My mother and step-dad were joking about New Zealand as well, but from what I've heard it is very hard to get more than a tourist permit to go there and the cost of living is very high. I have no first-hand experience, but it sure looks like a gorgeous spot, though!

DH and I are talking about Mexico. I'm surprised that Canada is mentioned over and over, but never Mexico. Surprising, since with the peso's fall, it is incredibly cheap there, and there are plenty of very safe places with great culture. The entire Yucatan Peninsula is very safe. The city of Merida, for just one example: amazing food, expat infrastructure, museums, theater, gorgeous architecture, etc. It's a big city, though; not for everyone. And for those who still need to work, it is harder than for we retirees. The cycling infrastructure isn't nearly as good in Mex as in the US either. That keeps tripping us up as there are very few places we'd be willing to live there because of not being able to ride, or in only a very limited way.

I do agree, though, that we progressives are needed more than ever in the US. We'll certainly stick it out for awhile, but if things get too impossible, Mexico will likely be our exit plan. I hope things will not get as bad here as they could, and if things go really crazy, the midterm elections could really help balance things back out.