# What is Your Favorite Thing About Living in America (USA)? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [January 17, 2026, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-thing-about-living-in-america-usa/1026764 "2026-01-17T02:40:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2026, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-thing-about-living-in-america-usa/1026764/41 "2026-01-23T16:46:37Z")
> [@oligArchie](#): > > Building Codes. Upon return from most of my international travels, I’ve come to appreciate this component of Americana. That is a good one. However, IME, building codes are not applied equally in all areas. For a while we looked into buying a home in NW Indiana. People complain about the hassle and cost of Chicago area building codes, but the poor quality construction we encountered in IN was shocking. Are US building codes that much better than - say - in much of Europe? ---
**Author:** ![Si\_Amigo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/si_amigo/32/2877_2.png) [@Si\_Amigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Si_Amigo)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2026, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-thing-about-living-in-america-usa/1026764/42 "2026-01-23T17:37:44Z")
I like that we are free to leave and travel the world as long as the other country accepts our reason to visit. I am fearful that this may change. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2026, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-thing-about-living-in-america-usa/1026764/43 "2026-01-26T01:42:23Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#): > > Are US building codes that much better than - say - in much of Europe? It was pointed out in the Swiss nightclub fire thread that only the US and Canada have required sprinkler systems in buildings, and that there has never been a multiple fatality (more than 3 people, or was it 3 or more?) in a building with a functioning sprinkler system. So there’s that… ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2026, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-thing-about-living-in-america-usa/1026764/44 "2026-01-26T01:57:31Z")
> [@Si\_Amigo](#): > > like that we are free to leave and travel the world as long as the other country accepts our reason to visit. I Except Cuba, of course. ---
**Author:** ![Meatwater](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meatwater/32/20074_2.png) [@Meatwater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meatwater)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2026, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-thing-about-living-in-america-usa/1026764/45 "2026-01-27T00:14:47Z")
I want to echo the love for a rich immigrant history and food. The fact I can get virtually authentic cuisine from virtually any country is awesome. When living in Asia the things I missed the most… I.. I preferred it there. Just no decent Italian food anywhere. Oh Freedom of Speech! Love that I can go to local metal shows and we can get a good “F DJT” chant going. I could probably do that elsewhere too… > [@DavidNRockies](#): > > It’s where @Moriarty’s cat lives. I too pick this guys cat. ---
**Author:** ![Reply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reply/32/15952_2.png) [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2026, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-thing-about-living-in-america-usa/1026764/46 "2026-01-27T00:37:03Z")
Our National Parks and similar public lands. Oh, and ice. You can easily get an oversized iced beverage anywhere. In Europe it’s hard to find ice, and in Asia it’s hard to find large drinks. America has the coldest and largest drinks, though not necessarily the best… ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2026, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-thing-about-living-in-america-usa/1026764/47 "2026-01-27T00:42:24Z")
I agree with the two answers above that mention the scenery in the west and far north, and the national parks/monuments. ---
**Author:** ![suranyi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@suranyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suranyi)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2026, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-thing-about-living-in-america-usa/1026764/48 "2026-01-27T00:45:19Z")
The fantastic music scene. Not only do we have tremendous homegrown talent, but we attract foreign talent from around the world. In my own city I can see, and have seen, the top artists from every corner of the globe. ---
**Author:** ![El\_DeLuxo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_deluxo/32/9043_2.png) [@El\_DeLuxo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_DeLuxo)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2026, 5:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-thing-about-living-in-america-usa/1026764/49 "2026-01-28T05:38:44Z")
The coyotes and the raccoons. ---
**Author:** ![GargoyleWB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gargoylewb/32/199_2.png) [@GargoyleWB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GargoyleWB)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2026, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-thing-about-living-in-america-usa/1026764/50 "2026-01-28T18:40:21Z")
I like the overlap with nature. We’re pretty much “in the city” but still get deer, raccoons, coyotes, eagles, owls, salmon, cranes, etc coexisting. Even a half-hour away, and we have to take care to bear-proof our picnics. ---
**Author:** ![Reply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reply/32/15952_2.png) [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2026, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-thing-about-living-in-america-usa/1026764/51 "2026-01-28T19:13:11Z")
> [@GargoyleWB](#): > > I like the overlap with nature Heh, the first time I ever saw a bear in the wild, it was right at that wildland-urban interface… it walked right from the mountains into a motel lobby, causing a slight panic. The next day, a herd of moose were sunbathing on the front lawn across the street. They’ve become quite good at “coexisting” 🙂 This was right outside the Rockies. Lately, it seems like that’s where nature goes to see people, not the other way around. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2026, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-thing-about-living-in-america-usa/1026764/52 "2026-01-28T22:25:18Z")
> [@GargoyleWB](#): > > I like the overlap with nature. We’re pretty much “in the city” but still get deer, raccoons, coyotes, eagles, owls, salmon, cranes, etc coexisting. Yep, we dont get all of those, but Mountain Lions have been spotted nearby as well as bears - they relocated the bears.. ---
**Author:** ![fedman1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e495f1/32.png) [@fedman1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fedman1)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2026, 5:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-thing-about-living-in-america-usa/1026764/53 "2026-01-29T05:01:15Z")
did you mean SF, by chance 😄 ? ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2026, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-thing-about-living-in-america-usa/1026764/54 "2026-01-29T20:23:43Z")
> [@fedman1](#): > > did you mean SF, by chance Northern LA County. But yeah a Mtn lion was found in SF. ---
**Author:** ![Saphir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/278dde/32.png) [@Saphir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saphir)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2026, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-thing-about-living-in-america-usa/1026764/56 "2026-01-31T22:57:04Z")
The strong immigrant communities that are present in many cities. You can feel like you’ve traveled the world and never gone more than half an hour from home. Also, the fact that being American feels additive– yyou can be American _and something else._ Two of the biggest things I miss since moving to Germany. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2026, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-thing-about-living-in-america-usa/1026764/57 "2026-02-01T00:02:18Z")
> [@Saphir](#): > > Also, the fact that being American feels additive– yyou can be American _and something else._ And there is nothing at all wrong about being say “Irish-American”- in fact many celebrate it. ---
**Author:** ![fedman1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e495f1/32.png) [@fedman1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fedman1)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2026, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-thing-about-living-in-america-usa/1026764/58 "2026-02-01T02:29:14Z")
unfortunately, that ethos is changing due to a certain pumpkin head (empty but mouth always open) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-thing-about-living-in-america-usa/1026764.md?page=2)