1. Singapore - closer to home for your family, and less of a shock to the system. Clean, organised, eficient, safe.
2. Dubai - has all the modern conveniences, no tax as you say, stinking hot, lots of camels
3. Shanghai - crazy town.
4. Hanoi - crazy town's first cousin.

However, I'd definitely encourage you not to rule out the Pacific. PNG maybe not (the major centres are as safe as anywhere else really), but Samoa is a peaceful and easy to live in nation. I don't knwo if there are any other pacific nations available to you, but likewise, most are great.