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

181 points feraligators | 1 comments | 25 Jan 22 15:44 UTC | HN request time: 0.222s | 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?

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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.

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shankr ◴[25 Jan 22 17:36 UTC] No.30074908[source]▶
> 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...

Exactly! No amount of health-care and vacation can cover for that. And that's why as for a skilled immigrant, USA is top destination.

> 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.

It's funny when I see Americans on reddit complaining about how they have to pay so much in taxes. When you show them exact numbers, then they start talking about how they don't get "worth" of their taxes.

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1. notch656a ◴[26 Jan 22 19:00 UTC] No.30090113[source]▶
Government revenue is 30% of GDP. Most of that comes either from taxing either US nationals or those residing inside US, or indirectly via tariffs and inflation (both of which effects both US nationals and foreigners).

90 years ago it was about 1/4th that figure (as percent GDP). We've had an explosion of government siphoning of GDP, so it's no surprise some people aren't happy about the situation. Recent stimulus checks excepted, in the US a single person making above poverty line can actually be taxed into poverty.

I have looked into opting out of social security, but unfortunately you have to be a member of one of a few select religious organizations or certain unusual employment situations to be exempted (believe some teachers and rail workers with special retirement plans are excepted). I would like to see that option. Let me opt out for life of getting benefits of transfer payment, and in exchange not require me to pay any social transfer payment tax.