Local atmosphere > national atmosphere. Obviously the national laws and economy do play a role, but it's a smaller role then the local economy/politics. Consid

Local atmosphere > national atmosphere. Obviously the national laws and economy do play a role, but it's a smaller role then the local economy/politics. Consider rural Kansas, vs. the Bay Area. The Bay Area is great but you apparently missed out on the great places in Germany/Austria when you visited them. And it's easy to miss out on the great places, they are few and far between, and they are spread out all over the world.