Perhaps if you are rich the USA would be a top country to live in, but if you are poor (statistically 15% of all citizens) heck no. Poor healthcare, dangerous, and government for the most part doesn't care about you. Not to mention the systems in place actually make it harder for you to get out of poverty. If you are middle class, it's debatable. America isn't bad, but in Europe you can be middle class but enjoy greater safety and double the # of vacation days so you can be with your family more.
If I wasn't going to live in the US, I'd live in France (the other country I'm a citizen of, and I could finally try to master the language), or maybe the UK (could probably actually get a job there). As great as Italy or Greece or Thailand or whatever might be, the language barrier would be too problematic for me. Wherever I go to live needs to speak either English or French because I don't think I have much of a knack for learning languages.
Just went to Costa Rica. Definitely fun for eco tourism and adventure sports. People are very nice. A little touristy and there's nothing special about Costa Rican food, but we found some good restaurants. Although August is in middle of their rainy season, not the best time to go
poor people from where? If poor people from America, well most likely those people don't know how good other countries have it. If poor people from other countries, the USA is the single most influential country in the world, and it has been able to exalt it's virtues (however misleading those are) through the media.
Agree with New Zealand and Costa Rica, English/Spanish are good languages for me, beaches and nature, small populations, and like you mentioned weather, saftey. Isn't Monaco the billionaire capital? With such little land can't imagine it being anywhere near my price range lol
Only been to Canada, Mexico, Guatemala, China, Italy, Greece and France. I would rank France first, then Canada and USA. Italy is great to visit. The people... Not so much.
Spring and Fall at a canal house in the Netherlands, location in the country to be determined. Amsterdam is far from the only "cool" city or town in the country. A great base for going anywhere in Europe. Summer in Canada. I have an old friend in Kaslo, BC, and the place is spectacular. He started a jazz/blues festival there. It's every Canadian Labor Day weekend. Winter in Texas. I wouldn't spend the entire winter here, of course, but we have so many friends and relatives in the state that I can't imagine not spending time here every year. We'd keep the house in Southwest Austin. It's paid for.
1. USA - It's home. 2. Germany - Seems like they've got the whole "efficient first-world country" thing figured out. 3. Cyprus - I'll live on a vineyard and never speak to a soul again, gorging myself on meze.
Ignoring the US/Canada. 1) Malta- Lovely little island country in between Sicily and N. Africa. Weather's a nice, blend of Middle Eastern and European countries. Food is great. Everyone speaks English. It has the charm of an under developed country with the amenities of a developed one. Not a lot of tourists either (or at least when I went). 2) Ireland- Weather's a drag, but I've lived here since January and I love it. 3) Spain- Particularly the Southern part. I speak the language enough to get around, and I really liked Madrid.
I don't know why people put Germany so high. They do have a very good public transportation system, but the people there are pretty rude. Maybe they don't like Americans. I was there for a few weeks and people were so up tight.
