Why do European cities always get rated as a higher quality of life than American cities?

Does it have something to do with Europe's "socialist" system? Have you REALLY seen more homeless in European than U.S. cities?

Public Comments

1. Yep. It does. And they do have a higher quality of life. However that does not take into account other factors, such as 70% tax rates, having negative birth rates, etc.
2. They get more vacation days?
3. It probably has more to do with whomever does the rating.
4. rated higher??? for what, tent cities? homeless population? or people waiting to come here for medical care?
5. Because they have a much more homogeneous race of people there.
6. Yes, it does. The more social systems a country has, the better its people will be. The fend for yourself system that the Americans have is not working very well.
7. Some are some aren't. The immigration wave of the 90's has ruined much of the free world, which was the plan.
8. The Russian rated their system better than ours for years so what? Spent some time over the pond trust me I would never go home with a women it was alway my hotel or forget it Did it once and would never do it again
9. One: Most European countries are not "socialist". They may have socialist policies. But hey, so does America. Two: The possible reasons why are A: the people doing the "study" *cough cough* are American and want to seem more worldly by putting down their own country. Usually very liberal people. B: The people doing the "study" *same thing* are Europeans and want to say their better than Americans. Or maybe it's because Americans have more rights in some areas of the law and less in others. All valid answers. But I can tell you one thing....
10. Many have lower crime incidents. Probably has to do with a more laid back lifestyle, where the focus is less on money and more on living. The American lifestyle is more geared toward "things" and trying to survive in the difficult economic system that evolved over many years of favoring top corporate executives over working class.
11. Which European cities are you referring to i saw a report like that somewhere but i am sure Paris, London ,Berlin ,Barcelona ,Rome ,Warsaw and other big cites are not better than most US cities overall.
12. Could it be that most of our cities have Democrats for mayors and when you set the presidence of an entittlement mentality you get those who cease to improve and ride that promise that the government will take care of all their ills. Don't be so naive to think those cities don't have their crime or their homeless... they are just less compassionate about them being seen in public places.
13. quality of life is a very vague term that can vary. The US always loses points to canada and europe simply because we do not have universal health care, our colleges are more expensive (and better), and we have the death penalty. Also, most of the people that do these things are liberal organizations, or liberal publications. Change things around and denote quality of life based on lower taxes, economic freedom, political freedom, etc. and you will see a difference. It just depends on what your definition of quality of life is. these ratings are really worthless.
14. I have lived in Europe; I liked it but I was always frustrated by the lack of service. I was also floored by the crime rate. I know that you have been and continue to be spoon fed the notion that crime in Europe is lower but it is not. I was lucky to be either employed by private business or the US military, I did not have to concern myself with the double digit unemployment that Europeans have to deal with. Europe is doing well but it has a ways to go to catch us. If you want socialism, by all means move there but do not expect Americans to go down that path.
15. European cities are designed for people, interesting architecture, bike lanes, green spaces and parks walking boulevards, paths everywhere. North American cities are designed for cars, roads strip malls, lots of places do not even have a sidewalk, when I take the car for service and walk a few blocks I feel like a freak, there is nobody else walking.
16. Pay more tax, and yes it is the socialist system. But add in the legal system too. Europeans tend to tolerate less disorder, thus less freedoms. In Germany you can get a ticket in the mail because you run a red light (they have cameras). In England they track movements at major transportation hubs (they have cameras). If you get hurt at work, they'll send you to a spa to get you better and re-train you in a new career (six to 12 month unemployment benefits). Your limited to the number of televisions due to what your paying taxes for (oh yes each hooked up TV). Your charged for emails, and texting (only texting in US) If you don't mind for paying for those who do not work (ie...eastern Europeans) its greaaaaaaaaat. Work until your 65 (and due to life expectancy figures it's about to go up). The up side: Plenty of nuclear power, no brown-outs (CA clue up). Plenty of government officials to monitor you (Democrates unite). Easy transit from one country to another. Many opportunities for Turks and Arabs to find work. Stronger econcomy in several countries to make up for poor economic conditions in others. Its all good!!!!!!!!!!!!
17. I don't recall seeing any homeless in Germany-- but I was more concerned with the local history and the Bars than I was in watching who I stepped over. Germany was nice--The cities were clean, the people friendly. However if you fly over American cities--you see some suburbs with swimming pools in the back yards. AND I MEAN A LOT--EVERY FOURTH HOUSE in some areas. You don't see that in Germany---and many smaller towns look like they don't even build modern houses--everything I saw as old square buildings with small roads and even the AUTOBAHN was disappointing--the INTERSTATE HIGHWAYS in the USA are much better. Although the speed is more regulated. But--I have heard that the average house in EUROPE are relatively small when compared to American homes. The same for apartments--the ones I saw looked like they were Government housing units--Drab--brown or gray looking buildings with the all the charm of a BRICK. My quality of life is fine--although I could be richer and be able to afford a house with a POOL--- Europeans--get more vacation time than Americans--and most Americans don't even take their full vacation allotted to them for the year. I don't know--if my quality of life is better than the Germans I saw--but it looks better to me. Of course my back window does not over look the Bavarian Alps and does not include a Castle on the distant hill.
18. It is more related to their history than the current government. European cities are old and were build before the industrial revolution so their city centers are where the wealthy lived and manufacturing took place in the suburbs. Public transportation was in place by the time automobiles became common so most are easy to get around in without a car. They also value their history and have preserved much of the old cities so their cities centers are interesting beautiful places. In the US most cities grew up around factories and expanded in the age of the car. With the exception of New York there is no adequate public transportation, and the central cities are a business district surrounded by poor housing and manufacturing. The elegant living areas were in the near suburbs, and then farther out and people commute by car on increasing congested roads. Recently there has been a reversal of trends and rapid transit systems have been built in some US cities and well off people are moving into city centers, to avoid long commutes,