What country would you live in if you could?

[Egon]

Swiss-German, French, Italian and a Romanian language

And a plethora of dialects mixed in.

Most places in Switzerland,English will do fine.

 

[SensibleNick]

And a plethora of dialects mixed in.

Most places in Switzerland, English will do fine.

Excellent.. No effort required then!

 

[_RaT_]

There seems to be a lot of favour for Switzerland...

Well, there's mostly rock there, and the lack of coastline would really bug me after a while.
On a more interesting side, they also have compulsory military training for men, and each and every man has a rifle and ammo at home. Try invading a country where every bloke is well armed and trained to work together.... it's just asking for trouble.

My missus has worked there and says that the tax system is really odd, and seemingly very unfair. Local areas vote on what they're happy to pay tax for, and it really shows. Some areas people decide to pay as little as possible. There's poor roads etc to show for it.... She says she won't ever go back there.
Consider this as well... Swiss-German, French, Italian and a Romanian language...? There's four main languages over there... take your pick

So Nick, let me see if I understand this correctly. You can pay less in taxes, have roads that aren't well maintained which keeps the traffic and tourists away so you have more peace and tranquility. I'll take it! :laughing:

 

[SensibleNick]

So Nick, let me see if I understand this correctly. You can pay less in taxes, have roads that aren't well maintained which keeps the traffic and tourists away so you have more peace and tranquility. I'll take it! :laughing:

As far as I understand it's all decided from town to town. There are some things that you can't opt out of though... like a national health service for example: Something which all developed countries have and benefit from

Some places pay a shed-load of tax though and have little to show for it. Kids in Italy learn about computers from books (Schools can't afford computers).... yet they pay lots of tax... go figure.

 

[Oleozz]

I've been fortunate to visit quite a few countries. A few more on the bucket list. At the moment though, wife and I are having a bungalo built in the mountains of northern Thailand for when we need to get away. Very friendly people, $ still goes a long way, great climate, something new to see on a daily basis. Last time there had to dodge an elephant while coming around a corner on the bike (motorcycle)!!

Is this for real? Seems to be the most unusual thread that I've read. It's not a dangerous place to live?

 

[Reg]

I really LIKE Holland.
Not as a tourist, I worked there for a bit.
It has been a long time and I am sure it has changed, if I had the choice I would probably want much more space than I could find available there.
OTOH, if this is a TOTALLY OPEN ended question... Yeah Holland but with some ACREAGE !
(-:

 

[FallbrookFarmer]

Excellent.. No effort required then!

Most Swiss are at least tri-lingual if not quad lingual, strange exception, if you are around Martigny, just over the border from Mt. Blanc, all you will hear is French. Go Figure.
BTW Switzerland has palm trees in the south(Lugano)
Probably one of the most interesting "countries" is Campione De Italia" which is totally surrounded by Switzerland, uses swiss francs, and has a swiss postal code, but is part of Italy, again, go figure!
BTW Dave 1949, if I had to live in Maine I'd be Pizzed too

 

[Egon]

So Nick, let me see if I understand this correctly. You can pay less in taxes, have roads that aren't well maintained which keeps the traffic and tourists away so you have more peace and tranquility. I'll take it!

There is a town in Switzerland that does not allow cars!:thumbsup: Lovely little town!:thumbsup:

In Europe speaking more than one language is probably the norm. I do have a relative that is fluent in seven languages.

 

[RTII]

Is this for real? Seems to be the most unusual thread that I've read. It's not a dangerous place to live?

I've never felt in danger anywhere in Thailand. (Not counting driving in Bankok). Saying that, there are places way back in the country that I've been turned away from by local authorities - no explanation. There are areas in every country or city (USA included) where your 6th sense says maybe I should be somewhere else. I generally listen to that sense and take myself to a more comfortable area.

 

[dcyrilc]

Countries are hard to say better-worse. Most seem to have good and bad points. Sweden has blondes, USA has FallbrookFarmer, stuff like that :laughing:
Dave.

Hey Fallbrook,

I think Dave just gave you a compliment!