Best place to migrate to?

Mercer HR Consulting published Worldwide Quality of Living (QOL) Survey 2007 in April, 2007. According to the Survey, the top 10 cities are Switzerland (Zurich, Geneva, Bern), Canada (Vancouver), Austria (Vienna), New Zealand (Auckland), Germany (Dusseldorf, Frankfruit, Munich) and Australia (Sydney).

QOL index is calculated based on 39 key quality determinants which are defined to be neutral and unbias. It says that you'll receive better QOL in Zurich by having cleaner drinkable water, fresher air, safer environment, high accessibility of public transport and more entertainment facilities, as compared to New York, which is ranked #48 or Singapore, which is ranked #36 in the report. The above might not sound obvious because the difference of rates from the top city, Zurich (top position, rated 108.1) to New Yock (rank #48, rated 100) is only 8.1 score. Consider the Shanghai (ranked #134, rated 73.8) and Beijing (ranked #166, rated 60.3) where air pollution issues are severe, are both having at least 25 points lesser as compared to New York.

To choose a country to migrate to, QOL index is not enough to justify. Young professionals whom aged between 25 to 35, may look at career opportunities, wealth accumulation opportunities, easier retirement, pro-family policies, better education system for children, possibility of moving back to origin country without much destruction to ones career and perhaps more out-door activities or natural parks, a.k.a. quality of live.

1. Cost of living v.s. how much you can save

Assumption: You and your spouse, no kids). Assuming you are a senior software engineer wich 4 to 5 years of experience and age under 35. Your spouse is a housewife without a permanent job.

Singapore
Salary (Estimation)
>> Drawing SGD$60,000 per annum
>> Tax = SGD$2,600 per annum
>> CPF contribution @ 18% = SGD$10,800 per annum
>> Bring home income = SGD$970 per week.
Cost of living (Estimation)
>> Rental fee for a 4-room HDB flat is SGD$300 per week
>> Public transport per month is SGD$30 per week
>> Taxi transoirt for family events is SGD20 per week
>> Meals is SGD$250 per week
>> Dining at restaurant is SGD$50 per week
>> Others (Internet, Mobile, Entertainment) is SGD$50 per week
Total: SGD$700 per week for comfortably living in Singapore.
Saving: SGD$270 per week.
Other consideration (Estimation)
>> 2nd-hand car price is about SGD$45,000 (4.5 years of saving)
>> 4-room HDB flat priced at about SGD$250,000.

Australia
Salary (Estimation)
>> Drawing $75,000 per annum
>> Tax = $17,250 per annum
>> Superannuaty @ 9% = $6,750 per annum
>> Bring home income = $1050 per week.
Cost of living (Estimation)
>> Rental fee for a apartment is $350 per week
>> Car running cost (Fuel @ $1.5 per litre, 0.2l/km, 300km) is $90 per week
>> Meals is $300 per week
>> Dining at restaurant is $60 per week
>> Others (Internet, Mobile, Entertainment) is $60 per week
Total: $860 per week for comfortably living in Australia - exclude car installment cost.
Saving: $290 per week.
Other consideration (Estimation)
>> 2nd-hand car price is about $10,000 (1.0 years of saving)
>> Sydney suburb townhouse priced at about $300,000 (varies hugely based on location).

Malaysia
Salary (Estimation)
>> Drawing MYR$40,000 per annum
>> Tax = MYR$3,500 per annum
>> EPF @ 11% = MYR$4,400 per annum
>> Bring home income = MYR$670 per week.
Cost of living (Estimation)
>> Rental fee for a apartment is MYR$125 per week
>> Car running cost (Fuel @ MYR$1.7 per litre, 0.2l/km, 300km) is MYR$100 per week
>> Meals is MYR$200 per week
>> Dining at restaurant is MYR$30 per week
>> Others (Internet, Mobile, Entertainment) is MYR$40 per week
Total: MYR$500 per week - exclude car installment cost.
Saving: MYR$170 per week.
Other consideration (Estimation)
>> 2nd-hand car price is about MYR$35,000 (4.5 years of saving)
>> KL suburb townhouse priced at about MYR$350,000 (varies hugely based on location).