Are average living standards better in France, the UK, or the Republic of Ireland?

[Polish phenotypes]

As we know GDP PPP per capita isn't the best proxy, especially considering the case of the ROI, where tax policy drives assets relocation (such as CAIA BEPS tool).

Average incomes seem to be similar. Which of these would you say has the highest living standards? My Irish friends say that ROI's property market is quite challenging and it's hard to get on a property ladder, whereas France has a higher number of unemployed youth. UK is still largely a class-based society but has the lowest unemployment rate and keeps inflation in check.

[The Lawspeaker]

I would avoid all three of them like the plague. But that's me. The only thing France has going for it, is the climate down South.

[Dandelion]

I'd go with Ireland or France outside of Nice or Paris.

[Polish phenotypes]

I would avoid all three of them like the plague. But that's me. The only thing France has going for it, is the climate down South.

I'd go with Ireland or France outside of Nice or Paris.

I have visited these countries and I am not planning to live there, however, I am curious which country is really "richer" as understood and experienced by average people. It's funny to have two Dutch responses to this because I have avoided incorporating the Netherlands into this for the reasons which are obvious.

[TheMaestro]

I have visited these countries and I am not planning to live there, however, I am curious which country is really "richer" as understood and experienced by average people. It's funny to have two Dutch responses to this because I have avoided incorporating the Netherlands into this for the reasons which are obvious.

NL, is like 5 levels infront of UK, France or Ireland. In terms of non-Ethnics and over-population they are in a pretty bad shape, but their enviroment, architecture, salaries and quality of life are much much better.

[Grace O'Malley]

I love Ireland but I don't know if I could ever live there as I'm spoilt with the Australian climate. I'm planning on going back in a couple of years to travel around the west coast hopefully for a few months. I find it difficult to be impartial because I'm of Irish heritage and have family there which makes it a lot different. The UK is leaving the EU though so that is going to have a big impact on all aspects of life. I would think UK and France are richer because they are colonial powers. Ireland has a housing shortage so rents are high and Brexit is going to affect Ireland negatively. I would go with France.

[The Lawspeaker]

I love Ireland but I don't know if I could ever live there as I'm spoilt with the Australian climate. I'm planning on going back in a couple of years to travel around the west coast hopefully for a few months. I find it difficult to be impartial because I'm of Irish heritage and have family there which makes it a lot different. The UK is leaving the EU though so that is going to have a big impact on all aspects of life. I would think UK and France are richer because they are colonial powers. Ireland has a housing shortage so rents are high and Brexit is going to affect Ireland negatively. I would go with France.

You'll be surprised to hear it but being a colonial power didn't benefit anyone.. except for a few rich bankers.

[Polish phenotypes]

You'll be surprised to hear it but being a colonial power didn't benefit anyone.. except for a few rich bankers.

The Vereenigde Oostindische Compagnie though - one of the most interesting developments in history in my opinion, I respect the Dutch since learning about VOC and public stock company invented in the Netherlands. Previously all I knew about the Dutch was Calvinism and that there were some Dutch Mennonite settler villages in Poland on the outskirts of Warsaw near where I live. Going back to the main topic, arguably the UK's financial services sector (largest in the world) has its origins in the Empire.

[EuropeanVlachSon]

You'll be surprised to hear it but being a colonial power didn't benefit anyone.. except for a few rich bankers.

Not so, France has a lot of businesses in ex-African colonies.


From that list, I would choose Ireland or Scotland. Ireland is a prosperous economy with decent academic life, with Dublin which is a decent city and big salaries with also big prices, of course. Big salaries = big prices.
Scotland is like Ireland for me, Edinburgh is a lovely city and you also have Glasgow near you, so more opportunities, events. The academic life is better, salaries and prices probably the same.

[Loki]

I would say the UK, of these three. But it's a relatively large country, and there are internal variations to be noted.