Where is the best place in Europe to raise a family?

[Jess850]

Where in Europe is the best or a good place to raise/continue raising a Family of Boys. Current ages 3 mths, 6 yrs and 9 yrs. Just day dreaming during a feed and wondered your thoughts? A bit random but DH and I often wonder how here compares and what it is like living in the big wide World Europe.

[ThePigOnTheWall]

Ok you two. Calm down! (and you can stop rolling your eyes too!) I just said that it personally made me a bit uncomfortable. You two are obviously more than happy with it so there's no need to justify it to me is there?

[natation]

Perhaps next time you should read through posts properly :-) No-one asked anyone to disclose income.

[ThePigOnTheWall]

Christ you're snippy!!

Your post could very easily be read to mean you had google searched. Perhaps you should read it again.

I really don't give that much of a shiny shit to be honest. I just said that the whole exchange had made me a bit uncomfortable but that you weren't evil personified.

Perhaps you should reserve your high horsey fury for the person who threatened to report you and called you evil.

[Albert]

I was in Denmark of 7 years, can't fault it. DS was born there and it was brilliant. Then we moved to Italy for 3 years. Really child friendly and we didn't want to move. Now I'm in Brazil and I'm really glad that DS is older now. Not a place for young kids IMO

[marilenagironda]

Anyone who is using this messagge board frequently knows that natation is always very helpful and always goes out of her way to find info for anyone who is asking.
To answer the question there is no perfect place to raise kids. It all depends on what you are looking for. Some areas of the UK are lovely, in genaral the NL always ranks among the best place for children. I think Belgium is very good too. So is Sweden (great maternity and paternity leave).

[lalasmum11]

I'm in Denmark and its top notch for kids - it's all set up for them. Very cheap and good quality childcare and great healthcare .

[ThePigOnTheWall]

I do use this message board frequently . I said I merely felt uncomfortable. Like I say, reserve you ticking off for the person who planned on reporting her

[marilenagironda]

ThePigOnTheWall It's a cultural thing. I am from Italy everybody there talks about how much money they are making. My ex-husband was American and he thought it was totally inappriopriate.

[ThePigOnTheWall]

I'm aware of that thanks maril.

Like I said, take it up with lapweildingharpy.

[marilenagironda]

ThePigOnTheWall My first messagge was not direct at you, but you are the only one that replied. I just said I always find natation very helpful. I don't see why lapweildingharpy would want to report her.

[laptopwieldingharpy]

Sorry for the harsh words but I feel compelled to take Thalista's defense.

Natation you ARE always very thorough and helpful but so has Thalista on this thread. She genuinely and spontaneously disclosed quite a bit of personal info which was helpful and relevant.
You in turn have done nothing but pass judgement on her finances like if it was a fault on her character to be better off than you and this has effectively been akin to bullying her out of this forum. You did not make a general comment in that particular post.
It was really more than uncomfortable.
Anyway, am off this thread now. This is a moot exercise as the OP has not returned.

[financialwizard]

I do hear that both the Netherlands and Belgium are good places for children to grow up, but I would also say Germany after living there for so many years.

I lived there as a child and as an adult and loved every second of it. Wonderful for children, so much to do and see and the activities are normally subsidised by the german government.

[MyinnergoddessisatLidl]

I am bringing my DS up in Switzerland, and I am (shock, horror) an executive mum:

Pros:
Swiss school standards are excellent
Primary schools are very local and plentiful 500m - 1km.
Class maximum headcount is 18 pupils
Usually with one teacher and one teaching assistant.
The Canton will pay for language lessons for your children to integrate them into school
If the language is becoming a barrier our Canton puts children in the Bi-lingual private school at no cost
If you opt out for private education, you get that slice of the tax back against your school fees.
The summer holiday clubs are excellent for all ages, kids come back filthy and exhausted, digging in mud, building things etc and they cost 150chf a week here with lunch.
Children are allowed to be children - schooling starts at 7
Kindergarten is obligatory from 4.
Sport is a huge part of the curriculum, as is walking up mountains, through forests, building fires etc
Safety - there is usually a village policeman at the busy crossing every morning. Also the police take the kids on a tour of the area in kindergarten to teach them about road safety.
Kids walking to kindergarten on their own at 3/4 years old!
Cost of living is higher, but where I live I can still shop cheaply in Germany every weekend
Italy has become our "Devon" - i can be in Lake Como in 21/2 hours. It's becoming normal to spend weekends in Milan shopping.
I never ever experience road rage or traffic hatred, usually, if I leave work I get home without a hitch every night at the same time. Trains are excellent.
Neighbours for me have been very warm and friendly, and also quite international.
The best winters, with motorways clear, airports working but postcard snowy scenery
Summers in the open air - lakes or swimming pools (5chf for a day in a fabulous outdoor pool for a family of 3)
There is a festival and a reason to eat chocolate all the time!
Chocolate!

Cons:
Cost of accomodation can be high if you want to live in major cities.
If you are a trailing spouse the work opportunities can be challengeing
Healthcare is excellent but the costs are eye watering
There are a lot of rules for the "greater good" - you need to learn them all, and ignorance is no excuse
My colleagues and friends have experienced institutional racism in government, police dealings.
A chicken costs £25!

[KnickerKnockers]

Thank you All for your posts - they are great food for thought(dreams?) for Me - sorry I have not been back sooner I have been distracted by Le Tour and just caught the great 'Ode to Bradley' thread :-) Europe ROCKS! x