Which is a better place to live: Southern California or Scandinavia?

Question

I know that this question may sound weird, but if I were to choose between the two places, which would be the better place to live?

I know that Scandinavia is cleaner, safer and has far more tall blondes...yet still, Southern California has better weather and superior beaches and (I believe) more and better facillities.

What do you think??

daityah, earthquakes and lack of natural blondes are two cons of the Bay Area; not to mention the high crime rate there.

daityah, earthquakes and lack of natural blondes are two cons of the Bay Area; not to mention the high crime rate there.

Answer 1

CA by all means, but not SO CA - it will have 3rd world living standards, some parts already have.

Scandinavia is dark half the year. Not that cold but dreadfully dark - the Scandinavians travel to sunny climates in winter.

The cost of living in Scandinavia is VERY high. Especially now with the $ down as it is. Housing is VERY expensive. Most people live in flats, but many have summer homes out in the country. Cars and gas are at least twice as much as here. Health care and K-12 education is better there. My HS degree was worth 2 years of college here. They have a highly educated population, 99 % literate, women are at least a generation ahead of women in USA in terms of independence and social status. Birth rate is low.

Summers are great there - lots of fun but lots of mosquitoes too. I really grave for those wild bilberries each August! They grow everywhere in the forests.

Visit one summer - towards end of July when the lakes and seas are finally warm enough to swim in.

Language barrier still exists. Swedish (and Norwegian and Danish are somewhat similar to English, but Finnish is very different and very difficult) is the native language in Sweden, and services/news/tv is in native language. Most young people speak pretty fluent English but you would always be a foreigner if you don't learn their native language.

I'd never move back in a million years -- I left in '66 at age 18. I live in sunny AZ - water skiing 12 months a year to keep cool.

Answer 2

Well of course I would say LA, but instead of the bustling Brentwood or other neighborhoods such as those. How about Pacific Palisades, there are plenty of apartments and condos for prices that are very cheap with nice ocean views. I live right near the Santa Monica pier, I can even see the ocean from my condo! It is right on Sunset, but not on the street. Everything is cheap and affordable but still middle class because the whole place has Porsche and Corvettes. Gas and everything is cheap so feel free! It is right in a good place at the city so that you can go into its village and get food, market, stores (clothes and other things!), and all the comforts you would expect. We also have hills and a really good high school called Pali High. It is nice and barely any people are bused in so you will feel okay. Jobs are everywhere, just try to stay away from the village. My source will give you more info because I know this sounds very confusing. **Hope I Help You and Congrats!**

Answer 3

If you by Scandinavia refers to Norway, Sweden and historical include Finland.
Is is far better to live here in many respects, but it is very difficult to have a labor-permission and be allowed to stay here more than 90 days.
The mosquitoes are harmless and not so many as I have been told above. Some years there is almost no one. This summer I saw two.

Answer 4

I would love to live in the famous Bay Area. What is not there to like about it?

Answer 5

I don't know what Scandinavia is like other than probably a lot colder than SO-CAL. I live in CA and SO-CAL SUCKS. So Scandinavia has got to be better.

Answer 6

Depends on who you ask. What would a Scandinavian answer. And by the way..not all Scandinavian women are blonds.