[ForsakenMe]

There has been a lot of talk lately about which places an INFP should live. Certain countries usually tend to favor a certain personality type (For example, Japan is an ISTJ-driven country, and would thus be a bit hard on the sensitive INFP.), but all I keep reading are the countries that INFPs wish to live.

I really would like to know which countries are INFP-friendly, countries where an INFP can happily reside in and feel comfortable, safe, and feel like they finally belong somewhere.

Where are those countries? Bonus question if you'd like to answer: Picture yourself in a place where it would make you the happiest. What does it look like? Is it a big city, or a small village?

 

[Cmk]

Very good question. In general The western world isn't 'made' for INFPs, it is very EST dominated. An example could be that a judge in The West, more or less always look at a case objectively and keeps strictly to the law. A judge in China will be much more subjective and look at the persons individual situation. That is because of the different values and dominating personalities that belongs to the cultures traditions. I think the eastern world actually are more suited to us. Or maybe South Europe actually. I live in Scandinavian and we are very ES fixated, much like America.

I would love to live some of the more southern Europe, I think it would suite me much better. My older brother lives partly in Ireland and Singapore (China) and have been married to a Chinese girl. His mind and personality doesn't suites a Western culture at all. I think he is definitely INxx, so it makes good sense.

 

[Disfigurine]

Maybe Sweden.
Never been, just sounds appealing.

I really have no idea, but I'm gonna keep checking back in this thread.
I would love to leave the states and find a home.

 

[IdealEuphoria]

I heard that they have a 'sharing-culture' in South Korea, which means that it's perfectly natural for someone to come and share their innermost feelings and struggles to people they barely know. I don't know if this is true, but I have seen the pattern very clearly myself when I've been with Koreans.

Maybe this is a thing to look for when trying to find our ideal country? I don't know about the other aspects of South Korea though..

 

[Sily]

Every INFP will answer different. I'll be damned, if given the choice, I'd live in any CITY. This INFP needs peace and quiet, nature and green trees, no traffic or at least no freeways, no concrete (lol). Oh, about the US of A, I live in a beautiful small town called Eden & do quite well. All I'm saying is there are many fine small quiet quaint towns I'd feel fine in. Not every place in the US is New York City-ish.

 

[telepariah]

I loved living in Japan. Perhaps because as a foreigner, the expectation on me to conform was often overwhelmed by my sheer differentness -- I used to wear purple and green tights with a pink sweatshirt as I rollerbladed around the city in my beard and ponytail. On skates and wearing a helmet I am about 2 meters tall. I was quite a distraction to say the least. :crazy:

I don't know that any developed country is more accepting of our type than any other country. The whole of civilization is predicated on EST traits and we will always be on the outside. But I take consolation in the fact that I have always been able to find a comfort zone no matter where I am. In the city or the backwoods, either way. Each presents its own challenges and its own opportunities. Using Japan as an example, I think most Japanese are actually pretty introverted at least in their outward conformity. On the trains everyone is in their own little world despite the crowding. If I wanted someplace to sit alone and read, there were plenty of coffee shops where I could do just that. I could sit on a park bench and just watch the people go by. If I wasn't on skates, I was not quite such a spectacle and people didn't notice me as much. Even as a tall foreigner, I could disappear into the woodwork in the middle of the city.

In a small town, where everybody knows you, it can be more difficult to escape the constant curiosity and judgement of others but you might be able to do it if you establish and maintain boundaries. Maybe not always or as easily as disappearing is in the city.

I do like Spain a lot and could easily live there if I could afford another place. I feel quite at home there. It's less frantic than other developed countries.

 

[Mike75]

I visited Alaska and absolutely loved it. Anchorage in April was wonderful. Such a vibe of independence, live and let live. I don't know if I could do a winter up there, but I might want to try. And the Salmon, I am still drooling. Least favorite is a tropical island, I have no idea why but they have always been my least favorite locales. I never feel like I belong there. Oh, I was in Bismarck, ND in July and loved it too. Stood on the site of Ft. Abraham Lincoln, were the 7th Calvary was stationed and set out on their "Centennial Campaign" in 1876 into the Montana territory never to be seen again. I was looking at the same hills as they did. Love rolling open plains. I love live and let live areas.

 

[ethylester]

On my honeymoon, we drove around Lake Superior. ALL those places really made me feel like home. As for cities, I thought Duluth was really cozy. Also loved Thunder Bay. I like those towns in Ontario and northern Michigan or Wisconsin where people are just low key, they don't do anything fancy, the wildlife defines the place, and it's beautiful, quiet and natural. I always thought I'd make a good "yooper" (that's someone who lives in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan). I do not like big cities at all. I need forests, trees, wildlife, peace.

So I guess to answer the question, parts of the US and Canada seem perfectly suited for me.

 

[Aurum]

There have been a few threads about this in the past. A book states that Nepal and Myanmar (Burma) are strong in INFPs, but those places are halfway around the world for me and the culture shock might be maddening unless handled delicately via a good friend familiar with these places that can help us adjust.

As far as city vs. village... It is my opinion that we can thrive in city centers OR small villages, but not so much everything in between. I have naturally been drawn to both highly dense and sparsely dense areas my whole life. I've only ever lived in a city, but I prefer the larger ones that are looser with their judgements on me as a person.

I think where we wither and die are in the suburbs and smaller cities. These places have little to no culture and really demand conformity to "belong".

 

[snail]

I'm not convinced there is such a place, but I believe we could make one.

The first challenge would be finding someone to deal with the funding and planning, since I read somewhere that INFPs tend to make the least money of any type, and planning isn't necessarily something we are known for being good at.

I want to try living in an INFP commune, as a sociological experiment to see what our group dynamics would be like if we could get away from the other types. I have a lot of questions to resolve, like whether all types are necessary for things to function properly. If so, a person could expect some of the INFPs to begin acting like other types in order for things to balance out. If not, then it would be interesting to see what kind of culture we would create that would differ from the normal way of doing things.

It might be necessary to find a remote location where we could make our own laws, essentially becoming our own country, since I am certain the laws where I currently live would not be suitable. (They promote neither freedom nor any meaningful form of security.) However, if someone already has several acres of land that we could use to form such a commune, and would be interested in doing so, please speak up. I'm sure I'm not the only one who would love to join.

 

[reflectia]

Very good question. In general The western world isn't 'made' for INFPs, it is very EST dominated. An example could be that a judge in The West, more or less always look at a case objectively and keeps strictly to the law. A judge in China will be much more subjective and look at the persons individual situation. That is because of the different values and dominating personalities that belongs to the cultures traditions. I think the eastern world actually are more suited to us. Or maybe South Europe actually. I live in Scandinavian and we are very ES fixated, much like America.

I would love to live some of the more southern Europe, I think it would suite me much better. My older brother lives partly in Ireland and Singapore (China) and have been married to a Chinese girl. His mind and personality doesn't suites a Western culture at all. I think he is definitely INxx, so it makes good sense.

Sadly I think the eastern world is generally not any better than the western counterparts in terms of suitability. With globalisation and keen competition among countries worldwide, I can't pick out any particularly country that is INFP-friendly right now. In fact, sometimes I feel as if I don't fit into any place. Ideally, I would want to live in a seaside city with a leisure pace, and surrounded by nature. That aside, I have given up on finding the 'perfect place' where I can live. I figured that it would be easier for me to find ways to adapt to places instead, provided it is bearable.

Oh and being a Singaporean, I can't resist the urge to point out that Singapore is not part of China. The culture here is rather westernised too, and definitely not suitable for an INFP like me.

 

[Aurum]

Oh and being a Singaporean, I can't resist the urge to point out that Singapore is not part of China. The culture here is rather westernised too, and definitely not suitable for an INFP like me.

I've been to Singapore a couple of times. It is a beautiful island/city/country. It seems a little too controlled, however. This was back in the 90's and I recall the laws being VERY strict. I would gather that competition there is also very high.

It doesn't seem INFP friendly at all, I agree.

 

[niki]

I loved living in Japan. Perhaps because as a foreigner, the expectation on me to conform was often overwhelmed by my sheer differentness -- I used to wear purple and green tights with a pink sweatshirt as I rollerbladed around the city in my beard and ponytail. On skates and wearing a helmet I am about 2 meters tall. I was quite a distraction to say the least. :crazy:

I don't know that any developed country is more accepting of our type than any other country. The whole of civilization is predicated on EST traits and we will always be on the outside. But I take consolation in the fact that I have always been able to find a comfort zone no matter where I am. In the city or the backwoods, either way. Each presents its own challenges and its own opportunities. Using Japan as an example, I think most Japanese are actually pretty introverted at least in their outward conformity. On the trains everyone is in their own little world despite the crowding. If I wanted someplace to sit alone and read, there were plenty of coffee shops where I could do just that. I could sit on a park bench and just watch the people go by. If I wasn't on skates, I was not quite such a spectacle and people didn't notice me as much. Even as a tall foreigner, I could disappear into the woodwork in the middle of the city.

In a small town, where everybody knows you, it can be more difficult to escape the constant curiosity and judgement of others but you might be able to do it if you establish and maintain boundaries. Maybe not always or as easily as disappearing is in the city.

I do like Spain a lot and could easily live there if I could afford another place. I feel quite at home there. It's less frantic than other developed countries.

@telepariah wow! which part of Japan you've living in?
and was it also you whom about several days ago, posted about your living in japan?
Because I LOVE Japan (& many things about it, eg: culture, it's 'creative' culture, music scene, as well as the 'traditional beautiful' cultures like the bon odori, hanabi, kimono, sakura, Kyoto, etc).
One of my biggest dream, and in fact, I'm considering to seriously plan my 'escape' next year to go to Japan, and try my 'fate' of becoming a musician there (I've read/heard how musicians are so appreciated there in Japan, as compared to my country here: Indonesia).

Oh, and how long have you lived there?
and how did you get there at the first place?
and...isn't it pretty expensive? @@ (the only biggest hindrance/problem, it seems, for me, and many others actually)
Perhaps I'll send you a PM shortly.
It's good to hear other INFPs who love Japan hehe

 

[Ode to Trees]

Finland or Norway perhaps would be more accepting of introverted INFPs individualism. Not sure. I think I would feel good in Mediterranean - yes people are more extroverted but at the same time somewhat intuitive, feelers, and spontaneous - laid back more. They love life and work to live not live to work. It is not wonder that Vincent van Gogh loved warmth and colors of Provence. I like warm climates and warm people. I feel that even in these countries village people and small city people would be more traditional and judgmental; consequently, I would probably like to live close to or in a bigger city on the coast.

 

[Cmk]

Sadly I think the eastern world is generally not any better than the western counterparts in terms of suitability. With globalisation and keen competition among countries worldwide, I can't pick out any particularly country that is INFP-friendly right now. In fact, sometimes I feel as if I don't fit into any place. Ideally, I would want to live in a seaside city with a leisure pace, and surrounded by nature. That aside, I have given up on finding the 'perfect place' where I can live. I figured that it would be easier for me to find ways to adapt to places instead, provided it is bearable.

Oh and being a Singaporean, I can't resist the urge to point out that Singapore is not part of China. The culture here is rather westernised too, and definitely not suitable for an INFP like me.

I am sad to about hear it. Breaks my illusion. Hehe. I haven't been visiting any eastern countries so far, so I was speaking from my knowledge trough reading.
But I've been to a lot of the European countries though, and some of them could have potential for INFPs. Especially Spain if you keep away from the bigger cities. My uncle who is an artist (and haven't been working a regular job since.. I don't now.. never? haha) lives in a small town/port called Malpica. He has been living in the area for almost 20 years I've been visiting him 4 times the last couple of years, and it has been the closest thing to my ideal place to live. So wonderful, people are carefree, open minded, helpful, non judging, everything is very relaxed. And amazing nature.

Sorry about my ignorance about Singapore, my brother has been switching between Singapore and Beijing, so my mind just thinks "China" But Singapore is of cause its own republic.

 

[Worriedfunction]

Sealand would be a great place for INFP's Principality of Sealand - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Unfortunately id have to kick that family out of there....far too crowded.

Oh wait it's going to be a casino? Bum to that.

 

[telepariah]

Burma is ruled by an oppressive military dictatorship and would not be a place you would want to nor could live as a foreigner. Burma Lifeline is an organization my wife and I support that provides assistance for refugees from the brutal repression of the Myanmar (I hate even to use that word, it's Burma) military junta.

FREE BURMA!!!

@niki , I lived in Japan from 1989 to 1993 in the city of Sapporo on the northern island of Hokkaido. I was working as a visiting scholar for the Japan Ministry of Education, Science, and Culture. I won't say it was always easy, and I had one professor who hated me and actively tried to make my life miserable. But I got past that and really learned to appreciate Japanese culture for its good points while also disabusing myself of any illusions or misconceptions I may have had about it. It's an interesting society. Mostly people are kind and considerate. But it is not without some ugly subcurrents, like any society. If you run afoul of the law in Japan, you will be in very deep trouble that will damage you for the rest of your life. Don't break the law there.

Life is much easier in Japan if you can speak some Japanese. Also, if you go with the sincere intention of making a contribution to Japanese society, you will find more doors opening and more meaningful relationships than if you just go like many do to teach English and have sex with Japanese girls. Japanese people can be highly intuitive and are able to recognize a pure heart.

Maybe if you can research and find a graduate music program or even do as I did and apply to the Ministry of Education, Science, and Culture (Mombusho) for a Mombusho Scholarship, that will pay you a stipend and attach you to a university where you can study. You will have to write a proposal like applying for any grant and then hope you win funding. They do like people from diverse countries to be included in the program, so being Indonesian could be an advantage, I don't know. The grants are usually for 18 months. I was able to stay longer by teaching at university.

Ah... one more thing on the subject of music. I absolutely love Taiko drumming. The drum troupe Yamato performed in Boulder last week and we went to the concert. It is so beautiful, earthy, spiritual, and moving. Check it out.

Also, an artist who lives here and is Singaporean is Kailin Yong. I find him very inspirational as well.

 

[reflectia]

I am sad to about hear it. Breaks my illusion. Hehe. I haven't been visiting any eastern countries so far, so I was speaking from my knowledge trough reading.
But I've been to a lot of the European countries though, and some of them could have potential for INFPs. Especially Spain if you keep away from the bigger cities. My uncle who is an artist (and haven't been working a regular job since.. I don't now.. never? haha) lives in a small town/port called Malpica. He has been living in the area for almost 20 years I've been visiting him 4 times the last couple of years, and it has been the closest thing to my ideal place to live. So wonderful, people are carefree, open minded, helpful, non judging, everything is very relaxed. And amazing nature.

Sorry about my ignorance about Singapore, my brother has been switching between Singapore and Beijing, so my mind just thinks "China" But Singapore is of cause its own republic.

That's alright, it's such a small place that I can see why people get confused over it. Anyway, you make Spain sounds to nice that I am eager to explore the place in future.

Like some of the people here, I have a pretty good impression of Japan as well, though I have yet to visit the place. Everyone I know comes back from Japan with wonderful comments, and they cannot resist going back several times. I've heard that the people there are very polite and helpful. However, I don't think I would like the stressful and hierarchical working culture there.

 

[Sily]

...Principality of Sealand - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia...

Probably the most interesting link I have seen in months. Absolutely fantastic history. How eccentric. Fascinating! I hope the movie comes to fruition.

 

[intrasearching]

Burma is ruled by an oppressive military dictatorship and would not be a place you would want to nor could live as a foreigner. Burma Lifeline is an organization my wife and I support that provides assistance for refugees from the brutal repression of the Myanmar (I hate even to use that word, it's Burma) military junta.

FREE BURMA!!!

@niki, I lived in Japan from 1989 to 1993 in the city of Sapporo on the northern island of Hokkaido. I was working as a visiting scholar for the Japan Ministry of Education, Science, and Culture. I won't say it was always easy, and I had one professor who hated me and actively tried to make my life miserable. But I got past that and really learned to appreciate Japanese culture for its good points while also disabusing myself of any illusions or misconceptions I may have had about it. It's an interesting society. Mostly people are kind and considerate. But it is not without some ugly subcurrents, like any society. If you run afoul of the law in Japan, you will be in very deep trouble that will damage you for the rest of your life. Don't break the law there.

Life is much easier in Japan if you can speak some Japanese. Also, if you go with the sincere intention of making a contribution to Japanese society, you will find more doors opening and more meaningful relationships than if you just go like many do to teach English and have sex with Japanese girls. Japanese people can be highly intuitive and are able to recognize a pure heart.

Maybe if you can research and find a graduate music program or even do as I did and apply to the Ministry of Education, Science, and Culture (Mombusho) for a Mombusho Scholarship, that will pay you a stipend and attach you to a university where you can study. You will have to write a proposal like applying for any grant and then hope you win funding. They do like people from diverse countries to be included in the program, so being Indonesian could be an advantage, I don't know. The grants are usually for 18 months. I was able to stay longer by teaching at university.

I'm planning on going to Japan after college to teach English (hadn't thought so much about having sex with Japanese girls). But, I recently felt the need (it was a big moment for me, thinking about life, etc.) to go there and also somehow get into a tsunami/earthquake rebuild effort. I am not sure how this would happen. I have a couple of years to think about it, but I want to do something that directly benefits the Japanese people, through means other than teaching English. I have felt a connection and love for the Japanese culture/people since I was a child. It is a beautiful place with beautiful customs and ways of life. Do you have any ideas about how I could get more directly involved with helping the community (through things like a rebuild effort perhaps?). I am also planning on going there this summer by myself. It may be foolish, and if I decide that it is, I will work something out, but I feel that being there alone will be an amazing, very worthwhile experience.