QotD: Forward My Mail

If you could easily choose to live in another country without all the red tape and legal stuff, which one would you select and why? 
Submitted by Matthew 25.

You know, I love England - I love the climate (even if I do reserve the right to complain when it's minus four!) I love the history, it's everywhere and you can't escape from it, and I love the cultural heritage of Europe as a whole.  However, I can honestly see this country becoming somewhere it's not nice to live any more, sad as that is, and if it ever does, I'd move.  First choice would be Scotland, if it ever gets it's independence, I love that country, it's probably the best country in the world. 

Beyond that I'd probably say America, but only if I can specify New York.  I do love the idea of the great European capitals, but I don't speak the languages.  New York for me doesn't seem like America - although granted I have yet to go there so it could surprise me.  It's this odd paradox of so many iconic American things and yet it's made up of so many other cultures and peoples - maybe in that sense it is more literally America than anywhere else.

Even post-Guiliani people always mention the crime, but for some reason that doesn't enter my mind, I've never really worried much about crime, and generally feel pretty secure in cities. Ideally I like the look of the village, it looks very human and real, like a real neighbourhood should be, of course it's not stupidly expensive and full of celebrities, but hey ho.  I also love the fact that New York has real institutions, museums and galleries and such of pedigree, big stores, historic buildings, parks, the things that make a city centre.

I know that some people would probably say that I subscribe to much to the Hollywood idea of New York, but I still think it's probably a great place to live, if you can afford it.