How is life in Germany and as a whole in Europe as compared to America?
Is it that owing an independent home ( not apartment ) in Europe is difficult or is it that most Europeans live in apartments? I mean statistics show that European's salaries just come mext to Americans, but taxes in Europe are so high that Europeans cant spend much as their American counterparts? So what does this mean? Does it mean that an Ipod which costs $250 in Us would cost $300 in Europe, are the groceries there too expensive? Is it that Europeans cant buy as many cars as Americans because they are just too expensive? Also is it that European homes dont have as much PC's and laptops as Americans? It would be great if anyone can provide information about this topic? I would really like to know the real ground situation. Any links that would help me understand the economies and lifestyle of Europeans ( everyone, Germans, French, Dutch etc. ). Thanks.
Other - Cultures & Groups - 2 Answers
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1 :
only the outlaws have guns.
2 :
Generally speaking, we have more taxes, but then we don't have to pay health insurance or student loan debts, so after all I don't think that it makes such a huge difference. Housing is very expensive, due to high demand and lack of space, it is more difficult to get a mortgage and rates are higher, but apartments are preferred also for cultural reasons, even if semi-detached houses are gaining popularity. We actually like being close together, and most people would find living with no one next door sort of scary. Living in an independent house means living far from the city centre, with limited or no access to public transport system, far from shops, cultural activities and places where you can meet friends.. The city centre is where life is. Gasoline price is very high and traffic is a nightmare, so the closer to the city centre the better: in fact apartments there can cost even more than an independent house. If you have the money you get a central apartment, and an independent house in the country/mountains for holydays and weekends. Much higher gasoline price, again lack of space and small streets - so smaller cars. Groceries are more expensive: transport costs, and fewer large supermakets, mostly local groceries shops, because cities are already so dense in population and buildings. But I still can't see why at my local supermarket peaches produced in the nearby area costed thrice the peaches from the same area, at a small groceries shop, in a far away Alps tourist location (that is, generally more expensive)
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