Which somewhat tolerable real-world country would you rather live in?

[Kitteh]

All have relatively similar HDIs fairly close to or slightly below the world average, some "middle class" yet still many people in poverty, no wars or large-scale civil turmoil, but significant social problems. Tried to get a broad sample of different cultures, regions, etc in here.

[Redefeatbush04]

Mongolia hands down!

[Okay, maybe Mike Johnson is a competent parliamentarian.]

Mongolia has a really interesting culture and the low population density appeals to me even though the population is as I understand it overwhelmingly urban now. In Botswana I'd have the advantage of already speaking one of the official languages. So one of those two--and they're actually both places I've strongly considered trying to visit some day. I voted Mongolia.

[barfbag]

I'd take any of them over some of the blue states in our country.

[tpfkaw]

Botswanan whites are quite wealthy.  Since I'd presumably be one of them, that place it is.  Also I have a soft spot for the only reasonably well-governed country in sub-Saharan Africa.  (Well Mauritius too but whatever).  Mongolia is too frickin cold.

[Kitteh]

Would have been interesting if I had specified being your current self in one of these countries vs being a random native of one. That'd make a big difference for Botswana, which has the 3rd or 4th highest income inequality in the world iirc (like most countries rich from natural resources).

[TheDeadFlagBlues]

guatemala, without question - some lantino atlasian

[DC Al Fine]

Vietnam for the food.

[opebo]

Vietnam or Indonesia would be ok.  I voted Vietnam as at least its not Muslim. 

[Donerail]

Knew a guy who spent a few years in Jordan. He said it was nice enough.

[Hash]

Knew a guy who spent a few years in Jordan. He said it was nice enough.

Jordan is an awesome country to visit and it's really beautiful/fascinating. That being said, I doubt I'd be able to survive living in the overturned ashtray known as Amman. I've lived in Riyadh, but even Amman is too much for me.

I'm split between Botswana (democratic and a successful state), Guatemala (Spanish), Mongolia (democratic and fascinating) and Vietnam (sounds great too).

[Franknburger]

Having spent more than a year of my life in Indonesia, the choice is pretty clear. Jakarta is one of the most fascinating cities in the world, very cosmopolitan, Yogya is also great with its Portuguese-built palace and the old town, Malang has a lot of flair, and Bali goes without saying....

However, Vietnam should also be a good place to stay in, and I would give Guatemala, Jordan and Mongolia a try, if the opportunity arises. Moldova is o.k. (spent close to three months there), but nothing special; Georgia (Republic) would have been a much more tempting choice.
Botswana is not really appealing to me. Finally, I once met a Gabonese emigrant in Ethiopia, which pretty much says it all...

[Goldwater]

Indonesia.

[H. Ross Peron]

Mongolia I guess.

[© tweed]

I could probably do well enough teaching English in Vietnam or Indonesia, no?

[opebo]

I could probably do well enough teaching English in Vietnam or Indonesia, no?

Indonesia I think not so much, not yet.  But oddly enough yes, Vietnam has high salaries, I hear about $2,000-2,500/month.  In Thailand its generally only $1,000-2,000.. only gets up around 3,000-3,500 when you have a bona-fide USA teacher's license.

[bedstuy]

I've spent a few months in Mongolia a while back.  Great people, but God awful weather. 

Vietnam seems like the obvious choice here.

[publicunofficial]

Jordan or Botswana.


Indonesia's okay in some parts.

[Zuza]

Strange that Moldova is so unpopular.