- Feb 9, 2007
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This is something I ponder every now and then, and since I don't know enough about life in Europe (either on a continent-wide level or in terms of a specific region) to really answer the question I figured I'd make a thread in case someone more knowledgeable can help me broaden my perspective.
I know this question is absurdly open-ended, and depends upon not just the region of the USA or Europe one lives in but also on the interests and values of the person living there. That said, here are some opinions of mine on the matter, some of which are likely stereotype-based:
Advantages of USA
* economic opportunity (i.e. generally more business-friendly environment)
* geographic diversity (temperate, tropical, arid, subarctic, sandy beaches, rocky coasts, mountains, plains... you name it we've got it)
* greater access to comforts and conveniences (for all the problems they cause, it is pretty nice having a Walmart, 20+ fast food chains, 7-Elevens and pizza delivery services all within ~10 miles of you)
* more individual purchasing power? (from what I've gathered, the average paycheck seems to go farther in the US, be it due to taxes, price of commodities or whatever)
Advantages of Europe
* richer culture & history (duh)
* better overall governance (economic policy considerations aside, Europe seems to be way ahead of the US in terms of social policy, physical infrastructure, environmental and health policy, etc.)
* less commercialism / fewer ubiquitous chain stores
* generally more aesthetically pleasing cities & towns (there are a LOT of dumpy/drab looking urban areas in the US)
* healthier lifestyles (thanks to America's culture of convenience)
* closer communities (thanks to American individualism and dependence on cars)
Am I missing anything? Wrong about anything? Of course I am. Help me out here folks.
I know this question is absurdly open-ended, and depends upon not just the region of the USA or Europe one lives in but also on the interests and values of the person living there. That said, here are some opinions of mine on the matter, some of which are likely stereotype-based:
Advantages of USA
* economic opportunity (i.e. generally more business-friendly environment)
* geographic diversity (temperate, tropical, arid, subarctic, sandy beaches, rocky coasts, mountains, plains... you name it we've got it)
* greater access to comforts and conveniences (for all the problems they cause, it is pretty nice having a Walmart, 20+ fast food chains, 7-Elevens and pizza delivery services all within ~10 miles of you)
* more individual purchasing power? (from what I've gathered, the average paycheck seems to go farther in the US, be it due to taxes, price of commodities or whatever)
Advantages of Europe
* richer culture & history (duh)
* better overall governance (economic policy considerations aside, Europe seems to be way ahead of the US in terms of social policy, physical infrastructure, environmental and health policy, etc.)
* less commercialism / fewer ubiquitous chain stores
* generally more aesthetically pleasing cities & towns (there are a LOT of dumpy/drab looking urban areas in the US)
* healthier lifestyles (thanks to America's culture of convenience)
* closer communities (thanks to American individualism and dependence on cars)
Am I missing anything? Wrong about anything? Of course I am. Help me out here folks.