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Finland Named Best Place to Live

by Catherine Bodry (RSS feed) on Oct 8th 2007 at 9:03AM

Mexico may be the best place to retire, but a Reader's Digest study claims that Finland is the best place to live.

So, what makes Finland so special? Among other things, the Scandinavian country boasts great air and water quality, low rates of infant diseases, and protection from water pollution and natural disasters. Although it wasn't mentioned in the article, universal health care is always important to me, and Finland, like all Scandinavian countries, takes care of its citizens' health.

Hey! Don't miss Gadling's coverage of the world's best places to live!

Following Finland on the list were Iceland, Norway, Sweden, and Austria. The U.S. ranks 23rd, Britain was 25th, and China 84th.

The study was conducted by U.S. environmental economist Matthew Kahn, who looked at issues such as quality of drinking water and greenhouse gas emissions as well as factors such as education and income.

Gallery: Finland

Don't want to live overseas? Be sure to check out Money's list of the best places to live in America!

[via Reuters]

Filed under: Arts and Culture, Europe, Finland

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)

Eric Aguilar Feb 26th 2008 7:34PM

That is true, not everyone is trying to come here, but more are trying to come here than any other country on this planet. Feel free to go to China. I'm sure there are many others that would go with you, but you would be in a very large minority.

Maxelia Nov 12th 2008 4:35AM

I'm trying to get out of the US and since I remember, I have always been infatuated by Norway. To me it's the nature and beauty of the country. When people ask where they would live or go, no one ever thinks about Norway, they always say the countries near it. You may not love the cold but I do. I love using my jackets and socks and scarfs. I can't do that in Northern California, it only averages about 40-50 in the winter (that's the temperature I want summer to be). I don't mind the darkness because I live in it in my room anyway, but there is also the same amount of sunlight so I don't know why people always seem to have problems with it. Anyway, the longer Norway stays below the radar, the happier I'll be!!!!

husky Aug 18th 2009 7:41AM

Finland is a great place to live....it's not the easiest for a foreigner as the language is difficult but its a great place and has some great countryside...its relatively safe, yes taxes are high but tell me a place that hasn't got high taxes. college is free, if you are unemployed, you get a place of your own and enough for food and a little extra.

VVwwwVVVVVVVVWw Oct 11th 2007 8:52PM

Finland is a socialist country. Everything is paid for. Did the article fail to mention that?

Does that mean the best place to live is in a socialist environment?

Pukka Oct 11th 2007 8:22PM

Did the article fail to mention that Finland is also a socialist country? Its politics is greatly influence by the ex-Soviet Union.

Still I don't mind living there, as long as someone do something about it being a bigger freezer.

Teemu Sep 15th 2009 3:45AM

Socialist country, haha :) Member of European Union.
Why don't you use wikipedia if you can use computer?

Sarah Oct 11th 2007 8:23PM

Ummmm... why would a cold, northern climate be a good place to live? Snow, sunlight deprivation, freezin' my butt off... not my idea of fun. No thanks.

Dana Oct 11th 2007 8:35PM

Not for me, thanks anyway. I much prefer International Living's top place to retire....Mexico.
I love the country, the culture and especially the people. Great place to live and retire.
Thanks

Bonnie Oct 11th 2007 8:36PM

It might be interesting to know the tax rates of some of these top-rated countries. Nothing is free.

Dana Oct 11th 2007 8:37PM

No, Thanks, not for me. I'd rather go south as International Living's recent survey suggested....Mexico, that is. Been down there over 100 times in recent years...way down.... Baja, also.
They estimate 1/4 million American ex-pats live there now and I hope to be one soon.
Thanks

quirozsoto Oct 11th 2007 8:37PM

That does it. Teemu Selanne definitely is retiring. What a great loss for the Ducks and hockey. Why settle for #23 when you can have #1? He will be missed.

Sofia Oct 11th 2007 8:44PM

I read years ago Finland was the #1 country for brooding, depressed people. It was hard to find people who smiled spontaneously.

Catherine Bodry Oct 11th 2007 8:49PM

@#1:
I do believe that socialism is the main reason Scandanavian countries are at the top of the list of great places to live. There's a lot to be said for taking care of your citizens and not employing capital punishment.

Rika Oct 11th 2007 9:02PM

Democratic socialism does not equal communism. What in the world is so wrong with a nation where the people vote for leaders and policies which actually benefit them and their families? My goodness, what a novel idea. I mean, that a government should be of, by and for the PEOPLE.

Daniel Oct 11th 2007 9:07PM

This is a little of subject, but I really think we need to handle this whale problem. The amount of defecation left by these beasts is truly disgusting. I think nuking the whales is what must be done. Thanks for your time and consideration.

Dan

Rose Baum Oct 11th 2007 9:09PM

I would gladly live in Finland or some other COLD country. I am one of those people who cannot stand the heat. If I had money I would live 6 mo in a colder climate and winter months here in the States. New Zealand or Australia are great but they drive on the left side of the road. I would, I think, pick Austria since it is high on the list and my more recent ancestors come from there, so I am told. I don't believe their heat is as high as here at the edge of the Mojave desert. Gads it gets HOT. I barely leave the house in the summer. Good thing I am old and will not have to put up with it too much longer. ha ha. Ah well, so it goes.

Ron Oct 11th 2007 9:27PM

Finland also has the third highest suicide rate in the world in a recent study. Finland is either number one or very high everytime these results come out. The list is dominated by socialist countries. So much for "taking care of your citizens".

Patrick Oct 11th 2007 9:33PM

let's all illegally immigrate to mexico and flood there welfare system, committ crime and flood the health care system and live happily ever after.

kultaseni Oct 11th 2007 9:38PM

Get your facts straight... Finland hasn't been a socialist country since March 12, 1940! They are officially Finnish Democratic Republic. It's a beautiful place with beautiful people (inside and out), and still keep their valuable traditions alive. Yes, perhaps they are a bit conservative and introverted, but please don't hold that against them. I believe if you go see for yourself, you'd be very pleased.

S Oct 11th 2007 9:46PM

Yeah!! for FINLAND
Socialism and Communism are NOT the same thing.
Government is a "business"...i would much rather pay income tax in a country that provides healthcare and
education for ALL of its citizens. It creates a much more equal playing field despite your families economic history.

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