[emersonbiggins]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('pup55', 'H')alf of these are weighted heavily toward european preferences for things like: public health care, education, street crime, the current attitude toward political dissent, and environmental issues. If you do not worry about that stuff, it completely changes the index.

[clv101]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Tyler_JC', 'P')ersonally, I would consider a nation's suicide rate to be a useful indicator of that nation's population's happiness. Clearly the people of Europe are not significantly happier than the people of the United States.

[UnpreparedMF]

Oilfreeandhappy,

I will have to challenge you to a duel (in Monty Python fake french accent) for using the same quote as a signature!!!

Oh, and though I love Chicago, I gotta agree with you that Denver should be higher...

[lateStarter]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('PenultimateManStanding', 'S')an Diego, California, probably has more peakoil.com posters than any other city anywhere. I have no idea why, just something I noticed. And I'd rather be here than in Lithuania or Belgium.

[PenultimateManStanding]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('lateStarter', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('PenultimateManStanding', 'S')an Diego, California, probably has more peakoil.com posters than any other city anywhere. I have no idea why, just something I noticed. And I'd rather be here than in Lithuania or Belgium.

[lateStarter]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('PenultimateManStanding', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('lateStarter', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('PenultimateManStanding', 'S')an Diego, California, probably has more peakoil.com posters than any other city anywhere. I have no idea why, just something I noticed. And I'd rather be here than in Lithuania or Belgium.

[PenultimateManStanding]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('lateStarter', '
')Please tell me what your life in SD would be like if you didn't have a car... Can you even imagine it? Have you worked through the implications yet?

[lateStarter]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('PenultimateManStanding', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('lateStarter', '
')Please tell me what your life in SD would be like if you didn't have a car... Can you even imagine it? Have you worked through the implications yet?

[Wildwell]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('emersonbiggins', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('pup55', 'H')alf of these are weighted heavily toward european preferences for things like: public health care, education, street crime, the current attitude toward political dissent, and environmental issues. If you do not worry about that stuff, it completely changes the index.

[lateStarter]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('pstarr', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('lateStarter', 'T')hat should explain everything to you then! Somehow, everyone in SD who is semi-aware knows they are f*cked when TSHTF.. Of course you would rather be in SD NOW than in Lithuania, but when TSHTF, you will wish you were in Lithuania. They have been through more sh*t in recent memory than you and all your surf crew could ever imagine (but you will get to experience first hand soon - with, might I add, no prior experience)! BTW, I would rather be in Lithuania than in Belgium when TSHTF.Best...

[Tyler_JC]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('clv101', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Tyler_JC', 'P')ersonally, I would consider a nation's suicide rate to be a useful indicator of that nation's population's happiness. Clearly the people of Europe are not significantly happier than the people of the United States.

[Kingcoal]

I have a Chinese friend that travels back and forth between China and the US several times a year. He lives in Philadelphia and absolutely loves it. He married a polish girl and settled down there. He is always trying to get me to travel to China with him to see the sites. I like Philly also, it's a sleeper. It has a bad reputation, never makes "best city lists." Based on my tastes, it looks like I should turn this list upside down!

[lorenzo]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('pup55', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'M')ercer’s study is based on detailed assessments and evaluations of 39 key quality of living determinants, grouped in the following categories:

* Political and social environment (political stability, crime, law enforcement, etc.)
* Economic environment (currency exchange regulations, banking services, etc.)
* Socio-cultural environment (censorship, limitations on personal freedom, etc.)
* Medical and health considerations (medical supplies and services, infectious diseases, sewage, waste disposal, air pollution, etc.)
* Schools and education (standard and availability of schools, etc.)
* Public services and transportation (electricity, water, public transport, traffic congestion, etc.)
* Recreation (restaurants, theatres, cinemas, sports and leisure, etc.)
* Consumer goods (availability of food/daily consumption items, cars, etc.)
* Housing (housing, household appliances, furniture, maintenance services, etc.)
* Natural environment (climate, record of natural disasters)

[ClassicSpiderman]

I currently live in Calgary (#25) whereas I used to live in Ottawa (#21). Now, I lived in downtown Ottawa on a street where there were always drug dealers, drunk homeless bums and hookers everywhere. But other than that, it was great Being a single young man I could sow my wild oats and enjoy the nightlife.

I now live in the Northern suburbs in Calgary with adequate access to many amenities within walking distance. Access to public transport is adequate but is overwhelmed due to high demand during the peak commute hours.

I visited San Francisco (#28 ) last year. If I were a rich man, I would love to own a house or condo near Fisherman's Wharf. I love sea food as well. It also has the best temperate weather in North America.

I've been to Toronto (#16) a few times, but you couldn't pay me to live there now. Sure when I was a kid, I was impressed by its skyscrapers and bright lights but you have to be a gazillionaire to live anywhere that's walkable. People literally commute 90 minutes each way to their jobs. Toronto is Canada's version of the American mega-city. When the peak oil effects are fully realized Toronto will become hell on earth.

I'm surprised Montreal placed so high at #22. Sure, housing is fairly cheap for this cosmopolitan metropolis, but there is a lot of unemployment. Quebec is the most highly unionized and social democratic region in North America. I had a great-great uncle who owned property on Ste. Catherine street about 100 years ago--started out working in a shoe repair store and retired a very very rich man.

It doesn't surprise me that 3 of the top 10 are cities in Switzerland. In my book, Switzerland is God's country--perfect democratic system (every law must be passed by popular vote), great civil defense program (these guys wouldn't even feel the effects of a nuclear war) and guns subsidized by the government (every man has an assault rifle in his home--why do you think Hitler dared not invade THAT country???). Switzerland kicks A**.

[Carlhole]

Men's Journal: Portland best place to live; Hood River best place to play

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Portland Business Journal', ' ')Men's Journal magazine says Portland is the best place to live and Hood River is the most active town in the United States.

Plus, the magazine -- a general interest, active lifestyle magazine with a focus on adventure, travel, equipment, sports, fitness, health, style and ideas -- reports in its April issue now on the stands that Eugene is among the best place for singles to meet and Bonanza in Klamath County is among the best hideouts for people who have had enough with big city living and crave utter solitude.

Men's Journal asked writers and editors to pick their favorite city or town to call home where you can live an active life of adventure for a feature the magazine calls "50 Best Places to Live."

Broken down into a variety of categories to appeal to a broad range of interests, the "Best of the Best" picks on the list features winners for the perfect combination of adventure, attractiveness and affordability, with Portland No. 1, followed by Austin, Texas; Boulder, Colo.; San Diego; and Burlington, Vt.

[Doly]

I understand the survey considers only the biggest cities of the world. Which is a pity, because I'd say the quality of life in really big cities (defined as more than 1,000,000 people) is generally lower than in smaller ones (about 100,000-200,000 people).