American living in Europe, what do you like and dislike about Europe?

Question

I like the accents, shorter work week, more vacation time, streets are a bit cleaner, old buildings and history, people are more relaxed, women are friendlier and easier to make friends, fewer SUV's, good beer

I don't like the high taxes, high crime rate and criminals get off easy, immigrants racist to the natives of there host country, driving, lack of free speech, pollution, governments promoting white guilt, censorship

I live in France but have lived in Germany, Netherlands and Belgium.

Well you can get the same food in the US and Europe, US just has more places offering different foods while Europe you have to look around.

US allows people more freedom to live there lives while Europe there is a lot of restrictions.

elf yes, public transportation is way better in Europe and better to walk too. A lot of cities in the US are designed for drivers only. I think it is harder for women in Europe to meet both males and females, but for males it is easy to meet females and if you drink you can make a lot of friends.

Western Europe is pretty violent and is getting worse. If you are elderly or a woman you are in big trouble. I grewup in Boston and Queens and I never seen violence like I did in Paris and Brussels.

Western Europe is big with censorship, they censor movies that they deem offensive to the government or make the particular country look bad. Also magazines and newspapers are often banned and most have to be registered and reviewed by a monitor before publication, this isnt so in USA.

Not even NYC has pollution at the levels Paris has. I never seen smog until I moved to Europe.

I am referring to Western Europe when it comes to free speech. You can go to prison for instance, saying the holocaust never happened. People are forbidden to have an opinion unless government approved. Many you cant curse in public or you have to pay a fine if caught.

Answer 1

I fail to see the bit about high crime rates, censorship, etc. Most large cities in both Europe and US have rough areas, I personally feel much safer in Europe, as to driving, I love driving in Europe, the people respect left lanes. Unless you live in Montana, most large US cities are as polluted as any European city, I love the pedestrian only zones in most European cities. Lack of free speech? - you must be thinking of the former Soviet Union.

Answer 2

I agree with your positives, but where in Europe were you living? I lived in Britain for a year, and just about everything you mention against Europe is worse in America than it is there, with the exception of higher taxes. That said, the free health care was more than worth the taxes. My only complaint was the food. Much more expensive, and not as good as the food here in America. Other than that, Britain is terrific.

Answer 3

I think you're way off base, mate. I believe you will find the pollutions levels and crime rates pretty damn high in your beloved America.

And I have never come across lack of free speech, and what is this censorship you speak of? This from someone who's homeland doesn't allow the word **** on tv.

Answer 4

I like the history and picturesque towns and cities; the variety of languages and cuisines; cleaner cities; walkable cities; better public transport; appreciation for fresh, healthy food; traditions at holidays.

I dislike the stores closing early; immigrant ghettos rather than more assimiliation with the host country (and less appreciation for immigration populations); aloofishness and arrogance in some cultures and difficulty to meet locals.