I'm thinking about moving to either Spain or England to live for a couple of years, but I'm not certain if they are good places for an African American female.

I would truly appreciate anyone's honest opinions on the matter. Also, if those places aren't good, please, share with me one's that you have visited that seem to be better. Thanks.

My dear Shesack,

You do realize that Spain and England are two very different climates, geographies and cultures, do you not?

In either case, no one will care what religion you profess, unless it's Protestant in Spain or Catholic in England.

Helpful, ira (NOT)

Shesack, as a middle class white I can't even begin to advise on what sort experience your ethnicity would lend you.

But I would suggest you check the immigration laws, which are quite tough, certainly in the UK, and I would suggest, in Spain too.

I can give your more detail if you email me.

I don't have any experience with Spain, but England (especially noticeable in London) is a very diverse country with many, many different ethnicities.

In the 19th century, when ex-slaves Harriet Jacobs and Frederick Douglass travelled to England, they commented on how much less racist it was than the U.S. I'm not sure the same holds true today b/c of the immigration pressures Britain faces, but I thought it seemed a very tolerant society.

Big cities in Britain are extremely diverse, smaller places less so. Spain does not have quite the colonial history we do and (I would guess) therefore a much more limited experience of racial diversity.

You could try a website like http://www.blackbritain.co.uk to see if residents here have any useful experience or advice.

You'll be in a much smaller, and far more disadvantaged, minority through being American than being black. Apart from anything else, the laws are generally designed to stop non-EU foreigners from living in the UK for two years.

Lurking through www.americanexpats.co.uk will give you a load of insights into the frustrations many American women find here, and some clues about possible work-rounds for the legal problems.

Shesack:

I suggest you contact the respective embassies of Spain and England to find out what's really involved in moving to either of those countries. I do hope you are not assuming you can just jump on a plane and go live in either place for two years.

I'm also curious why Spain and England, as they are such vastly different cultures, climates, etc.

If you do end up moving to either country I believe you'll find that the racial/gender issues you seem to have on your mind will be far less problematic than finding a legal way to stay there.

London and most major cities in the UK are the same racial diversity as NY or boston from my experience. There is a huge population of West Indian people especially in London when most people came over in the 60's as well as asian and may other ethnic groups. I like London for its diversity and feel in some ways its more open than the us.

As for Spain I have no idea but you will stand out a bit more or people will assume you are north African due to the proximity of spain to Africa.

Saying all this you need a work permit and can't pack up and move without a plan. The UK would be easier for getting sponsored for work especially if you don't speak Spanish. But...you must have a qualification that would entice an employedto go through the trouble to sponsor you.

I would not reccommend going over illegally as they are cracking down on this everywhere it seems. There is a large illegal immigrant problem in most european countries and you would fall into that category should you obverstay the visa and work off the books some place.

Give us an idea of what your plan is and we can offer more specifi advice.