←back to thread

Ask HN: Who has moved from the U.S. to Europe?

181 points feraligators | 3 comments | 25 Jan 22 15:44 UTC | HN request time: 0.001s | source

I've long considered leaving this country for a multitude of reasons.

I'd be curious to hear some first hand experiences of those who've made the move to Europe and what you think of the process and considerations one should make.

A few questions to start the conversation:

- Where do you live?

- What's the biggest sacrifice you had to make (i.e. pay, housing, friends, etc.)

- What have you gained?

Show context
WallWextra ◴[25 Jan 22 17:02 UTC] No.30074352[source]▶
I recently moved from the US to Berlin. I plan to return to the US.

Pros of Berlin:

- Good transport

- Bikeable

- Safe

- Cheaper than the big coastal cities in the US, with lower rent.

- Good clubbing (not my thing)

Cons of Berlin:

- Healthcare is inconvenient. Doctor's offices won't pick up the phone, and won't leave you on hold. You just have to go in person. Providers all work in small doctor-owned practices, and you get a referral runaround with huge wait times.

- The food in Germany is terrible. The quality of produce and other ingredients is very bad, and the restaurants are nothing special. One notable bright spot is the availability of vegetarian and vegan food. Also falafel and doner.

- The salaries are shockingly low. Really ask yourself if all the comforts of Europe are worth cutting your salary in 2 or 3, and that's before...

- Taxes. The top tax rate here is in the low-40s, comparable to the US, but unlike the US, the top tax bracket starts below $65k.

- Europe has an impending demographic crisis, and the social safety net they fund by plundering your paycheck probably won't be there for you when you retire.

- Stores in general suck. They have fewer, and worse products.

- Everyone still smokes here.

replies(5): >>30074908 #>>30076050 #>>30078166 #>>30082748 #>>30083459 #
1. raverbashing ◴[26 Jan 22 07:20 UTC] No.30082748[source]▶
> The food in Germany is terrible. The quality of produce and other ingredients is very bad

Don't shop at Lidl then. Restaurants are what you make of it, goes from basic to fancy and the basic ones are, well, basic. (Though the basic ones are probably at a step lower than the ones in the US because of fast-food in the US)

Though I'll give it to you that 80% of restaurants are generic Italian or Asian ones

> Stores in general suck. They have fewer, and worse products.

Again, don't shop at Lidl. "Fewer products" oh you mean, slightly different products pretending they're not 50% HFCS like in the US? Or products that "look better" but aren't? (like excessively red apples that taste like nothing)

replies(1): >>30093739 #
2. bogomipz ◴[26 Jan 22 23:35 UTC] No.30093739[source]▶
Nowhere did the OP say they shopped at Lidl. You seemed to have put those words in their mouth, not once but twice. You seemed to have taken the OP's comment very personally for some reason.

Berlin has many wonderful things going for it but Berlin is not known as being some bastion of great food. Nor is known as a food destination. There's a reason for that.

>"Restaurants are what you make of it, goes from basic to fancy and the basic ones are, well, basic."

What does that even mean? Some of the best restaurants in places like NYC, Austin and LA are "basic" restaurants but the food is delicious and cheap. From noodles, pizza, bbq, burgers, tacos, etc.

You comment about apples is really bizarre. The US has some of the best produce in the world, from local farmer's markets to giant Whole Foods. You can also find organic produce at nearly every market these days.

replies(1): >>30096717 #
3. raverbashing ◴[27 Jan 22 05:56 UTC] No.30096717[source]▶
> Berlin is not known as being some bastion of great food. Nor is known as a food destination. There's a reason for that.

It is the 5th city with the most Michelin Restaurants in Europe and 13th in the world https://www.godsavethepoints.com/13-most-michelin-starred-ci...

> Some of the best restaurants in places like NYC, Austin and LA are "basic" restaurants but the food is delicious and cheap.

I agree. Maybe Germans think mayo is spicy as the meme says (currywurst aside). But it is changing.

> The US has some of the best produce in the world, from local farmer's markets to giant Whole Foods

"Best produce" is not necessarily the ones that look better on a shelf. Berlin is not lacking in organic produce and supermarkets. Or just fruit/veg stalls.

Oh and before I forget, don't shop at discount supermarkets.