Welfare grass may appear greener on the other side of the fence, but is not

A young man I know has been trying to migrate to one of the European countries. Having changed jobs a couple of dozen times in the past decade, he recently told me that he was fed up with his superiors' strict demands and the tough competition from colleagues. Immigration agents have convinced him that he should migrate to a European country in order to lead a relatively relaxed life and enjoy various social welfares.

He plans to sell a Beijing apartment he inherited from his grandparents for a few million yuan, which he can use to apply under the immigrant investor program for residency in a European country that welcomes such investment. "Once successful, I can largely lie flat and enjoy the impressive social welfares such as free education for children, free medical care, better eldercare, longer vacations and higher income," he said.

I know the picture he presented is only partly true. But I was not in the mood to argue with him. Experience tells me there is no free lunch anywhere.