NationStates Jolt Archive

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4020523.stm

According to a study by the economist the best country in the world to live in is Ireland.

Watcha think? Is the land of permernant rain, guiness and extremely scary drivers the best place in the worls to live?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4020523.stm

According to a study by the economist the best country in the world to live in is Ireland.

Watcha think? Is the land of permernant rain, guiness and extremely scary drivers the best place in the worls to live?

I'd happily move to Ireland, but my opinion's biased - I'm of Irish blood.

I would say Norway or Denmark. Better versions of Scandinavian democracy (comparing to Finland).

I would say Norway or Denmark. Better versions of Scandinavian democracy (comparing to Finland).


Norway Uber Alles

Norwegian scientists think Ireland is the lost continent of Atlantis. It would certainly lend wieght to the theory that the Irish had the first advanced civilization. Until someone invented whiskey. Hehehe.

Norwegian scientists think Ireland is the lost continent of Atlantis. It would certainly lend wieght to the theory that the Irish had the first advanced civilization. Until someone invented whiskey. Hehehe.


The scots invented everything.

There's some book about it.

:p

I'd happily move to Ireland, but my opinion's biased - I'm of Irish blood.

Well if many brits traced their ancestry i think they would find some Irish in there somewhere, i mean my family has irish, english, scots and welsh, with, if you go far enough back, some viking in there too. so i'm a mongrel, yay!

Italy 8th... not bad at all, I think we're overrated ;-)

But... Iceland 7th???? Nice place and very kind people, but think about the weather... brrrrrr...brrrrrr

btw I fully agree with Norway 3rd :)

Ireland is a nice place...

Switzerland :-| overrated too

Where is Canada??

Italy 8th... not bad at all, I think we're overrated ;-)

But... Iceland 7th???? Nice place and very kind people, but think about the weather... brrrrrr...brrrrrr



Dirty southern europeans cant stand a proper human climate.

It steels the blood you know :)

I'd happily move to Ireland, but my opinion's biased - I'm of Irish blood.
I know the feeling. My dad got Irish citizenship through blood relationships. He is 3/4's Irish, and my mother is about a 1/4 Irish, so I guess I'm half.

Dirty southern europeans cant stand a proper human climate.

It steels the blood you know :)

"Dirty" is a strong word to apply to other nations, I've been into metro lines all over the world and I can say that only Japanese people are cleaner and less stinky than Italians when it comes to personal hygiene... ;-)

Dirty southern europeans cant stand a proper human climate.

It steels the blood you know :)

Skiing all year round!!!! Whats wrong with that?!?!

Skiing all year round!!!! Whats wrong with that?!?!

Nothing, but I would like some temperature over 4° from time to time ;)

Maybe there's an inverse relationship between average temperature and niceness? The colder the environment, the nicer you are and the more pleasent the place becomes?

Maybe there's an inverse relationship between average temperature and niceness? The colder the environment, the nicer you are and the more pleasent the place becomes?


Something to do with all the nice blonde women in saunas me thinks...


not that we are relying on stereotypes here ;)

Something to do with all the nice blonde women in saunas me thinks...


not that we are relying on stereotypes here ;)


Me like nice blonde women in saunas!

Me like ALL nice women in saunas!

HOO-RAY nice women in saunas!

:p Best country in the world? (After (T)He Far Strelso of course-
AUSTRALIA!
Well, actually New Zealand (which came about 15th) *followed* by Oz
(6th I believe)
followed by all the Scandanavian countries ( and the Netherlands, for their civilisation, and Scotland for the *tasty* varieties of uisquebagh)
and then...Ireland.
Never been there, never will, but hey, I have to love a land that can so easily encompass blarney murder wonderous history & Jamieson's - cheers kia ora begorrah!

Me like nice blonde women in saunas!

Me like ALL nice women in saunas!

HOO-RAY nice women in saunas!
Sauna is warm already, welcome ;)

you can roll in the snow afterwards if it's too hot for you... :D

you can roll in the snow afterwards if it's too hot for you... :D

been there, done that! ands its not as bad as it sounds either....seriously... :D

Sauna is warm already, welcome ;)


Row! (wish I could make that purring/tounge-roll sound online) :fluffle:

And Sweden is _very_ overrated, and I should know because I'm Swedish.

And Sweden is _very_ overrated, and I should know because I'm Swedish.

And underestimated by Swedes, and I should know, 'cause I'm not Swedish and live there.

UK is 29th!!! What on earth are we behind?

Maybe there's an inverse relationship between average temperature and niceness? The colder the environment, the nicer you are and the more pleasent the place becomes?

Sounds a good explanation.

Actually, colder the enviroment and more hugs will be needed to warm yourself. And if it involves blondes in saunas... I can only say I am in favour! ;)

Sauna is warm already, welcome ;)

Ok my vote goes to Finland, no doubt ;)

New Zealand was mentioned earlier? So true :) Would have to be the most beautiful country!

I would say the survey is right! Ireland is the best place in the world to live. Probably because I live in Ireland though and experience life here every day. I have lived on both sides of the border and found that we just take life easier than a lot of other places. And the guinness helps too! :p Eireann abu!

Sweden is nice enough. All of scandinavia is pretty great, really.

Irish whiskey! w00t!!!

I'm not surprised that they at least made the top 10 :)

What happened to Canada? Don't they have the third highest standard of living according to the UN reports? Most of the other high ones were high on both list, but moved around slightly. Canada seems to have droped completely however..

I think my country Sweden is one of the best even of course we also have problems. And sweden useally get on the top of most lists so maybee sweden objectively is pretty good or it just old men with some fantasies about swedish blondes who is doing the lists. But of course that is also very subjective how good a country is and people have diffrent needs and lives under diffrent condition. Like I will not argue that Ireland is nice and need to place high on the list and I would like to visit sometime but maybee not that fun if you are a girl and need to have a abortion and they also have some other conservative ideas I think or I'm just off.

is it just old men with some fantasies about swedish blondes who is doing the lists.

well as it was done by the economist i suggest it was done by a lot of accountants who haven't been gettin much lately... ;)

I think my country Sweden is one of the best even of course we also have problems. And sweden useally get on the top of most lists so maybee sweden objectively is pretty good or it just old men with some fantasies about swedish blondes who is doing the lists. But of course that is also very subjective how good a country is and people have diffrent needs and lives under diffrent condition. Like I will not argue that Ireland is nice and need to place high on the list and I would like to visit sometime but maybee not that fun if you are a girl and need to have a abortion and they also have some other conservative ideas I think or I'm just off.
I believe Sweden would have been ranked even higher if the climate wouldn't be quite so harsh (eh, in northern Sweden anyway).

I think my country Sweden is one of the best even of course we also have problems. And sweden useally get on the top of most lists so maybee sweden objectively is pretty good or it just old men with some fantasies about swedish blondes who is doing the lists. But of course that is also very subjective how good a country is and people have diffrent needs and lives under diffrent condition. Like I will not argue that Ireland is nice and need to place high on the list and I would like to visit sometime but maybee not that fun if you are a girl and need to have a abortion and they also have some other conservative ideas I think or I'm just off.

Yes, our nice little country DO end up hign one most lists. (But. As i look out the window, i know we'll never be in the run for a top spot on the list 'Countries who have the nicest weather' )

But, i dont think we end up high in the lists coz the lists are made by old men who like Swedish blondes. (well.. ehrm.. thats not the ONLY reason i hope.. )
But, unfortunately my loved country have started to slip in the latest lists (the U.N must have a department just doing lists, coz,, they have tonns of them. ) so we're not as good as we were!
BUT.. i still love my country, and will think it's the best place in the world to live in! (at least 5 months of the year. )

oh.. and V. V. V. Thats the coolest nick i've seen on here! :)

Australia was 6th. We obviously didn't bribe them enough beer. :p

Now, USA = 13th? Nice one Satan!

Of the top 10, 9 were European.

Very disappointed that South Africa is discussed nowhere. This country is definitely the most beautiful country in the world. And if you don't mind living in houses that look like prisons and constantly checking for your purse/wallet then also definitely #1 place to live.

Well, I guess all of this gun violence and crap is catching up to us here in the good old U.S. of A.

I'd say that in a country with a smaller population it's far easier to maintain a good economic/health/similar stuff situation. You don't need to expend the resources and have the huge bureaucracy that a larger nation would have. This is even shown in the medium-large nations of Britain, France and Germany. For the US to be at 13 is actually a fairly good accomplishment.

And for social order and values and stuff like that it is also easier to have a homogenous nation. Basically the entire top ten are homogenous nations, whereas the US (France and Germany as well) aren't all that homogenous in comparison.

I'd happily move to Ireland, but my opinion's biased - I'm of Irish blood.
A sentamentalist I see. Well I am an actual Irish person, and I say that we have many, many problems. It doesn't suck, but it's expensive and lacks enough public transport. Still, I'd rather live here than the UK or USA.

I can believe Ireland being ranked highly. It's a nice place. I'll bet if Scotland wasn't part of the UK it would have done very well also.

My thought is, where is the Cayman Islands, just becuase the population is 35,000 doesn't mean it should be left out.

Also, the thing is with the US, it very much depends where you live - being so big. Some places are great and some are horrible, so I guess it balances out.

I’ve never been to Ireland even though all four of my grandparents came from there. I have had the pleasure of living in Spain, near Madrid, for three years. I also spent some time in Zarragoza. Lovely country, wonderful people, and great food. A lot of culture there also, many castles, museums, and ancient cities to see. The weather wasn’t too bad and the public transportation was very good. I wouldn’t mind living there again. :)

UK is 29th!!! What on earth are we behind?
1)The Parliamentary System.
2)The British.

Yay Iceland! I love Iceland, heh...

I'd say I enjoy my quality of life a whole lot. I'm an American student attending University. So yeah. Doom

I'd say that in a country with a smaller population it's far easier to maintain a good economic/health/similar stuff situation. You don't need to expend the resources and have the huge bureaucracy that a larger nation would have. This is even shown in the medium-large nations of Britain, France and Germany. For the US to be at 13 is actually a fairly good accomplishment.

And for social order and values and stuff like that it is also easier to have a homogenous nation. Basically the entire top ten are homogenous nations, whereas the US (France and Germany as well) aren't all that homogenous in comparison.
But then again a small population doesn't necessarily make it any easier. You have to have all the same services eventhough only few people use them and that's expensive.
And if you have a huge country but very small population it's very expensive to provide basic services to everyone. Like Finland, a bit smaller than France but only 5 million inhabitants.

Well it might be now, I mean it used to be Canada the best country to live in, so it flutuates.

Australia should be first.

I'm what makes it great! ;)

Australia should be first.

I'm what makes it great! ;)
Are you a nice blond woman?
Do you have a sauna?
:D

Are you a nice blond woman?
Do you have a sauna?
:D

They don't need a sauna, they have Bondai (i probably spelt it wrong) beach!

Nope, and no sauna, but it's pretty warm and humid at the moment...^_^

They don't need a sauna, they have Bondai (i probably spelt it wrong) beach!
I'd certainly rather be there! It's -14 (Celcius) and I'm just going to ride (bicycle) to city centre. ....hrrrrrrr....

I certainly would rather be there! It's -14 (Celcius) and I'm just going to ride (bicycle) to city centre. ....hrrrrrrr....


Nice :p

38C here yesterday!

I should have gone to Bondi.... but I actually had classes to go to...

38C here yesterday!

I should have gone to Bondi.... but I actually had classes to go to...

Enjoy the free city rail day on monday, myself, I'm going to Kings Cross, fun for the whole family.

Hmm, tricky
I'd vote Italy, for the food, wine, scenery, history, art, style... etc etc... if they could only get rid of Berlusconi, trim the corruption and bureaucracy and learn to drive it would be perfect. Much the same goes for France, although you'd also have to get rid of the Front Nationale and everyone who votes for them - which is about a quarter of the country...
Ireland is very nice, although there's still too much of a lingering shadow of the church over a lot of issues (which doesn't happen in Italy, ironically enough).
Norway - I mean have you seen the price of a beer? And as for the weather - forget it! Last time I was in Trondheim the rain was horizontal.
Never been to Australia, but I'm sure it's very pleasant provided you're not lost in the desert or some venemous bit of wildlife doesn't kill you.
I quite like Japan too.
I suppose everywhere has its problems. I mean even Holland has had a nasty spate of Muslim-bashing recently.
I like living in Britain, but that's probably just force of habit. It's easy to see the good things and overlook the crumbling infrastructure.

Norway - I mean have you seen the price of a beer? And as for the weather - forget it! Last time I was in Trondheim the rain was horizontal.
.
But they are so rich they don't care. And just think how cheap everything is when they leave the country for a holiday :)
I went to Norway last July and the weather was perfect. Even in Vardö which is the only arctic town in Scandinavia (in Europe if you exclude Russia) it was very warm. Alright we were blessed, it was 10-15 degrees warmer than normally. ;)
Maybe that's why Norway is second on my list.

Ireland First!!

Sorry i am irish, granted we do live in a beautifull country of green fields and the people are so easy-going. But has any1 been here...its kina wet! Ok the uk has a crumbling infrastructure, but we have none in the first place! and where are the saunas?? mmm...guiness

anyway, what was the report based on? the economy or the whole country

I think this list was actually created on how happy people are in living in the country, rather than on their standard of living... Irish people are very content to stay in Ireland, and live in a nice, relaxed, social environment.

People in the UK aren't happy living in the UK (At least I'm not. It's a bloody crap hole). That's what puts some countries down the list... may be a nice place, but if people aren't happy due to crime, dirtiness, or whatever, then they aren't high on that list.

I think this list was actually created on how happy people are in living in the country, rather than on their standard of living... Irish people are very content to stay in Ireland, and live in a nice, relaxed, social environment.

"Researchers took into account not just income, but other factors considered important to people's satisfaction and well-being.

They included health, freedom, unemployment, family life, climate, political stability and security, gender equality and family and community life.

The Economist said: "Ireland wins because it successfully combines the most desirable elements of the new, such as low unemployment and political liberties, with the preservation of certain cosy elements of the old, such as stable family and community life.""
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4020523.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4020523.stm

According to a study by the economist the best country in the world to live in is Ireland.

Watcha think? Is the land of permernant rain, guiness and extremely scary drivers the best place in the worls to live?

No contest, it's Finland. Even with the snow.

It all depends on the criteria, I suppose... Most studies I've seen tend to put Sweden, Iceland or Canada at the top.

No contest, it's Finland. Even with the snow.
whaaaat? yay! \o/ hooray


(Denmark is still my choice)

Enjoy the free city rail day on monday, myself, I'm going to Kings Cross, fun for the whole family.

Heheheh....too bad I'll be using it to go to classes.


Otherwise it would be a daytrip to Newcastle! Or Wollongong. Or Katoomba.

Pretty much anywhere where I can screw $20 out of the government ;)

Italy 8th... not bad at all, I think we're overrated ;-)

But... Iceland 7th???? Nice place and very kind people, but think about the weather... brrrrrr...brrrrrr

btw I fully agree with Norway 3rd :)

Ireland is a nice place...

Switzerland :-| overrated too

Where is Canada??
Well the UN rankings have Canada as 4th:

http://hdr.undp.org/statistics/data/indic/indic_12_1_1.html

Who was responsible for the survey saying Ireland was first, when they were ranked 10th by the UN?

Italy 8th... not bad at all, I think we're overrated ;-)

But... Iceland 7th???? Nice place and very kind people, but think about the weather... brrrrrr...brrrrrr

btw I fully agree with Norway 3rd :)

Ireland is a nice place...

Switzerland :-| overrated too

Where is Canada??

canada's just north of the usa :p sorry

According to a study by the economist the best country in the world to live in is Ireland.

If Siljhouettes is any indication, I have no doubt that is true.

I think this list was actually created on how happy people are in living in the country, rather than on their standard of living... Irish people are very content to stay in Ireland, and live in a nice, relaxed, social environment.

People in the UK aren't happy living in the UK (At least I'm not. It's a bloody crap hole). That's what puts some countries down the list... may be a nice place, but if people aren't happy due to crime, dirtiness, or whatever, then they aren't high on that list.

Speak for yourself! I live in the UK (well Scotland, but until we get our independance from Blairdom we are stuck under the same umbrella), I look out of my window and see mountains and valleys, a fifteen minute drive takes me to Loch Lomondside, I have a crap job but a comfortable living (thanks to Tax credits).
Scotland Rocks big time and should be in the top five at least!

Ireland rocks hugely too, I have been to Dublin and Belfast and had a great time, and besides, the Irish have Guinness..........

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4020523.stm

According to a study by the economist the best country in the world to live in is Ireland.

Watcha think? Is the land of permernant rain, guiness and extremely scary drivers the best place in the worls to live?

It's Ireland, period.
BTW someone that says "permanent rain" knows shit about the climat there, they even have palmtrees and other meditaranian plants in the South.

Great nature to, I liked my hiking in the Conemara and other paths in the great nature there.

Australia was 6th. We obviously didn't bribe them enough beer. :p

Now, USA = 13th? Nice one Satan!

Of the top 10, 9 were European.

It is also difficult to see what you mean with the former name of those two states: now: Jezusland and the US of Canada.

Guess that Satan lives by the jerks in Jezusland.

Speak for yourself! I live in the UK (well Scotland, but until we get our independance from Blairdom we are stuck under the same umbrella), I look out of my window and see mountains and valleys, a fifteen minute drive takes me to Loch Lomondside, I have a crap job but a comfortable living (thanks to Tax credits).
Scotland Rocks big time and should be in the top five at least!

Ireland rocks hugely too, I have been to Dublin and Belfast and had a great time, and besides, the Irish have Guinness..........

I do speak for myself, indeed, and I live in the South East of England... I assure you it's quite different to Scotland. There are no mountains or valleys here... the best landscape you can really see if maybe the white cliffs of Dover, or the South Downes...

Oh, and you get a lot of people coming from London that should have ASBOs, but seem to have dodged Mr Blair's "great idea".

I've never been to Ireland myself, though, but I imagine that it's a lot more relaxed, and less in-your-face as London or other cities that suffer from "yob culture".

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4020523.stm

According to a study by the economist the best country in the world to live in is Ireland.

Watcha think? Is the land of permernant rain, guiness and extremely scary drivers the best place in the worls to live?

Read that article and it makes some very good points. Damn you happy Irishmen!

:)

Though I prefer to live where I was born, you know, emotional links, etc.

Isn't this gravedigging?

I mean, two weeks, man...

I like Monaco myself... No snow, festive events all year round, cultre, sport... and a veiw of the sea from nearly everywhere in the country!

The only thing is, you have to have 2M Euro in the bank that you will never ever touch to live there. Which I don't have... :(

I like Monaco myself... No snow, festive events all year round, cultre, sport... and a veiw of the sea from nearly everywhere in the country!

The only thing is, you have to have 2M Euro in the bank that you will never ever touch to live there. Which I don't have... :(


which most of us don't have me thinks.... :(

Best country in the world? the US! Before Viet-Nam

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4020523.stm

According to a study by the economist the best country in the world to live in is Ireland.

Watcha think? Is the land of permernant rain, guiness and extremely scary drivers the best place in the worls to live?


land of permanent rain? no, not permanent!! yes, to be fair it is not the dryest of countries but in summer it may only rain once every few weeks...!

as for land of Guinness? [sigh] don't believe everything ya hear... :gundge:

YAY! :D :p :D

as for land of Guinness? [sigh] don't believe everything ya hear... :gundge:

Yeah, Jameson whiskey all the way :p

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4020523.stm

According to a study by the economist the best country in the world to live in is Ireland.

Watcha think? Is the land of permernant rain, guiness and extremely scary drivers the best place in the worls to live?


I'd have to say it is diffucult to have a study like this...Ireland is smaller than most US states. I guess that goes for much of the EU. We get all of our states lumped together, and Alabama is bringing us down.

Finland, Finland, Finland,
The country where I want to be,
Pony trekking or camping,
Or just watching TV.
Finland, Finland, Finland.
It's the country for me.

You're so near to Russia,
So far from Japan,
Quite a long way from Cairo,
Lots of miles from Vietnam.

Finland, Finland, Finland,
The country where I want to be,
Eating breakfast or dinner,
Or snack lunch in the hall.
Finland, Finland, Finland.
Finland has it all.


You're so sadly neglected
And often ignored,
A poor second to Belgium,
When going abroad.

Finland, Finland, Finland,
The country where I quite want to be,
Your mountains so lofty,
Your treetops so tall.
Finland, Finland, Finland.
Finland has it all.

Finland, Finland, Finland,
The country where I quite want to be,
Your mountains so lofty,
Your treetops so tall.
Finland, Finland, Finland.
Finland has it all.

Finland has it all.

What happened to Canada? Don't they have the third highest standard of living according to the UN reports? Most of the other high ones were high on both list, but moved around slightly. Canada seems to have droped completely however..

No, they may not of included Canada given it looks like it was a European poll type thingy.. Canada was #1 in the world for 7 years in a row, then they changed the way they rate countries and since then we have hovered at around 3rd or 4th according to the UN, I believe we were 4th this year.

If Ireland is the best country to live in, then why is there 33,000,000 Immigrants in the U.S. since 2000? Someone pass the word that we're only #13, and quit moving here.

What happened to Canada? Don't they have the third highest standard of living according to the UN reports? Most of the other high ones were high on both list, but moved around slightly. Canada seems to have droped completely however..

Probably because the Economist report focuses on general "quality of life" which also takes into account family stability, etc.

Really, outside of the low crime rates and universal health care, what else does Canada offer that the US doesn't?

Ireland (http://www.filebox.vt.edu/users/khassing/irish.wmv)

Really, outside of the low crime rates and universal health care, what else does Canada offer that the US doesn't?

Freedom!

I still say Canada