Is the U.S. really the best country to live in? (real estate, apartment)
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I was born and lived in the U.S. my entire life (lived in CT most of my life). I am 26 years old and never left the U.S., even for a vacation. So, naturally, I am curious.
How does the rest of the world compare to the U.S., in terms of living standards, quality of life, tolerance of minorities, crime, education, healthcare, etc.?
Is the U.S. boring or fun compared to other countries?
For those of you who have lived in another country and also lived in the U.S., what are key differences worth mentioning?
Are there any other countries that Americans should be jealous for, and why?
Last edited by Bo; 08-27-2010 at 04:37 PM..
Reason: This international topic was moved from General US.
I think the US offers the most economic and educational opportunity but I would not claim that there are any more freedoms than anywhere else in the civilized world. There are freedoms here that you don't have elsewhere, but there are also restrictions here that you don't experience elsewhere...
Each country tends to offer certain freedoms that others do not. Thus, you have the freedom to own a gun in the US but people tend to be afraid to go downtown after dark (in some areas). In western Europe, people are usually not allowed to own guns (with certain exceptions) but people are generally not afraid to go downtown at night. Both are freedoms (either to own a gun or to move about freely at night) and it is up to each individual to assess which freedom (or which compromise) is more important.
It is really difficult to provide a comprehensive overview - the topic is simply too complex and there are too many variations throughout the world.
In general, each country comes with it's own set of benefits and it's own compromises - I find it impossible to say which one is the most preferable country to live in simply because the answer is highly contingent on each person's preferences.
Add to that the simple fact that some "freedoms" are another person's "restrictions" and it is truly impossible to give you an answer. You see, you might see it as a restriction that a person has to rely on public transportation to move about in EU cities, but someone else might see the same thing as liberating, rejoicing at the fact that they no longer have to rely on their car. One likes the freedom to use a car, one likes the freedom to not have to use a car.
If you are in your mid-twenties and are wondering about fun, I have no doubt that the US is one heck of a boring place compared to what else is out there. You'll have a lot more fun in Spain, for example, and it will make the party scene in most of the US seem a drag.
I have lived in many countries around the world - including the US, several EU countries, Central America, etc. and I find that each place offered me something that I truly miss elsewhere.
Currently, I live in the US but I find that there are many short-comings that I did not have to worry about elsewhere (health insurance, safety, convenience, etc.). Still, there are many other factors that I appreciate here that other places did not afford me (aforementioned economic opportunity, for example).
If you can, travel a bit and explore what is out there. Always keep in mind that we tend to prefer whatever we are used to. It is easy to discount another country's lifestyle simply because it is unfamiliar. I've always said that something isn't necessarily any better or any worse than what I am used to - it is just different. This attitude has helped me appreciate what I have been presented with.
It just seems like I have to work so much just to make an adequate standard of living. And it's so expensive to live here now.
True enough, many people have remarked that Americans live to work and that Europeans work to live...
One of the problems most people encounter is that they cannot legally live and work elsewhere...They are "stuck" in their home countries.
I just got back from Europe last night and I find life there much cheaper than in the US. However, I talked to an American on the plane who lives in Germany and he was complaining how much more expensive life in Germany was. Still, he said he would stay in Germany because he preferred life there.
He is married to a German woman and is legal to stay, of course.
I was born and lived in the U.S. my entire life (lived in CT most of my life). I am 26 years old and never left the U.S., even for a vacation. So, naturally, I am curious.
How does the rest of the world compare to the U.S., in terms of living standards, quality of life, tolerance of minorities, crime, education, healthcare, etc.?
Is the U.S. boring or fun compared to other countries?
For those of you who have lived in another country and also lived in the U.S., what are key differences worth mentioning?
Are there any other countries that Americans should be jealous for, and why?
I came away from my 2 years stationed in Germany feeling that, as Americans, we need to get over the notion that we're the best and most free nation on Earth. There are many countries that offer a high quality of life that are no less free than us. We needn't feel threatened by that. In fact, it's a testimony to the impact we've had on the world.
That said, it does come down to what you value most. Many like the safety of the European welfare state and, hence, don't mind paying the higher taxes necessary to fund it. Others prefer to take their chances and enjoy the extra take-home cash. Some don't mind the higher real estate costs in Europe (which also gets you significantly less square footage), while others prefer the lower costs and extra elbow room found here in the U.S. Etc. and so on.
I was born and lived in the U.S. my entire life (lived in CT most of my life). I am 26 years old and never left the U.S., even for a vacation. So, naturally, I am curious.
How does the rest of the world compare to the U.S., in terms of living standards, quality of life, tolerance of minorities, crime, education, healthcare, etc.?
Is the U.S. boring or fun compared to other countries?
For those of you who have lived in another country and also lived in the U.S., what are key differences worth mentioning?
Are there any other countries that Americans should be jealous for, and why?
The US does best in two things; providing economical opportunity and education.
Let me clarify, most people (immigrants), even those that hate the US, will admit that when it comes to making money or creating a successful business, the US is arguably the best place in the world, if not THE best. The markets and the consumers here provide ample opportunities for businesses to grow and provide wealth for those that own it.
The other great thing about the US is the educational opportunity. The US does not have the best elementary/secondary school system, but it is really based on your individual will. If you are motivated and like to challenge yourself, you will be provided with superb education by taking honors or AP classes or by attending a superb institution of learning that have high expectations from you. But the real greatness of American education is the university system here. The US is home to so many world-class research universities that have high endowments, great networking, and top notch resources for research in all fields. The great thing here is that anyone can go to college, even if you are stupid. And if you can't get in any major university, you can still go to community college and get a degree. So America really does give everyone a chance in this sense.
However, there are some downsides. Education can be expensive here, where in some parts of the world, they are essentially free. For instance, in Germany, you don't pay to go to college (well you do in the form of taxes).
The healthcare system here is world-class, if you can afford it. The healthcare system in the US has its ups and downs, but if you are middle class with decent money, you are fine. Otherwise, there are other places in the world that are better in that sense.
Last but not least, the lifestyle. American lifestyle is more laid back than European lifestyle. The environments are very different. In the US, most people live in suburban or less dense urban settings, where driving is a necessity. In Europe, the cities are very dense and compact where in many instances you don't even need a car. European lifestyle is more outgoing and lively since the dense compact cities provide many outdoor cafes and eateries where people just go out, shop or just chill. In the US, we have malls for that
Generally speaking, you have asked a very vague question. Different people have different opinions. I, for instance, live a great life in America because I live in a nice suburb and go to a public state university where I don't have to pay much. I live near a major shopping center and have easy access to my university and downtown by train. Crime and healthcare are things that do not concern me. But other people might not have it as well.
But most certainly, there are places, many places (a lot in Europe) where it is very decent to live, arguably as good if not better than the US, DEPENDING on your general needs and desires.
I think the US offers the most economic and educational opportunity but I would not claim that there are any more freedoms than anywhere else in the civilized world. There are freedoms here that you don't have elsewhere, but there are also restrictions here that you don't experience elsewhere...
Each country tends to offer certain freedoms that others do not. Thus, you have the freedom to own a gun in the US but people tend to be afraid to go downtown after dark (in some areas). In western Europe, people are usually not allowed to own guns (with certain exceptions) but people are generally not afraid to go downtown at night. Both are freedoms (either to own a gun or to move about freely at night) and it is up to each individual to assess which freedom (or which compromise) is more important.
It is really difficult to provide a comprehensive overview - the topic is simply too complex and there are too many variations throughout the world.
In general, each country comes with it's own set of benefits and it's own compromises - I find it impossible to say which one is the most preferable country to live in simply because the answer is highly contingent on each person's preferences.
Add to that the simple fact that some "freedoms" are another person's "restrictions" and it is truly impossible to give you an answer. You see, you might see it as a restriction that a person has to rely on public transportation to move about in EU cities, but someone else might see the same thing as liberating, rejoicing at the fact that they no longer have to rely on their car. One likes the freedom to use a car, one likes the freedom to not have to use a car.
If you are in your mid-twenties and are wondering about fun, I have no doubt that the US is one heck of a boring place compared to what else is out there. You'll have a lot more fun in Spain, for example, and it will make the party scene in most of the US seem a drag.
I have lived in many countries around the world - including the US, several EU countries, Central America, etc. and I find that each place offered me something that I truly miss elsewhere.
Currently, I live in the US but I find that there are many short-comings that I did not have to worry about elsewhere (health insurance, safety, convenience, etc.). Still, there are many other factors that I appreciate here that other places did not afford me (aforementioned economic opportunity, for example).
If you can, travel a bit and explore what is out there. Always keep in mind that we tend to prefer whatever we are used to. It is easy to discount another country's lifestyle simply because it is unfamiliar. I've always said that something isn't necessarily any better or any worse than what I am used to - it is just different. This attitude has helped me appreciate what I have been presented with.
^I agree with most of what you said.
I'm an European and when I was younger I tought that US is the best place on earth but after some years when I had the chance to move there for a while I found it quite horrible! (I've been to NYC, Chicago, Atlanta and Spartanburg, SC) The first thing I disliked is the crime. I wasn't used to be afraid to go somewhere because it's dangerous. Here I go wherever I want at any hour I want. The second thing I disliked about US is the poverty (too much of it). You see it everywhere and it's kind of depressing. I wans't used to it (and I've been to most of the European countries ... especially in Eastern Europe (where actually... the poverty is smaller than in Western Europe... it was a shock even for me to find out and if you check the GINI you see that there are not as big differences between the poor and the rich there (even tough there are a lot of rich and very very rich people judging by the number of luxury cars you see)). The big cities are dirty and some have a lot of bad roads (even downtown in some of the most affluent areas in the world).
US is cheaper than Europe (because of the gazillions of Chinese products) and has smaller taxes (or comparable taxes) than some of the european countries. The problem is that you get nothing in exchange for those money. Here I expect those money invested in infrastructure, in creating more jobs (subsidizing foreign companies to move here) , social services (I don't agree with socialism and it will crash soon in some countries where is out of control... fortunately my country is one of the most capitalist country in the World (Switzerland)).
The educations is worst in US from what I've seen (we employed some of the brightest students there and the quality of their work was worst than in many countries here in Europe... actually I had to move there to repair some of their mistakes). Those "World's best universities" are not that good as most people like to believe IMHO. But since I never studied there I can't speak more on the subject.
In the western world people don't know to have fun unless they use drugs or alcohol. (I'm generalizing but most of the time that's the truth ). I found out that in Eastern Europe people really know to have fun without the help of alcohol or other similar things.
Regarding the jobs I found US very depressing and the salaries kind of small (of course are pretty good compared with most of the world... but when you see how much time you have to work for those money it doesn't worth it. the problem is not that the americans work more for their money but they work more inefficient and that's why they have to loose a lot of time). It was unbelievable for me that someone has to search for a job months (I got my job before I finished college and most of the students here do so even in this bad economy (at least in engineering ... that's my field). Those who have a degree in economics or other similar field probably wait more to find a job but certainly not as much as in US. And from those small salaries you have to save for your pension... I believe it's kinda hard and judging by statistics it is.
The minorities are not treated very well neither here in Europe but the population is not as divided. Probably is just my impression as a foreigner but you won't see so much hate here between those who vote with different political parties or have different ideas about their life or are part of a different minority/ethnicity. I believe that this is because US likes to embrace diversity while here in Europe we want you to embrace our culture. In US there are neighborhoods were most of the people are black or most of the people are republicans. Here you'll see in an apartment building all kinds of people... right wingers, leftists, citizens, foreigners, catholics, atheists and usually there is no hate. US is too segregated.
The freedoms and all the opportunities we have here cannot be found anywhere else in the world.
In comparison with Venezuela or Russia we have great freedoms, I agree! But Europeans have more personal freedoms that we could ever dream of.
With that said I wouldn't wanna live anywhere but US. I know several Americans who moved to different European countries because they "Got tired of the American way", all of them returned to the States a few years later because what they didn't realize was that just because Europe didn't have all those things they hated about America didn't mean that it was completely free of other problems. The grass is always greener on the other side, until you actually get to the other said and realize that it was just spray-painted to look greener
I traveled to many different countries, I enjoyed visiting a lot of them, but I can't really see myself as a resident in any of them. The only thing if I was ever forced out of US I probably would have chosen either Australia or New Zeland, simply because I wouldn't have to learn a new language
I'm an European and when I was younger I tought that US is the best place on earth but after some years when I had the chance to move there for a while I found it quite horrible! (I've been to NYC, Chicago, Atlanta and Spartanburg, SC) The first thing I disliked is the crime. I wasn't used to be afraid to go somewhere because it's dangerous. Here I go wherever I want at any hour I want. The second thing I disliked about US is the poverty (too much of it). You see it everywhere and it's kind of depressing. I wans't used to it (and I've been to most of the European countries ... especially in Eastern Europe (where actually... the poverty is smaller than in Western Europe... it was a shock even for me to find out and if you check the GINI you see that there are not as big differences between the poor and the rich there (even tough there are a lot of rich and very very rich people judging by the number of luxury cars you see)). The big cities are dirty and some have a lot of bad roads (even downtown in some of the most affluent areas in the world).
US is cheaper than Europe (because of the gazillions of Chinese products) and has smaller taxes (or comparable taxes) than some of the european countries. The problem is that you get nothing in exchange for those money. Here I expect those money invested in infrastructure, in creating more jobs (subsidizing foreign companies to move here) , social services (I don't agree with socialism and it will crash soon in some countries where is out of control... fortunately my country is one of the most capitalist country in the World (Switzerland)).
The educations is worst in US from what I've seen (we employed some of the brightest students there and the quality of their work was worst than in many countries here in Europe... actually I had to move there to repair some of their mistakes). Those "World's best universities" are not that good as most people like to believe IMHO. But since I never studied there I can't speak more on the subject.
In the western world people don't know to have fun unless they use drugs or alcohol. (I'm generalizing but most of the time that's the truth ). I found out that in Eastern Europe people really know to have fun without the help of alcohol or other similar things.
Regarding the jobs I found US very depressing and the salaries kind of small (of course are pretty good compared with most of the world... but when you see how much time you have to work for those money it doesn't worth it. the problem is not that the americans work more for their money but they work more inefficient and that's why they have to loose a lot of time). It was unbelievable for me that someone has to search for a job months (I got my job before I finished college and most of the students here do so even in this bad economy (at least in engineering ... that's my field). Those who have a degree in economics or other similar field probably wait more to find a job but certainly not as much as in US. And from those small salaries you have to save for your pension... I believe it's kinda hard and judging by statistics it is.
The minorities are not treated very well neither here in Europe but the population is not as divided. Probably is just my impression as a foreigner but you won't see so much hate here between those who vote with different political parties or have different ideas about their life or are part of a different minority/ethnicity. I believe that this is because US likes to embrace diversity while here in Europe we want you to embrace our culture. In US there are neighborhoods were most of the people are black or most of the people are republicans. Here you'll see in an apartment building all kids of people... right wingers, leftists, citizens, foreigners, catholics, atheists and usually there is no hate. US is too segregated.
You know what? You are right. Totally right.
However, if you spend a lot of time in the US like I have for the past 13 years, you will learn an important thing about America. Out of all countries in the world, the US is one of the last places in the world you want to stereotype.
Yes, there is poverty, crime, segregation, lack of a real "culture", and perhaps a fair share of dumb ignorant people here. Oh yes, you are totally right on that. But the thing you have to realize is that, the US is a nation of many faces. You cannot generalize this vast and diverse country, because every person or family here is different from another. While there may be lots of things in the US that are not attractive, there are many things about the US that are attractive.
There are many beautiful neighborhoods, great schools, and intelligent & innovative spirits here. The US is so big, that admist all the bad things this country has to offer, there is still plenty of room for good things.
See, I live in the Philadelphia area. While the city may have bad public schools, crime and poverty, the communities surrounding Philadelphia are beautiful, quaint, safe, with good school system, good transportation and green trees.
You cannot even generalize Manhattan. Manhattan has many dirty and crowded neighborhoods that some people can't stand, but it is also home to many great, quieter neighborhoods with stellar architecture, many top notch universities, great job opportunities and full of people with all kinds of skills and intellect.
If you can't generalize a 29 square mile island called Manhattan, what makes you think you can speak for the entire United States of America, rightfully a continent instead of a country?
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). I found out that in Eastern Europe people really know to have fun without the help of alcohol or other similar things.
