Do You Believe France is World’s Best Place to Live?? United States Drops to #7!?!

Ernest Hemingway did it. So did Julia Child , Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Johnny Depp, Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, and Roman Polanski, who found it a wonderful place to hide from American authorities for 30 years to avoid trial for raping a child.

By Hiroshi

These famous Americans and one accused rapist, all found the “good life” in France, and, so are many other less-famous and non accused rapist Americans.  The “bon vivant” that France offers has led to its # 1 ranking as the best place in the world to live. That’s according to International Living magazine, which has been analyzing data and publishing its annual Quality of Life Index for 30 years now.  Although we’re sure if Fugitives Monthly Magazine did a survey, in light of Polanski’s success, they would find France equally as wonderful as International Living.

For the fifth year running, says publisher Jackie Flynn, France has again earned the top spot as the best place in the world to live.

“In France, life is savored,” says Flynn. “I don’t think anyone will argue that France is one of the most beautiful countries in the world, where there is so much pride in all the small details. The French love little window boxes filled with flowers, tidy gardens, pretty sidewalk cafes, and clean streets. Cities are well tended and with little crime.”

Nope.  Nor would we argue that some french chicks are pretty hot, and surprisingly easy.  However we would argue that they’d be speaking German if it was for good old number #7, so neither the French or International living better rub it in.

This year once again, says Flynn, all the number-crunching, rating, and ranking landed France at the top of the Index. France scores high marks across the board, from health care (100 points) to infrastructure (92 points) to its safety rating (100 points). But the main appeal of living in France, she says, is arguably its overall lifestyle. (It scores 81 points in the Culture and Leisure category.)

Following France in the number one spot are Australia (#2), Switzerland (#3), Germany (#4), New Zealand (#5), Luxembourg (#6), the U.S. (#7), Belgium (#8), Canada (#9), and Italy (#10). . .and boy are the italians pissed.  between this and Jersey Shore the Italians heads are ready to explode.  Poor Italians. First Joey Buttafuco, then Jersey Shore, now this.  It’s just awful.

Why did the U.S. fall from its rank at number three last year to number seven this year?

Because you’re an anti American tool that has no appreciation for what you have here??

“Although the U.S. remains in the top 10,” says Flynn, “We can’t ignore the state of its economy. In this category, the U.S. scored 67 points in 2010 up from 57 last year but it’s still mired in recession, and in sector after sector the cost of sustaining the ‘American Dream’ has escalated out of the reach of many. The U.S. remains an excellent place to live, especially in terms of convenience, but it’s generally more expensive to live there now than it has been in years past.”

Ok . . .but I was close.  Viva America!

For information about how the rankings were determined and an overview of the countries on the top ten list, go to: www.internationalliving.com/qofl2010