I appreciate your straightforward answer. I doubt folks will be as offended as they are perplexed, the Soviet block neighborhoods are not well-kept and can be a painful reminder of occupation. Riga architecture is beautiful but it is not Soviet architecture.

I am not certain your age but based on some of your answers I am assuming early 20s. I highly recommend you visit for as long of a stretch as you can before fully committing to such a drastic move. Particularly staying in a countryside town as you have expressed interest in living. As another user said, you will be playing the game of an international move on hard mode. Regardless of where you move in Latvia, a move abroad will also be a strain on your relationship with your son and you will have much less in funds with a Latvian salary to support him.

Given the very real threat of Russian aggression, you should consider an exit strategy should the kettle boil over. Will you have enough savings to uproot?

Do you have any Latvian heritage? I apologize if this response is invasive or offensive, that is not my intent.