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Probably because a lot of everyday things are less expensive and more plentiful compared to salaries. But that also depends on the kinds of things one values personally and culturally.
Last edited by BigCityDreamer; 12-15-2011 at 09:13 AM..
Probably because a lot of everyday things are less expensive and more plentiful compared to salaries. But that also depends on the kinds of things one values personally and culturally.
I kind of agree. I, for one, think that life in the US is easier as well if you have enough money (I am not talking about being rich, just having a certain economic level), but I was curious to hear your reasons.
If I have to rank them, it would be:
1. New York City
2. Paris
3. London
I'm such a lover of big urban metropolis. I think NYC is perfect in every way. I've never been there and I'm always dreaming to be there. I live in Chicago, a beautiful city too, but NYC is just THE city for me. Fashion, Nightlife, Culture, Nature, Architecture, etc. NYC is like the starting point for everyone.
What scares me about Paris is the notorious big number of tourists.
Well if you're rich, there is no difference. But if you're not it's different.
Everything in America big, new, cheap and in abundance. No putting coins into a machine for heat, no dealing with tiny washing machines. In New York, there are convenience stores on every corner, in Europe you have to walk and walk to find them (Americans like to snack at all hours of the day ), houses are smaller, cars more basic, stores in Paris close on Sundays, most lot of services are more expensive like hair barber/dressers. You are not going to find the fake smiles you see everywhere here so a lot of Americans think Europeans are rude.
Americans also have far more "stuff" than Europeans on average. Big flat screen TVs, the latest electronics. America is definitely far more of a consumer society.
Well if you're rich, there is no difference. But if you're not it's different.
Everything in America big, new, cheap and in abundance. No putting coins into a machine for heat, no dealing with tiny washing machines. In New York, there are convenience stores on every corner, in Europe you have to walk and walk to find them (Americans like to snack at all hours of the day ), houses are smaller, cars more basic, stores in Paris close on Sundays, most lot of services are more expensive like hair barber/dressers. You are not going to find the fake smiles you see everywhere here so a lot of Americans think Europeans are rude.
Americans also have far more "stuff" than Europeans on average. Big flat screen TVs, the latest electronics. America is definitely far more of a consumer society.
Your comment is riddled with inaccuracies, you can get billed electric and gas here to, you get big washing machines here to, in big cities here there is convenience stores on every corner also, I'll give you houses are smaller, European cars are better than American cars IMO, I am sure you will find plenty of stores open on Sundays in Paris. Everyone I know has a big TV and all the mod cons! At least if you are going to comment try to point out ACTUAL differences!
Paul, correct me if I'm wrong, but you've never even been to the US before, let alone lived here, correct?
Lucas, I tend to agree with you. I think for the average person, life is better in North America than it is in Europe. I've lived in both Paris and London (but not NYC) and I am American. America is the land of convenience, definitely way more than any European country is. I also found many shops/things to close on Sundays and even on the other days of the week, the hours aren't nearly as long (everything closes at 5) and the customer service is no where near North American standards. I also agree with your statement that there are no convenience stores on nearly every corner in London and Paris like there are in NYC (not even close). You can get big washing machines in Europe, no doubt, but they're more expensive and not nearly as common as they are in North America. Also, central heating is not nearly as commonplace as it is in North America either. Everywhere in North America has central heating, it's just the norm. And by central heating, I don't mean a radiator in the room counts as central heating like in some places. I also agree that the average American has a nicer house and car than the average European. America is definitely more of a consumer society I think, for better or for worse. I think you did indeed do a fair job in pointing out "actual" differences with your post. However, it all depends on what you want in life. I'm not saying life in Europe is bad, FAR from it, but it's different. I also think there are many things better about living in Europe as opposed to living in the US. Overall though, I plan on staying here.
I am not disagreeing that life isn't better for the average joe in America it more than likely is, but he could have came up with better reasons of how it was better in his comment! And being able to shop any hours and convenience isn't what makes a city great! But like I say it could be that America is better for your average citizen but to say it is better because they have big TVs and lots of convenience stores is absurd, give us some proper reasons why it is better!
What scares me about Paris is the notorious big number of tourists.
This is no different from London or New York. All three cities are crawling with tourists.
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), houses are smaller, cars more basic, stores in Paris close on Sundays, most lot of services are more expensive like hair barber/dressers. You are not going to find the fake smiles you see everywhere here so a lot of Americans think Europeans are rude.
