Where in the world is the best place to be raw? Frederic Patenaude* reports, in an article in Get Fresh magazine, on the top locations for living the raw food lifestyle.
1. California
As no surprise, California is the Mecca of the raw food lifestyle.
Year-round sunshine and mild weather (at least the southern part), an abundance of organic food and farmer’s markets, more raw food restaurants per capita than any other place in the world, and an endless number of events, potlucks and like-minded people to connect with.
– Traffic and pollution in the cities.
2. Australia
There is a thriving and booming raw culture in Australia, with every major city having its own raw food movement. Australia grows almost every kind of fruit locally, and combined with lots of sunshine in most parts of the country, it’s no wonder many raw foodists want to live there.
– Protectionist policies combined with natural disasters have recently brought the price of bananas over $15.00/kilo (2,2lbs)! Hopefully with more replanting the coming year will be better.
3. Miami and Southern Florida
Dedicated raw foodists thrive in the tropic of North America. The raw food scene is not as extensive as it is in some parts of California, but there are excellent farmer’s markets, some catering to raw foodists, as well as good spots to find some of the best tropical fruit you’ll find in North America.
– In the hurricane belt, and summers are hot and rainy.
Other raw food hot spots are
4. Oregon with some of the best organic farmer’s markets in the country, the raw food scene is quite developed and it is more affordable to live in than California.
– Winters can be gray and rainy.
5. Vancouver, Canada is often rated the best city in the world to live in, with lots of markets, raw restaurants and a good number of potlucks.
– Infamous for its rain and long depressing, grey winters. Rents and real estate prices are some of the highest in the world.
6. New York City, lots of raw food restaurants, potlucks and en excellent selection
of organic produce and ethnic markets.
– Traffic, pollution and the smell in the summer.
7. Chiang Mai, Thailand, a fruit paradise. Although most big cities in Thailand offer a great selection of tropical fruits and produce, this city is full of expats and its climate is much milder, as long as you don’t come in the hot season. Prices are rock bottom and very little tourists.
– Chances are you do not speak Thai, pretty crowded with motorcycles and pollution.
8. Spain (Fredric had a hard time deciding between Italy and Spain. Italy for its wonderful culture and great local fruits) but more European raw foodists prefer to relocate to Spain to grow their own gardens. You also find a lot of sub-tropical fruits like cherimoya (custard apples).
– Used to be cheap before the Euro, now it is more expensive.
9. London and the UK. It is very easy to get fresh organic produce and imported fruit in UK cities, as well as all things organic and alternative. There are many raw food fans, making it easy to connect with like-minded people.
– It is definitely not tropical and can be expensive.
10. Costa Rica is one of the most beautiful countries on Earth, especially for someone who appreciates nature and animals. Excellent farmer’s markets throughout the country and very affordable by North American standards. Many raw foodists have relocated here and the local culture is friendly 
to foreigners. Best place to live is at higher elevations, where the climate is near perfect with a year-round, spring-like temperature.
– Areas by the beach are hot and humid and prone to infestation by ants and cockroaches. It is a different language and culture; and crime is on the rise.
The runners-up
Toronto and Montreal
for their wonderful farmer’s markets and fruit selection.
Hawaii for the best combination of island life and modern infrastructure.
New Zealand (North Island) just because it’s beautiful there, even though there are not many raw foodists.
WHO IS FREDERIC PATENAUDE?
*Frederic Patenaude has been working in the natural health movement for over 8 years, and has more than 10 years of experience in the field of nutrition, health and personal development. He is the author of several books and his articles are read by tens of thousands of people every week, in various online newsletters.
Frederic also wrote and published the book The Raw Secrets: the Raw Food Diet in the Real World, which is widely recognized as one of the best and most practical, down-to-earth books on the subject.
Frederic spends his time between Canada, his home country, and Costa Rica, where he lives at least half of the year. Visit him online at fredericpatenaude.com.
