Superbowl City one of the Best!

Tomorrow the Pittsburgh Steelers meet Green Bay Packers in Arlington Texas, a Dallas suburb, for Super Bowl XLV. It's anticipated this will be a an exciting and close game. Perhaps one of the best Super Bowls ever. Lot's are saying this is truly one of those 'Best of the Best' competitions one could see. But we'll leave that up to the sports critics to decide.

This year the game will take place at at the Cowboy’s Dallas, Texas stadium which is located in Arlington Texas. The Dallas area also happens to be a favorite of CNN's Money program and communities in the area like McKinney and Arlington get top marks and top spots as some of the Best Places to Live in the United States.

Many of the small 'towns' which make up the Dallas area suburbs are known to have low crime rates, reasonably priced homes, and excellent employment opportunities. Arlington is no exception. It has a gem of a downtown, good restaurants, fun boutiques, and interesting galleries. The employment opportunities here continue to be plentiful even during this down economy. There is a nice mix of business in financial services, medical technology, and eco friendly manufacturing. Though many of the small allas area towns have grown over the past decade, you would never suspect it as a drive through these tree filled communities with ponds, parks, and hiking trails makes them look like they have always been this inviting.

Cheapest Places to Live in the United States

As we started the year we looked at the Best Places to Live in the World according to International Living's Quality of Life Index. Over the past monthly we've briefly reviewed the Top Places to Live but I realized that I just glanced by our #1 country.

The United States is the Best Place to Live in 2011

Yes, when we go through he numbers the country with the highest average score over all nine categories was the United States with a total of 86.43 points. Considering the next four countries on the list, New Zealand (2nd), Malta, France and Monaco (5th) all scored very closely - between 75.14 and 75.92 - the U.S. really showed with quite an advantage - more than 10 pts ahead of 2nd place New Zealand. Now we did talk about the reasons for this in an earlier post - the fact the United States is so large and the diversity not just in terms of race, religion and the like but also the literally polar opposite ends of the scale when it comes to income and standard of living. No one can deny he U.S. has some of the wealthiest people and most expensive places to live on the planet while it also has some of the poorest and cheapest places to live too. As for the number well it's also true the U.S. is still the largest economy in the world and it has one huge and exemplary infrastructure system - yes, even with the pot holes in Detroit! It also scores high marks as a diverse and vibrant culture, a place of freedom, safety and a pretty reasonable cost of living. The United States has more miles of paved roads than anywhere else on the planet. It has more airports and airplanes. It's got tens of thousands of Doctors and hospital beds - provided you've got insurance to access them. Yes, looking at the numbers the U.S. has a while lot going for it!

Cheapest Places to Live in the United States

Now just one of the underlying themes for this blog is - Discovering the Cheapest Places to Live. Over the year we have talked about the best states in the U.S. and in other countries that could be considered 'cheap'. Today let's take a closer look - a snap shot if you will - of the most affordable places to live in the United States right now.

#1. Omaha, Nebraska
#2. Buffalo, New York
#3. Detroit, Michigan
#4. Indianapolis, Indiana
#5. Cincinnati, Ohio
#6. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
#7. Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota
#8. Cleveland, Ohio
#9. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
#10. Houston, Texas

Source: Forbes America's Most Affordable Cities

World's Most Visionary Cities

Something very cool, interesting and thought provoking from Yahoo! Travel - the World's Most 'Visionary' Cities. I have to say I'm putting some of these places top of my list to check out for potential as the Best Cities to Live in!

While many people still get the image of polluted, industrial wasteland whenever the word 'city' is mentioned, visionary architects, engineers and city planners have been busy solving the world's problems. There is some really cool and innovative design and thinking going on around our planet.

When one hears, 'Abu Dhabi' the first thing to come to mind is likely Dubai. Yes, both are located in the United Arab Emirates. One might think of them as states but the are correctly termed 'emirates' - because they are ruled by emirs. Now deserts, and oil probably also come to mind when thinking about this part of the world. Few have heard of Masdar City. But, you likely will. You see Masdar is a modern marvel of design that is being constructed in Abu Dhabi. It's truly a city of the future being built now. The city will come fully online around 2020. Here are a few of the exciting and visionary aspects of this city for the future - it will be completely solar and wind powered; most if not all of it's wastewater will be recycled into soil and natural fertilizer; it will be enclosed to keep out the harsh desert winds, sands and the scorching sun; only electric transportation will be permitted so it will be virtually carbon free.

The stated goal of the designers is "the Highest Quality of Life with the Lowest Environmental Impact".

After thought...

Here's what struct me as somewhat humorous, yes I can be a bit twisted, here we have the largest oil producing area of the world selling their oil to the largest consumers of oil in the world all the while they are taking the profits from those sales to build a city which will consume no oil! Hmmmm, sounds like the makings of another list, 'the smartest or perhaps dumbest people in the world!' Guess it depends on what city you live in!

Source: Yahoo Travel

Cheapest Place to Live in the World

Yesterday we discussed the Cheapest Countries in the World and talked about how important it is to look at a lot more than just the cost of living when it comes to finding a nice place to live.

It's no surprise that some of the most dangerous and poorest countries hit the top of the 'cheapest list' but what is interesting and important to note is that if you scroll down the list just a little you ca find some real gems. Places where the cost of living is very low but also where culture, safety and standards of living are high.

From our cheapest countries list the first one to pop off the page is Paraguay. Paraguay makes the Top 10 Cheapest Places to Live list but it also makes some other lists too. This past year Bolivia, Panama, and Paraguay posted the largest economic improvement according to the 2010-2011 Global Competitiveness Index from the World Economic Forum. Reforms have helped these and other Latin and South American countries weather the global crisis while stimulating their growing economies.

Other countries that make the list of cheapest but have also become favorite hot spots for retiring baby boomers include Uruguay, Ecuador, Nicaragua and Panama. In these countries you can live on a little and you can live very well! Take in leisure pursuits on breathtaking golf courses which have so few players you don't even need to reserve a T-time. Savour gourmet meals in a world class restaurants. After all it will cost you about the same amount you would pay for bottled water and a small appetizer in a in an LA, New York, or London restaurant. In these countries fresh is fresh! Fruits and vegetables you pay way too much for in specialty organic stores in America sell at local markets in these countries for just pennies.

As for the Cheapest Place to Live while maintaining a high Quality of Life - Ecuador wins the spot. It may not be the absolute cheapest place but it certainly closes in the upper ranks. Add in high placements on the Best Places to Retire hit list each year for the past five years running and you've got a winner!

Cheapest Countries in the World

Our discussion is typically about the Best Destinations in the world for saving money. Most of the time we're revealing and discussing the Best Countries to Live in and we do that by scouring the new feeds, newsletters, and other resources. The most popular discussions seem to be around the best places to retire but more recently exploring the cheapest places to live or visit has been gaining a lot of interest. It's no wonder really as the last few years have truly brought about a big shift and change in consciousness as it relates to wealth and generally speaking the cost of things. It seems the previous three decades were all about living the high life - 'Greed is Good' became the dominate value and theme of many Americans. But as always the nature, God, Karma, whatever you believe gave us all a reality check. Many people are still resisting and some think the good old days of spend 'til you drop will return but most people are settling into a comfortable reality with the understanding that balance is the key to happiness and success. That balance is all about lifestyle and looking beyond ones borders is now not only possible but truly an option for most free thinking individuals. Yes. We do have a choice. If we want to continue to live in the most expensive place than we may need to put off retirement and work longer. If we choose a simpler life in one of the cheaper countries in the world than retirement can still be a possibility - now. Even if you got whacked by those great guys over on Wall Street!

Last month we dedicated to a review of some of the Leading Countries for Quality of Life as ranked by International Living Magazine. Over the next few months we will continue to lok more in depth at many of these countries - we'll explore the cheapest places to live within each country and, one of my favorites, we'll continue to explore the best places to retire. Today I'd just like to get back to that idea of economy - aka cheap living for just a moment. Let's a have a quick look at some of the -

Cheapest Countries in the World

Now, just like all of other other explorations the idea of looking simply at who is cheapest can be misleading and in all likelihood very little value for thise interested in choosing, shall we say a more frugal existence. For example, a couple of the cheapest countries in the world are, Gambia and Iraq. Gambia is a little known African country where the highlights of your cheaper lifestyle may include catching malaria or meeting roving bandits.  Now Iraq may be the cheapest place to live in the world, it's certainly well known to most people and your dollar or whatever currency you carry will go far there, but it too may not be exactly what you're looking for. Of course I use these examples not to offend or be sarcastic but just to highlight the importance of examining things from different angles - collect data and evaluating lifestyle preferences to establish the best places to live - for you.

When searching for the best places to retire it's more about balancing cost of living with quality of life.
As I examined I.L's Quality of Life Index and looked particularly at the Cost of Living category it's not hard to find some pretty nice places to consider especially if your goal is retirement in a cheaper place. And there are a number of places that offer beauty, safety and culture, where you can live very well for under $1,500 per month.

Learn more about International Living Magazine <= Click here

I know, I know you probably came to this article because you really wanted to know what the Cheapest Countries in the World really are and I'm not going to disappoint - I just hope you look at this list in a new light, considering all of the other things that make for a quality life.

The Top 10 Cheapest Countries in the World

1. Iraq

2. Afghanistan

3. Nauru

4. Turkmenistan

5. Bhutan

6. Tuvalu

7. Bolivia

8. Mayotte

9. Paraguay

10. Kiribati

Groundhog Day 2011 Prediction

Well it's official Punxsutawney Phil emerged from his burrow right on schedule this early morning to make his annual prediction. The outcome - Phil did not see his shadow! That means he's staying out and we can all look forward to an early spring.

This year marks the 125 th time the Ground Hog Day event has been held in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. Since 1887 Phil has seen his shadow 98 times so today also marks just 16 times he hasn't. And for those math students who are scratching there heads and wondering about those missing years - the gap is because record keeping wasn't so important in those early years when the tradition first began.

Across the border in Wiarton, Ontario. Wiarton Willie also agreed. Under overcast skies Willie felt no threat so he stayed out of his burrow too concluding spring would arrive early.

Source: Punxsutawney Phil Predicts An Early Spring

Best Places for Retirement

Zack O'Malley Greenburg at Forbes.com wrote a piece which was featured on Yahoo News this morning about the Best Places for retirement in America.

While Zack reminded everyone of the exorbitant cost of homes in N.Y. and L.A. he also reminded readers that there are some excellent bargains in Real Estate available in many parts of the country. That's good news for many retiring baby boomers who lost a big chunk of their savings to Wall Street. Zack featured Oklahoma City as one of his fav spots for bargain retirement homes. In fact it's his top pick due to low cost of living, stable house prices and very reasonable real estate prices. Moving to Oklahoma could very well become a part of many retirees Personal Retirement Plans.

Memphis, TN comes in second while Raleigh, NC is third, Charlotte, NC fourth and Indianapolis, Ind. fifth. Tucson and Phoenix are also in the top ten list of the best places to retire and in those to cities it would be easy to find the cheapest time to go to Vegas since it is within a days car ride away and some would find that a very attractive plus in a retirement city.

Source: Yahoo! Real Estate

Ground Hog Day 2011

Tomorrow, February 2 is Ground Hog Day. I always wondered if this was just a local tradition here in North America, if it was known elsewhere and what the origins of this funny little event were. I guess watching the old movie of the same name staring Bill Murray (aside which was filmed in lovely Niagara on the Lake, Ontario) is what really got me thinking about this.

Anyhow , this post obviously has nothing to do with the Cheapest Places to Live or the Best Places to Retire but I felt like blogging about it anyways!

Groundhog Day is a tradition thats seems to take place just in the U.S. and Canada these day. It's folklore that observes the Ground Hog on the morning of February 2nd to see what he does. It goes that if the day is cloudy when pokes his head from his burrow, then he will coem out. This act signifies the end of winter and an early spring. On the other hand if it's sunny then the 'Ground Hog will see its own shadow', which will scare it back into the burrow. This act signifies a longer winter - that winter weather will stick around for six more weeks.

The traditions surrounding this departure and distraction from the long dark winter has grown to include different celebrations. Typically early breakfast morning festivals are held to observe the groundhog coming out of his burrow. The celebration in Pennsylvania at Grundsow Lodges is a well known Ground Hog Day event in the United States where townsfolk celebrate with a breakfast feast, speeches, and entertainment. The largest Groundhog Day celebration is in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. Here the Ground Hog himself is called Punxsutawney Phil. In Canada Wiarton, Ontario is home for Wiarton Willy.

This tradition actually started as a Pennsylvania German custom in the 18th century and had its origins in ancient European. Then weather lore would have it that a badger or sacred bear rather than a groundhog was the bearer of good or bad news.

Well, tomorrow we will check in to see what Willy and Phil have to say about this so far extreme and long winter!