I like to ask this question to many people and learn from their answers. I always think that most living creatures, including human, would like to search and find a better place to survive and live. A better environment for their children/family. A better place that provide a higher quality of life.
I am always amazed by the migratory birds that travel for thousands of miles in search of better environment, in search for food. These birds have to migrate, otherwise they won't survive. For people living in conflict areas/ war zones, they have to migrate for the sake of survival too. Luckily, most of us are living in a peaceful country. Then, our search might be to find a place that can provide us a better quality of life.
If we look at the surveys done to cities measured only by its quality of living, we will find that most of the cities that top the list are from developed country. And some of the factors measured include health, education, safety, political, environment, and so on.
Please refer to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercer_Quality_of_Living_Survey
Aside from the survey, my preference for a city would be a city located in a country which I could enter or migrate easily. Even though most of the countries in the world have strict immigration policies, there are some countries that are still "open" for immigrants. And you can find the countries in the site below.
http://www.immigroup.com/news/top-10-immigration-friendly-countries
My pick would be Toronto, Canada.
The following text is copied from a message I wrote to my friend. Since kid, I have always thought that I have to migrate to a place with a better standard of living. It was based on these reasons: My grandparents had made a big effort to migrate from China to Indonesia in an attempt to find a better place. Indonesia is far better than China at that time. And my parents had made the effort to migrate from Bagan to Jakarta to find a better place. Jakarta is better than Bagan. Their decisions were right. So I thought that I have the responsibility to also migrate to a better place. Yes, no place in this world will be absolutely ideal, but deep down I know there must be places that are better than here. Usually such thought more likely to happen during flood/bad traffic jams :D
I have been participating in the US green card lottery for about 15 years now. But I never win :) I guess it's not my "destiny". My uncle, who is now a Taiwanese, used to participate too, and he never won. He said jokingly that maybe it took three generations of good deeds to win that lottery. However, if I migrate to another country, I have to spend my time working with other people again. Becoming an employee for the rest of my life. Actually, I don't mind being an employee, as long as the work and pay is worthwhile. My father is still working as an employee until now. I really admire his dedication and perseverance. But I also agree that having own successful business will make a meaningful and great impact too. Another interesting question would be this: If there is a war/big chaos/crisis and you have to move to another state or country, where would you move and why? (all your family and close relatives will move too, and there is no such thing called visa in this world)
Moving to another country for a better life? living in a big country or a small country is the same (exclude war or conflict country). for me the way i can adapt with the condition in my area and get happiness is enough ..yeah sounds not ambitious but happiness is the one can help you when you stuck in a bad traffic jam. In the end bad or good our hometown is the best . but if i can choose i prefer live in rural area than city area :).
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