Which country is getting is right…

[Bluevelvetcake2]

With all the issues we are facing in terms of the economy, migration, health service, education etc is there any country that you think is getting it right? If you live outside the U.K. is the country you are living in doing things better? If you’re in the U.K. is there somewhere you would like to move if you had the option? Or do you think everyone is in the same boat pretty much and we just don’t hear as much about it?

I live in South West France and yes it has its problems, but in general is doing far better than the UK, inflation less, interest rates less, health surface far superior, better road and rail links. Minimum services have to be provided if there is a strike

No, everywhere is not the same. The UK is in a mess, I know the excuses, but to not see that it is largely self inflicted by democratic decisions is denial . Emigration is something I am considering. Possibly Canada, but not yet even at the research stage.

Where has British pride gone?

We are an international powerhouse showing the world how not to do it

Im still proud of British sport and music, not much else these days. Our universities were also the envy of the world not long ago, but we've even managed to destroy our reputation there too after seeing the collapse of foreign student numbers coming here this week in the news.

No we moved abroad to a country that seemed to be doing it right but when we moved we learned it was a case of same shit, different language. Ok, slightly different shit but still shit. Common purpose has done its job quite well.

We have family spread far and wide, in different countries. It’s very much a case of the same or similar issues wherever they live. No one is getting it right.

I’m guessing this is inspired by the other thread currently running!
Am in France, it has problems like everywhere; but a few things I think work well here; healthcare, which is insurance & state funded, the childcare system also works really well for us and is easily affordable. Also fixed rate mortgages.. I don’t understand why in the UK we have variable mortgages and here they are often fixed for the whole term. Ours is a 15yr mortgage fixed at 1.9%! Granted the rate has risen since but still- means families are protected from instability. The chômage which is unemployment ‘benefit’ works more like insurance, you pay in whilst working & if unemployed not through your own fault, you have 2 years of 60% of your previous salary. Also really helps protect families from instability. Of course there are problems but these are things I think work well here and improve peoples quality of life; and are things that are absent from the UK. x

Relatives in France and Germany echo the experience above. These places are not without problems post pandemic, but the UK’s seem deeper.

Finland cones out as the happiest country in the world. It used to be very poor, high suicide rates, poor health and education outcomes, but not anymore, they have worked at it. I'd recommend 'Fintopia: What We Can Learn From the World's Happiest Country'. And can I preempt the usual 'nowhere's perfect' suspects. I am not in the mood for the stating of the blinding obvious.

Italy has a lot of problems but I agree with pp about fixed rate mortgages. I've also received a payment to help with fuel costs and public transport is so much cheaper here so I'm not worried about getting to work. DS is going to university next year and was considering the UK but has decided on Italy which is a big relief as he won't be getting into any debt.

Norway. Obviously it helps enormously that they have oil wealth (understatement) but they have used and invested it wisely for the public good, unlike other oil states. Ironically they are also leading the way in switching to renewables - subsidising electric cars has resulted in high take up and an excellent charging infrastructure. Public services work. The culture encourages healthy, outdoorsy lifestyles.

I’d move there like a shot if I could persuade Dh (the climate puts him off). Dd has said she will live there when she grows up so if that comes to pass at least I’ll be able to visit a lot without taking out a second mortgage!

I'm in France too and echo the other posters comments about France. DD is in boarding high school its the equivalent of €8 a day, I would spend that on a lunch break in the UK...

The truth of course is that the country has to be a fit for you. A family who like to for instance live off grid and home educate would thrive in some places, and be almost criminalised in others.
There isn’t a place that’s perfect for everyone, you have to find a place that supports your life choices.

€8 a day for boarding school?

For everything???? All in???

Sister and BIL live in Germany, sounds more stable there. No strikes. They're discussing payrises etc. with government, but everything is working as usual. Food and energy prices are increasing as everywhere, but their healthcare and education was always better IMO. Social system is better as well despite recession (mat pay, sick pay etc.).

Yes its state education with boarding.

I feel like these threads should be in a separate topic now, it’s 2-3 threads every day discussing the same thing. It’s almost like there are journo’s or other propaganda mechanics at play.