World | France France No. 1 in Quality of Life It's No. 1 on list, with the US at No. 7 By Harry Kimball Posted Jan 7, 2010 2:00 PM CST Copied Daredevils jump off Auckland, New Zealand's, Murrays Bay wharf. (AP Photo) International Living crunches the numbers on everything from cost of living to health care to climate to find the nations with the best quality of life. France tops the list, with the US at No. 7. A sampling: France (No. 1): "Tiresome bureaucracy and high taxes" can't trump the "world's best health care," the "joy of lingering for hours over dinner and a bottle of red wine in a Parisian brasserie," or "antique streets paved with poetry." Australia (2): Good health care and infrastructure, and dividends from the booms in Asia and China. Plus, "sandy, sunny, and safe beaches." Switzerland (3): A "super-efficient, high-tech society." Germany (4): Great average salary—$61,433—monster health benefits, "and their legendary autobahns are still mostly without speed limits." Good thing for that health insurance. New Zealand (5) : "A wonderful place to relocate and raise a family," but be forewarned. It's tough to emigrate. US (7): The "land of convenience" has something for everyone. The editors say it's safe, comfortable, and "can even be affordable." For the full list, click here. Read These Next New Fox star, 23, misses first day after car troubles. White House rolls with Trump's 'daddy' nickname. Man accused of killing his daughters might be dead. Supreme Court ruling is a big blow to Planned Parenthood. Report an error