Originally Posted by getreal

Don't forget about free or almost free college education, day care, after school care for kids that is covered in Canada in Europe. Plus 4 weeks of paid vacation, and national pension plan for all. Add the cost of that plus cost of private health insurance and USA tax rate is closer to 70% or more. 2009 World's 20 Best Places To Live - none of US cities made it due to low quality of life, but plenty of Canadian, European and Australian places - coincidentally all with national health insurance.