Where would YOU consider the nicest place in the world to live?

[Colossal Squid]

I mean taking everything into consideration.

Following on from the France thread, there seems to be a lot of love for our neighbouring country. Very close to home but with a nicer climate and a generally higher standard of living, it makes a lot of sense.

I've always thought there is much to love about the Scandinavian countries but their weather is a turn off, as is the high cost of going out, even after allowing for a lower cost of living overall. So I think they're off the menu.

Germany has much to recommend it. Very well developed and organised, financially secure, high standard of living, excellent football, wonderful beers etc. But I think I enjoy living by the sea too much and Germany's coastline is hardly inspiring.

So a little further away how about Italy? Plenty of beautiful coastline and great conditions. BUT possibly one of the most corrupt nations in the developed world and Italians are notorious for not getting things done which I think would frustrate me, ultimately.

I absolutely adore the splendid coastline of Croatia, they have excellent food and the cost of living is relatively low. But the cost of living reflects a fairly poor population and apart from the money from tourism the country doesn't seem to have a lot to fall back on.

Australia and New Zealand seem to tick a lot of boxes, but they're just so isolated from the rest of the world and the idea of needing a grand every time you fancy popping home to Blighty puts me off.

So I'm still undecided, but this gives you an idea of the factors that mean most to me.

But of the many nations on this Earth, which do you think satisfies the most criteria for you?

 

[essbee]

Slovenia
Rio
Sydney

(all three are great!)

 

[Colossal Squid]

Slovenia
Rio
Sydney

(all three are great!)

Slovenia is an interesting choice. Seem to be way ahead of the rest of the former Yugoslavia in terms of adapting to the Western world and it has some stunning countryside. But what boxes is it ticking for you?

 

[goldstone]

A great place to live is entirely different from a great place to visit or to vacation.

I have spent in total about 22 years living overseas (12 cities, 7 countries) and much as have enjoyed some of the places I can honestly say "there's no place like home", home being Sussex by the Sea.

Second choice would have to be the USA, probably California.

 

[Rugrat]

San Francisco

 

[brakespear]

Of the places I've been to - Brugge/Bruges, Belgium is the nicest.

Place I'd choose first of those that I haven't been to is Denmark. Otherwise I've always fancied Capri or somewhere in Southern Italy if staying in Europe. Apart from that, Kyoto, Japan.

 

[Simon Morgan]

Worthing.

 

[Colossal Squid]

Politically and socially somewhere with socialist ideals such as Sweden would be great, shame about the cold though. Cuba would be a utopia if it wasn't so poor.

Australia has too many dangerous bugs for me. The USA epitomises inequality, although probably the best place to live if you're rich.

All in all, the best place to live is probably summed up perfectly in the other thread. France - it has everything, even promising politics now that they have Hollande. Only let down is the French, but they're not all bad (certainly a class up from many Brits, going by the French I have met)

I'm very much in agreement with you here. And you're not wrong about France's current government being another string to their bow right now.

Cuba is an absolutely BEAUTIFUL country and Havana is one of my favourite cities on Earth. However, as you identify, it's just too poor to seriously consider somewhere to live. The only way to do it would be to live as a wealthy outsider, looking down on the natives, and that wouldn't do at all.

 

[albion534]

Mila kunis's bedroom

 

[Colossal Squid]

San Francisco

It's often compared to Brighton so I can see your reasoning. Maybe a little too hilly for me though

 

[Colossal Squid]

Good question. The biggest problem I would have with living somewhere else is that (presumably) my family and friends would not be coming with me. I'd rather live somewhere shit with people around me than somewhere perfect on my own.

If I could take the people I value most with me, I would choose NYC. I have absolutely no appreciation of the countryside and would build all over it if I ever got into power, so a SPRAWLING city will always be my choice. Imagine waking up and looking at the skyline of Manhattan every morning. Imagine being governed by BARACK. Imagine the extraordinary portions of food. Imagine the sport and entertainment options. Imagine living the American dream. Imagine being able to sing the national anthem at ANY event you attend. I would absolutely love it.

I understand the friends and family thing, which is why I think I'd limit my options to Europe so I could always get back to Britain relatively easily. And I'm also no fan of life outside the city. A bit of quiet countryside is alright to visit, but as a place to live I need to be in the thick of it, which is why I'd only consider cities for my new permanent residence

 

[Superphil]

West Sussex, or TRNC (North Cyprus)

 

[Hillian1]

Somewhere in Provence.

 

[les dynam]

Brighton!

 

[Simster]

Vancouver for me.

 

[Vicar!]

San Sebastian could be a consideration, beautiful town, best food in the world, unpredictable weather so you can really appreciate a sunny day, and a football team who are not particularly good, and play and in blue and white stripes.

 

[Colossal Squid]

Vancouver for me.

I hear a lot of good things about Canada. Many of the benefits of the US, without the total cuntery

 

[Simster]

I hear a lot of good things about Canada. Many of the benefits of the US, without the total cuntery

I lived there for a year, and this is correct. Canada is much better than the US, IMO.

The only thing that puts me off about Vancouver is the distance from blighty. However, Toronto and Montreal are both top cities and only 5 or 6 hours away. For me, they are actually more likely destinations...

 

[Blackadder]

Somewhere close. Somewhere near La Rochelle in France or Howth, Co Dublin. Easy to get home to UK.
States. Boston.
Far East. Chiang Mai or Phuket Thailand. Also liked Langkawi Island Maylasia but that may be too quiet.
Oz. Been to a fair few cities but Perth and Port Douglas stood out for me.

I would NOT want to move to Dubai.

Edit. Toronto seemed nice as well.