Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

Ask YC: Where's the escape hatch? I'd like to leave the US, but to where?

news.ycombinator.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

71–80 of 105 posts

Re: Ask YC: Where's the escape hatch? I'd like to leave the US, but to where?

#71

Post by wrigley »

timcederman wrote: post #15

Australia

I am quite surprised by this post and the majority of recommendations. I currently run a startup in the UK, the scene is quite frankly awful, staffing costs in the UK are possibly the highest around.

You need to ask yourself if your possible employees can count leading web/software firms in their CV as more than likely in the US, no is the answer.

We have had extremely bad experiences with UK firms and now outsource all our IT projects via Guru/elance to Eastern European countries like Slovenia and further afield to Kenya (fast becoming a call centre and data alternative to India) and India.itself. The UK currently is in a financial crisis, we are experiencing a hard knock on from the US housing crisis and our inflation is currently at around 3.8% which is well above average. Additionally you will find it shocking to note the Petrol prices here are near on the highest in the world - approx £5.42 per gallon at the moment (approx $11) an earlier comment about EU countries is very viable and moving around between countries is relatively easy within the EU.

From a startup scene perspective there are little in the way of the numerous startup meets and socials I see startups being able to attend in San Fransisco. There just isnt a central hub as you have in the US for technology yet, maybe in 10 years there will be but for now its diluted.

Personally I know of the beauty and appeal of New Zealand and understand the benefits but for the pure weather, excellent salaries and quality of life Australia would be my preferred choice. Suffice to say I have been looking at moving to the US for the reason of the benefits it would bring a new startup and the networking facilities. The Venture Capital reach alone is staggering.

Hope this helps. Additionally to note, setting up a company in the UK will require a UK bank account which in turn requires a permanant address and credit checks etc.

Re: Ask YC: Where's the escape hatch? I'd like to leave the US, but to where?

#72

Post by rms »

isoadventure wrote: post #66
alaskamiller wrote: post #23

Have you personally experience the ill effects of the US or is this just from reading Reddit all day? I had the same feeling and took time to travel within the US and disconnect from the Internet. As for finding another place, there are problems with any other places you pick. Can you pick up a high-tech job in Japan without knowing Japanese? Not likely. Japan is also a nifty place to visit but rarely a good place to…

Do you mean "unplug from reddit" or "unplug from the news"? Because while I know doing the latter would make me feel a lot better, I wouldn't want to live in a place where I'd have to do that to feel better.

Reddit is an extreme example of showing the world at its most negative. Sometimes you need to remind yourself that despite the corruption, the insanity, the maliciousness, and the violence of our globalized society, everything continues to function! Despite the best efforts of many, worldwide standard of living increases every year and you can start to see the system we live in as bringing about positive change, despite its imperfections. Try and look at the biggest picture and not the monthly debate about civil liberties: realize the debate itself is what keeps your civil liberties mostly intact.

If you're looking for a different, more serious, more pro-globalization news source, try the CFR. They are our friends, I think. http://www.cfr.org/

Re: Ask YC: Where's the escape hatch? I'd like to leave the US, but to where?

#73

Post by thebigshane »

rms wrote: post #60
briansmith wrote: post #32

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"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.

The US gum lobbyists actually won. You can buy medicinal chewing gum (the sugar free kind commonly marketed as "white" here) from an approved healthcare professional, such as a dentist or a pharmacist. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chewing_gum_ban_in_Singapore

If you hadn't put a link there, I would have mod you up for being hilarious... "US gum lobby" "medicinal chewing gum"... But now I am not so sure.

Re: Ask YC: Where's the escape hatch? I'd like to leave the US, but to where?

#74

Post by [deleted] »

thebigshane wrote: post #73
rms wrote: post #60

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The US gum lobbyists actually won. You can buy medicinal chewing gum (the sugar free kind commonly marketed as "white" here) from an approved healthcare professional, such as a dentist or a pharmacist. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chewing_gum_ban_in_Singapore

If you hadn't put a link there, I would have mod you up for being hilarious... "US gum lobby" "medicinal chewing gum"... But now I am not so sure.

[deleted]

Re: Ask YC: Where's the escape hatch? I'd like to leave the US, but to where?

#75

Post by briansmith »

steveplace wrote: post #36
briansmith wrote: post #32

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"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.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_P._Fay

Re: Ask YC: Where's the escape hatch? I'd like to leave the US, but to where?

#77

Post by bubaker »

bluelu wrote: post #35

If 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) :)

U.S. citizens don't necessarily have to pay U.S. income taxes on income they earn abroad, depending on length of residency abroad and level/type of income:

http://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc853.html

Much clearer information at About.com:

http://taxes.about.com/od/taxhelp/a/ForeignIncome.htm

Short version: if you move abroad, you pay taxes only on income over $87,600, at least for 2008.

You can also exclude some housing allowance, but the amount is not as standard or clear (see About.com).

BTW - I'm an American living abroad; I agree that you should seek to solve the problems you have / perceive, and not expect anything close to perfect anywhere. I miss a good number of things about the U.S., and many things... not so much. YMMV...

Re: Ask YC: Where's the escape hatch? I'd like to leave the US, but to where?

#78

Post by alaskamiller »

isoadventure wrote: post #66
alaskamiller wrote: post #23

Have you personally experience the ill effects of the US or is this just from reading Reddit all day? I had the same feeling and took time to travel within the US and disconnect from the Internet. As for finding another place, there are problems with any other places you pick. Can you pick up a high-tech job in Japan without knowing Japanese? Not likely. Japan is also a nifty place to visit but rarely a good place to…

Do you mean "unplug from reddit" or "unplug from the news"? Because while I know doing the latter would make me feel a lot better, I wouldn't want to live in a place where I'd have to do that to feel better.

Sometimes you have to realize there are by far worse things out there. Having been in the military and seen what real fucked-up circumstances are like in other countries, I much prefer what we have in the States over anything else.

And have you considered that the bickering, the analysis, the corruption, the this and that is part of the evolution of our republic and culture? That the introspection is required and Reddit being the lens is only one part of that? The only other thing that can make you feel better, albeit still hollow, is voting. Aside from that all you have left is to be personally involved in politics. I dropped what I was doing and bought a ticket to join the Ron Paul protest and rally. It made me feel better.

Re: Ask YC: Where's the escape hatch? I'd like to leave the US, but to where?

#79

Post by brk »

isoadventure wrote: post #64
brk wrote: post #6

The "economy driven by greed" is, in essence, what also makes the US the best place in the world to start and operate a for-profit business. Good luck finding another country that is hospitable to a non-citizen starting a business, presents a ready market (all the Web2.0 stuff aside, it is still helpful to be close to the majority of your initial user base), has a legal system that affords you some protection, and la…

Gosh that's negative. I simply haven't yet worked outside the US, and thought perhaps some countries with national languages other than english might have english-speaking workplaces. Since News.YC has such an international following, I figured that others could answer (and they have). Sheesh.

"I simply haven't yet worked outside the US" is much different than "I'm sick of the US"

You're asking about leaving the US to supposedly start a company. This is much different than looking for the change of scenery and experience of exploring a different country.

You're in the BEST place in the world to start a company. Not recognizing that fact and wanting to start a company shows, to me, a level of immaturity and short-sightedness that is somewhat frustrating.

Sorry if you didn't like my post, I write what I feel.

Re: Ask YC: Where's the escape hatch? I'd like to leave the US, but to where?

#80

Post by anewaccountname »

ideas101 wrote: post #47
uuilly wrote: post #17

Stop reading reddit. Wait a month. See how you feel.

And if you're addicted to reddit and cant help it then following are your choices: Americas: Canada (English speaking, diversified society, encouraging entrepreneurship etc.) Asia: Singapore, India, Indonesia, Philippines (all countries are english speaking for business) Europe: any eastern Europe that has good weather and encouraging environment for start-ups. Far East: Australia/ NewZealand (they have immigration p…

>Middle East: Abu-dhabi and Dubai (most happening place, no tax, you just need to find good geeks or import it from India).

If you are from the US, you can never escape paying income tax unless you plan on never returning. You can't legally renounce your citizenship.

Post reply on HN