I listed the restrictions preventing me from living in my ideal place to live, finances and the language barrier. I would need to read, write and speak Hebrew.

Jeanette Isabelle

I know the negatives of the nation I wish to live in. Still, if I had the money and knew the language that is where I want to live.

Jeanette Isabelle

Your desired changes are quite modest and potentially achievable.

I was thinking something like - I'd love to live in San Diego as I remember it when I was a kid there 55 years ago.

You might like your chosen city better if you could somehow impose peace on the squabbling that goes on in that city.

Think big? Or small? How much superpower are we granted for this question?

I think hikermor hits it on the head- no place is perfect and ideal. There are always tradeoffs.

OK. I'll have to admit complete geographical ignorance here. I have no idea where you are talking about. I guess I better brush up on my geography so I'm not so stupid. The only thing I can say is those names don't sound like they're in Mexico ... but that's about all I can glean from it.

Let me rephrase the question. What's preventing you from living in your ideal location?

I'm able to learn a new language. All I need is to take a class. What about finances? I'm not living in poverty but with my current finances, I can't afford to live in Israel.

Jeanette Isabelle

Work.

I'm in a pretty good place already, all things considered.

Otherwise- risk aversion, lack of imagination, tolerance for sub-optimal conditions (such as work), and 35 years of accumulated stuff in the house have their effects.
I'd revisit the question after a house fire I think....

The utter lack of an ideal location.

That sounds like a snarky answer, but I mean it seriously. I'm not sure, all things taken together, that there really IS a better location than where I am now. Some things here I dislike, other things I like. You dream of other places being better, but are they?

In my opinion, the single greatest "ruiner" of a fantastic location is government control in action. Doesn't matter which party. And we have zero control of how that's playing out, despite the mantra "get out and vote!" (which I do every time). This is ruining many places I otherwise might consider moving to. Are there any places left without a government, or only a very minimal one?

I don't believe such a place exists. If it's taken this direction the question becomes what kind of government do you want?

Jeanette Isabelle