Agree with that.
I mostly trust Heritage’s ratings. They are of course trying to make a political point by “objectively” rating the US at #11. So it should be a starting point for much deeper investigation.
An important factor is the local culture. Are they accepting of American expats? Is there an expat community you can network with?
The country I like best begins with a C.
Real estate, both urban and farmland, is still cheap compared with the US.
Modern infrastructure, many cultural opportunities, and no entitlement collapse on the horizon.
Beautiful women there, and genuine warm people in general. Different than the US in a charming way. Not many slums like Mexico or Brazil. There’s a language difference, but the language is quite easy to learn. If you speak it passably, you will be treated with respect there.
My heart will always be in the Midwest US, but sadly it isn’t what it was. The particularity and specialness are evaporating.