If you could raise your kids anywhere in the world..

[bluebellbuttons]

.. where would it be and why?

Rural Scotland, one of the Scandinavian countries, maybe Canada. Just peaceful, beautiful scenery, I like the way of life that is portrayed.

New Zealand. I can't see any future for my dcs here. We're going on holiday there next, with a real intention of moving there in the next two years.

Another Scottish vote here.

Somewhere quiet and outdoorsy with beautiful scenery and sunshine. I grew up in the city centre of a busy city that rained all the time. I spent 99% of my childhood indoors being lazy and getting addicted to my computer

I grew up in a very rural area of Scotland and it was brilliant as a child but rubbish during my teenage years

I think Stockholm or Copenhagen - they always come out top in those happiest people charts!

London, New York, Buenos Aires or Helsinki. I think the cultural buzz of a global city is amazing input for children. Helsinki added because although not global as such it buzzes in its own way and has a nice flat feel societally. I value operas and theatres over fields especially as children get older.

Australia. We have loads of family over there, and when we visited before we had kids, we loved the place, but decided against joining them.

When we went back with our children (7 and 9 at that point) we could have kicked ourselves. We saw the place completely differently as parents. Our kids would have had a much better lifestyle and more opportunities there.

We live in Geneva. DD was 16 when we moved. I wish we had brought her here as a baby. It's an incredible place to live.

Scandinavian countries come out top for happiness and safety. Bit cold though.

@saraclara if it’s any comfort I’m Australian and chose Britain, there are far more opportunities here. More choice of universities, better private schools, way more jobs to chose from and really easy to get into a decent grad job before even finishing a degree which is pretty much unheard of in Australia. It’s also handily close to Europe, has more to choose from culturally, more variety in choice of living environments (e.g. living in a village is just not a thing in Australia, there are small outback towns and tiny outback towns but you can’t really live there unless you are in farming). Weather is crap in both places but in different ways. My only gripes against Britain are shit healthcare, poorer water quality (with a few exceptions), generally food is not as good (again with some notable exceptions) and poor urban planning.

I suggested to DH we move to France in 2016 right after the Brexit vote. Really, really regret not pushing harder for this, the turns this country has taken are utterly depressing, so, so sad about their future in England now.

Costa Rica, happiest country in the world. Have just got back and it's utterly wonderful.

Probably where we live,Oslo. Compared to a childhood in UK(and other places) children have independence, autonomy, active lives, are part of a more equal society, its more socially mobile, nature is very accesible. It could do with warmer people and more light in November.

Switzerland or Sweden I think. Not overly enamored with the food though.

I’m in rural Ireland and I wouldn’t want to raise my dc anywhere else to be honest...I lived in the uk and I moved back to Ireland the moment my dc got to school going age! The school system here is waaaay more relaxed! You can start them at any time between the age of 4-6. Most start at 5 but it is entirely a parental choice!

Thanks @Velveteenfruitbowl
It’s also handily close to Europe, has more to choose from culturally, more variety in choice of living environments

Those were the reasons we didn't emigrate back then. Especially as the family live in Perth, so even more isolated. And yep, I can see some of your other points too
But our relatives there have such a great lifestyle. It's hard not to envy it. And my kids loved the outdoors and sporty activities. It just feels so much more relaxed and less stressy a place to live than here.

Scandi here, don't know your schools, but perhaps it's 'the grass is greener'? Definitely not just perfect here. I'm sure we are better safety-wise, but us being in top of happiness charts is due to the parameters - the more equal the more you are deemed happy.

Right here.
Rural Scotland, then closer to Edinburgh for the teenage years where I am now.. No matter how much wealth I had I can't imagine anywhere better. JK Rowling lives just a few miles away- so she must feel the same!

I'm in the same boat as you Lippy.
A large village/small town in rural Ireland. A real community feel.

I have a few friends with children in Switzerland they love it.

Raised mine in London and they both loved growing up around here.

For me though I think somewhere near the beach in California would have been great.

Even in winter it is great

Some really interesting answers.

Ideally I'd want somewhere with the space, the natural beauty and the sense of community I grew up with but with easy access to a small, preferably historic, city.
Also ideally close to the sea but definitely not somewhere too flat as wide open, flat spaces make me uneasy.

Canada.

Hands down, every day of the week.
If someone told me I could take off with DD tomorrow I would.

@Velveteenfruitbowl @saraclara

Another vote for UK . Been here three years and we have just as good a lifestyle here but plenty more opportunities. It is all about what you do with them. Our friends here are constantly amazed at what we do because they just think differently.

Here we camp nearly as much as in Australia , spend heaps of time outdoors doing sport but we also can walk through the national gallery and see great masters or any number of cultural activities you only read in books. Or drive to Belgium for a long weekend.

And we all still get excited for snow. Everyone talks about wonderful Australian weather ... meh!

Pros and cons to both , but more importantly is to take full advantage of where you are living now o guess.