The Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany have a lot of English-speaking workplaces. A lot of web jobs in London. New Zealand has an interesting albeit small startup scene.
Ask YC: Where's the escape hatch? I'd like to leave the US, but to where?
31–40 of 105 posts
Re: Ask YC: Where's the escape hatch? I'd like to leave the US, but to where?
#32Singapore. Orderly, English-speaking, low taxes, tax breaks for startups (your corporate income tax on your first $100K/year for your first three years is zero). Although if you're worried that the US is a police state, you might not like it there. It seems to be a country where you're free to do whatever a sensible adult would do, and you really shouldn't deviate from that norm.
"Although if you're worried that the US is a police state, you might not like it there." That is putting it mildly. It is illegal to possess chewing gum there. Vandalism is punishable by torture.
Re: Ask YC: Where's the escape hatch? I'd like to leave the US, but to where?
#33Very naive. Do you know anything about immigration policy in different countries? Do you really think that foreign governments are waiting you with open arms? For them you're just useless foreigner if they can't get profit from you. You may be profitable if 1) Foreign country need high qualified specialists. If you one of them you could get work permit. 2) You have enough money to open your own business there. (actua…
I think since he is coming from a rich country he won't have too much immigration problem.
Re: Ask YC: Where's the escape hatch? I'd like to leave the US, but to where?
#34Singapore. Orderly, English-speaking, low taxes, tax breaks for startups (your corporate income tax on your first $100K/year for your first three years is zero). Although if you're worried that the US is a police state, you might not like it there. It seems to be a country where you're free to do whatever a sensible adult would do, and you really shouldn't deviate from that norm.
"Although if you're worried that the US is a police state, you might not like it there." That is putting it mildly. It is illegal to possess chewing gum there. Vandalism is punishable by torture.
'Punishable by torture' is ridiculous. Caning is rarely used, and I would probably prefer it to a prison sentence.
But again, this is a matter of preference. If you love being an antisocial asshole, Singapore will be hell for you until they kick you out (if they let you in). If you're a responsible adult, you won't notice the laws because they won't apply to you -- the penalty for vandalism or heroin use or spitting on the sidewalk is inconsequential to me.
Re: Ask YC: Where's the escape hatch? I'd like to leave the US, but to where?
#35If you are good and bring in capital, I think probably every country will give you a working permit. Just remember that as US citizen you will always to have to pay taxes in the US even if you work outside the US. (in addition to the taxes you pay in the country you are working in) :)
Re: Ask YC: Where's the escape hatch? I'd like to leave the US, but to where?
#36Singapore. Orderly, English-speaking, low taxes, tax breaks for startups (your corporate income tax on your first $100K/year for your first three years is zero). Although if you're worried that the US is a police state, you might not like it there. It seems to be a country where you're free to do whatever a sensible adult would do, and you really shouldn't deviate from that norm.
"Although if you're worried that the US is a police state, you might not like it there." That is putting it mildly. It is illegal to possess chewing gum there. Vandalism is punishable by torture.
That's when it comes in handy to have a U.S. passport.
Re: Ask YC: Where's the escape hatch? I'd like to leave the US, but to where?
#37Singapore. Orderly, English-speaking, low taxes, tax breaks for startups (your corporate income tax on your first $100K/year for your first three years is zero). Although if you're worried that the US is a police state, you might not like it there. It seems to be a country where you're free to do whatever a sensible adult would do, and you really shouldn't deviate from that norm.
Except chew gum.
You can buy chewing gum at drug stores if you show your passport. But remember to flush the public toilet when you are done, or you will be fined 500€.
Re: Ask YC: Where's the escape hatch? I'd like to leave the US, but to where?
#38Never, ever give up your US citizenship. It is one of the most valuable things in the world, inside or outside the United States. I don't think that will change for at least 25 years, due to inertia if nothing else.
If you don't speak Japanese then it isn't easy to get a job in Japan. But, anything is possible. I've talked with many people that moved to Japan and they often found it to be a cold and isolating place after they outgrew the "cute American boy" look and role. You can count on doing most stuff in Japanese in Japan. I have a friend that came to the US and learned a lot of English, and she works as a liaison between her Japanese coworkers and their foreign business partners. Other than that kind of job, everything is Japanese, and Japanese people are much less willing to try to speak to you in English than the natives of other countries in my experience. Anyway, Speaking Japanese is not hard but it takes a long time to read and write. If you save up some money you can take an intensive course for a year and you will be more than good for getting a job that doesn't require too much reading, assuming you have a US degree already.
Anyway, you can go anywhere and do anything. But, there are few places in the world where you can go and do anything easier than you can in the US. When I left, I thought it was great at first; in the end I was making plans to bring my new friends back here with me so they would have more opportunities and a fairer chance at a good life. Becoming a foreigner in another country doesn't increase your freedom whatsoever; you are staying in their country at their pleasure, and you have very little leverage in any situation.
Regardless of where you go, it really helps to have a lot of money relative to those around you. Stick around a little bit and make a nice pile of money to take with you, if you don't have one already.
Re: Ask YC: Where's the escape hatch? I'd like to leave the US, but to where?
#39Rather than running away, why don't you try voting or running for a public office? Do something about your situation, don't try to get others to fix it for you (and yes, running to some 'better' country is exactly that).
Re: Ask YC: Where's the escape hatch? I'd like to leave the US, but to where?
#40Vancouver, Montreal and Toronto have reasonable startup scenes.
Vancouver is a beautiful city. I love it there.