No dollar purchases (for locals) unless travelling abroad?

[sergio]

These quality of life studies can be misleading. I love Europe but I know that there are problems - high cost of real estate for the most part, an educational system that can be excellent but is elitist with relatively few university graduates, a tendency to discriminate against immigrants. I don't think most Swiss own their homes - they rent. If you love art, history and urban life Europe is great but it's harder to make a living in Europe compared to the US. As for obese people, the problem is people's attitudes. You can get all the best organic natural food you want at low prices but you can also get junk food. What you eat is up to you but unlike Argentina you can eat well and nutritiously without spending a fortune. In Argentina you have to search all over the place for what is common in the US, you pay more in Argentina too. This is not Argentina bashing, just a statement of facts.

 

[davonz]

The rising rate of morbid obesity in US is just a sign that something in the system isn't working, be that farming, education..que se yo.

yes, they are lazy and eat to much crap... I am exactly the same when i go home, i raid mum cake and biscuit tins, and have pudding every night, eat to much ice cream because its cheap and good, and meat pies.. and then wonder why i have put on 5 kgs in a couple of months.. Lucky i dont like Mc'ers and k fries or else i would be one of the morbid obese.

 

[earlyretirement]

These quality of life studies can be misleading. I love Europe but I know that there are problems - high cost of real estate for the most part, an educational system that can be excellent but is elitist with relatively few university graduates, a tendency to discriminate against immigrants. I don't think most Swiss own their homes - they rent. If you love art, history and urban life Europe is great but it's harder to make a living in Europe compared to the US. As for obese people, the problem is people's attitudes. You can get all the best organic natural food you want at low prices but you can also get junk food. What you eat is up to you but unlike Argentina you can eat well and nutritiously without spending a fortune. In Argentina you have to search all over the place for what is common in the US, you pay more in Argentina too. This is not Argentina bashing, just a statement of facts.

Exactly. Europe is wonderful but it has it's fair share of problems. Especially now with Greece and Spain and the fall out from what might happen if Greece leaves the EU.

Real estate is VERY expensive in most of these cities.

I agree about struggling to find really good stuff in Argentina at affordable prices. I'm not bashing Argentina either but it's much harder to find good stuff there and you have the hassle factor with just about everything there. Try buying something that breaks a few days after buying it in Argentina. Very very difficult. In the USA, in almost any store you can take it back and get a full refund.

The red take hassle factor can really get to you in Argentina. I don't care how long you live there..... it's tough to get used to when you are accustomed to efficiency.

 

[NomadInBA]

I have the pleasure to say I've been to just about every one of these cities on the list and I'd gladly live in the USA vs. most of these cities any day of the week.

Plus, with the crash in real estate prices, you can buy a nice property in most desirable cities in the USA for a big discount vs. just a few years ago. These cities on this list are nice but check out the cost of living or price of real estate in a desirable area in many of these cities and it will be much more expensive than the USA.

As to produce, most major metropolitan areas in the USA have great farmer's markets where you can get organic produce that is really amazing.

USA has it's fair share of problems but I would argue with anyone that the quality of life there is very good if you have steady income coming in.

That's perfect and each to their own I guess.

The point of posting the list was to demonstrate that everyone has their own idea of what constitutes a "high quality of life" and more often than not this depends on where/how they were brought up.

 

[sergio]

Yes I guess so, Nomad, but I have lived in many parts of the world and I see the differences. As I said, I love Europe but to live there the way I want I would need a lot of money. You can live well for a LOT less in the US - and you can afford to travel to Europe.

 

[trennod]

You need to take these surveys with a grain of salt. I have visited many of those cities but for the Australian ones I know inside out, I am always surprised when Sydney comes ahead of Melbourne. I have spent a lot of time in both (albeit did not grow up in either) and in terms of quality of living Melbourne is far ahead. Also, for cost of living its a helluva lot cheaper in Melbourne, particularly real estate which would be the biggest input.

Anyhoo, dont want to rant on but interpret the results as you may.

 

[John.St]

Socialism! Eegads!

On the internet you can find sites, which says Scandinavia = socialism and the US = fascism - or Scandinavia = fascism and the US = socialism.

Truth is that unlimited capitalism has proven itself to be as bad as unlimited socialism/communism.

Try some really informed and reliable sites like the CIA factbook:

"Sweden has achieved an enviable standard of living under a mixed system of high-tech capitalism and extensive welfare benefits."

"The Norwegian economy is a prosperous mixed economy, with a vibrant private sector, a large state sector and an extensive social safety net."

Denmark: "This thoroughly modern market economy features a high-tech agricultural sector, state-of-the-art industry with world-leading firms in pharmaceuticals, maritime shipping and renewable energy, and a high dependence on foreign trade."

The code word is "capitalism within limits and socialism within limits".

In Scandinavia billionaires realize that their fortune is a result of the conditions the rest of society provides and thus feel a sincere obligation towards everybody else.

The Scandinavian countries are among the 12 best in the world to do business in.

 

[davonz]

The code word is "capitalism within limits and socialism within limits".

In Scandinavia billionaires realize that their fortune is a result of the conditions the rest of society provides and thus feel a sincere obligation towards everybody else.

The Scandinavian countries are among the 12 best in the world to do business in.

I think alot has to do with population size, not to big to not care about your neighbours, or to think you dont have a voice that can change things.
Or at least thats what i feel in NZ and think thats what we have in common with the small northern european countries. A mix of capitalism and socialism, but also an open and free economy, and a public that doesnt let its politicians do what they want or put up with corruption at any level in society....

 

[John.St]

I think alot has to do with population size, not to big to not care about your neighbours, or to think you dont have a voice that can change things.
Or at least thats what i feel in NZ and think thats what we have in common with the small northern european countries. A mix of capitalism and socialism, but also an open and free economy, and a public that doesnt let its politicians do what they want or put up with corruption at any level in society....

Of course it has, you only have to look at the perceived corruption index http://cpi.transparency.org/cpi2011/results/#CountryResults
NZ, DK, SF, S, Singapore, N - and the rest below

- it's been like that for ages
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Index_of_perception_of_corruption#Rankings

and several more factors count.

 

[tomdesigns]

Truth is that unlimited capitalism has proven itself to be as bad as unlimited socialism/communism.

That is one of the most excellent and true statements I have ever read in my life