Why do I like living here?

During my visit today at the hairdressers I overheard a fellow customer chatting about how she and her husband would love to live in the US.  She detected my American accent and asked how I came to be here and wondered why I enjoyed living here.  Obviously she thought I was daft for preferring her country to mine. 

I've been asked this question a few times before.  A few years ago a colleague told me she'd love to live in the US because they have great theme parks.  Uh huh.  Good reason, hen.

To answer the question, I guess a list is best.

• It's stunningly gorgeous here!  Lochs, mountains, green, countryside, coastlines, islands.
• The Scottish sense of humour, although I don't always appreciate it....
• The slang, the lowlands Scots language - very entertaining to listen to.
• The accents.
• The pride in being Scottish, so many people knowing their history well. 
• The long distinguised history of Scotland - the Enlightenment, free education, free university tuition, inventors, engineers, there was a high literacy rate in Scotland even in the 17th century, etc.
• People are easy-going and friendly and will talk to people they don't know.  Nobody is suspicious when spoken to by a stranger. 
• The open-mindedness of Europeans in general.  The lack of prudishness.
• My interest in ancient history and culture is easily satisfied here as it's at my fingertips.
• I like old architecture and find it interesting and full of character. 
• There is a charm in old villages, old churches, well-preserved and cherished.
• The NHS.
• The Scottish goverment takes care of its elderly. 
• The ease of taking short trips to continental Europe, Ireland and the rest of the UK. 
• I feel at home here.

Anything negative?  Well, the weather kinda sucks.