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Ask HN: Should I move to Berlin?

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Re: Ask HN: Should I move to Berlin?

#31

Post by icebraining »

janprill wrote: post #14

The total tax burden for well-earned singles is rather roughly. 50%. After you can deduct some lump sums from your tax, we expect 40% for the tax. However, since you also have an employee's share of the health insurance, you should stay at 50% for the time being. A small apartment, or a room is around 400 EUR warm if you have little claim to location and equipment. Find out more at immonet. de. The user interface is…

Is a six-digit salary for a senior software engineer a realistic expectation? I thought that was only common in SV and NY.

Re: Ask HN: Should I move to Berlin?

#32

Post by timthelion »

As an American who moved to Prague, I'd say that those taxes pay for themselves in terms of quality of life and social insurance. Having so many beautiful parks and so much culture right in the city so few minutes away by tram is worth way more than owning a big house. I think of it like this: I can either live in America and have a big living room, or I can live in Europe and have an entire city as my living room.

You'd have to go to Berlin to see what I mean.

Re: Ask HN: Should I move to Berlin?

#33

Post by Mz »

kalimatas wrote: post #16

I live in Berlin. I would say, money is not why you would want to move to Germany. It's social & medical insurance/stability/security. I've been to Dubai for vacation, and I found it pretty boring TBH. In Europe you'll have more opportunities to find something interesting, even if now you're a type of guy who would spend much of his time in front of the laptop. Maybe that's because there is just boring in Dubai?

I would say, money is not why you would want to move to Germany. It's social & medical insurance/stability/security.

Comparing salary plus benefits is really hard. OP should try to put a number on the value of health insurance etc in Germany.

Re: Ask HN: Should I move to Berlin?

#34

Post by dvdkhlng »

kalimatas wrote: post #16

I live in Berlin. I would say, money is not why you would want to move to Germany. It's social & medical insurance/stability/security. I've been to Dubai for vacation, and I found it pretty boring TBH. In Europe you'll have more opportunities to find something interesting, even if now you're a type of guy who would spend much of his time in front of the laptop. Maybe that's because there is just boring in Dubai?

Can second that part about stability/security. Especially if you plan long-term (i.e. don't intend to stay single forever). You get (mostly) free health-care, child-care, education for your children, including studying almost for free at universities. State pays compensation for young parents that take off from work for up to 1 year etc.

So there usually is no need at all to save a lot of money just in case, which makes the high tax rate pretty bearable.

Re: Ask HN: Should I move to Berlin?

#35

Post by contingencies »

If you are not interested in drinking then opportunities for socializing in Berlin may be a bit limited. They are also very big on pork and ham. Germany is a very stable but also a very conservative country. While Berlin is the least conservative part, you will find that the upper echelons of society in terms of net worth tend to be exceptionally conservative. If you do not learn German, opportunities for economic and social advancement may be limited. If you like sun, you will find Germany depressing. In short, it will be hard to move there. If you want stability it is a good option, and besides Europe is simply beautiful. However, it will be hard work and a long term commitment. In your position, I would trade income for residency, stability and access to Europe. You can always move again after your goals are achieved.

Re: Ask HN: Should I move to Berlin?

#36

Post by yladiz »

darklajid wrote: post #7

German here, living abroad. - 5k/month -> 60k/year sounds reasonable in general. You might be able to get more, but honestly I don't think that's a bad salary for programming position. Tax sounds about right. - 24 days of leave seems on the low side of things. I'd expect 28-30 OR more pay. I had 30 in Germany. - 1500 for the relocation seems low as well. What are you supposed to pay for with that? Flight is covered b…

As far as vacation, it sounds normal (maybe a little low) for Berlin. Berlin has just 20 days by law. 25-27 is normal, I’d say. I’ve also never heard of getting a flight home every year in Germany, but it may be more prevalent in Dubai because there are so many foreign workers.

Re: Ask HN: Should I move to Berlin?

#37

Post by photonios »

Go to germany. Being able to get permanent residency and maybe even becoming a citizen at some point is worth it. You'd become a European on paper, which makes life much easier for you. Do note that you'll have to sit it out for a couple of years before it starts paying off.

As others have mentioned, you'll pay more taxes and you'll be left with less net income, but the amount of social security you get in return is totally worth it. Plus, there's more than enough tech companies in Berlin, so I am sure you can increase your salary over time.

Re: Ask HN: Should I move to Berlin?

#38

Post by csomar »

You are the only person who can make this decision. Money-wise, you'll be worse. But the big question is: Do you want to live the rest of your life in Berlin? That's all you need to answer. The way to get there is not really important. You just jump on the first good opportunity that jumps on you.

Do you like Berlin? Do you see yourself there? Do you want to live in the EU? Are you comfortable with the culture?

Re: Ask HN: Should I move to Berlin?

#40

Post by dolel22 »

beberlei wrote: post #30
janprill wrote: post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

As a well earning IT professional you should be able to apply for the so called blue card. http://www.bluecard-eu.de/

bluecard is a very easy way to permanent residency in 1-2 years, but only if you studied in Germany or Europe.

The Blue Card allows you got get permanent residency in 21 months if you speak basic German (B1) regardless of where you studied. And in any case you'll still get permanent residency after 33 months with A1 German
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