France is the best place to live says study

Britain has dropped to 25th place on a list of the best places in the world to live - behind countries such as the Czech Republic, Lithuania and Uruguay.

While France tops the poll for the fifth year running, the UK's climate, crime rate, cost of living, congested roads and overcrowded cities have pushed it even further down from last year's ranking at 20.

The Quality of Life Index, published by International Living magazine for the 30th year, says the French live life to the full, while Britons are over-worked.

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2010/...53_468x256.jpg

In all, 194 countries are surveyed on nine criteria, including the cost of living, culture and leisure, environment, safety, culture and weather.

Australia is placed second after France, followed by Switzerland, Germany and New Zealand.

Even former communist countries where unemployment is still rife are considered better places to settle down in than Britain, with Lithuania and the Czech Republic coming in at 22nd and 24th place respectively.

http://www.nonbaohiem.asia/content/mu.jpghttp://www.nonbaohiem.asia/content/mu1.JPG

Cars near high-rise flats in Vilnius, Lithuania: The Baltic state came in three places above Britain in the list

http://www.nonbaohiem.asia/content/non.jpghttp://www.nonbaohiem.asia/content/non1.JPG

Ice skaters trek around the frozen Lake Nasijarvi in Tampere, southern Finland: The Scandinavian country came 18th in the list of best places in the world

Variety is also seen as a major factor in France's appeal, with the survey noting: 'Romantic Paris offers the best of everything, but services don't fall away in Alsace's wine villages, in wild and lovely Corsica, in lavender-scented Provence. Or in the Languedoc of the troubadors, bathed in Mediterranean sunlight.'

Britain does not top a single category in the survey, which is compiled using official government statistics, data from the World Health Organisation and the views of the magazine's editors around the globe.

The U.S. fell from third to seventh place because of the economic crisis last year. A magazine spokesman said: 'Sustaining the American Dream has escalated out of the reach of many.'

Germany is widely praised for its efficiency and leisure facilities, with the magazine noting that 'the Harz Mountains now has a specialist hiking trail for nudists. Germany is arguably the world's most naturist-friendly country'.

So...where did you get all this info from?

If the rest of France is anything like Paris I would go bored-out-of-my-mind crazy living there.

http://www.funnycorner.net/funny-pic...346/Effort.jpg

Did they really end up making it illegal to work over 30 hr weeks?

EDIT: I'm shocked Ireland isn't on the list. I know N. Ireland would be under the UK, but the Republic, surely? Ireland is an amazing place with nice people and clean air.

Eh. Not according to the United Nations Development Programme. Though I think this is the one from last year.

Statistics | Human Development Reports (HDR) | United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

I think it's a 35-hour work week, but paid overtime is prohibited. And they're also guaranteed at least 5 or 6 weeks of vacation.

EDIT: in response to Rye.

That's odd. Paid overtime is the reason my Dad can put us through college. But then, college is practically free in Europe, soo....

I would live in France if I didn't hate French people.

First the worst, second the best.

I'm so jealous of Liechenstein. Britain is fine if you don't live in the north, and if you do then you probably can't read this post. ;)

United States.

It's a great place to live, unless you get sick, or are stupid.

Weird that Sweden isn't on the list at all.

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Originally Posted by Aerith's Knight

United States.

It's a great place to live, unless you get sick, or are stupid.

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Then I'll do swimmingly. /smug

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Originally Posted by Levian

Weird that Sweden isn't on the list at all.

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Yeah, I think so too.

Of course it's great to live in France if you aren't French! You'd get your way all of the time, because every time you got in an argument, the natives would just surrender.

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Originally Posted by Levian

Weird that Sweden isn't on the list at all.

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Sweden is #7 on this list:

Statistics | Human Development Reports (HDR) | United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

I dunno the criteria for International Living Magazine but the United Nation's HDI list focuses on life expectancy, general health, adult literacy, school enrollment, education, adjusted real income and purchasing power.

The Scandinavian countries always do well in these types of lists.

I like where I'm living though. Can't imagine living anywhere in the world besides California.

Yeah France is great until you download three songs and get your internet cut off.

Then again this is one of those bull:bou::bou::bou::bou: lists that dumb magazines publish each year. It's not exactly based on hard science. What is the US doing there on #7. Did they just ignore all it's problems and just looked at the happy white upper middle class surburban people?

The OP pasted this thread from the Daily Mail. I can tell by the font in the picture, and from having seen a few Daily Mail articles in my time.

Move along, people

Only time British people are happy with their country: When they are told somewhere else is better.

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Originally Posted by Old Manus

The OP pasted this thread from the Daily Mail. I can tell by the font in the picture, and from having seen a few Daily Mail articles in my time.

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I recognised the font too. Christ, we are terrible.

Also, smurf France.

smurf yeah!!! AUSTRALIA BITCHES!! WE"RE smurfING INCREDIBLE

Seriously why is Australia number 2? That is a joke. Everything can kill you here, in two completely different ways. We have horrible public transport, need a health reform bad (which we are now getting) and have some of the most ridiculous laws ever (see: recentish EoEo threads -- also see: Gamers4Croydon movement).

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Originally Posted by Rye

Did they really end up making it illegal to work over 30 hr weeks?

EDIT: I'm shocked Ireland isn't on the list. I know N. Ireland would be under the UK, but the Republic, surely? Ireland is an amazing place with nice people and clean air.

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As far as I know, Ireland along with Norway has placed 1st on the past few polls of standard of living over the past while. Although with Ireland in recession I'm expecting it to have dropped down. Whether there is a big difference between a list of places too live or the standard of living, I dunno. I'm not sure if that list is entirely credible.

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Originally Posted by http://www.nowpublic.com/world/best-country-live-list-countries-2009-un-hdi

Top 30 on Human Development Index Ranking

1. Norway
2. Australia
3. Iceland
4. Canada
5. Ireland
6. Netherlands
7. Sweden
8. France
9. Switzerland
10. Japan
11. Luxembourg
12. Finland
13. United States
14. Austria
15. Spain
16. Denmark
17. Belgium
18. Italy
19. Liechtenstein
20. New Zealand
21. United Kingdom
22. Germany
23. Singapore
24. Hong Kong, China (SAR)
25. Greece
26. Korea (Republic of)
27. Israel
28. Andorra
29. Slovenia
30. Brunei Darussalam

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Now this one I can believe.

If it ain't Mercer's Quality of Life by City thing, it's not the right one.

I'm honestly surprised to find out Australia does even half decently in these things. All you hear is bitching on the inside and bitching from the outside. I guess the entire world is pretty smurfed

Australia has always been way up on quality of life rankings. Our accommodation is insanely cheap when you compare it to places like UK and US, we have a decent healthcare (it used to be better, but Mr. Howard kinda ruined that), we rank pretty high as far as effectiveness of education, great climate and we don't have any problems with large scale disasters (earthquakes, volcanoes etc.), except for maybe bush-fires I guess.

We go alright.

Wicked. Also it was old mate Abbott who botched the Health system iirc. I'm glad to see we're still mixing it with the big kids in the playground.

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Originally Posted by eternal essence

we don't have any problems with large scale disasters (earthquakes, volcanoes etc.), except for maybe bush-fires I guess.

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"..Bushfire destroys metropolis... "We never expected it to go down so fast"...Who's to blame? News at 11."

Oh right, I almost forgot our hard hitting news programs.

France is awesome. I agree with it's position as best country in the world. Ever.

My main experiences in France have involved me having to flee from hobos...

Yes, let's live in the one place that would more then likely surrender to a foreign ambassador from a different country.

France sucks. :|

My only quarrel with France is their cuisine. I'll pass on the snails, thanks.

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Originally Posted by Rebellious Eagle

My only quarrel with France is their cuisine. I'll pass on the snails, thanks.

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You have got to be kidding me.

French cuisine is the most influential in the entire world. There's a reason why so many of the techniques used in cooking, everything from knife techniques (chiffonade, julienne, etc) to cuts of meat (filet), to the titles used in professional kitchens, (Chef de cuisine, sous chef, etc) originate from France.

Even words like entree and dessert and the modern idea of restaurants themselves come from France.

One of the main cultural contributions France has ever given the world has been their cuisine. If Julia Child were here she would thwack you over the head with a skillet.

I heard that France has very good public transport, and that you can get from one part of the city of Paris to the other on just the equivalent of $4. That sounds amazing, because in England, you can't even get from one side of town to the other on that little.

This whole nonsense about the French being surrender monkey's is, well, nonsense!

Judging a country on it's military past (of which the French actually have quite a successful history) is sad really. And if Great Britain wasn't an island I'm sure we would have capitulated almost immediately after the French in WWII.

To sum up; France rocks.

And I think you're right there, Rye. I can only compare the subway prices of Paris and London, but Paris is ridiculously cheap in comparisson, at least it was last time I was there. And you don't have to play sardines at rush hour either.

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Originally Posted by Rebellious Eagle

My only quarrel with France is their cuisine. I'll pass on the snails, thanks.

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Curse you for making me side with the French, but escargots are awesome and better than you.

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Originally Posted by Rebellious Eagle

My only quarrel with France is their cuisine. I'll pass on the snails, thanks.

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I would've said the only thing good about the French is their cuisine.

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Originally Posted by Raistlin

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Originally Posted by Rebellious Eagle

My only quarrel with France is their cuisine. I'll pass on the snails, thanks.

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I would've said the only thing good about the French is their cuisine.

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You've clearly never eaten brie.

I know baguettes are pretty much everywhere, but I couldn't live without them!

Brie is pretty disgusting but French bread is delicious!

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Originally Posted by Raistlin

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Originally Posted by Rebellious Eagle

My only quarrel with France is their cuisine. I'll pass on the snails, thanks.

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I would've said the only thing good about the French is their cuisine.

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What about the way they kiss? :O

Protip: never order a french hamburger.

You will be served hamburger patties on a baguette.

God. I never wanted to relive that day.

hero, if you get bored in Paris, you didn't do enough walking around randomly :p or spending money. Either way

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Originally Posted by Rye

I heard that France has very good public transport, and that you can get from one part of the city of Paris to the other on just the equivalent of $4. That sounds amazing, because in England, you can't even get from one side of town to the other on that little.

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For less than £3 per day-pass or for £42 a month for a bus card, you can get anywhere in Edinburgh and the surrounding small towns in Edinburgh. As many trips as you like using those passes, too. :D

You'll have to pay through the roof for anything in London, but on the flipside, they'll pay you more just because you live there and no other reason alone (which is a joke, I do the same job and earn less, wtf?).

France may rank high as a country, but Paris actually doesn't rank that highly as a city. Going by Mercer, it's #33 for 2009. But that's not surprising that the country of France is up there, I suppose - I always figured that, Paris excepted, France would be a pretty nice place to live.

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Originally Posted by Loony BoB

You'll have to pay through the roof for anything in London, but on the flipside, they'll pay you more just because you live there and no other reason alone (which is a joke, I do the same job and earn less, wtf?).

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I don't see what's so weird about that, it's pretty much universal that when you live somewhere more expensive you get paid more :p If you got the same pay as Londoners do, Edinburgh would be as expensive as London.

Australia is 2nd? This must be a pretty :bou::bou::bou::bou:ty planet.

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Originally Posted by rubah

Protip: never order a french hamburger.

You will be served hamburger patties on a baguette.

God. I never wanted to relive that day.

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shouldn't those be called freedom burgers nowadays?

There's a typo in that. Why is USA above canada?

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Originally Posted by kotora

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Originally Posted by rubah

Protip: never order a french hamburger.

You will be served hamburger patties on a baguette.

God. I never wanted to relive that day.

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shouldn't those be called freedom burgers nowadays?

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I like baguettes. It sounds delicious.

France has produced approximately two (2) good items of food.

1) Baguettes

2) http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...s/therelic.jpg

I am serious you guys. Dinosaur smurfing biscuits. If you are ever in France, buy them and they will not disappoint you. Half chocolate, half biscuit, all awesome.

I think the best polls are the ones that go by city.
I wouldnt put Germany at 4th but neither would I put it all the way down at 22! Id say somewhere around 8-10.

With Britain, well, having lived here for more than 15 years, I think around 20 is right. :(

Nothing wrong with brie.

Nothing except EVERYTHING!

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Originally Posted by Peegee

There's a typo in that. Why is USA above canada?

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It bothers me too, you don't wear a hat on your ass.

I also like French Toast a lot!

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Originally Posted by NorthernChaosGod

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Peegee

There's a typo in that. Why is USA above canada?

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It bothers me too, you don't wear a hat on your ass.

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I think it has more to do with the fact that Canada always ranks higher than the USA in these type of things. Then again, California has a larger population than Canada. :p

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Originally Posted by Mirage

Nothing wrong with brie.

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Originally Posted by Loony BoB

Nothing except EVERYTHING!

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We all know cheese is basically fungus, but that doesn't mean you have to make it look like one.

Down with brie!

Brie is gross. Who can eat that crap?

Anyway, that reminds me about one thing I found odd about French cuisine when I was over there: I don't want cheese for dessert. Give me cake or pie or ice cream, or something else actually sweet. Though I must say I loved the pastries they had for breakfast.

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Originally Posted by The Summoner of Leviathan

Quote:

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Originally Posted by NorthernChaosGod

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Peegee

There's a typo in that. Why is USA above canada?

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It bothers me too, you don't wear a hat on your ass.

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I think it has more to do with the fact that Canada always ranks higher than the USA in these type of things. Then again, California has a larger population than Canada. :p

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I... what... I was obviously just making a joke. :colbert:

Mmmmmmmm, I just had chedder, turkey and ham on a piece of a baguette for dinner. So good.

Be a cold day in hell before i chose to live in that god forsaken country that is France.

:roll2

>>> France used to rule in 1789, now is boring..:luca:

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Originally Posted by Meat Puppet

Australia is 2nd? This must be a pretty :bou::bou::bou::bou:ty planet.

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Yeah, and your face was 5th :colbert:

For bacteria.

I rode the train through France once!

And also Brie is god damn divine and you all have no taste :colbert:

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Originally Posted by Psychotic

France has produced approximately two (2) good items of food.

1) Baguettes

2) http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...s/therelic.jpg

I am serious you guys. Dinosaur smurfing biscuits. If you are ever in France, buy them and they will not disappoint you. Half chocolate, half biscuit, all awesome.

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We got those cookies over here as well, plus you can legally smoke weed and you don't get cut off from the internet after pirating a few songs. Which makes us a lot better than France.

Favorite french dishes:

Julia Child's Supremes de Volaille aux Champignons aka Chicken in mushroom cream sauce - It's heaven.

Filet mignon topped with foie gras butter and syrah reduction sauce - Best steak I have ever eaten. In my entire life. The kind of steak that I want served at my wedding or my death bed. It was that good.

Pommes Frites from Bouchon restaurant in Las Vegas:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...h/bouchon5.jpg

I never knew fries could taste so good. It was like a revelation.

As for french breads, brioche = amazing.

Actually I would like to amend my hatred of France to incorporate ONLY Thierry Henry. No need to punish the many for the sins of the one.

I bid ypu Goodday

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Originally Posted by Cuchulainn

Actually I would like to amend my hatred of France to incorporate ONLY Thierry Henry. No need to punish the many for the sins of the one.

I bid ypu Goodday

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Arsene Wenger; Robert Pires.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Psychotic

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Cuchulainn

Actually I would like to amend my hatred of France to incorporate ONLY Thierry Henry. No need to punish the many for the sins of the one.

I bid ypu Goodday

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Arsene Wenger; Robert Pires.

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You produce a fair point...Platini too