Surely you make your own intellectual life and take it with you wherever you go? You will think more interesting thoughts in a terrible place. Most ideas that matter are born from adversity or quiet reflection. And depth requires a bit of focus. For accessible culture and sophistication the candidates are fairly obvious.

Nigeria is going to be interesting and is full of independent thinkers. And I've heard good things about Panama City. But both possibly pricey. Belfast is way cheap.