Consider a third option: Switzerland. Salaries will be considerably higher than Germany and you’re only a few hours away (by train) from Bavaria.
Ask HN: Should I move to California or Germany as a SWE with 2 small kids?
21–30 of 102 posts
Re: Ask HN: Should I move to California or Germany as a SWE with 2 small kids?
#22Bavaria, for the following reasons, IMHO: 1. Family in a quality German rural setting: Over the long term, healthy and functional family relationships are meaningful source of fulfillment, and make everything else in your life just a little bit easier. In combination with the quality rural life in many areas of Germany, it is a healthy foundation for friends, family, and children. 2. A geographically independent care…
You forgot that Bavaria has still a travel warning advisory, due to incompatibilities with the German constitution and their police ordonances.
https://www.lawblog.de/archives/2017/07/20/bayern-endloshaft...
Rather move to one of the democratic german states, where the police cannot put you into prison forever, without trial.
Re: Ask HN: Should I move to California or Germany as a SWE with 2 small kids?
#23You have the great opportunity to move to Germany and enjoy their great benefits... Or are you planning to run away from the doctor' bills ??
Re: Ask HN: Should I move to California or Germany as a SWE with 2 small kids?
#24The internet is not an unbiased sample, as Americans with personal grievances flock to threads like these to air their own frustrations. Also: should I have coffee or tea breakfast? Which one is better?
Your comment contains no information, attempts to read the minds of others and assumes you can discern their motivations, and is tendentious.
Re: Ask HN: Should I move to California or Germany as a SWE with 2 small kids?
#25Germany. But maybe choose Munich over the village?
You will still be relatively close to your wife’s parents and the city has a decent startup/tech scene.
Re: Ask HN: Should I move to California or Germany as a SWE with 2 small kids?
#26Germany, without a doubt. California is going to get pretty ugly when the water runs out, which is already happening.
Or when the 4-th awaited ring-of-fire event (9+ earthquake) will overflow the Diablo nuclear power station at the coast at 6m height above seawater. This is directly located at their major fault. Could be in the next 2000 years, but the latest 3 9+ events on each corners all happened short after another, just the 4th is missing (chile, indonesia, japan => california).
Re: Ask HN: Should I move to California or Germany as a SWE with 2 small kids?
#27I'm neither an SWE parent, nor American or German so I can't advice on anything related to those. Instead I think you should also consider this (ultimately more important I think FWIW): What nationality do you want your children to be? If the thought of your children growing up to be Germans is unbearable to you but if the thought of your children being Americans is acceptable to your wife then you should chose CA, and vice versa. A lot of tension tend to occur in families where one or both parents come from a different culture than the one their children grow up in.
If you plan to be in one country when they are young and then make a move to the other country when they are older then that is also something I would advice against, better chose one country and stick with it. At least in my experience, people that moved to a new country in (especially late) childhood will face many challenges, some of which may prove too hard.
In general I think people should consider the effects for the children when making these kinds of choices. It has lifelong implications for them.
Re: Ask HN: Should I move to California or Germany as a SWE with 2 small kids?
#28Move to Germany. Probably you had to move a bit earlier for you to enjoy the full parental leave here, but grandparents will be a great support. Do not worry much about the small village, actually use the opportunity (lower costs) to invest in your German (learn as much as you can with classes and talking with the people around you). Quality of life in Germany is much better than in the USA. Kita places are hard to f…
Good grandparents are underrated!
Re: Ask HN: Should I move to California or Germany as a SWE with 2 small kids?
#29If those are the choices, I 100% move to Germany. California is a smoldering shell of corruption and handouts to buy votes from various demographics. Germany, despite the insane tax rate, actually uses their funds somewhat efficiently. BEFORE you go, I would absolutely establish residence in a state with no income tax like Florida... consult a tax accountant!
I can't speak on employment prospects, but with todays "work anywhere" rebellion, I'm sure you can find remote work if nothing else.
The mountainous parts of Germany are just plain beautiful. I would love the opportunity to move some place like that.
Re: Ask HN: Should I move to California or Germany as a SWE with 2 small kids?
#30I’m with a similar background (30s, Indian(having lived in India, USA, Denmark and now Netherlands) with an Austrian wife, who I met in the US. I have a kid.
I’d vote for Bavaria as well. But, I’m more curious to listen to why not Netherlands. Would you care for a chat over beer/coffee in the Amsterdam, Amstelveen area?
Email on my “about” section of HN profile.