There is error in calculation or wrong assumption somewhere clearly. We have Estonia in top 15 and Latvia in bottom 15. Two neighboring countries that are quite similar in size, economical situation, cultural background and political situation. Estonia has some little advantages over Latvia (IMHO) but those are not that critical.
1) Estonia has euro (currency), Latvia will have euro next year;
2) Estonia prepared for crisis Latvia had to use helping hand of IMF.
3) Average salary is slightly larger in Estonia than in Latvia. Estonia - 865 euros, Latvia 676 euros, Lithuania 630 euros (data 2011 4th quarter).
I can think only about one cultural difference:
Baltic states do not like Russian people very much because of historical reason. It is not as bad as Northern Ireland or Basques but citizen of Baltic state can refuse to speak Russian in some situations while many older people can speak Russian without problems (younger generation does not speak Russian, e.g. I will not speak Russian because my Russian is terrible). Latvians require some tests to be passed in order person could get Latvian citizenship - so in result Latvia has quite high population of Russians that do not speak Latvian and do not have citizenship. More here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non-citizens_(Latvia)
Returning to theme those differences are minor as in Baltic states:
1) if you know English you have big opportunities;
2) Education level is quite high in all Baltic states;
My point is that Estonia is not cheaper, safer and friendlier place to live than Latvia. While Latvia has this problem with Russian people but this problem exists in all Baltic states. If you are stubborn not to speak language of the country you are living in you will have problem in any country - the only exception USA as they don't have official language. Still I doubt that you will have luck speaking with officer in other language than in English in USA.
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