What countries to move to?

Before I embarked on my journey to explore the world beyond China, I, like many in China, used to endure and feel disheartened by the perceived "lack of freedom of speech." I harbored an unfounded resentment towards the West.

However, after residing in Australia for 16 years and visiting numerous other Western countries, I genuinely appreciated the tangible freedom, the so-called equality, and the respect for diversity.

Yet, all of a sudden, I realized that it's all just nonsensical. How does any of this relate to my "quality of life, awareness, the friendliness of those around me, or the cost of living in that country?"

Just take a glance at the original poster's question. Don't bring up topics like Russia, the US, Taiwan, Falun Gong, the Tiananmen incident of 1989, or the Black Lives Matter movement. Are these going to affect me or am I going to be influenced by them?

You should seek out a place where you can truly enjoy life, where your hard-earned money isn't snatched away by thieves. Look for a place where you can genuinely make friends, and a country that respects you as a citizen rather than treating you like a servant, burdening you with a 40% tax rate when you earn, and offering inadequate support when you face losses.

alwaysaint said:

Before I embarked on my journey to explore the world beyond China, I, like many in China, used to endure and feel disheartened by the perceived "lack of freedom of speech." I harbored an unfounded resentment towards the West.

However, after residing in Australia for 16 years and visiting numerous other Western countries, I genuinely appreciated the tangible freedom, the so-called equality, and the respect for diversity.

Yet, all of a sudden, I realized that it's all just nonsensical. How does any of this relate to my "quality of life, awareness, the friendliness of those around me, or the cost of living in that country?"

Just take a glance at the original poster's question. Don't bring up topics like Russia, the US, Taiwan, Falun Gong, the Tiananmen incident of 1989, or the Black Lives Matter movement. Are these going to affect me or am I going to be influenced by them?

You should seek out a place where you can truly enjoy life, where your hard-earned money isn't snatched away by thieves. Look for a place where you can genuinely make friends, and a country that respects you as a citizen rather than treating you like a servant, burdening you with a 40% tax rate when you earn, and offering inadequate support when you face losses.

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#Amen to that, brother!

PS. I love all countries! What makes a difference to me is the people, business opportunities, and banking. For me, they are inextricably intertwined. If tomorrow, Germany or the UK or Italy would

1. start major manufacturing production,
2. sensible taxes that go to improve the local society & its infrastructure and NOT channeled to a few politically connected & privileged parasites,
3. be fatally tough on mala in se crimes (as in execution),
4. and lift banking restrictions BS,

I would move to Germany or the UK or Italy in a heartbeat!

blancmon229 said:

Politics aside, Moscow and St. Petersburg are great cities. They are extremely clean, prices are low, beaurocracy is effective with "expedited fees", and you don't really feel that much danger vs in western cities. It isn't as modern as London, but who would want to live in London fearing for their life with all the illegal immigration and crazy costs of living. I do agree that once you go anywhere else in Russia besides for those 2 cities, it becomes a way different story. Definitely Moscow and St. Petersburg are better than most of the top states in the US period.

So in that regard, I do see the perspective about the benefit of living in China as it a similar story with Russia.

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You have a very healthy and sound ability to reason and apply logic! You keep this up and you'll be very successful. #Kudos!

blancmon229 said:

Politics aside, Moscow and St. Petersburg are great cities. They are extremely clean, prices are low, beaurocracy is effective with "expedited fees", and you don't really feel that much danger vs in western cities. It isn't as modern as London, but who would want to live in London fearing for their life with all the illegal immigration and crazy costs of living. I do agree that once you go anywhere else in Russia besides for those 2 cities, it becomes a way different story. Definitely Moscow and St. Petersburg are better than most of the top states in the US period.

So in that regard, I do see the perspective about the benefit of living in China as it a similar story with Russia.

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No way, you must be kidding. There are so many beautiful cities in Eastern Europe and you would choose Russia over them? In what way is Moscow better than Prague for example? I wouldn't go there even if they paid me

Marshal said:

No way, you must be kidding. There are so many beautiful cities in Eastern Europe and you would choose Russia over them? In what way is Moscow better than Prague for example? I wouldn't go there even if they paid me

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It depends...if you are Snowden, John Mark Dougan aka BadVolf, or Chris Emms, Russia is the place to be: Wanted by the FBI

I bet you anything you want that Julian Assange wished he was in Russia now

blancmon229 said:

I said Moscow and St.Petersburg is better than western cities (most US states, London, etc...) Read the post. I never said it is better than some cities in eastern europe (although Russia is eastern europe too).
Have you even been to Moscow or St. Petersburg? I find it interesting how people make conclusions before even going there and follow that propaganda bullsh**.
Personally, eastern europe is my favorite region. I find Prague to be nice but it is overhyped. I prefer Croatia, Bulgaria, Montenegro.

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Yes, I have been to Russia. No more, thank you. Croatia is nice and Bulgaria is also fine, but not Montenegro and for the same reason - too many crazy russians.

wellington said:

Chinese are buying up most of the upper end real estate around me, and investing, don't seem to have issues moving funds from China into Asia... through the banking system...

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In places like Canada they simply use underground banks they know from China to move the cash directly into Canada. They have their own networks for this usually from Hong Kong or Guangzhou.

With the piss poor anti-money laundering and authorities being complicit in the s**t show any monkey from there with millions can show up in Canada and buy up real estate.

Alexmorgan said:

Until now Dubai is the best then sengapore

But soon dubai will be ending

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Why would dubai stop being a good choice ? The taxes coming up ?

OP: I've been wanting to move to Malta due to opportunities i found there, it's far from a perfect place with its own banana republic vibes, overpopulated with expats, rents going up and salaries staying low.

However coming from a shithole like Canada even a place like Malta has its pros lol.

Praetorian said:

However coming from a shithole like Canada even a place like Malta has its pros lol.

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yes, on a clear day you can see Italy from there

If the tax is not important there are many nice countries and places..

Konstanz said:

If the tax is not important there are many nice countries and places..

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which is your favorite one If tax is not important ?

Konstanz said:

If the tax is not important there are many nice countries and places..

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Since Dubai is at 9% corporate tax. I am sure there will be personal income tax.
Andora at 10% personal income tax is not bad

troubled soul said:

which is your favorite one If tax is not important ?

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It depends on your taste. Many people like Italy. Many people like South of France.
Caribbean has nice islands if you like tropics.
If you are into big cities there are many to choose from..

If you want 0% personal income tax, then there is very few places to choose

blancmon229 said:

Any low-key places to move to in Italy not filled with tourists?

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Any of those cities/villages that you never heard of.

blancmon229 said:

Any problems living in Italy besides for the s**t bureaucracy and illegal immigrants?

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Everything is problematic, like in all European countries. But it’s the perfect place for tourism.

Konstanz said:

It depends on your taste. Many people like Italy. Many people like South of France.
Caribbean has nice islands if you like tropics.
If you are into big cities there are many to choose from..

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As someone already suggested in this thread why not Croatia? A lovely place to live in on the Adriatic coast with less african and middle east migrants and cheaper prices overall.

Marshal said:

As someone already suggested in this thread why not Croatia? A lovely place to live in on the Adriatic coast with less african and middle east migrants and cheaper prices overall.

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Not a bad place actually. I'm writing this from a Croatian island right now (vacation).

They have some kind of freelance visa but I think they limit you how long you can stay.
I think a year or two but it doesn't allow you to be their tax resident.
For that you'll need to setup a company and get a proper EU visa (not sure about the process).

The issues:
- Fairly expensive real estate currently in all/most areas on the Adriatic coast
- Places and highways can get busy in the summer during the tourist season
- Touristy places can get really empty in the winter
- Fairy bad location (no decent airport anywhere near) so to get to any major city in Europe it might take significant amount of time

Good things:
- Capital gains tax only 10%!
- Great climate
- Beautiful nature
- Everything is very clean
- Fair prices for most of the goods and services you'll need (food, internet, mobile, transport, personal services etc).

I am living out of Panama and love it. I have lived in U.A.E. previously and hated it.

The food is great but sucked with censorship (websites blocked, can't make WhatsApp calls etc.), fear of offending the wrong person and getting kicked out (or worse), totally materialistic society, high cost of living, unbearably hot weather, etc.

Just made another post here about Panama that you guys might find helpful.

The best country? What's important for you? Taxes or freedom or healthy air and food, etc.?
If freedom is your first point: check what they did with covid: China - it's the worst case, Malaysia - they introduced app to allow you to get in to the shop - no app, no food, Canada - you don't play with them, they will block your accounts (the truckers strike), and so on.
So, I've picked up Mexico:
- it seems that the freedom is the highest here
- taxes - not so good, but capital gains are 10%, so if you can get all your money with that, then it may be an interesting option (remark: still learning the taxes in MX by doing)
- health - very good food -> not so many chemicals in it, air - very good in Yucatan area, in big cities like Mexico City - it's terrible

Other points to consider:
- in overall, it's expensive country. I have impression that I was paying for daily shopping less in Europe
- properties are cheaper, but still the current prices seems to be a bit too high compared to real value. A lot of scams here and complicated rules, so be careful if you want to buy something here
- safety - it's getting worse like everywhere else. The only really safe place is Yucatan in my opinion.
- bureaucracy is extreme here. Many unqualified workers in government offices, banks, etc. They create artificially the job positions to give people work and few peso. These people usually have no idea about their own law, so if you need anything you will get a headache.
- banking - check the point above + you will not get access to advanced financial solution. Even foreign currency account is forbidden here (there is some exception at the US border for USD). From the other perspective cash rules here.
- data privacy - big issue here, everyone is taking photo of your ID and sending it via whatsapp..... More people use whatsapp here than normal phone number. If you don't use that, you may not be able to contact certain people or companies. Whatsapp knows everything about Mexicans.

For me, it's good place to stay away from Europe right now and see what to do next. If Mexico is a good place for long time. Hard to say, I've just started here.