Where are the trends better? What you're evaluating here is his choice of whether to live in the US or Asia. What place in Asia do you think offers better macro trends?
"The Asian Tigers or Asian Dragons is a term used in reference to the highly free and developed economies of Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan. These nations and areas were notable for maintaining exceptionally high growth rates (in excess of 7 percent a year) and rapid industrialization between the early 1960s and 1990s. By the 21st century, all four have developed into advanced and high-income economies, specializing in areas of competitive advantage. For example, Hong Kong and Singapore have become world-leading international financial centers, whereas South Korea and Taiwan are world leaders in manufacturing information technology."
I agree with you that the Asian Tiger countries are prospering and appear to have bright futures.[1] I lived in one of those countries for six years of my life (two separate three-year stays, one 1982-1985, and one 1998-2001) and I speak Chinese. My wife grew up in Taiwan. Even at that, we think we have better trade-offs for ourselves and for our four children here in the United States. I am very fond of Taiwan--I met my wife there--but we have decided to live in the United States nonetheless.
Philippines, Japan (good luck immigrating), India, Malaysia, stretching the definition a lot, Australia. Depends if you are evaluating macro trends over past and future six months or sixty years, and how you prioritize your macro trends, for example Malaysian culture is very nice to visit but I'd be willing to trade a lot of $$$ to live in Japan rather than Malaysia, although your prioritization may greatly vary (and so might mine, after experience)
It is not, for instance, my impression that the middle class in Japan is better off, trendswise, than the middle class in the US. Japan has the highest debt-to-GDP ratio in the world, and faces a demographic crisis to boot.
That's why I was wondering which specific countries/locales 'enraged_camel was talking about, because you can look at that company and make factual comparisons.
