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I don't think only of fashionable inner city neighborhoods. Perhaps at least equally as much as your British example.
You also said that you've spent a lot of time in England. Most Americans haven't (probably more if you're South Asian, West Indian or Nigerian due to family connections).
I don't think it's much different over there. Most people think of New York, Los Angeles and probably a small handful of other cities. Not too many middle class Europeans who know much about daily life in Portsmouth, Virginia.
The US government doesn't track American who move abroad, but estimates are about 6 million.
Kind of yes and kind of no. This was big news in Canada last year, since the US insisted their law be apply to Canadian Banks. The banks balked because they would be burdened with the cost. So our federal gov't apparently has or is in the process of changing Canadian law to allow this. It's probably the same in Europe..but of course there still must be places American can hide from their tax people, but many are just giving up their citizenship.
"The U.S. Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act requires foreign financial institutions to identify their U.S. citizen customers and report them to the IRS, or face a punitive tax on their U.S. investments. The Canadian federal government is widely expected to agree to some form of deal which would allow the Canadian banks to implement FATCA, although respected constitutional scholar Peter Hogg has said that such a law would be “discriminatory in a way that would not withstand Charter scrutiny.”"
I guess that's the good thing about most suburbs here being former towns and villages - they still retain an identity with busy shopping streets. They weren't necessarily developed in the 60s with cars in mind.
I guess that's the good thing about most suburbs here being former towns and villages - they still retain an identity with busy shopping streets. They weren't necessarily developed in the 60s with cars in mind.
I guess that's the good thing about most suburbs here being former towns and villages - they still retain an identity with busy shopping streets. They weren't necessarily developed in the 60s with cars in mind.
The houses need more colour! Now they are a bit depressing, especially on a cloudy rainy day. Otherwise the setups look quite nice.
What I don't like about the rowhouse neighbourhoods is that they are built as projects, and all the houses looks the same. I would appreciate some variation.
It doesn't have to look schizophrenic like this in Finland, https://www.google.com/maps/@60.2098...w0Sw!2e0?hl=fi
-It's often a big deal for many people living in Britain or France (other countries too) to actually know an American. Not many do. It can be a way to show off to others by saying, "Oh yeah, my cousin from the U.S. is coming here this summer...he lives in Brooklyn."
-It's even a bigger deal to know a non-white American. When I did an exchange program in HS, they made it a point to take me to every single classroom in the entire school. This had apparently never been done before (even with other exchange students). I felt like a rock star.
-A lot of my classmates thought (still think) English is the language of modernity, sophistication and romance. If only they could master it, they could move somewhere like London, and then eventually the United States.
-Fewer opportunities for racial minorities in Europe generally. This tends to go under the radar.
-The U.S. is seen as a big country that offers a lot more variety and a higher material standard of living.
I have less disposable income here in the U.S. than I do in Europe. Here, I'm handcuffed to a vehicle, which has a lot of expenses, and is not an option. Here, getting anywhere requires a vehicle, as all things are far away from residences (except NY of course, which I like). Here, paying for various insurances (health, etc.) is not an option. Copays every time you do anything health-related. Gym dues because here, there's nowhere to walk since driving is not an option. Etc. At the end of the month, I had good money to put away in Europe, which I used for my month vacation.
Quote:
Originally Posted by BajanYankee
Some personal observations/anecdotes...
-It's often a big deal for many people living in Britain or France (other countries too) to actually know an American. Not many do. It can be a way to show off to others by saying, "Oh yeah, my cousin from the U.S. is coming here this summer...he lives in Brooklyn."
-It's even a bigger deal to know a non-white American. When I did an exchange program in HS, they made it a point to take me to every single classroom in the entire school. This had apparently never been done before (even with other exchange students). I felt like a rock star.
-A lot of my classmates thought (still think) English is the language of modernity, sophistication and romance. If only they could master it, they could move somewhere like London, and then eventually the United States.
-Fewer opportunities for racial minorities in Europe generally. This tends to go under the radar.
-The U.S. is seen as a big country that offers a lot more variety and a higher material standard of living.
I have less disposable income here in the U.S. than I do in Europe. Here, I'm handcuffed to a vehicle, which has a lot of expenses, and is not an option. Here, getting anywhere requires a vehicle, as all things are far away from residences (except NY of course, which I like). Here, paying for various insurances (health, etc.) is not an option. Copays every time you do anything health-related. Gym dues because here, there's nowhere to walk since driving is not an option. Etc. At the end of the month, I had good money to put away in Europe, which I used for my month vacation.
Well, that's you. I was just explaining some of my observations and possible reasons why some Europeans may envy the American lifestyle. It's not like envy is a one way street.
In general, I think America is a more open society than France (and Britain for that matter). We're a relatively young country where nearly everyone is an immigrant (or the descendant of immigrants) as opposed to a country with centuries worth of monarchs and nobility. That affects social dynamics imo.
Can't decide if botticelli is Canadian or American, or an American immigrant in Canada.
Which just goes to show you the white-centric nature of this forum. Only about 50% of Americans live in suburbs, the number could be less. The US is more urbanized than most people realize, ie. people that live in city limits and first ring suburbs.
As for Europeans, most seem to judge the US based on our suburbs, while they praise their countries based on their city centers. That's cherrypicking, but whatever. Been to Germany and England, and both places are bland as hell once you get outside the historic downtowns, especially England. Just endless rows of the same brick, brown colored houses with the same shape. Now THAT is bland and boring
[quote=botticelli;35124135]We know in terms of QOL rankings, it is all European countries (plus Canada/Australia), but let's be more realistic here. I have known many Europeans who went to the US and never wanted to leave, so there must be something attractive about America.
Higher salary, lower taxes and cheaper housing come into mind. I am sure the real purchasing power is higher in America, probably substantially.
Everything is much much cheaper in the US, including cars and gaselines. With automobiles, you have
I DO NOT ENVY AMERICAN LIFESTYLE AT ALL!!!
When I was a Youngster I went to the United States and used to live there for a while. I never want to do this again. If you read my other Blogs and threats you will see why.
Canada is not a European Country. You better go back to School again. I was there and there was nothing European, just American Lifestyle like stuffing with Hamburgers and fries, all the other American Food, American architecture and driving automatic. Canada is in the American Continent and the former Name British America whitnesses about that. But there seems to be not much british anymore eather.
But I like the american People (including Canadians). I had a lot of fun with them. They better care more for Soccer. The whole world loves Soccer and the Americans remain Livin in a parallel universe. You've got the best german coaches so come on and leave your American Football aside, no one else in the world cares for that.
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Do Europeans envy the American lifestyle
