Southern Canada. Why? I fear change. John Irving says that New Englanders have more in common with Canadians than New Yorkers, so it sounds okay to me. I’ve liked what little I’ve seen of the country, too. And If I don’t go too far north, I won’t have to adapt to a new climate, either. Hell, Toronto’s south of us, so it might even be warmer. (I’d live somewhere smaller nearby, though, I’ve had enough city living to last me a life time.)
Hong Kong.
Toronto, Canada or Dublin, Ireland. In that order.
If I could magically speak the language of another country? Sweden or Finland. Cold weather, politics I like, porn on broadcast television. The monoethnic nature of the place would get a little dull, but the rest of Europe is just a short plane ride away.
Among English-speaking countries? New Zealand, probably. I’ve never been there, but it looks beautiful in pictures. And I think I’d like the climate. And it’s just “foreign” enough to be different yet not completely cut off from Western culture (which I hate to admit, but I’m terribly dependent on it). And it has universal healthcare, just like my second choice, Canada (west coast, please… though I’ve never been there either).
Well, it looks like davenportavenger said almost exactly what I was going to say. If I could speak the languages, I’d go with Sweden, Finland, or Iceland.
Failing the language thing, I’d probably go with Canada.
~ Isaac
Britain (probably Scotland, I loved it there). Greece (Crete) only I don’t speak the lingo but I did enjoy the lifestyle. Sweden (never been there but always wanted to) they just seem to have an envious lifestyle…well except for the cold and dark stuff.
[Bolding mine.]
I like the sound of this porn on broadcast television. Perhaps I should start watching more televison here when I am at home. All I ever seem to see is CSI and other American TV shows. Unless, by porn you mean occasional nudity in a movie or something, I’m afraid that I have to disappoint you on this matter. Or it could be totally different in Finland for all I know.
As far as knowing the language - it’s not even necessary. Everyone here speaks good English. I had several teachers who never really learned the language despite living here for years.
New Zealand, I think; culturally and environmentally similar to where I live at the moment, but with fewer humans. I would not want to move to a densely-populated part.
Palawan.
Yes, it’s English speaking.
Yes, the women dig merkin men.
No, you can’t come.
Canada. Just like America, minus the Christian fundamentalists, the gun nuts, and the war mongers. I’d get a house on the shore of Lake Huron in Ontario.
Mars
Costa Rica
America by a mile - likely Montana or Oregon. Second place would be New Zealand.
To all those saying NZ, can I ask a small question? Is your answer based on the scenery seen in LOTR or even Whale Rider?
Please remember NZ is not the nature segment of a Disney ride. Believe it or not NZ is a real country. A country that is more then pretty places and sheep.
The mind boggles that so many of you would name NZ as your place to live based on it’s prettiness or lack of people.
Shit if pretty counted I would go live in Thailand. Personaly I think NZ is a bloody good place to be but not because it is pretty or lacking people.
I live in Auckland, a city of well over 1 mill. Yes, I believe it is a pretty city, NZers from ouside Auckland will tell you I’m full of shit. I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else (except in day dreams) but it certainly is not paradise.
Oops I’m feeling election gripe. The election is in 3 weeks. Nothing makes you analyse where you live more then an election.
I just hate thinking NZ is seen as some wilderness paradise as opposed to a real country. A county where some bloke was killed by a hunk of concrete chucked off motorway overpass last week…by a 14 yr old.
It ain’t paradise.
Holy hyperdefensiveness, Batman! Why’d you ask your “small question” in the first place, when you obviously think that you know the answer already? :dubious: Thanks for the faith in our collective intelligence (“oooh, shiny country…let’s live there!”). I’m not saying that it might not be the reason some people picked NZ, nor am I doubting that you hear that reasoning frequently, but if you don’t know for sure what our motivation is and you’re going to ask us about it, the least you can do is wait for answers before jumping all over us!
<deep breath>
Ok, on to my answer: the reason I said NZ is because I know people who have lived there and people who have traveled there. Of the countries I haven’t been to myself, it’s the one that I hear the most positive things about.
Good enough reason for ya? 
Not in my case. A cousin of mine lives there and a friend or three used to live there. New Zealand has a lot to offer: wonderful vineyards, easy access to winter and summer sports, a sleepy and congenial atmosphere - England without the overcrowding.
Scotland.
But it’s alarming me that I am agreeing with Calm Kiwi a lot- that shouldn’t happen. 
Norway or Ireland.
I would pick New Zealand.
I would be lying if I said that scenic beauty and low population weren’t factors. Also, from what I’ve heard, people there are generally perceived as being friendly and laid-back. My relatives who have visited have nothing but glowingly positive things to say about New Zealand and its people. It seems like a nice place to live.
Also, it is geographically remote and exotic, without being culturally inaccesible.
I think you underestimate the attraction of a place with few people. The entire country has a lower population then the metropolitan area I live in. That sounds heavenly.
Singapore (Alternatives: Hong Kong, or Malaysia.)
Singapore is clean, safe and a good launching point to go see the rest of SE Asia, the islands, Japan, China, and India. I find these areas to be quite fascinating, even moreso than European locales.
Hong Kong is just so vibrant and alive that it’s hard not to want to stay there and peel back all the layers of that onion.
Malaysia has the conservative Muslim population to keep some of the craziness in check, but there are also plenty of free-spirited Chinese living there to counter balance the culture. Plus, Kuala Lumpur is pretty a happening town.