Funny, my wife, friends and I were making a short-list of some reasonable US alternatives last night (we've both lived much of our lives outside the US though are in it now) and all our top picks were cold, northern, and civilized. Norway was on it.
Based in HK for a long time, spent lots of time working in SG as well and have family there now. We've talked about going back there too.
I like what they've done to push cultural development (something HK never did effectively or seriously). Still a bit too fascist disney, but since we have kids it's pretty fam friendly.
I'd say it's on our list for a short term stay, a couple years maybe. Penang too, which is a slower pace, differnt vibe.
