Ask HN: Should I move to California or Germany as a SWE with 2 small kids? (pt2)

> There is no mobility in Europe and even if you are promoted taxes will take care of that.

This is nonsense to the highest level considering we are talking about a family of a PM and a SDE.

OP disregard the parent comment because he is clearly out of his depth talking about life in Europe.

Good SDEs can pick good compensations in Europe to be able to afford a house and more.

California is expensive. The Bay Area where you'd find high paying jobs is even more expensive. Rent is expensive, home ownership is nearly inaccessible, cost of daycare and healthcare is high, great schools are expensive and taxes are high.

I didn't do the exact math but to give you a ballpark, for us to live well, eat well, save for the future and travel (ski trips or visit family in France), we'd need to earn a combined yearly salary of over $300,000. I think for a household with 2 parents working as SWE it's doable.

That said, based on seniority, your household could probably reach over $200,000 working from Bavaria.

I frequently think about going back but our decision is mostly a factor of the kids growing up around family, in an environment that's empowering them and with great weather. Rain and green pasture sure is pretty but I prefer the sun.

The main thing that's holding me back is the support my wife's parents who live close by are giving us. Without them, navigating the daycare landscape is difficult and extremely expensive. So that would be a huge plus for Germany in your case. In terms of career, California has the obvious advantage, although that advantage is not as strong in Sacramento and San Diego as it would be in the SF Bay Area.

So it all depends on what you value and what your gut feeling says. How do you like Amsterdam?

Another thing to consider: If you have two options and both have strong pros so that it's difficult to decide between them, then either choice will be fine.

Then taxes[1].

"As shown in the figure, the overall tax burden on wages is roughly 17% higher in Germany than in the U.S. While social security contributions (employer and employee) account for less than half of the U.S. wage tax burden, they account for more than two-thirds in Germany."

[1] - https://www.chicagofed.org/publications/chicago-fed-letter/2...

Some stages in life are better in Europe other are in US.

I lived in Both.

Want to live hard and play hard? Having two weeks vacations as a good thing? Go to US.

Want to drive YOUR car, have YOUR house fill the tank and eat bad food? US.

Want to have more 2 children, have 30 days + sick leave and well .. work slow? Go to Europe.

Europe is like a cozy trap, you enter, feels nice public transportation, healthcare, all things already decided for you and cozy.

But then you are on your 60's the Medical specialist has a long queue, your treatments are limited. Then the state is telling you which doctor you should go, which treatment is good for you, etc.

Then You don't feel so good to bring groceries on the public transport.

Then You don't feel so connected to the local culture.

I am not doing a US VS Germany thread. But OP should looks in how he "fits" on each place.

Some people discover that food can be delicious, cheap and healthy in Europe.

Other people discover the power of individualism in US.

Are you going to fit on local culture or be in the expat circle?

Are your kids be in the local school or the "new school" made for new people?

As you are happy please enjoy real food and join me in the war against "olive garden" The "real italian food" from others food chains that claim it :)