is life better in Italy than in the U.S.?

Answer 1

To each their own. <*-*>

Answer 2

Loaded question. It's each individuals perception of what is "better" and a lot of that has to do with their expectations. I'm an American who's living in Italy at present. So much is still new to me that the sheer beauty of Italy has not worn off. Amazing history and culture, but crazy drivers that would probably be shot in the U.S. (half-kidding on that). Anything that involves the government bureaucracy is a nightmare -- I'm used to getting my business resolved in one visit, and if something is wrong, I know what it is when I leave - not, piecemeal information that inevitably involves multiple trips back and forth until I finally have all the pieces of the puzzle. I love the idea of siesta, but hate the impracticality of shop closures that ensue. But for me, to be able to sit outside with wine and cheese and bread and just watch... I love it. Just don't make me fill out forms multiple times because you forgot the other 5 times about "those other things". Now, don't assume I think the U.S. is so perfect -- far from it, but I am comfortable with it's inadequacies, whereas Italy has presented a whole new set and I'm at the age that I don't adjust well to new rules.... ;-) So, back to my initial comment. It's what you perceive it to be based on what you expect. I love them both; U.S. and Italy -- but, I'll retire in the U.S. only because I usually understand the reasons for the headaches I get filling out the forms... ...and someone will usually give me a pretty straight-forward answer on what I need to do to get it fixed (whatever "it" may be). That said, Italy is an amazing country with some very wonderful people (that understand their headaches...
;-) Salute!

Answer 3

Although there’s good and bad everywhere, I believe life in Italy is much better. Generally speaking, Italians are better educated and not as racist (unfortunately, this is changing due to the increasingly high number of illegal immigrants), not to mention the crime rate: Italy’s much safer (except certain areas in southern Italy), cleaner (in this regard, I’d like to say to “smilies1998”: unless you live in a dump, I don’t see how you can possibly say the States are cleaner, really. Canada’s much cleaner than Italy. The U.S. are definitely NOT). The food is amazing and the locals are usually welcoming. The tax levy is MUCH higher in Italy, but our health care system is public, which is something I’m proud of, as an Italian. I’m proud of it because anyone, regardless of their income level, is entitled to “free” health care. The downside, of course, is it can take you weeks (sometimes months) to see a doctor. But if it’s something serious (or even presumably serious), you skip the queue. And the quality is often good (at least in Northern Italy. Southern Italy is another kettle of fish). That said, life in Italy is not all wine and roses: the burocracy is dreadful, we have more immigrants than we need (many are undocumented. Americans included…), the drivers are crazy (the further south, the crazier) and there’s more corruption here than in the U.S.

Answer 4

DEPENDS: Like any other place in the world there are good and bad places, services & people, some of which is how you come across in embracing the idea that you are in their country. So, try to avoid comparisons and learn the history and culture of the reigon you are in.
That said I prefer the less traveled places and people in Italy.
Stay in pennsionis (sp) and rely on the locals to tell you all about their region, pride and especially the niche places to see. It is also helpful to have read a published guide book covering the intended area of travel.
I found when asked where you are from it is better to say the city and state, rather than "America, I'm an American," etc. because it usually opens up the door to conversation ." Many Itallains have been to the US, so be sure to ask of their experiences there.
Enjoy!

Answer 5

I am an american and I've lived in Italy for going on 4 years. I would say somethings in Italy are better and somethings are worest. Things I like better is the food, the slow pace of the cutlure but that can be bad sometimes when you need to get things done. The cell phone service is better.
Things I dont like are the utilitaries are not relalible your power goes out all the time internet does work all time and its hard to get ITalians to do much. The country is dirty compared to the States but some parts have beautiful places.

Answer 6

Chuck and Spam...You both have good points...

The thing about filling out the forms is a classic, they do it with everybody. People who work for the government (and this is everywhere in the world) tend to be lazy and bad mannered.

Transportation system is excellent, at least where I live. Plus, is very clean.

We recycle, everything. Every little town has its own recycle center. No wonder, we are number 1 in the country.

People are nosy, but if somebody is in need they try to give a hand. Neighbors invite you to visit them and come always for a coffee. All of us have gardens, and we organically plant fruit and veggies. We exchange, or give some as presents. You better take it or the person will get offended.

Education is good, however many teens have no interest in gooing to school. They just want to go to work or live out of their parents.
Teachers are not appreciated and respected enough. Many teens disrespect teachers so much and parents incite the behaviour. So, many have lost the passion for teaching. This along with the bureaucracy, of having appointed (this is in the north) teachers from the South that doesn't even know how to speak Italian, that yield barbarities at kids in class, and that just get ahead in the classical "concorsi" just because the South is considered in disadvantage. It's like the law in California that stipulates that you should have a certain number of Hispanics or blacks, or Asians, just to meet the quota.
We have English teachers that know nothing about teaching English. Parents get frustrated and complain, and nothing is done about it. I do not understand this, there are countries in Latin America, which are third world countries and if you can't proof you speak the language, you can't teach. How is it that an industrial country, part of the G8, can't set some high standards of education on this regard.
Then, you have natives with university degree, that do not get allowed to teach, just because they don't have a high school degree from "pedagogy" school. Not even for my Italian teacher friends this has any sense...

Also, alcohol is sold to minors, and minors are allowed in clubs. Parents take their own children to clubs, where they can mingle with any kind of people. No wonder, they have problems with adults having sex with their 14 & 15 year old girls. No wonder they have problems with alcoholism and drug abuse in teens. Then, so many death for driving while intoxicated...and at the end nobody goes to jail. More attention is paid to those who kill, than to the family that mourns their dead one.

Thanks goodness that many families are still able to raise well their kids, but until they realize that with wellness other rotten things get along, and until they realize that the population is growing older and not having children at all, and until they realize that civil education should be imposed at no choice for both parents and kids...the society is destined to chaos...

This is my humble opinion of what I see every day...

Answer 7

I think life is better in the States. Life in italy is more beautiful, but slower and less convienient. Americans really do get the best of everything. and women are treated much better in america.

Answer 8

Monumentally-in a multitude of ways and aspects of life!

Answer 9

better food,culture,history,art,people but not better music

Answer 10

if you have the means to live well in Italiy, then yes.