Hi user, I live in Eastern European shithole. So far, I was able to accumulate near 100k$ savings in cash and 0.5 BTC.
Like everyone here, I've always dreamed about moving to EU or Canda, never thought about this seriously, though.
However, recently I've received a few offers from Spanish companies, was excited at first, then learned about spanish progressive income tax, which turns already humble salary of 35-40k EUR into a laughable sum. In my country I have 45k$ - 5% tax, and here it's far from being over the top in my field. Then, I thought that maybe I can utilize low interest rates on loans, and, being an officially registered in EU employee, buy an apartment in Spain and resign after repaying the loan. I lost any aspiration when learned about property involved taxes and ridiculous laws protecting tenants. Finally, when I checked the real estate market, I was shocked by the poor quality apartments, even commie blocks in Kiev, which cost 3-4 times less, look more reliable and cleaner than slums on Barcelona streets, desu.
Moreover, looking at youtube videos from Spain, there are lots of bars on the windows all over the city and it looks like the government turns a blind eye on small crimes. Also, there are lots of signs of poorness everywhere, we have all these only on outskirts of the city, where gopnics live, however, in Spain even central streets are all stained with graffiti and thuggish narco looking guys walking nearby. Not even saying about activists, feminists, gays prospering there.
So, contrary to widespread belief in my country about the West being this magical blessed place, I do not see what's the bargain here. Sure, Canada / Germany / Scandinavian countries may offer higher salaries, however, the cost of living is higher, taxes are even more ridiculous and push for dishonest people and their values (feminists) is stronger. I simply do not see how living there could improve my life.
Maybe I'm missing out on something thinking like this?