What are the relative advantages of living in the following cities: Beijing, Shanghai, San Francisco, New York?

I've lived in NY and Shanghai, loathe Beijing in ways I've only previously responded to Guildford, Ottawa and Indianapolis, and have never even visited San Francisco (although I've very much liked the handful of people I've met who grew up there.) So I can only help you with two. NY (ok, Manhattan) is better for culture (high and low, but especially art and books), walking around, sports and, in a career sense, running or being part of a team that runs anything global. Shanghai wins hands down for food (street food especially), cost of living (even with the crazy rents, miles lower than Manhattan), a sense of optimism allied to a faster pace of living, and running anything regional. In my view, there are a surprising number of ties: equal marks for looking down on the rest of the country as backwards, reactionary hicks; certainty that you're living in one of the few global cities that matters; fabulous views if you live above the 50th floor; local politics as a blood sport; and career acceleration. I don't know what you do but, in one respect at least, I know how to advise you on career prospects: survey 100 Shanghai top execs and 99 will complain that they can't find bilingual, bi-cultural, client-facing staff who are as comfortable talking to a local analyst as they are a western CEO. Do the same survey in NY and you might find one guy, mostly because he's about to move here...

General Advantages: 1. High Chance of bumping into very Smart People. So over time you get smarter yourself, and are valued in such an eco-system. 2. Biggest Customers and Best Employees in the same place. So quicker feedback loop and short scaling up period. 3. These cities Growth Hubs for their respective country. While much of the US stagnates, SF and partly NY are growing very well, and are a hub of activity. Other cities like LA are trying to take a page out of their book in growing similar community by following their approach. 4. Productivity of people is square of the number of people living in it. Large cities create business opportunities which are unique to them. Eg. a Startup Events company can best in SF and won't have any audience elsewhere. Such advantages create unique opportunities for denizens. Drawbacks: 1. High Cost of Living: These cities are not the cheapest in the world. 2. Effort for establishing yourself is High. As generally in any field the level of people is so good that for even a great talent may need to prove himself before he gets great opportunities. 3. High Stress Culture: People generally in these cities have long working hours and longer commute times. Locals are used to it, but life outside is generally more relaxed, and adapting to the lifestyle can be stressful. Thanks for reading. http://sangram.me/  http://able-partners.in/

I've visited all the cities several times and lived in three, and started businesses in three, so I'll give this a shot, list-style, listing advantages, except where I could not resist listing massive disadvantages: Beijing Culture is fabulous Wonderful people who care about relationships more than emptying your pocketbook Highly cosmopolitan (although that depends on where you choose to hang out). Political center of China Shanghai Commercial center of China Slightly more favorable weather than Beijing Relatively convenient travel to anywhere in China except the West Keep your hands on your pocketbook.  Shanghainese, in trade, commerce, and business, seem to exist for the purpose of relieving you of your money.  Sure, there are opportunities.  After you have paid, paid, paid. SF Weather Restaurants Extremely cosmopolitan and diverse Extremely, extremely liberal.  (For those that think this way, it is a genuine attraction) Don't even think about starting a business in this city (or this state) unless you are funded beyond your wildest dreams and expect operating margins better than Apple Computer.  Seriously.  Regulatory and tax compliance make China seem like a laissez-faire economy... Close to Silicon Valley NY Along with LA, perhaps the best place to be "discovered" in America Media center of the universe.  Just ask them.  ;-) Restaurants Extremely cosmopolitan and diverse Reasonable travel distance to most of America and Europe

Living in three of those cities, I prefer and live in Shanghai! I pay taxes and get my passport issued in San Francisco, but find enough people too smug there. In Beijing, the smog and its effect on my blood pressure, eliminated that city!