In a recent HN post a dev asked for advice to work/live in the US and some commenters suggested trying other countries first. What if the situation is different. Let's say you are a developer and already have permanent residence status in the US, would you stay there or move to another country? Is there such thing as the best country for software developers?
Ask HN: If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live?
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Re: Ask HN: If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live?
#2Probably best is to figure it out for each individual. Make a list, try them out, decide. The process will be interesting.
Re: Ask HN: If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live?
#3Canadian here.
I'd move to the US in a heartbeat.
- Access to most online services on day one (Pandora, Netflix, etc)
- Amazon.com
- 35% less taxes
- Groceries are 50% cheaper.
- Restaurants are 25% cheaper.
- Fuel is 25% cheaper
- Salaries are 200% to 300% higher (in tech)
- Housing is cheaper (on average)
- Superbowl ads
- Best TV shows
- Better health care
- More exciting politics
- Less regulation
- Better culture
- Best universities
- Stores are open longer (some are even 24h)
Too bad immigration is so difficult.
Re: Ask HN: If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live?
#4Canadian here. I'd move to the US in a heartbeat. - Access to most online services on day one (Pandora, Netflix, etc) - Amazon.com - 35% less taxes - Groceries are 50% cheaper. - Restaurants are 25% cheaper. - Fuel is 25% cheaper - Salaries are 200% to 300% higher (in tech) - Housing is cheaper (on average) - Superbowl ads - Best TV shows - Better health care - More exciting politics - Less regulation - Better cultur…
>Canadian here.
...
>Too bad immigration is so difficult.
What about TN1 ?
Re: Ask HN: If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live?
#5I'm actually in that situation. I'm originally from Europe but I have permanent resident status in the US and have studied/worked there for most of my adult life. I don't understand why people on HN are crazy about moving to the US (or the bay area). It looks glamorous from the outside but it's not as great as people make it out to be. If it wasn't necessary to stay in the US to keep my resident status I'd be gone in a heartbeat. I just applied for a re-entry permit that allows me to stay away for at least 2 years, possibly longer.
I believe that location is becoming increasingly irrelevant for software developers. Distributed teams are gaining popularity and there are lots of remote positions. So the question for me isn't really what's the "best" country for developers, but rather what's the country that fits my personality and cultural values the most? That answer will be different for everyone.
So far I've lived in (not travelled) Europe, Brazil, Thailand and Japan. Personally I'd move back to Japan if I could (currently can't since I was just there for 6 months). Japan sucks for software developers if you work for a Japanese company, but if you work remotely it's a great place to live. It's cheap (compared to the bay area), food is amazing, lots of stuff to do, and I like the culture. Thailand is another good place to live. You have a luxurious lifestyle on little money. An apartment that'd be $6000/month in the bay area is $1000/month in Thailand. Also lots of good food, nightlife, and beaches. South Korea is next on my list but I'm expecting the lifestyle to be quite similar to Japan.
In the list of countries I want live in the US probably wouldn't make the top 10. I love California, but there are so many other amazing places around the world.
Re: Ask HN: If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live?
#6Canadian here. I'd move to the US in a heartbeat. - Access to most online services on day one (Pandora, Netflix, etc) - Amazon.com - 35% less taxes - Groceries are 50% cheaper. - Restaurants are 25% cheaper. - Fuel is 25% cheaper - Salaries are 200% to 300% higher (in tech) - Housing is cheaper (on average) - Superbowl ads - Best TV shows - Better health care - More exciting politics - Less regulation - Better cultur…
Thanks for your perspective. I don't know a lot about Canada but from what I know, I think most of what you say is true. Except:
> 35% less taxes
I'm not so sure. In a state without income tax, if you are single and make $100K, your average federal tax is 18%. In California, you probably own another 7%. So 1/4th of your income goes to tax. How about Canada?
> Better health care
Everywhere I read, healthcare in Canada can't possibly be worse than in the US. I remember a research pointed out that the per capita cost for healthcare in Canada is like half of that of the US.
Re: Ask HN: If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live?
#7Canadian here. I'd move to the US in a heartbeat. - Access to most online services on day one (Pandora, Netflix, etc) - Amazon.com - 35% less taxes - Groceries are 50% cheaper. - Restaurants are 25% cheaper. - Fuel is 25% cheaper - Salaries are 200% to 300% higher (in tech) - Housing is cheaper (on average) - Superbowl ads - Best TV shows - Better health care - More exciting politics - Less regulation - Better cultur…
Thanks for your perspective. I don't know a lot about Canada but from what I know, I think most of what you say is true. Except: > 35% less taxes I'm not so sure. In a state without income tax, if you are single and make $100K, your average federal tax is 18%. In California, you probably own another 7%. So 1/4th of your income goes to tax. How about Canada? > Better health care Everywhere I read, healthcare in Canada…
I think it is more than that. My tax rate probably comes out to 35% total.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Income_tax_in_the_United_State...
Re: Ask HN: If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live?
#8I'm actually in that situation. I'm originally from Europe but I have permanent resident status in the US and have studied/worked there for most of my adult life. I don't understand why people on HN are crazy about moving to the US (or the bay area). It looks glamorous from the outside but it's not as great as people make it out to be. If it wasn't necessary to stay in the US to keep my resident status I'd be gone in…
I like the sound of living in Japan and Thailand. What type of visa did you use to stay in those countries? Travel visa?
Re: Ask HN: If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live?
#9Earlier quoted context omitted.
Thanks for your perspective. I don't know a lot about Canada but from what I know, I think most of what you say is true. Except: > 35% less taxes I'm not so sure. In a state without income tax, if you are single and make $100K, your average federal tax is 18%. In California, you probably own another 7%. So 1/4th of your income goes to tax. How about Canada? > Better health care Everywhere I read, healthcare in Canada…
I think it is more than that. My tax rate probably comes out to 35% total. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Income_tax_in_the_United_State...
You're right. Per this calculator [1], the tax is 36% for single filer making 100K annually. Canadians can't possibly be taxed higher than this, can they?
[1] http://www.esmartpaycheck.com/freecalculator/free_calculator...
Re: Ask HN: If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live?
#10I'm actually in that situation. I'm originally from Europe but I have permanent resident status in the US and have studied/worked there for most of my adult life. I don't understand why people on HN are crazy about moving to the US (or the bay area). It looks glamorous from the outside but it's not as great as people make it out to be. If it wasn't necessary to stay in the US to keep my resident status I'd be gone in…
I like the sound of living in Japan and Thailand. What type of visa did you use to stay in those countries? Travel visa?
Yes.
Depending on where you're from you can stay in Japan either 3 or 6 months at a time. Some people leave for a few days and then come back but that could be risky as your next visa may be denied.
Thailand has various visa options and is less strict with their policies. Many people keep renewing their tourist visas for years.