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Ask HN: Is the US still the best place to live?

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Re: Ask HN: Is the US still the best place to live?

#31

Post by merlinscholz »

vanusa wrote: post #18
vanusa wrote: post #8

Was it ever? Social atomization, hyperconsumerism and a generally blighted physical environment (who-gives-a-fuck suburban sprawl nearly everywhere) are what define your life in most parts of this country, if you don't earn a high enough salary to offset their effects. That, and the relentless "life == work" mentality exhibited even in other comments in this thread.

Lest I come across as a glass half-empty person, let me mention a few things about this country that I genuinely like and which rare (if not unique) throughout the world: (1) Genuine ethnic diversity (simply unmatched in its breadth and scale), and a genuine, bedrock belief that (at least in principle) if you're a citizen you have a right to be here and to live your own life, dammit whatever your ancestry, religious…

Sorry but this just feels like you've never left the US:

1) The diversity may be partially right, but even if you are a citizen there still is enough discrimination especially against black people than in many first-world countries

2) Okay I grant you that, for a single country the US is very beautiful, mostly because of its sheer size. That's not to say there aren't beautiful spots in other countries though, there just cannot be as many

3) LGBT and abortion rights while there still is the bible belt, people blocking planned-parenthood institutions, and a significant part of the government actively trying to ban abortions and same-sex marriages, partially successful

4) The new world perspective through the rise of a new country only a few hundred years ago lead to lot's of innovation, but it is an illusion that the USA is the only country where any innovation and creativity happens

Re: Ask HN: Is the US still the best place to live?

#32

Post by sometimeshuman »

"If you could take your salary and live in a different country..." Spain (?) perhaps, because Spanish culture may have a better work/life balance and coastal Spain is similar to coastal California climate-wise. I haven't been on a date in years and suspect many U.S. men in tech are in a similar situation. Also almost any conversation would be engaging/interesting/humbling because Spanish is not in my primary language and that provides an incentive to be more social.

Re: Ask HN: Is the US still the best place to live?

#34

Post by vmception »

Mattasher wrote: post #16
version_five wrote: post #4

I'm in Canada and the US is very appealing to me. More money, more personal freedom, better healthcare, more choice of food and other goods. I understand there is lots of disparity and some people are very badly off there, and I hear bad things about certain cities (but I'd want to do my own research before I believe what I read online). Overall though, if you're well off, the US is very appealing. Just to add, recen…

We moved from Toronto to Florida at the beginning of last year. Could not be happier with the decision. The US used to be much more of a monolith, now there are huge differences between the states. All of Canada is still in a mass hysteria that will continue for years.

Ran into alot of Canadians in Miami at the end of 2021, they were more political than the Americans! Looked like they were enjoying themselves though, just wish those particular people could just be present and not worry about whats happening in other states and their country.

Seemed more like shell shock from recently escaping and needing to find a way to stay in Florida, which can be difficult.

Re: Ask HN: Is the US still the best place to live?

#36

Post by kleer001 »

Moving to Canada from the USA extended my expected life span by 4 years. 4 YEARS! That's only the average. Sheesh.

Actuary tables are kinda the end all be all for living:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_life_expe...

But if you have more specific considerations there's likely stats on that.

Re: Ask HN: Is the US still the best place to live?

#37

Post by gota »

vanusa wrote: post #18
vanusa wrote: post #8

Was it ever? Social atomization, hyperconsumerism and a generally blighted physical environment (who-gives-a-fuck suburban sprawl nearly everywhere) are what define your life in most parts of this country, if you don't earn a high enough salary to offset their effects. That, and the relentless "life == work" mentality exhibited even in other comments in this thread.

Lest I come across as a glass half-empty person, let me mention a few things about this country that I genuinely like and which rare (if not unique) throughout the world: (1) Genuine ethnic diversity (simply unmatched in its breadth and scale), and a genuine, bedrock belief that (at least in principle) if you're a citizen you have a right to be here and to live your own life, dammit whatever your ancestry, religious…

Regarding:

> (1) Genuine ethnic diversity (simply unmatched in its breadth and scale)

Brazil matches and surpasses, as far as I know

Edit: a quick google search indicates this is a controversial topic, to say the least

Also, kudos for recognizing that this is a valuable characteristic of a place for quality of life. Genuine ethnic food restaurants, a wide variety of interesting events and festivals, diverse influence in music and cultural hightlights... it does make a lot of difference for people attuned to its effects

Re: Ask HN: Is the US still the best place to live?

#38

Post by vanusa »

merlinscholz wrote: post #31
vanusa wrote: post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Lest I come across as a glass half-empty person, let me mention a few things about this country that I genuinely like and which rare (if not unique) throughout the world: (1) Genuine ethnic diversity (simply unmatched in its breadth and scale), and a genuine, bedrock belief that (at least in principle) if you're a citizen you have a right to be here and to live your own life, dammit whatever your ancestry, religious…

Sorry but this just feels like you've never left the US: 1) The diversity may be partially right, but even if you are a citizen there still is enough discrimination especially against black people than in many first-world countries 2) Okay I grant you that, for a single country the US is very beautiful, mostly because of its sheer size. That's not to say there aren't beautiful spots in other countries though, there j…

This just feels like you've never left the US

If you only knew.

In brief: of course there are many shameful / antagonizing aspects to the culture here. But the broader undercurrent of acceptance here (rather than tolerance as in most countries) gives grounds for optimism, if you choose to embrace it.

The USA is the only country where any innovation and creativity happens.

That is absolutely not what I said and of course this isn't true. And I wouldn't even say is broadly "more" creative in any sense. But there is a certain "largeness" to the creativity -- and in the force of will in certain disempowered groups -- here, which I believe is quite special.

Which is why, in a few short years starting around 1969-1970, you had tens of thousands, then more, taking to the streets in NYC and SF saying, basically: "We are people, too, dammit -- and we are not going back". Whereas just a few years before they were almost universally considered to be outright deviants, if not mentally ill, with no prospect of living anything other than a life on the margins, perpetually in fear for their jobs, of arrest and beatings, and estrangement from their families.

Along with giving the world Steve Jobs, Star Trek, Soul Train, Dolly Parton, etc.

Re: Ask HN: Is the US still the best place to live?

#39

Post by [deleted] »

heavyset_go wrote: post #26

Depends. A heart attack in the US can cost over $1 million to survive, and can very easily bankrupt small business owners and those in the middle to upper middle classes. Cost of living has been increasing at rates that engineer compensation has not kept up with at all, especially in cities. In many EU countries, you get 35 days of paid vacation mandated by law, along with 6 months to over a year of maternity and pat…

[deleted]

Re: Ask HN: Is the US still the best place to live?

#40

Post by mbrodersen »

I don’t think it ever was in general? I was offered a green card and a high value job in California. I decided to accept a job in Australia instead. That was the right choice for me. But YMMV of course. I think it depends on your personality, job situation etc. whether the US is the right choice for you or not.
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