Ask HN: Anyone else considering moving from US to Europe?

2 pointsby snovymgodym3 anni fa4 comments

It seems like every week I read about some food additives, agricultural products, or building material that's likely endocrine-disrupting and/or carcinogenic which is allowed in the US but not in most of Europe. On top of that factors like rates of violent crime, lack of social safety net, unwalkable cities, and better laws for workers and tenants make me think of moving to Europe sometimes.

I have German citizenship and speak the language, I also know you can get along easily with just English in smaller European countries and in various major cities. Just before covid I had a job offer in Norway as a non-Norwegian speaker, so I know that tech companies tend to be pretty flexible as long as you are proficient in English.

I know that there are inherent sacrifices to moving, usually pay is lower and even if you keep working remotely for a US-employers at the same salary, the tax burden will be higher. Not to mention moving away from family, figuring out what to do with all your stuff, potentially selling or renting out house, and so on.

Wondering if anyone else is considering such a move or has already done so.

4 comments

theandrewbailey3 anni fa

Russia is being belligerent, and a bigger war could break out soon. Depending on your specific demographic, you might be forced to fight it. In addition to higher taxes and lower salaries, most things (like energy) are more expensive than in the US.

pxcse3 anni fa

"Most things are more expensive than in the US"

I tend to disagree. Compared to my local supermarket in Germany the prices of groceries and other food items were definitely higher when I visited the US.

And let's not forget "free" and universal health care in Europe.

snovymgodym3 anni fa

Last November I was absolutely floored by how low the prices and how high the quality of groceries was in a regular supermarket (a Rewe in Dresden) compared to the USA. Particularly bread and produce.

I don't even live in a HCOL US region.

surprisetalk3 anni fa

If my startup takes off, I’d love to move to Switzerland or Germany, or maybe even Japan. Heck, Norway and Sweden and Denmark are lovely too.

I’m prepared to take a huge pay cut in order to do so.

The biggest reason is that US infrastructure is hostile to independent children. I want my kids to be able to take trains and explore the world relatively safely. The US has pockets of walkability, but it compares nothing to the public transit of Europe and other countries.