Ask HN: Europe to East Coast, does it make sense to move at 50? • Hacker News Board

Re: Ask HN: Europe to East Coast, does it make sense to move at 50?

#21

Post by binarymax » Sat, Jun 25, 2022, 9:43 AM UTC

Lots of anti American comments in this thread, so I’ll attempt to actually answer your question. Background - I’m an American who moved abroad for 12 years (UK) and returned after Brexit.

Salaries are much higher than the EU. But in some cities cost of living is high. Coming from Berlin, you’ll have an easier time finding an apartment, but it will be expensive. I’d expect to pay $2000 to $2500 per month for a decent apartment in Princeton. Also, you will require a car. Public transport here is not feasible for the most part. A decent car will be $250 per month base, plus $100 to $200 insurance per month, plus fuel. Food is cheap and plentiful. The portion sizes are twice as large for the same equivalent price as the EU :). Make sure you get healthcare coverage through your wife’s job - this shouldn’t be a problem. If you are both in good health you should be fine. If you have preexisting medical conditions then it will likely be much more expensive for you here than in the EU.

Re: Ask HN: Europe to East Coast, does it make sense to move at 50?

#22

Post by bjornsing » Sat, Jun 25, 2022, 9:44 AM UTC

danielrpa wrote: post #15

There are many contract opportunities in the US, often paying more than in Europe, sometimes a LOT more. You didn't provide details about what you do and how much you make, so it's hard to be sure in your particular case. You will be close to NYC, which also opens many opportunities. You could use some job search engine like Indeed to look around a little in your area of expertise. This said, the visa issue could be…

I think I’m in your camp, but unfortunately stuck in Europe. Does it make sense to vote with your feet when you’re 44?

Re: Ask HN: Europe to East Coast, does it make sense to move at 50?

#23

Post by koevet » Sat, Jun 25, 2022, 9:44 AM UTC

bshepard wrote: post #12

bshepard wrote: post #7

Hello there, I live in Berlin now and used to live in the United States. My family is there, and I go back to the east coast of the US often. The degenerating and dystopian quality of the United States is difficult to overstate, but almost impossible to capture verbally. Whatever one cause attributes to the systematic breakdown of the US, it is difficult to deny the realities of the decline -- massive alcohol and nar…

This is not exactly a financial response, and that was the context of your question, so forgive the somewhat off-topic aspect of the remark -- yet, the negative aspects of life in the US have both real actual costs and possible future risks. All the talk about civil war might be bluff, but it is still alarming.

no worries, it definitively helps to put things in perspective. We have not made our mind up yet, so these "angles" are super helpful too.

Re: Ask HN: Europe to East Coast, does it make sense to move at 50?

#24

Post by danielrpa » Sat, Jun 25, 2022, 9:48 AM UTC

kkfx wrote: post #4

Two neighbors, ex-USA Citizens have give up the Citizenship to cut their tie with the IRS... They often say "America is here" (France). IME if you plan a short migration for a project, witch means go, earn enough money, come back and you do not need ANY KIND of health services in the foreseeable meantime it's ok. If not... USA level of services is third world compared to EU, bureaucracy is byzantine, surely you might…

Healthcare is complicated as mentioned, but I imagine his wife will get family health insurance. Despite all the true horror stories, the US has top notch health services if you are properly insured and have reserve funds for the inevitable "gotchas" in the system. Don't even dream of showing up without health insurance - the EU beats the US hands down in this scenario.

No comments about needing a lawyer to subscribe to a local gym, it's utter nonsense, perhaps even malicious.

Re: Ask HN: Europe to East Coast, does it make sense to move at 50?

#25

Post by sdfjkl » Sat, Jun 25, 2022, 9:49 AM UTC

bjornsing wrote: post #18

DeathArrow wrote: post #5

Can you make a test move for just a few months and see if you like it? Employment aside, there are other things that matters when you change countries / continents. As an European, I wouldn't like to move permanently to the US. If you are making enough money in Europe, I don't see much incentives to move to US.

Interesting work? A love for liberty? Less crab mentality? Sorry, as a somewhat disgruntled European I couldn’t resist.

That'd be France you're describing. Plus, the food is better there :)

Re: Ask HN: Europe to East Coast, does it make sense to move at 50?

#26

Post by cm2187 » Sat, Jun 25, 2022, 9:49 AM UTC

binarymax wrote: post #21

Lots of anti American comments in this thread, so I’ll attempt to actually answer your question. Background - I’m an American who moved abroad for 12 years (UK) and returned after Brexit. Salaries are much higher than the EU. But in some cities cost of living is high. Coming from Berlin, you’ll have an easier time finding an apartment, but it will be expensive. I’d expect to pay $2000 to $2500 per month for a decent…

> Lots of anti American comments in this thread

Probably the time zone. Better to ask this question in the afternoon in europe.

Re: Ask HN: Europe to East Coast, does it make sense to move at 50?

#27

Post by koevet » Sat, Jun 25, 2022, 9:49 AM UTC

tr33house wrote: post #13

somewhereoutth wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I would double check this - assuming your wife will be going over on an H1B or L1 visa (edit: correction: L1 can get you an L2 as a spouse), as a spouse you would not be allowed to work in the US.

+1 having gone through the US immigration system, it doesn't quite work as a reasonable immigrant would think. Before you move, make sure to talk to a US immigration lawyer. The process will be long and painful unless she's moving to a university or for a religious job where some exceptions apply. You might find yourself in a spot where you're not allowed to work, even for European clients legally

Thanks, yes this is something I need to determine ASAP - even though the move should realistically take place next year, so I should have some time to figure things out, visa-wise

My wife job is for a European company, no UNI or religious context.

Re: Ask HN: Europe to East Coast, does it make sense to move at 50?

#28

Post by orangepurple » Sat, Jun 25, 2022, 9:50 AM UTC

kkfx wrote: post #4

Two neighbors, ex-USA Citizens have give up the Citizenship to cut their tie with the IRS... They often say "America is here" (France). IME if you plan a short migration for a project, witch means go, earn enough money, come back and you do not need ANY KIND of health services in the foreseeable meantime it's ok. If not... USA level of services is third world compared to EU, bureaucracy is byzantine, surely you might…

You also "need a lawyer" to cancel gym memberships in Western European countries. Do some minimal research yourself.

Re: Ask HN: Europe to East Coast, does it make sense to move at 50?

#29

Post by teekert » Sat, Jun 25, 2022, 9:52 AM UTC

bshepard wrote: post #7

Hello there, I live in Berlin now and used to live in the United States. My family is there, and I go back to the east coast of the US often. The degenerating and dystopian quality of the United States is difficult to overstate, but almost impossible to capture verbally. Whatever one cause attributes to the systematic breakdown of the US, it is difficult to deny the realities of the decline -- massive alcohol and nar…

I’ve been to the US a couple times for work (all over), always travelled around a bit. I found the people to very, very warm and kind everywhere. Racial segregation is sometimes too real in some places but the black people there seem so positively surprised and very kind when you ask them something as a white dude, it’s easy and rewarding to just be the change you want to see in that respect.

The only reservation I’d have is about the healthcare system especially as you grow older. Maybe get well informed about good insurance.

Re: Ask HN: Europe to East Coast, does it make sense to move at 50?

#30

Post by wozer » Sat, Jun 25, 2022, 9:52 AM UTC

bshepard wrote: post #7

Hello there, I live in Berlin now and used to live in the United States. My family is there, and I go back to the east coast of the US often. The degenerating and dystopian quality of the United States is difficult to overstate, but almost impossible to capture verbally. Whatever one cause attributes to the systematic breakdown of the US, it is difficult to deny the realities of the decline -- massive alcohol and nar…

Is it really that bad in the US? Makes me wonder if I should continue to invest in the US stock market...