How can you even compare Europe to US in software engineering context?
Europe on average has miserable salaries and crazy taxes.
Ask HN: Should I move to California or Germany as a SWE with 2 small kids?
31–40 of 102 posts
Re: Ask HN: Should I move to California or Germany as a SWE with 2 small kids?
#32"My wife's parents would be a huge help with our kids. They're natural and eager grandparents and they're great with our daughter."
This is absolutely priceless no matter where you live.
Re: Ask HN: Should I move to California or Germany as a SWE with 2 small kids?
#33Germany will really struggle with an aging population in the next 10 years. Do you want you and your children to foot the bill? The heavy car culture in California is off-putting though.
Re: Ask HN: Should I move to California or Germany as a SWE with 2 small kids?
#34No stake in the game, but keep in mind that the time of day you're posting will have a biasing effect here (it's still 6-7am in CA)
Re: Ask HN: Should I move to California or Germany as a SWE with 2 small kids?
#35Germany. 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.
I see where you're coming from but this kind of ends up being the worst of both worlds in some ways. I think the invaluable family support happens when you're down the street from grandma and grandpa and you've got a sick kid that needs somewhere to go while you're at work. It would be most ideal if the in-laws moved to Munich as well, although I realize that may not be a reasonable ask.
Re: Ask HN: Should I move to California or Germany as a SWE with 2 small kids?
#36The 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.
Sure it does, you just don't like it and attacked.
Re: Ask HN: Should I move to California or Germany as a SWE with 2 small kids?
#37I cannot speak to Germany or California, but I can speak to being close to family. I know that has been invaluable to my wife and I. We were only 4.5 hours away when we first had our kids, but it seemed like a million miles. It was hard not having support or even just to drop the kids with family to run an errand or go to an appointment. After being back it is just amazing to have family close. Having that love, help and support will ease a lot of burdens. Even in a small village remote work should be an option. I would assume (but obviously don't know) that a small village in Germany has a lower cost of living than California so you should still be able to build wealth if you both get decent jobs. Just remember money isn't everything, and having family close will ease many of those burdens.
Re: Ask HN: Should I move to California or Germany as a SWE with 2 small kids?
#38I moved from west coast US to Germany last year and I'm very happy here. Reach out if you want to chat.
Re: Ask HN: Should I move to California or Germany as a SWE with 2 small kids?
#39The 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?
I'm not seeing any grievances or frustrations being aired here, just mostly positive things about living in Germany.
Re: Ask HN: Should I move to California or Germany as a SWE with 2 small kids?
#40Germany will really struggle with an aging population in the next 10 years. Do you want you and your children to foot the bill? The heavy car culture in California is off-putting though.
The aging population in this case are literally offering him free childcare. Bit of quid pro quo wouldn't hurt?