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Finland Named Best Place to Live
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! |
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
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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
Reader Comments (Page 3 of 3)
ROBERT HOWARD Oct 12th 2007 12:48AM
THE BEST PLACE IS THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. WITH ALL OF OUR WARTS AND BLEMS WE ARE THE BEST, IF THAT WERE NOT SO WHY ARE SO MANY WANTING TO COME HERE AND NO ONE IS WANTING TO GET OUT? 30+ MILLION ILLEGAL MEXICANS ATTEST TO THAT, NOT TO MENTION ALL THE OTHER ILLEGALS FROM AROUND THE WORLD. IF YOU PEOPLE THINK FINLAND, MEXICO, AND A MYRIAD OTHER PLACES ARE BETTER, THEN LEAVE AND DO NOT LET THE DOOR HIT YOU IN THE DERRIERE AS YOU EXIT STAGE RIGHT!
Lyndon Berchy May 19th 2008 3:33AM
Alaska is a Jewel that was bought for a Song from Russia.
A wonderful Place better than the rest of the USA.
I visited Houston in 2007 before I was shipped of to Work for the US miltary in Iraq and Africa.
There is a place called Greenspoint were most Texans perefer to call it Guns point.
I was shocked to realize the backward society that demands Guns as a right and its awful death penalty system.
The US according to the Writer Peter Scowen is a Rouge Nation, I was advise every American to read it and realize that the USA is not a great Nation after G.Bush and there is a lot that needs to be done in a Country that could be the most wonderful country in the World but Sadly is Not.
ilona May 15th 2008 8:16PM
people from third world countries perhaps..want to come to the usa ..i promise you civilized people dont want to come ..why would they give up high wages 2 years maternity leave paid for..6 weeks vacation..do i need to go on ...to come here to work for 7.25 have no health care and..eat twinky twinky ho hos..and bad hamburgers..to kill themselfs earlie either by bad food or lack of health care...how much longer are people fool themselfs about the best countrie in the world ..that was in the 50s
Catherine Bodry Oct 12th 2007 12:45AM
To #25
I think you missed Gadling's coverage of the world's least religious countries: Sweden is #1 while Denmark and Norway are numbers 3 and 4, and Finland is #7. Here's the link:
http://www.gadling.com/2007/08/23/least-religious-countries/
joel Oct 12th 2007 1:31AM
Kind a funny a couples years ago there was a study that said :Finland has one of the highest suicide if not the Highest of the western countries and also a very high level of alcoholic .
Which one is true,this one where one may attribute their happiness in collecting someone life insurance while under the influence....
The Best place to leaveregardless the condition is the one you love nothing else,as far as I am concerned freezing to death in total darkness 6 months of the year has to be some lunatic dream .
ilona May 16th 2008 4:04PM
so does alaska..its the lack of sunlight not the free healthcare...if that is what you where suggesting
drt48 Oct 12th 2007 1:49AM
Can you say MEXICAN MAFIA? Get real, folks, paradise is an illusion.
paul Oct 12th 2007 6:45AM
Not to mention the Finnish babes are HOT!
Kevin Oct 12th 2007 4:52PM
If all those places are so great, why is everyone in the world trying to get to the US and risking their lives to get there?
I think if you look at people voting with their feet, the world is telling you that the US is the best place to live, as the smart US citizens know! (and I've lived in Germany, Kenya and Macedonia and visited 45 other countries.)
gary Oct 12th 2007 2:52AM
I have traveled the world conbsiderably and believ e i have found the true paradise to live. I am living in Thailand, wartm climate, everything is cheap compared to the U.S. , and the people are very friendly. Also i think they have the most beautiful women in the world. I am enjoying my retirement and do not miss living in the U.S. at all. The king takes very good care of his people and they love him dearly. They have the most beautiful beaches and countryside of anywhere i have ever been. The currency rate is 35 baht to a dollar and one baht spends like one dollar in the U.S. I went to the zoo last week and they charge foreigners double what they charge the locals, it was outrageous having to pay 35 cents to get in.
luxperpetua Oct 12th 2007 3:40AM
Finland? Please.
And when the US is 2 steps up from Britain as the best place to live, hell will have frozen over.
This survey is crap.
jt0919ga Oct 13th 2007 3:43AM
Something to consider is that the Scandanavian countries are going broke because of the high cost of health care being paid by the state, or, should I say by the those citizens who work and buy things. There is a push by a every growin group of citizens to move away from the universal, gov't sponsored health care. After a while, some realize why should I work when I can get what I want from the gov't. so, I am sure that the people are wonderful, the scenery spectacular, the air clean and fresh, the food fantastic, and many other things that I would enjoy. But, live there, no. I want to live where I can work for what I have and know it is mine and not depend upon the gov't or anyone else to supply me with my needs.
chrisb Oct 12th 2007 5:44AM
Read the article and the reasons it was chose as the best. Enviromental economist????? Certainly not looking at the normal issues everyday people care about. So far the best coment was the one about whale poop and nukes! At least they understand the direction behind the survey.
Zane Oct 12th 2007 6:08AM
Finland is pretty....But We have a jewel right here that is much better..ALASKA..air quality is better than finland..water quality is better...the landscape is the most incredible of anywhere on earth,and the freedom to be yourself is without a doubt the most available there, then anywhere. In Alaska you don't hafta pay 10-32% sales taxes on everything like Finland..nor 150% taxes on luxery items...sometimes,the notions of "taking care of your people" comes at an exorbidant price.People can tout the so-called benefits of socialism all they want..but the truth is..the grass is NOT always greener elsewhere...and for what those people hafta pay for universal healthcare in reality..you could afford the best insurances money can buy right here in the good old USA..and have money enough left to live on...most folks who are always looking 4 something 4 nothing,are just leeches on society anyway...Wake up, grow up, and enjoy life..it's real short!
Debbie Oct 12th 2007 11:58AM
I will stick to the ol' U.S.A. sure it has it's problems...but when your in another country and you need help...your going to be out there alone because the other country is going to say...sorry bub...your not one of us. They also do not have the defense that we do. Those countries that have been named have been and can still be over run by other countries. I wish you all the luck that leave.
The Dude Oct 12th 2007 1:46PM
Finland a socialist country..?? oh please! At least try to get your facts straight. None of the Scandinavian countries are socialist... far from it.
lolleri Nov 7th 2007 4:59AM
Kevin:
LOL
Not everybody's trying to get to USA, nearly all my friends dislike your country due to..many things. I'd never ever move there, i would rather go to China or some other country with real culture and stuff.
Eric Aguilar Feb 26th 2008 7:33PM
True not everyone is trying to come here, but more people are risking their lives to get here than they are any other country on our planet.
Feel free to go to China, I'm many other would go with you, but you would still be in a very large minority.