The world’s best place to live.. FRANCE?

Well it's true, at least to The internationaliving.com 2006 Quality of Life Index it is.

The United States, which had been first for every one of the 20 years the Index has been in existence, finished 7th.

Switzerland was second, Australia was third, and rounding out the top five were Denmark and New Zealand. Meanwhile, the UK finished 18th and Germany 21st. And Iraq ... well that is still dead last at #194…

The categories taken into account for the Index are climate, economic stability, heath care, infrastructure, climate, cost of living, safety, and recreational opportunities.

France beat the United States in 7 of 9 categories and was tied in the ‘Risk and Safety’ category. Only on the economic front did the US finished ahead (3rd) of France (5th).

Noting its “good climate, unspoiled countryside, world-competitive infrastructure, plus the best health care in the world”, internationalliving.com also remarked that “the culture is top-notch” and that “Paris is arguably the world’s most beautiful and romantic city on earth. France sees in excess of 70 million overseas visitors each year, making it the world’s favorite destination.”
*above taken from http://superfrenchie.com

From my own personal experience I would have to say this in the categories:

Climate: It is really nice here, its warm in the summer and not painfully cold in the winter. Plus I see palm trees and fruit trees all the time. There is always an ubudance of fresh fruit. Not the pressure grown ones, yuck!

Economic stability: Well so far I haven't found a full-time job, but from what I hear, when you get a permenant job, its hard to get fired, now thats what I call stability.

Heath care: Although I think people go to the doctor here way to much, the cost is great. My brother in law and wife had a baby, and they didn't pay a dime! oh, and they don't work! So I guess health care goes to everyone, not just the lucky few.

Infrastructure: I'm not sure what this means :)

Cost of living: Well I think this varies. Food cost alot here, but there isn't all that oppertunity to spend money on every new thing that comes out, like in the US. So i guess it averages out. House, although going up dramatically isn't as bad as the us. So no one's spending a fortune on that. And some how people tend to be able to take 2 vacations a year.

Safety: I don't know, people drive crazy here. Thats not very safe.

Recreational opportunities: About 1 out of 2 people that I know are into some kinda sport. Thats alot I think. And I don't mean they just go out and jog (like me) they are actually part of a sports club. I don't know to many in the US. I can only think of one, my dad and he plays racket ball in a gym/club.