Best place in Europe to live?

[Spenner]

I'm honestly considering in a few years gathering up my things and just moving where it's better for my soul, which encapsulates many many places in Europe. I know so little about actually living in most places but the fact that there is so much beautiful remote areas all over REALLY gets the stars in my eyes. Particularly places where access to the countryside is not far at all. I basically want the furthest thing from a city life to define this evolution I have in mind.

I know a lot of you guys live in Europe, so I thought I'd ask you all first! Any personal recommendations based on your experiences or knowledge? I basically just want a place that actually looks like I'm living on planet earth, not some concrete stacked imprisoned cell. I seriously think such a move would improve my mental health immensely on the depression end of things.

Feel free to talk me down, too, but it seems like there is just so much beauty in what there is to offer particularly in the western end of Europe. Part of me feels like I'll never truly feel like I'm at home until I set foot on such a worldly place, with a simpler life before me. Am I talking nonsense, and will I get Jerusalum Syndrome when arriving? I have a very strong feeling things would work out just peachy but alas, voice your opinions.

[portiss]

I would check Denmark, supposed to have the best living conditions.

As for myself, I live in the countryisde of the Netherlands and have nothing to complain about. Just settle for a smallish town and you'll be set for the rest of your life.

[Mexicola]

The Scandinavian countries usually poll highly for quality of living, happiness etc, but equally they're expensive. Language is a consideration too. How do you feel about living somewhere where English isn't the main language? Would you find work more difficult to come by etc? What climate suits you best? Sweden or Spain more to your liking weather wise? Have you travelled to Europe before? Perhaps take some time to visit first. If you're young, look up Inter railing as a way to visit alot of Europe relatively cheaply and easily. Good luck!!

[Cupz]

As for myself, I live in the countryisde of the Netherlands and have nothing to complain about. Just settle for a smallish town and you'll be set for the rest of your life.

Agreed, if you stay out of the west, NL is the best.

[fujee]

Scandinavia is incredible, but for a total balance of things, I'd go with France. In many ways, I wish I was French.

Edit: Berlin is also bloody great.

[Spenner]

Appreciate the info guys =) have some focal points to test out now. As for the language barrier, I'm very willing to adapt. In fact I find most of the languages foreign to me but are in Europe are some of the most beautiful, that I would like to learn more than most. I've never actually set foot anywhere from North America yet, but, I doubt my assumptions about the places I intend to visit are wrong (will definitely do that before moving there). Climate is not an issue, also. I'm an avid winter camper and summer survivor.

[drillkicker]

Canada gets drastically more remote than Europe ever can, though. Why not just move to Nunavut or Greenland ? The most remote you'll get on the other side of the Atlantic is probably Svalbard or Jan Mayen.

[The Telepathic Kid]

Stars in your eyes is right,

I mean I'd love to be in the country in nice beautiful places, but as our culture decides what it feels is important, things like record stores, arthouse cinemas, art communities (actual art, not people doing boring landscapes), experimental and fringe music venues and performances will not be where you're wanting to go.

I mean I've thought about doing what you want to do, but it's the decision between head cleansing and soul removal. It would make me worry less about the world, but I'd also be ignorant to it, and I wouldn't be able to express myself in the same way.

And when I said no record stores/art house cinemas, if you responded with "well we have the internet, streaming and online shopping! You don't have to be in the big city for those sorts of things now" then really, don't even go there.

That's hypocrisy in my eyes.

[Spenner]

Remoteness is not the number one emphasis here, it doesn't have to be in seclusion, but having access to the countryside at least. Also call me picky but I've been northern Canada enough times and it's not for me. Beautiful up there though, and for most people, the right choice.

Maybe it's stupid, I'm not religious or anything, but I love there being no filter over the fact that I'm on earth, and "spiritually" feel total contentment when I can see a plain or stretch of land where the sheets of earth have turned inward over time to create cliffs. Maybe it'd dull my senses to live there, but living in the countryside in Canada (before it got very busy/we moved away etc) had no flaws. Still had internet and whatnot, because it's not like I have to live 20 miles from the nearest store here necessarily-- we're talking just having room to breathe at the very least. Internet's not as important but I'd have to live someplace with access to it for family reasons, and that's not a tall order these days.

Also I don't have a problem with record stores or movie theatres not being around. I don't watch movies and music is a rare treat, I already have bought my alltime favourite collections of things physically so I have that whenever I'm in the mood. And soul removal? Far from it. Not sure how intimately connected you feel with earth but the experience of living closer to it always filling of the spirit ime.

[The Telepathic Kid]

interesting,

I feel to remove art from your life IS a form of soul removal.

To express myself and to understand the expression of others is to live for me.

[drillkicker]

And when I said no record stores/art house cinemas, if you responded with "well we have the internet, streaming and online shopping! You don't have to be in the big city for those sorts of things now" then really, don't even go there.

That's hypocrisy in my eyes.

How is that hypocrisy ? I live out in the country, so you're saying I shouldn't be allowed to listen to music or find any other artistic works using the internet ? Or that wanting to live somewhere that's pleasant also means that one should pursue total isolation ? I think you're too focused on extremes. It's OK for people to live in ways that make them happy, and you should accept that.

[The Telepathic Kid]

I think it's hypocrisy because I like the idea of going to record stores and being with people,

I like going to art house cinemas, and talking to the people who go to special screenings and the owners.

That's why I say "in my eyes". I love experiences, and sharing experiences with people.

[drillkicker]

I say you should just move to Alaska, Spenner. If you live near Anchorage or Fairbanks, then you will have all the comforts of civilization with vast stretches of barely populated wilderness. You can literally step out of your house and go straight into the Boreal Forest, and there's no end to where you can explore. I don't know if Canada's the same way, but Alaska certainly has a wonderful balance. It's also one of the few places in the U.S. that actually feels like a community, and has its own distinct local culture.

[Spenner]

I say you should just move to Alaska, Spenner. If you live near Anchorage or Fairbanks, then you will have all the comforts of civilization with vast stretches of barely populated wilderness. You can literally step out of your house and go straight into the Boreal Forest, and there's no end to where you can explore. I don't know if Canada's the same way, but Alaska certainly has a wonderful balance. It's also one of the few places in the U.S. that actually feels like a community, and has its own distinct local culture.

See, that's definitely stuff I'm looking for too. Maybe not local hubs with modern society stuff, but people that can bind together and have the equal minded sympathetic view of survival and living with peace in mind. Noted down~ Although a shitton of similar land will accommodate my Canadian passport I'll definitely still do my diligent research.

I shouldn't have restricted this thread to Europe-- quite shallow and biased of me at the time-- I'm open to any suggestions if someone has fair points for any place.

[drillkicker]

I have very fond memories of Alaska and it's very good for outdoor activities, especially hunting and fishing. The only entirely negative thing I can think of is the total lack of concerts or big events in general. None of the musicians you like will ever play there, but as a BoC fan that probably isn't new to you.

[The Telepathic Kid]

Canada, France and Norway are the places I would love to actually live (if I were to live elsewhere other than my own home country.)

[Spenner]

Honestly after tripping mushrooms/pstlocibes enouh, music is organic. I feel ike part of BoC is trying to express tjat. It's just real msuci, bt the standardof nowhe. amd rje aestjetocstp ne very,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, i hathom to guess tribes sentencfes to deatj would jacve tp persofminJA;FHATDORY;TY

[84Pontiacdreams]

I've been in a couple of places in Europe and I definitely can tell that Copenhague would be the perfect place to live if the weather wasn't too extreme.

[84Pontiacdreams]

I've been in a couple of places in Europe and I definitely can tell that Copenhague would be the perfect place to live if the weather wasn't too extreme.

[Spenner]

Honestly after tripping mushrooms/pstlocibes enouh, music is organic. I feel ike part of BoC is trying to express tjat. It's just real msuci, bt the standardof nowhe. amd rje aestjetocstp ne very,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, i hathom to guess tribes sentencfes to deatj would jacve tp persofminJA;FHATDORY;TY

Jesus please excuse whatever that was.

Again, thanks for your insights. Climate/weather is adaptable for me. But I prefer it to not be fucking Sandy beach weather all day every day because that's not for me. If my wife and I stay kosher we might save a buncha money and visit some of these places