China is not as bad as the news make it sound, if you're living a normal life it's quite convenient. And VPNs are everywhere, so it's not like you're cut off from social media or whatever if you know where to look. My main issue is that even if you speak decent Chinese, you don't make more than casual acquaintances, hardly real friends unless with other foreigners, and I'm done being stuck in a bubble. Malaysia is largely English speaking thanks to its colonial past, and people are way more welcoming. I've been staying there on and off for a few months working from home, and already have closer connections to people there than I made in 6 years in China. So I now got approved for 100% work from home and can do it from abroad while still getting paid from China, I'll just have to register with the local authorities and pay my taxes there, so I need the work permit first.