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D.C looks clean.. but I prefer Boston; it has a European street layout.
I consider D.C. to be a hybrid of European and American, especially with the architecture. It is a different continent of course, so you still have to do something unique after all. :-) He is another area, Georgetown. It's the oldest part of the city (dating back to colonial Maryland) and probably the closest to the European look:
Yeah, D.C does have a European feel to it because of the architecture. The roads are obviously a lot wider. Looking at D.C on Google, there are a few buildings that look like modern Scandinavian architecture to me.
Having lived in Western Europe for 30 years and now in North America, I can say that financially theres no contest, I have way more money here and can afford more things.
If quality of life means material quality of life US is ahead, if you mean other things (family, ...), its more subjective.
No kidding.
Whether or not the U.S. has a higher quality of life than any particular Western European country is a matter of subjective preferences. But in terms of buying "stuff", the average income in the United States is higher than most European countries, and prices of consumer goods are lower, sometimes far lower. Some examples from amazon.com and amazon.de:
Lumix DMC-LX5 Digital Camera
US: $379.00
DE: $506.09 (EUR 399)
Kindle Touch 3G
US: $149.00
DE: $239.73 (EUR 189)
Hunger Games book
US: $5.39
DE: $8.88 (EUR 7)
Not to mention houses, land, cars, gas, etc...the U.S. is probably the country where the most consumer goods are available to the broadest segment of the population.
No kidding.
Whether or not the U.S. has a higher quality of life than any particular Western European country is a matter of subjective preferences. But in terms of buying "stuff", the average income in the United States is higher than most European countries, and prices of consumer goods are lower, sometimes far lower.
The problem is the average disposable income. When you subtract the stuff that is financed through taxes in most of Europe, such as health care etc, American average income is no longer as high.
In terms of quality of life, it should be noted that there is far less income difference to start off with if you consider income per hour worked. Many factors of quality of life are indeed subjective, but I would go out on a limb and say that some tend to be less subjective than others. Such as access to health care when you need it, and having more time of your own. Or the opportunity to start a family.
What are you talking about. That sounds to me like you are saying that American parents care about their children more then European parents which is bull****. Have you ever thought that maybe its because your country is pretty dangerous with serial killer running around and people with guns almost everywhere.
Have you ever thought of ending your questions properly? I imagine not. It does seem very likely that American parents (for whatever reason) are more caring/doting for their children than European parents. Everyone has so much more freedom to do anything from a young age there. Kids drinking wine at 6 and other socially odd and somewhat stupid things.
I live in America and I've been to a few countries. What I noticed about other countries as opposed to America is that they are more cultured and more accepting. Europeans know like 3 different languages- Americans can barely speak English properly! Europe is very accepting of gay people... the US only now is starting to warm up to the idea of gay marriage and it is going to take a long time for all states to accept and allow it. Israel is 60 years old and it has already had a female prime minister. Only now, 236 years old, has America had a president who was not a white, protestant, male... and some people still cannot come to terms with it. Europeans are more family-centric. A lot of people in Italy get married and their wives move in with the husband's families. So many Americans are divorced- so many people here don't even speak to their parents. That is just awful! Americans work wayyy too much and we do not get paid time off to have babies. Yes our companies have to hold our jobs, but women do not get paid while we are on maternity leave. Paid maternity leave is the norm in most countries- except America. There are only 3 nations that do not offer this- and US is one of them. Norway gives women 44 days of paid time off for maternity leave. Canada is 50. Italy is 22. For a country that is so advanced and first world, America really lacks in this regard. A lot of Americans are fat too. Not to say I have never seen a fat person abroad, but most of the people are in shape and really take care of themselves- and they dress better too.
Hold up there, buddy boy. One wrong accusation at a time! Please!
1. Culture--You guys can't even use that anymore. Our American culture is worldwide. Anyone who says otherwise or believes something else is crazily deluded. Whoever said we contribute nothing to the world is WRONG.
2. Language--Consider that we needn't know three languages. We are not surrounded by multitudes of countries; just two others, really. One of them speaks English for the most part. Okay, so cool you know 3 languages. Want a plaque or something? This is notwithstanding that many Americans, immigrants or otherwise, know another language. Many people know at least two.
3. Acceptance--America is very conservative, especially in social mores. I don't see what's wrong with our stance. Let the liberals enjoy themselves and promote equality for all--EXCEPT White Christians. Right? What we feel about gay marriage is our business and we cannot be looked at as retarded children. We CAN be seen as people with a more complex society that allows everyone to have an opinion, so long as it does not interfere with life, liberty, etc.
4. Modern Leaders: For the longest time, most Euro-countries have only had leaders that were part of the majority of their population. I don't see why it was wrong with us. Besides, Israel is a bad example; being relatively new, it grew up with contemporary ideas and had a strong respect for all citizens (Arab or Jew) and thus they are as the pioneers were: more accepting of everyone that did their part.
5. Family--America is truly family-oriented. American suburbs are the downright obvious evidence of that mentality: designed for the family to be away from the gritty city. Europeans tend to have just as gritty cities, yet they allow their children freedom from a young age to do as they please and go almost anywhere. Just 'cause we have a little restraint means we're not oriented for family? Ha!
6. Work--We have a regular work-schedule. A 40-hour workweek. If that's too much for you, go back to the "football" game.
7. Obesity--Low blow, there. For roughly a third of Americans, only. It's not like fat was invented in America. And the dressing better? Really? That can of worms?
Quote:
Originally Posted by In God We Trust
The city of Los Angeles has some public transportation, like buses.
But if you need to go to surrounding cities then you need a car.
Transportation has improved vastly in the space of a few years. Don't discount it these days.
Kids drinking wine at 6 and other socially odd and somewhat stupid things.
Wine? You must have that one wrong. It's vodka, actually. But they only do that when they're not busy smoking crack. Or having sex, obviously.
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