I now only see movies at the 10am showing on Sundays. My friend Stones turned me onto this years ago. Theater is empty and the rest or day is free.

Tuesday evenings are pretty empty too.

My company just started this, $5000.00 referral finders fee, payable after 6 months employment.

Confess I have always been the responsible one. Not that my family is not, they are but I have always had a hard time just living life without worrying about the consequences. Even rediscovered pinball later in life because I had no time/funds etc. for a "frivolous" activity when I was younger. I think that means I am mellowing out. Looking forward to continuing the process. Certainly helps with road guides like JohnnyPinball007 and punkin and others here on pinside

I confess I've worn jeans like three times in my life.

I confess that for the first time seriously considering leaving the USA for good. Any suggestions?

I don't want to leave the USA for more tyranny, chaos or cultural marxism. So Europe not a consideration.

Prefer warmer weather, beaches, easy visa access, and as a bonus maybe a place likely to be more Bitcoin friendly.

Panama? Mexico? Uruguay? Any insights anyone?

I would suggest looking for any country that has a better quality of life. Things like single payer healthcare, no guns, and an investment in the support infrastructure you might find useful in your life. Ruling out Europe seems rather rash, given that most countries there and in places like Australia and New Zealand have a far better quality of life (and no Marxism). I'd really worry about crime in the places you mentioned. I too worry about the US, but for the threat of authoritarian fascism. America has no marxism threat. But if you really feel that way, I'd suggest Israel, Costa Rica, Italy, Somalia, Congo and Saudi Arabia. Given the bitcoin crash, I have no idea if that's a wise option.

Hope this helps.

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Did you really recommend Somalia and The Congo? Jeez not even worth a response really...but will give you one anyhow.

Australia and New Zealand are the opposite of what i want. These are already tyranny zones. Canada as well (also too damn cold for me anyhow).

Don't mind guns. In fact places with easy gun ownership are typically much less inclined to have governmental tyranny. So guns = good.

Overall crime not really a huge concern as I would not be moving to hood but likely the nicest part of town & within the nicest hood.

Yeah, then you want Somalia and the Congo. Given your requirements for warmth, guns, no real government "interference". Nicest part of town within the nicest hood, in any central American country? It can be done, but you also become a really good target. But that's just me, I tend to like law and order.

I've looked a bit at Uruguay, looks to be fantastic

Victoria, British Columbia (without the heat) but would rank wayyyyy up in quality of life and a fantastic yearly weather.(rainy but temperate)

I confess I watch the YouTube videos where people are walking around city streets of different countries filming what they see. Kind of gives you a taste of what other countries are like. Makes you feel like you are there if able to watch in 4K. Have watched Stockholm, Sweden and Tokyo, Japan so far.

I love these - especially the ones that just let you see and hear. I still want high quality live streams from places like coffee shops, public places with live sound. Harder to find with audio.

I had to look up Uruguay, had no real knowledge of the area. I was surprised to read about the country, it looks interesting.

Confess I like those videos too, it is interesting to try to get a feel for what the average lifestyle is like around the globe

When it comes to the best place to live, there is no list than would do justice to the question because the answer is always what is best for your circumstance. For instance, Most of the countries that have a higher quality of life in these lists have higher taxes, that is what creates a bigger middle class (which is what is really raising their averages). It also means that everyone has less material goods (things cost more, housing is smaller, less pinballs), which may or not be important to you, and things like health care are free (but the queues can be longer for certain things). I have healthcare through my military service (e.g. I earned it through service) so I understandable am less excited about paying for someone else's. Given the safety net in these countries, unemployment rates can be higher too, which you may or may not like, especially since you will probably be working as a requirement of entry.

I like having a large pinball collection, something that would be difficult at my income level in Europe. Conversely, cost of living is generally less in a country like Panama (which I have been to and find to be a very nice Central American country), but if you want a little more safety and security for said pinball collection, you are going to have to upscale (nicer neighborhood, gated community which equals more cost). You will find the services you need like cleaning, gardening etc. to be cheaper, but imported goods for a western lifestyle gets more pricey.

I personally think there are a lot of choices in the US for all kinds of lifestyles and requirements, and not just by changing states. I live in a high tax state (Illinois - always in the top 10 or higher for total tax burden). A big part of that is property tax - which is high across the state but ESPECIALLY in the Chicago Metropolitan Area. I would consider my home un-affordable in Chicagoland for both the cost to buy and the property tax - but I live in a rural county downstate and it is probably half or more of what I would pay in Chicago. The state also never taxed my Military income, and won't tax my 401K, SS, Military or Federal pensions.

My quality of life is pretty darn good. Only a little over an hour to downtown Saint Louis if we want to see a Cardinal's game. Only downside is 45 minutes to work on a rural highway with no real traffic.

I liked most of your post, but this stood out. So to be clear, you are glad that others are paying for your healthcare, but are against you paying anything for others to have healthcare.

I can't square that. Thank you for your service, by the way.

No, I am pointing out in my case, I made several sacrifices over 37 years (willingly) and earned healthcare as a result. It was part of my compensation for that sacrifice, just deferred compensation if you will. The contract with others was made when I joined (many others in emergency services and government have a similar contract) and yes, in the case of uncertainty of rising healthcare costs, I feel like I made a good choice (abet with some risks). I didn't say against paying others to have healthcare, just less excited. Just like someone would be less excited if they paid $14K for a Godzilla premium vs $9K. Still happy to have the Godzilla, just less excited. I don't tend to look at anything in absolute terms though like anyone, my worldview has been shaped by my our personal experiences. The point I was trying to make, though, is that everyone's circumstance is different and while generalities like best state, worse state etc. are interesting, the data set is way too coarse for any meaningful comparison.

and @swampfire's dry river bed looks nice.

Not trying to get political. Canada still has no travel in/out for the unjabbed. Also taking govt actions on banning guns. These are both indisputable facts. Maybe that smells like freedom and liberty to you — but it does not to me.

You're welcome. I'm glad you feel good about making your point, whatever that was.

If that is the promise of military service why have a beef with him getting what was promised? If you want free VA healthcare (not exactly the Taj Mahal by the way) go ahead and put your own butt on the line, OK?

It's that simple.

Too complex a concept apparently.

Stating that government actions removing freedoms to whether you can come & go or what you can or cannot purchase does not equate to freedom.

This is not a political statement. It is just math. I am sorry that is too complex for you.

My confession was a sincere one...sorry it was not good enough for you.

Don't look em in the eye mate, it only encourages them.

I confess, I really don’t have great scores on my machines but I absolutely love trying to beat the last one! My 11 year old daughter holds our highest score so far.

I'm similar, when i get a new machine i always try to beat the scores it came with. Once i have done that i don't really play for high scores, more goal orientated. That's why GnR didn't last here.

I have no beef with him getting quality healthcare. I firmly believe, having seen how it's handled in all the other first world wealthy countries, that it shouldn't require anything more than being a citizen. I know you disagree.

But let's both agree swampfire's lawn needs a whole lot more water!

Was surprised to see adults in the photo for the rock. It looked like the sod was installed by a team of six year olds.

Finally found time yesterday to hook up my air horn on my truck..but sadly, no 1 pissed me off in traffic today..it plays tequila w the 5 horns..stock horns are boring

Alaska.

Yes you are still in the USA but you are largely left alone by the above. Look at the Amish they hang out in the 48 but aren’t subjected to that and are left alone. Everyone loves the Amish!

Too cold you say? Think about Anchorage they are actually warmer than you think the climate maps match a lot of what’s in the US.

If there really was a perfect place I’d already be there waiting for you with a cold beer.

Whatcha got? My old truck had a Nathan P3

Haha. I had a buddy in high school who drive a old 60s Cadillac who had the Aooga horn.

They seem to not have a care in the world. There are some Amish homesteads just a few miles up the road from home. They would be out working in their field, but would take time to pause what they are doing to turn and wave as I drive by on a county road. If they are in their horse buggy on the road and we cross paths, more often than not I would get a friendly wave. Last winter, I was impressed how they would rig their horses up to a plow to clear snow off a driveway as I quipped to myself, "Now there's some horsepower!" #dadjokes

He wouldn't like Alaska. They have "marxism" in that the government gives each state resident free money. Yes, that's why "marxism" was in quotes. Plus, the state bird. Mosquito.

It’s made my wolo. I bought it in LA years ago n had it in my old Malibu for years..luckily I had another 4 way relay in the tool box, the 1st 1 I tried didn’t work n had me scratching my head like wtf..

Alaska is a dream place to live! I wouldn’t move there just so it could stay wild!

I've always wanted to live in BC since I was a kid. I love Victoria, Vancouver and my home away from home in hs was Kelowna. I like the north part also like Prince George. Lots of good times/memories up there. The best golf courses I've ever played were in BC. Also the best fishing tho northern Saskatchewan is a close second.

5 or 6 years ago the wife and I were considering moving overseas/central America. We loved the thought of restoring a old farmhouse in France.
Belize was also high on the list because of climate, close to Canada and only English speaking Central America country.
If money wasn't a concern. I'd move to Costa rica or Italy. No if money wasn't a concern I'd definitely love to live in Italy

TWD is my first keeper game. So far Oktoberfest is my 2nd keeper game.

Confess that it has been several weeks now since any game has been turned on, we are still playing dominoes all the time.

If money wasn't a concern for me, I would love to have a big air conditioned dock somewhere on a waterway in Florida where fishing is great year round.

Oh, and a decent size house and boat also on that property.

Confess I hate the heat and humidity in Florida, but sitting on a dock fishing and drinking beer is what I really love.

Fishing on a boat is good also, until it is beer time, and I do not drink and drive, so just give me a dock.

I never made it far enough in the series or don’t remember it enough to know Woodbury was a place. I almost want to customize the Woodbury emblem from my city and put it on the insert.

BTW how do you actually collect on the point value you select and why would someone pick anything less than the highest value? Maybe I’m doing it all wrong?