Thread: your favorite country besides ur own?

What's your favorite country besides the country you're living in.


I, as a Dutch guy, love New Zealand because they have:

1. magnificent nature, very much diversity.
2. It's not that populated
3. its english-speaking
4. It's a western country, therefore the benefits of a western society, politics, laws etc.
5. It's far away of other countries, therefore no or very limited foreign pollution
6. very mixed, multicultural society (asians, whites, maori's) and also wayyyyy less racism if compared to UK, France or USA
7. In general a pleasant climate
8. there's not such a huge difference with the culture I've grown up with if compared with china, russia or middle-east, since holland and NZ are both western.
9. not that uber big like countries as russia, china, USA, australia, brazil etc.
10. In general nice people, and according to stats, NZ is one of the savest countries in ze world.


- only 2 cons I can think of: higher than average sun radiation and I haven't been there yet.

I hope to do my intern ship in the last year of my bachelor in NZ and after that to work for a NZ company, so I can become a new zealander!

I loved living in Germany.
-A culture of energy conservation, with much more recycling, buses that run on time and can get your anywhere, and a
-Pedestrian and bike friendly. Paths and trails everywhere and well used year round.
-A pragmatic approach to law. If you're making too much noise, if it's a complaint against your music at 1 in the morning, you'd lose your stereo.
-A more realistic and healthier perspective on sex and violence.
-A well integrated public transportation system that's clean, on time and amazingly simple to use. Train stations connected to bus terminals, or directly under airports.
-Best highways in the world as well--and it's not just the ability to speed; it's the banked curves; smooth roads etc.
-Stunningly beautiful along its Southern border and in the Black Hills.
(my comments are mostly former West Germany--it's been a while)

Other places I've been and have strong impressions...
Marine Providences of Canada rocks (though poor)
Thailand had beautiful peoples, rich culture, and natural wonders--I wouldn't like living under its government much though.
Croatia---most beautiful coastal towns in the world.

I'd say Holland. Their architecture alone is enough to make me want to live there.

Originally Posted by stander-j

I'd say Holland. Their architecture alone is enough to make me want to live there.

how ironic, I want to get the hell out of here lol.

One thing to watch out for. It's all very well to say you'd like to move away from ....... name-your-European-country. What you need to consider is just how easy, cheap and convenient travel is to events or holidays in say Spain or Ireland or Norway depending on your preferences.

In New Zealand and Australia you are a long, long way from just about everywhere else which means a fairly costly, long and uncomfortable, plane trip. (Unless you've decided you want all future holidays to be in Bali.) When my daughters were in Europe for a while, they just loved being able to hop on a train or ferry or plane to go to Italy or somewhere just for a couple of days.

Originally Posted by adelady

One thing to watch out for. It's all very well to say you'd like to move away from ....... name-your-European-country. What you need to consider is just how easy, cheap and convenient travel is to events or holidays in say Spain or Ireland or Norway depending on your preferences.

In New Zealand and Australia you are a long, long way from just about everywhere else which means a fairly costly, long and uncomfortable, plane trip. (Unless you've decided you want all future holidays to be in Bali.) When my daughters were in Europe for a while, they just loved being able to hop on a train or ferry or plane to go to Italy or somewhere just for a couple of days.

yeah, you're right on that, but everything has their pros and cons. I think I prefer the pros of NZ more, and I can live with the cons. Besides, my job will be extremely internationally oriented I could work in every possible country in the world from saudi-arabia to alaska. check this out for more info about my future study

I have friends who lives in Christchurch NZ, and after two major earthquakes and many after shocks, they are thinking of going to live in Australia. I lived in Germany for four years and have been back there many times since. The Bavarian alps and the Hartz Mountains in the North, for skiing and walking are wonderful places. I lived near the Dutch border at one time, with frequent trips to McDonald`s and the outlet centre in Roermond. Luckily the new developments have not spoiled Roermond ( IMO ) in the least. I have spent quite a bit of time with friends who live in Key West Florida USA, a very beautiful place. The place that I would like to live in, is not that far away, it is Thurso in the Scottish Highlands, some would argue that Scotland is a foreign country compared to England, so I reckon that this will fit in with the OP.

Kingdom of Heaven

I used to live in Indonesia.
Oh my gosh, that is a great place to live!
The climate and culture is completely different to England.

Originally Posted by redhaven

Originally Posted by stander-j

I'd say Holland. Their architecture alone is enough to make me want to live there.

how ironic, I want to get the hell out of here lol.

Haha, honestly the reasons Holland would be for me is the following:

I speak decent Afrikaans, most Hollanders speak fluent English (at least that's how it seemed last time I went there). The language barriers would be insignificant, and I'd be able to pick up on dutch a lot quicker than any other language.

Again, your architecture.. Incredible.

Because I have Canadian citizenship it is relatively easy for me to enter Holland.

If I stayed long enough for citizenship, I would be EU right?? = Access to a lot of countries I'd previously need Visas for.

Holland just seems like the perfect place in the long run for me, and I am very fond of the place. I could wander old Amsterdam for hours.

Why are you so keen on getting out? Just looking to try something new?

As a New Zealander, I need no convincing. I live in the north east of the country, where the climate is best, and we are very geologically stable. No Christchurch earthquakes. I also have a view from my living room that would, in almost any other western country, cost $ 20 million. If you watch Two and a Half Men, on television, I have a home that makes Charlie's Malibu beach house look trashy, and for a fraction of the cost.

Australia is a pretty nice country, too. It has the wilderness, and away from the cities, it is clean and pollution free. Lovely beaches. Only real downside is too hot in summer and too damn many flies!

I have visited Holland. I really enjoyed the people. Very friendly, and with brilliant English. I found I could go up to almost anyone and chat away in English. Nice place.

I would love to be able to travel the world. I haven't actually ever been to a first world country.

A lot of places have different appeal to me, like Japan, China, the US, Canada etc. I'd still like to stay in a place with a beautiful bit of intact nature. I am not much of a people person, but would really enjoy nature. If I had to pick a place to live right now, I'd probably also go for New Zealand. Not a fan of the All Blacks, but that is a small price to pay.

Interesting. Yes, pros and cons. adelady states very well the cons in Australia. Travelling can be a problem. Even to your letter-box. The flies arn't too bad, if there are enough of them you can get a lift Interstate. Truckies roll across this vast country on the hour every hour, you can have a rock melon ( cantelope ), delivered from Ord Dam area ( Northern Territory ), to Coles or Woolies in Melbourne in less time than you could pick your own in your backyard. Isn't that so, adelady. But my favourite country is the USA. Why? because the reason I am able to make this post is because a lot of young men gave their lives in a cause that gave freedom to Australia when all seemed up for us. In Queensland Docters made arrangements with households( families ), to end it all if the Enemy came ashore. True. Americans took War Brides home to the States, from Melbourne. Personal friends of mine were War Brides in later years, and I was able to personally show my gratitude to their American Marine husbands when they returned to Melbourne for visits. Think Iwo Jima etc... westwind.