What Country is the best?

[heyjupiter678]

If I could afford to move there, I'd live in England. I read an article a couple of weeks ago that said less than half of the population of England claims to belong to a religion, compared with almost 90% here in the US. That's reason enough for me to cross the Atlantic.

[tuigirl]

Originally Posted by heyjupiter678

If I could afford to move there, I'd live in England. I read an article a couple of weeks ago that said less than half of the population of England claims to belong to a religion, compared with almost 90% here in the US. That's reason enough for me to cross the Atlantic.

Interesting Jupiter, that you would move to the UK for that reason and thats exactly why, this question is so random..what one person thinks would be a great place to live, is not, by another persons standards.An example of this is on the 4 yr vacation thread, where a fellow Ledgie has dreams of living in France and I posted my views of the place , having actually lived there.Like Strand said we can only base our opinions on our own experiences, personally, I have lived in 4 countries and even then wouldn't dare offer a list of which were best..Lux..yet another indepth post on your thoughts

[DownOnRodeo]

Didn't know you were intrigued to go to Japan, Brian!

I was going to add that today I was looking through a Japanese high school geography textbook and there was a small chapter on 'other countries' (ie the US) but it was almost all about Japan. And yes, Japanese generally think that their country is the best. But don't we all 'love the one we're in'? It would suck to live in a country you thought was lame.

Of course there's good and bad points to each country based on personal preference. I love(d) living in Australia, but Japan is equally good for totally different reasons.

Younger Japanese are fascinated by the US, but many that I have spoken to who have visited there say it was an awesome trip but they'd never want to live there... I swear you could see a sort of harrowed, almost terrified gleam in their eyes as they said it!

[HomerMcvie]

Originally Posted by heyjupiter678

If I could afford to move there, I'd live in England. I read an article a couple of weeks ago that said less than half of the population of England claims to belong to a religion, compared with almost 90% here in the US. That's reason enough for me to cross the Atlantic.

AMEN sister! (so to speak) What's this US obsession with religion? I don't get it, nor care to get it. Maybe penicillin can cure it.

Oh yeah. And I've found traditional country to be the best. This pop fodder must go.

[Mari]

hm, you know there've been tons of sociological researches and indexes etc. about this. I'll try to find some when I get home
I don't find my country the best to live in right now. Lots of racial violence the last few weeks, dunno if any of that news filtered through to the US...
Even though a newsarticle I read this morning said that elderly people have it better here than any other country in the world.
I think it depends on the person/personal circumstances anyway. You might be off great here if you're over 65, but not so great if you're disabled. Or if you're a muslim, right now.

[tynan88]

I think the idea of this thread is misguided and Lux is totally right in suggesting that Americans really are generally hated through the rest of the world, and it is because America don't realise the rest of the world hates them.
I don't care what country I live in to be honest though as long it is with the people I love and care about.

Tynan

[Gypsy-Rhiannon]

Originally Posted by Lux

This thread is titled "Which country is the best?". I don't care what you say, I still find that a ridiculous question.

I totally agree!

[Gypsy-Rhiannon]

Originally Posted by strandinthewind

So, when you pick someplace to live, how do you do it? You choose the one that is best suited for you, whatever your individual criteria may be.

Not entirely true. Most people don't pick. It's where they are born and they perhaps don't have the means to move to another country.

[Gypsy-Rhiannon]

Originally Posted by heyjupiter678

If I could afford to move there, I'd live in England. I read an article a couple of weeks ago that said less than half of the population of England claims to belong to a religion, compared with almost 90% here in the US. That's reason enough for me to cross the Atlantic.

But everything is so expensive here! And IMO we have a real problem with asylum seekers right now in the UK. Tony Blair will let anyone in!

[DownOnRodeo]

Originally Posted by Gypsy-Rhiannon

Tony Blair will let anyone in!

Hah! Exact opposite of John Howard.

[strandinthewind]

Originally Posted by Gypsy-Rhiannon

Not entirely true. Most people don't pick. It's where they are born and they perhaps don't have the means to move to another country.

I know that - but I thought this thread was about wishing, etc., because the question was "So what country do you think is the best to live." So, I was not taking that into consideration. But, it is true.

Interestingly, I think most people like where they live and, while they might move to another city in their country, they would not want to move to a different country with a different culture, etc. I am not saying this applies to all people and I think it certainly applies less to countries with extreme poverty, faminem, disease, etc. But, even then, these people might be moving out of necessity and not because they do not like the place where they live.

[Gypsy-Rhiannon]

Originally Posted by strandinthewind

I know that - but I thought this thread was about wishing, etc. So, I was not taking that into consideration. But, it is true.

Interestingly, I think most people like where they live and, while they might move to another city in their country, they would not want to move to a different country with a different culture, etc. I am not saying this applies to all people and I think it certainly applies less to countries with extreme poverty, faminem, disease, etc. But, even then, these people might be moving out of necessity and not because they do not like the place where they live.

I often dream about moving to another country but I can't see myself ever doing it.

[strandinthewind]

Originally Posted by Gypsy-Rhiannon

I often dream about moving to another country but I can't see myself ever doing it.

I do too. AND England is waaaaaay up there. If I moved to England, I could see me with a house overlooking Green Park and a place on the Cornish Coast (though I have never been to the COrnish Coast ) - Hey - I can dream can't I!!!!!!

[dissention]

There isn't a "best" country and none of us could possibly be objective in answering such a question. I love America, but by no means is it "the best." It's a great country when it does good things, it sucks when it does bad things. This applies to ever country. But you'll never see me waving the flag or putting one on my car because I think it's an empty gesture.

[dissention]

Originally Posted by strandinthewind

So, when you pick someplace to live, how do you do it? You choose the one that is best suited for you, whatever your individual criteria may be. For me, it is here. But, I could readily live in Paris as well. Honestly, I think you guys are blowing this WAY out of proportion. But, so be it

Yes, because we can all choose which country we want to live in, Jason. We all have enough money and smarts to attend open houses all across the globe to decide which country, city, and house is best suited to our needs. C'mon.