ireland, Singapore, New Zealand, Canada, and South Korea.
Catcher_Thelonious@reddit
Until we have a unified world govt, that's the reality, I'm afraid, unless someone's already compiled this information. You might get better results in a biking subreddit.