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26 points mathverse | 1 comments | | HN request time: 0.879s | source

EU is in a perpetual state of decline and it seems there are no solutions in sight that would change its path in the next decade.

Everything seems so stagnant and the costs of living are rising while the salaries do not increase whatsoever.

What's worse is that due to its economic decline politicians and leaders try to persuade the populace that a lot of things that we enjoy and contribute to our quality of life are now considered luxury or outright sinful. The same kind of rhetoric that is used to sin tax tobacco, alcohol, gambling is now used on things like:

- car ownership - Air Conditioning - Travel - meat and dairy

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lysace ◴[] No.42195592[source]
Where to: US.
replies(1): >>42195652 #
tartoran ◴[] No.42195652[source]
Emigrating to the US at the moment isn't too great either.
replies(1): >>42195684 #
lysace ◴[] No.42195684[source]
For talented tech people: It's where the money is.

In the EU the compensation difference between top 1% and bottom 1% performers is generally absurdly small.

replies(1): >>42197397 #
bdangubic ◴[] No.42197397[source]
I think (outside of outliers) this is a common misconception. while your salary might be higher in the US we are paying a sh*tton of money for things that europeans generally do not, ESPECIALLY if you are a parent like myself.

I am meticulous about tracking finance and so far (my daughter is 11) I have spent $374k which if I lived in Europe would now be in my pocket. This isn’t total expenses, this is only expenses that I have to pay for here that I would not otherwise. I also have another decade+ of raising and schooling etc to pay for

Roughly another $50k per year on average I spend currently on other things that I would not be if I lived in Europe…

replies(2): >>42198009 #>>42200316 #
thrw42A8N ◴[] No.42198009[source]
Doesn't matter if your overall profit is higher. Which it is unless you're a very bad programmer.
replies(1): >>42204310 #
bdangubic ◴[] No.42204310[source]
Did you put this on paper? this is why I saw it is a misconception, everyone is just talking but if you put it on paper and actually do the math... I earn in the low $800's per year and would probably make 3/5's of that if I was in Europe, the math doesn't work out that I am better off in the US. It is just that my wife doesn't want to move that I am still here :)
replies(1): >>42204830 #
thrw42A8N ◴[] No.42204830[source]
480k per year in Europe? That's totally crazy. Where? I have never seen anyone claiming to make more than cca 200k, maybe 300k around here.
replies(1): >>42205080 #
bdangubic ◴[] No.42205080[source]
that is because they slave on "W2's" - I have been contracting with 2005-ish... on a "W2" it'd be (A LOT) harder but probably doable if you find the right spot. EU has a TON of money for small business, especially if you live in not-so-rich places (balkans, etc...) so doing contracting or starting a small 5-6 people dev shop is not out of reach for most talented and business-savvy devs
replies(1): >>42205734 #
thrw42A8N ◴[] No.42205734[source]
Sure. That's very different from coasting at a FAANG though. And living in the Balkans is nothing like living in Bay Area, LA, NYC etc. I don't think it's comparable.

But of course - do what is best for you. If this is your situation and you like living in the Balkans, go for it. I love the place myself.

Overall though, I don't think this is the safe, easy, simple route. That's moving to the US and grinding some leetcode, not learning the basics of Balkan business culture and EU business regulations. I wouldn't recommend that to anyone who doesn't know very well what it takes - usually by going to a business school or having few years of business experience in EU - elsewhere doesn't count, it's much easier elsewhere.

(I have experience exactly with what you suggest, to be clear. I had to stop doing that and go back to a much simpler and less risky principal engineering / SW engineering management job, as the stress and unclear/anti-business regulations were killing me.)

replies(2): >>42206513 #>>42207116 #
1. ◴[] No.42207116[source]