Catherine's activity

Thanks for your advice.  I might consider it...but NOT Florida.

So Denny, my first internet try shows that Forbes magazine (see below) has rated (still) the USA  as first in R & D.  I have no idea what you wish to argue about.  I am delighted that that you believe the EU as a whole and Italy in particular is surpassing all expectations but the USA is still the tops in medical technology and its related industries.  Without USA aid  in the past, the countries of the EU would not be where close to  the level of superiority as you think they are. I will say if there is a buck to be made we will be happy to share our knowledge with others or if we are shamed we will share for a song with developing countries. I wish this thread wasn't going off topic and we stayed with discussing the delights of Italy.Thanks to many who responded to this post, I have an idea where the  better healthcare is to be found in the various regions.  As I said originally my experience with italy's healthcare system was OK.   So when it comes to biology and medicine, U.S. researchers are publishing more than those in other countries. And this probably shouldn’t come as much of a shock. You can see the effect of the U.S. dominance in biology and medicine in the behavior of big drug companies.  Novartis, a Basel, Switzerland-based drug giant, nonetheless chose to place its research headquarters in Cambridge, Mass., near Harvard and MIT, and to put a Harvard doctor and biologist, Mark Fishman, in charge of R&D. Sanofi-Aventis gives nearness to the U.S. research hubs as one of the reasons behind its pending purchase of Genzyme, the U.S. biotechnology giant.The pushes to establish other countries as research challengers to the U.S. in medicine have often proceeded with fits and starts. For a while, it appeared that South Korea was making a go of it when it came to stem cells and cloning, but then it turned out that one of its leading researchers, Hwang Woo Suk, had faked results. There is a big movement to move some drug research to China — Pfizer just moved its antibiotic research to Shanghai — but the bulk of the work is still very much U.S.-centered.  There may be threats to America’s position in biomedicine, but at best they are hoof beats in the distance, not imminent dangers.

I for one do not believe most stats that are published regarding the state of healthcare on the planet.  Denny let me say that most R & D in/for the medical industry is done in the USA and given to other countries for a song.  American taxpayers pay for this R & D at top price while outside countries feed off of our success.  Remember this please.Personally I do not believe government run healthcare anywhere is better than ours even though we pay through the nose for it.  Personally I do not believe government run anything is any good anywhere.  Let's start a thread on this topic as well.The USA has the top medical schools and we send our doctors with the knowledge gained in this country to other countries  to keep their population alive and to train their healthcare workers.I would like to see statistics on health outcomes rather than longevity to prove who has the better healthcare.  For example, which country has the best outcomes for treatment of various cancers or brain injuries.  Can you post information on outcomes?Italy is just one country that owes the USA a handshake for our sharing of our knowledge even though profit is what drives us, foreign countries have benefited greatly.

O my goodness.  I think I started a firestorm.  Everyone's replies are extremely valuable to my thought processes.  I do not know the language and will need to attend a language school...there.  You all have knocked into my head how important knowing Italian will be, Having only been to Italy as a tourist, I've yet to determine which area would be most suitable to my lifestyle.  Once I've made that decision the need for other decisions will naturally follow.  I've thoroughly enjoyed the research I have done so far, and Marche is high on my list but the entire country is so beautiful I need to look around more.  Would you share your thoughts on the areas you prefer? I would be a solo resident so there are lots of issues.  I have no patience & ineffciencies make me nutz no matter where I am.  Guess that makes me typical (urban)American.One thing I was not aware of are the stats that were posted.  I agree that the healthcare system seems to be more efficient than here  and I am saying this from experience with the Italian system due to a fall I had while running to board a bus in Naples,  Better?  Debatable!  we might leave this topic for another postEveryone's heartfelt responses have touched me and I thank you for taking the time to post.  This thread is wonderful.Catherine          

Dreamgirl,Thanks for your insight.Catherine 

Fred,You are absolutely correct.  Learning the language is vital.  I hope you are happy in your little village.  It sounds enchanting.  Thank you so much for your response.Catherine

Bruno and Positano - I understand your points but to me the difficulties of becoming comfortable in Italy appear to far outweigh a good plate of pasta and fish.  I have always wanted to retire to Italy but the more I read about the problems, confusion (for foreigners) and layers of government bureaucrats needed to accomplish a goal frightens me.  I wonder if one can hire a hand holder to help get through the messes.Your responses to my post are great.  Many thanks.

Wow,  So the moral is,,buy a vacation home in the city?

Finding a viable  house via the Internet is very difficult for me.  It seems that every house that is listed on line is either a million or two or a total hovel in need of major rehab.  Are there no Italians selling decent houses in semi urban areas that are 50 years old and habitable.  The agencies I've seen on line give very few pictures and don't mention the age of the house or its amenities.  Can any wise one here tell me what I doing wrong? Thanks for any advice.

Can't make a referral for you.  Would it help to contact the dental schools or dental clinics, I wonder?