# If you had to pick a small country to live in {Small for this thread is less than 3 million people} **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 27, 2023, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-had-to-pick-a-small-country-to-live-in-small-for-this-thread-is-less-than-3-million-people/986170 "2023-06-27T13:00:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![SanVito](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sanvito/32/2805_2.png) [@SanVito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanVito)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2023, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-had-to-pick-a-small-country-to-live-in-small-for-this-thread-is-less-than-3-million-people/986170/61 "2023-06-28T14:07:26Z")
‘She’. But yes. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2023, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-had-to-pick-a-small-country-to-live-in-small-for-this-thread-is-less-than-3-million-people/986170/62 "2023-06-28T14:16:43Z")
Sorry, that is why I so often default to “they”. I’ll try to remember. ---
**Author:** ![MrPete67](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ac8455/32.png) [@MrPete67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrPete67)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2023, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-had-to-pick-a-small-country-to-live-in-small-for-this-thread-is-less-than-3-million-people/986170/63 "2023-06-28T15:27:30Z")
Me too… ---
**Author:** ![Wrenching\_Spanners](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ecb155/32.png) [@Wrenching\_Spanners](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wrenching_Spanners)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2023, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-had-to-pick-a-small-country-to-live-in-small-for-this-thread-is-less-than-3-million-people/986170/64 "2023-06-29T15:36:27Z")
Luxembourg is thoroughly English speaking. French is the first language, but you’ll find that the majority of places have bilingual signs, and some don’t bother with French. When I worked there, there were only a handful of times I interacted with someone who didn’t speak English. English is far more widely spoke than the “native” language Luxembourgish. ---
**Author:** ![Wrenching\_Spanners](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ecb155/32.png) [@Wrenching\_Spanners](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wrenching_Spanners)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2023, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-had-to-pick-a-small-country-to-live-in-small-for-this-thread-is-less-than-3-million-people/986170/65 "2023-06-29T16:05:53Z")
Two possibilities for the OP: Cyprus and Mauritius. Mauritius is more exotic and more isolated, but very tourism focused. Cyprus would be my choice of a small country I wanted to live in, rather than visit. But I’d probably choose a semi-autonomous island like Corsica above the strictly independent countries. ---
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2023, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-had-to-pick-a-small-country-to-live-in-small-for-this-thread-is-less-than-3-million-people/986170/66 "2023-06-29T16:08:11Z")
I’m not sure, but isn’t Cyprus as tourism focused as Mauritius? The copper boom was a long time ago… ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2023, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-had-to-pick-a-small-country-to-live-in-small-for-this-thread-is-less-than-3-million-people/986170/67 "2023-06-29T16:33:05Z")
> [@Wrenching\_Spanners](#): > > Luxembourg is thoroughly English speaking. When my wife and I visited, we drove in and only went to small towns, and only stayed in bed and breakfast/private homes – and probably the cheapest one. My recollection is of elderly homeowners looking for an English speaking neighbor to talk to us. I suppose it is different in Luxembourg City, or one or two other larger towns with business communities, or maybe even in the best bed and breakfast in town. If these ubiquitous English speakers all also know Luxembourgish and either French or German, that’s impressive. ---
**Author:** ![Wrenching\_Spanners](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ecb155/32.png) [@Wrenching\_Spanners](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wrenching_Spanners)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2023, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-had-to-pick-a-small-country-to-live-in-small-for-this-thread-is-less-than-3-million-people/986170/68 "2023-06-29T16:57:58Z")
> [@EinsteinsHund](#): > > I’m not sure, but isn’t Cyprus as tourism focused as Mauritius? The copper boom was a long time ago… Could just be my impression. In Cyprus, it seemed like when we were walking around towns or going into shops, or even going into restaurants, most people were speaking Greek and while there was a definite tourist element, it wasn’t the primary focus. In Mauritius, the only place that felt local was Port Louis, which we didn’t like very much. Everywhere else seemed nearly %100 tourist focused. Like we went to what we thought was a local market, but they had more stalls selling souvenirs than local produce. ---
**Author:** ![Yogeekgirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yogeekgirl/32/4129_2.png) [@Yogeekgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yogeekgirl)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2023, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-had-to-pick-a-small-country-to-live-in-small-for-this-thread-is-less-than-3-million-people/986170/69 "2023-06-29T17:09:54Z")
Definitely New Zealand, after seeing this movie: > **[The Chills: The Triumph & Tragedy of Martin Phillipps](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_chills_the_triumph_and_tragedy_of_martin_phillipps)** > > Singer/songwriter Martin Phillipps discusses his life, musical career and battle with hepatitis C. Also I’ve wondered about Estonia after seeing a Viking exhibit, around the same time- 2018? ---
**Author:** ![Wrenching\_Spanners](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ecb155/32.png) [@Wrenching\_Spanners](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wrenching_Spanners)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2023, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-had-to-pick-a-small-country-to-live-in-small-for-this-thread-is-less-than-3-million-people/986170/70 "2023-06-29T17:15:57Z")
> [@PhillyGuy](#): > > I suppose it is different in Luxembourg City, or one or two other larger towns with business communities, or maybe even in the best bed and breakfast in town. I was a business visitor staying in Luxembourg City, so that definitely skews my impression. On the other hand, my impression was that most of Luxembourg, at least the southern half, was mostly a suburb of Luxembourg City. Not to mention some exurbs in France and Germany where co-workers lived. We did visit Remich to visit the wineries, and had no problems speaking English. I may have had to speak pidgin French to a bus driver. We did other touristy things outside of Luxembourg City but those tourist spots were set up to handle English speakers. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2023, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-had-to-pick-a-small-country-to-live-in-small-for-this-thread-is-less-than-3-million-people/986170/71 "2023-06-29T18:04:52Z")
Switzerland. Duh! ---
**Author:** ![Die\_Capacitrix](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/die_capacitrix/32/9_2.png) [@Die\_Capacitrix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Die_Capacitrix)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2023, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-had-to-pick-a-small-country-to-live-in-small-for-this-thread-is-less-than-3-million-people/986170/72 "2023-06-29T18:27:52Z")
> [@EinsteinsHund](#): > > Re Liechtenstein: nice country and landscape for sure, but one of the most expensive places in the world. Looking around, it seems Liechtenstein is cheaper than Switzerland, and it uses the same language and money, so I’ll choose Liechtenstein. Malta has horrible tap water and is too washed-out for me. I like having seasons, and I have no interest in learning another language. I miss having direct access to the ocean, but I’ve sort of gotten used to this corner of Europe. ---
**Author:** ![Dag\_Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@Dag\_Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dag_Otto)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2023, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-had-to-pick-a-small-country-to-live-in-small-for-this-thread-is-less-than-3-million-people/986170/73 "2023-06-29T20:49:25Z")
> [@leahcim](#): > > Slovenia or Croatia? This. I’m on vacation now, just left Slovenia and currently in Croatia. Either would be perfect. ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2023, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-had-to-pick-a-small-country-to-live-in-small-for-this-thread-is-less-than-3-million-people/986170/74 "2023-06-29T21:09:00Z")
I love Switzerland (have spent just under 3 years there), but much too expensive. It wasn’t always that way when a Swiss Frank was worth 23c, but it is now. I had 18 winter vacations in Barbados and I absolutely adore the place, the people are as friendly as can be and it is affordable if you don’t insist on living on the beach. But I have never spent a summer there and I am afraid that it will be impacted badly by climate change. Already, one of their main fisheries (for flying fish) has disappeared. I think water is a problem and energy too. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2023, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-had-to-pick-a-small-country-to-live-in-small-for-this-thread-is-less-than-3-million-people/986170/75 "2023-06-29T21:39:53Z")
Iceland is tempting, although it’s very threatened by climate change. My first choice would be New Zealand, although i gather that’s bigger than what the OP wants to consider. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2023, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-had-to-pick-a-small-country-to-live-in-small-for-this-thread-is-less-than-3-million-people/986170/76 "2023-06-29T23:20:25Z")
> [@Wrenching\_Spanners](#): > > I was a business visitor staying in Luxembourg City, so that definitely skews my impression. I’ve lived in Luxembourg for almost seven years. English is widely spoken in the central city, though it’s not universal. My very first week here, I needed to replace a pair of shoes, so I went to one of the big malls, and the shoe store clerk spoke no English. I managed to get by with my mediocre German. English is much harder to come by as you get into the smaller cities and villages of the north and northeast. It’s gorgeous country (Clervaux in particular is a heart stopping little town) but in that region it’s Luxembourgish and German first, compared to the center and south where it’s French and English. But multi lingual people are very common. Everyone here speaks at least two languages; most speak three; it’s not rare to meet people who speak even more. Case in point: my two daughters, ages nine and twelve. The younger girl is now fluent in French and Luxembourgish on top of her native English, and has basic functionality in German; the older girl is fluent in all four, and next school year will begin studying Chinese as her elective language. It’s a strange but wonderful little country. I love living here. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2023, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-had-to-pick-a-small-country-to-live-in-small-for-this-thread-is-less-than-3-million-people/986170/77 "2023-06-29T23:23:26Z")
> [@Hari\_Seldon](#): > > I love Switzerland (have spent just under 3 years there), but much too expensive. Agree, Switzerland is _stupid_ expensive. Astonishingly beautiful place, very friendly people, but literally everything costs two or three times as much as it does anywhere else. I’ve loved visiting, but I always feel guilty that I’m impacting my kids’ college budget when I order a thirty dollar burger. ---
**Author:** ![SanVito](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sanvito/32/2805_2.png) [@SanVito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanVito)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2023, 9:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-had-to-pick-a-small-country-to-live-in-small-for-this-thread-is-less-than-3-million-people/986170/78 "2023-06-30T09:10:43Z")
> [@Wrenching\_Spanners](#): > > We did visit Remich to visit the wineries, and had no problems speaking English. I may have had to speak pidgin French to a bus driver. We did other touristy things outside of Luxembourg City but those tourist spots were set up to handle English speakers. It wouldn’t bother me if not many people spoke English - I take it for granted that if you move to a foreign country, it’s on you to learn the language. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2023, 11:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-had-to-pick-a-small-country-to-live-in-small-for-this-thread-is-less-than-3-million-people/986170/79 "2023-06-30T11:53:57Z")
I take that for granted, too, but I’m really bad at learning languages. So i wouldn’t want to move to a country where i couldn’t speak the language. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2023, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-had-to-pick-a-small-country-to-live-in-small-for-this-thread-is-less-than-3-million-people/986170/80 "2023-06-30T13:38:14Z")
Same issue here. Plus my hearing is degraded making it tougher. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-had-to-pick-a-small-country-to-live-in-small-for-this-thread-is-less-than-3-million-people/986170.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-had-to-pick-a-small-country-to-live-in-small-for-this-thread-is-less-than-3-million-people/986170.md?page=5)