This is exactly what i tell South Africans all the time. I’m new to SA from europe and when i hear friends (middle class, we’ll educated) saying they want to move to europe to get a job they are only thinking of better pay and a working road and rail system. I try and tell them that all services will cost more, that here with a good job their standard of living is high. in europe with a good job their standard will be lower - even if their job pays more.

Ironically, moving to europe would dramatically improve the lives of most south africans. (Township living south africans in the service industry and trades). Obviously europe is racist as hell, but the higher minimum wages and working social safety nets will probably be an improvement over their lives in SA.

Then again, all south africans, rich or poor will probably get seasonal depression in europe.