Maybe moving to one of the following:

[rupertpenny]

I've only been to Singapore, but it seems like a pretty sweet place to live. Very diverse, a large expat community, insane travel opportunities, and some of the best food you will ever put in your mouth.

It isn't cheap, but I doubt any of those places are cheap for expats. It is very safe though, and although I don't really know anything about living in DF or Rio, neither inspires confidence.

[origami]

My DH has some coworkers on international assignments in Mexico City & Rio. I would not move there because they say they don't feel safe, even though they have body guards and chauffeurs. Some people from his industry have been kidnapped and they get recalled to the US fairly often when there is local unrest. This is probably because while they live in the city they regularly travel outside of it for work, so if you were only in the city that would probably make a big difference. But I don't know enough about either place to comment from personal experience so hopefully someone here knows those areas better. Just compared to Sydney and Singapore, it's a no-brainer where I'd rather be. If they want you to move to MC or Rio then if I were you I'd be doing a lot of research about what kind of safety-related benefits other expats get there and making sure your company matches that.

I've only spent a week in Singapore but it was great and I wanted to get us transferred there after one 20-minute cab ride from the airport lol. Their restaurants/grocery stores had way more international options than where I live, and everyone spoke English. It feels very small and it's expensive, but it's nice. Some parts are VERY VERY nice. There is a major cruise port in Singapore and Singapore airlines might be the best airline in the world so the travel possibilities are excellent. Being able to drive to Malaysia would be nice too. My kids complained about the heat but I loved it. I'm always cold. Get a place with a pool Sydney is of course an excellent option as well.

[GilliC]

I asked for a transfer to Rio a few years ago but didn't get it. It's an absolutely beautiful city, and the safety issues in the city itself have gotten vastly better in recent years. There are still areas that are unsafe, and you have to keep your head about you, but I never found it to be troubling when I'd work from that office for a few weeks at a time. I stayed at my boyfriend's flat in Copacabana and walked around alone a lot without any issues.

The bigger concern I'd have with Rio is the price. It is a veeeery expensive city. And I live in Oslo. Housing is $$$ but you'd probably have a housing allowance. Food and beer are cheap. But any kind of purchases (clothes, furniture, electronics, etc) are highly taxed on import. Brazilians are the only people I know who buy things in Norway because it's cheaper.

Most expats in Rio either live in Ipanema or Leblon if they want a city flat (ie couples without kids). Those who want more space can get big places out in Barra, which has a very North American feel to it - big roads, strip shopping malls, etc.

[majesty318]

Lurker here (because I would love to live abroad). My H is from Mexico City and most of his family still lives there. There are some unsafe areas, but my H feels they are typical bad areas you would find in any big city, more than Mexican cartel/ kidnapping problems. There is a lot of culture in Mexico City (shows and events), some adorable neighborhoods (Coyoacan), and tons of cheap, delicious restaurants. My in-laws live in Colonia Narvarte which is up & coming with a lot of new construction. Personally I think it's a nice city although you will definitely see a lot of poverty, and the traffic is insane.

[mrsukyankee]

My H's cousin moved from India(Delhi) to Singapore and has become a citizen now because he loves it. The downsides for him are the pollution and expense, but he makes enough to make it worth it. He has a ton of friends, loves the expat community (friends from all over) and the lifestyle. I would move there in a heartbeat.

[expatpumpkin]

I can't speak to the other cities, but I'm very familiar with Mexico City and would move there in a heartbeat. Yes, traffic's a pain and security can be an issue, but it's a vibrant city with lots to offer. Well-paid expats can enjoy a very high standard of living with domestic staff (same true for Rio and Singapore, not Sydney, hahaha) and other comforts. If you don't have kids, look at the neighborhood of Polanco. If you do have kids, I recommend Santa Fe... I adore Polanco - check out the neighborhood description on Airbnb for an idea.

Good luck with wherever you decide - and DO GO SOMEWHERE. I'm on my 4th country (Mexico, not in Mexico City, though) and can't imagine having never lived abroad.

[marina007]

I went on exchange to Singapore during my undergrad for 5 months. Go go go! Fantastic weather, great expat community, super safe and clean, incredible travel opportunities nearby and epic food. Nice weather too (hot/tropical).

[loira]

I lived in Rio for a year. It's an amazing city, and not (in my opinion) as dangerous as foreigners think. You do need to take more precautions than usual, but overall it's a great place to live. As GilliC mentioned, it's become really expensive in the last few years. Anywhere in the Zona Sul or Barra is nice. Alto da Boa Vista is also lovely, though it's a bit secluded from shops etc.

[expatpumpkin]

Feb 24, 2015 4:14:09 GMT -5 RockNVoll said:

Feb 23, 2015 20:31:22 GMT -5 expatpumpkin said:

Good luck with wherever you decide - and DO GO SOMEWHERE. I'm on my 4th country (Mexico, not in Mexico City, though) and can't imagine having never lived abroad.

This is awesome, and I'm always so fascinated and jealous by people who have been able to do this.  Can I ask what you do?  Have you always moved around with the same company?  What countries have you lived in?  I feel very lucky to finally have gotten an opportunity to work abroad and I'm "only" in London.  I would love to do Asia next...there's a tiny possibility that could happen when I'm done here.

I'm self-employed, but that's not what's led me abroad...  First country was Spain - did one year of undergrad there and then returned later for two years to do a master's degree.  Second country was Mexico - married a Mexican and moved here with him after the wedding.  Then we moved to the UK (London!) for a little over three years because of his work.  And now we're back in Mexico - combined time living in Mexico has been three years now.  (I should have said I was on my 3rd country because I was counting the US, hahaha.)  

How did you end up in London?  Are you enjoying it?  Mexico is great and we enjoy a cushier lifestyle here, but I sure do miss London!  

[GilliC]

RockNVoll I'm also on my 4th country if you count the US (The others are France, China, and Norway). I work in the oil industry, though not as any kind of geologist or petroleum engineer. I knew that the company has a strong culture of international transfers, which is why I joined in the first place, and I've been bouncing around ever since.

[potatopie]

I can't speak to any of the cities mentioned. But I will say that South Africa also has the reputation for being unsafe. Before we moved here we kept hearing stories of armed guards, not stopping for red lights...etc. Yes, we do have to be more careful than most places, but it's not as bad as it sounds. You are just more aware of your surroundings than you would be in other places. It's not something that has infringed on our daily life at all.

My point is, don't let the horror stories of people who haven't lived in these places scare you away from a great experience!

[GilliC]

Feb 24, 2015 19:09:24 GMT -5 RockNVoll said:

And, OP, I'm sorry for completely derailing your post.  But not enough to stop asking questions 

I moved it to its own thread and answered there:
pandce.proboards.com/thread/423525/multiple-moves-contd

[Cicero]

Singapore is our white whale of expat assignments. We would probably give up a leg to go. You're talking about a first world city where everything works located an incredibly short flight from dozens of exotic destinations throughout SE Asia. Care to discuss at the GTG?