I just want to point out that it's probably not the best choice to move anywhere near the equator.
Do you mean climate change wise or that there's really not a lot of well developed countries along the equator or something else?
Ask HN: Leaving Germany – where to find quality of life as experienced engineer?
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Re: Ask HN: Leaving Germany – where to find quality of life as experienced engineer?
#72Come on over to Greece and take a break.
Summers are insanely hot. Bureaucracy and inefficiency of getting things done is whole another level compared to northern parts of Europe. You have to know a guy who knows a guy. Greece is 33rd in world corruption index between Saudi Arabia and Malaysia while Germany is 10th. Walkability is not a thing in the cities, especially if they want to take long walks with their baby in stroller.
People are friendly though and nature is beautiful. And some of the food is amazing.
Re: Ask HN: Leaving Germany – where to find quality of life as experienced engineer?
#73Earlier quoted context omitted.
European countries are actually a very good option. Moving there is no problem at all, since we simply can move anywhere in Europe. It would have to be somewhere in the south tho, since we're looking for a much more relaxed lifestyle. We've never been to Malta or Cyprus so far, but both get onto our list. Thank you!
Have a look at Greece, I've found it extremely welcoming and reasonably affordable.
I am greek but i wouldn’t recommend Greece given the poster’s requirements for multiple reasons. Greek islands are not busy in the winter, except the big ones (Crete, Rhodes) and also English is not a first language as in Cyprus or Malta. Tax is big, depends on the government snd changes every year. Cyprus is more stable and with way lower tax especially for contractors.
Re: Ask HN: Leaving Germany – where to find quality of life as experienced engineer?
#74Malaysia or Singapore (island on the equator). Spain Balearics or Canary Islands.
We've traveled to Malaysia and Singapore. Climate-wise both fine, we're just not sure, how easy it is, for Europeans to establish there. Spain is an option, but especially Gran Canaria is on top of our list, I lived there for a while and really enjoyed it. Thanks for your recommendations!
You can try Philippines. Foreigners can own a condominium or buy a house if you can find a loophole or establish a corporation. English speaking, thriving software development scene.
Re: Ask HN: Leaving Germany – where to find quality of life as experienced engineer?
#75Come to Bulgaria - in the south there are mild winters, in the summer - there's a great beachside.
You get some of the fastest internet in Europe for cheap, taxes stand at 10% flat rate, 20% VAT.
Houses in the vicinity of major cities are dirt cheap, compared to your standards (you can probably start off renting for something like 400-500 euro/month).
There're a lot of IT companies, but of course you can't expect the same salaries that you're accustomed to, though if you can land a Germany job that'll let you remote from here - it's a great deal.
Germany is a 1 hour flight away, usually for fairly cheap.
Re: Ask HN: Leaving Germany – where to find quality of life as experienced engineer?
#76Earlier quoted context omitted.
How do you come to the 72%, I'm just interested.
VAT + Income Tax + Socials?
Income tax + business tax pile up to 50% already. I don't pay social taxes by choice, hence I do not benefit from the social net. If I add up all other taxes then, I end up pretty close at 70%. Meaning mostly VAT, taxes on gas and oil, alcohol, tobacco, final withholding tax on stock and crypto investments and speculation, vehicle tax, electricity tax. All in all there are close to 40 different types of tax, but we don't have to pay all of them. But being in the highest income tax band as a tech freelancer with virtually no deductible costs you pay taxes first, and then have to take care about health care, insurances and pension afterwards. Even if you make some good money, that does not leave you with a lot to live. At least that's our scenario for many years now.
Re: Ask HN: Leaving Germany – where to find quality of life as experienced engineer?
#77Interesting thread, many insights on a topic where wisdom is hard won.
That said, I read OPs complaints about polarization and taxes, and I wonder if Latin America might address some of these issues?
(Slightly tongue in cheek)
Your status as a foreigner will make people more forgiving of your ignorance of local political issues, and also interested when you make comparisons to foreign perspectives (especially coming from Europe, which they consider the model of civilization).
Tax evasion is a way of life here, you could declare as little or as much as you like of your foreign income, which combined with the lower cost of living, would mean you could put away a sizable portion of your monthly income.
The quality of life may surprise you in some aspects, provided you are willing to think strategically about your lifestyle, ie where you will work / shop, play and with whom. The food can also be excellent, with a greater abundance of fresh produce, which in Europe often tends to be optimized to withstand prolonged shipping and storage, as well as limited volume/higher price.
And when you eventually decide you have had enough, because the conditions can be trying (constant horror stories about violent home invasions, rife inflation, far fewer accessible /and/ safe getaway destinations, and not being able to consistently get a decent flat white) you can return and declare your savings as foreign income tax free.
Re: Ask HN: Leaving Germany – where to find quality of life as experienced engineer?
#78Sorry to hear that you need to leave your country. It's never easy. I left Italy in 2008, in search for opportunities (AWS), then left the US in 2020, back to Italy. What made you leave Berlin, if you don't mind sharing a bit more? Finding the right place is always a compromise. E.g. : 1) quality of schools for your son (eventually; he's still super young) 2) VISA, how easy it is to get a permanent resident, and/or c…
What were your reasons for leaving the US, if it's something you'd be willing to share?
Not OP but will answer anyway. Lived in the US for quite a long time and left a couple of years ago. Below are just my very subjective opinions.
1. Unhealthy relationship with cars, race and food. Food is bad quality in general compared to other developed countries.
2. Car centric city planning, zoning. Suburb culture.
3. Bad or lacking and underfunded public transport everywhere.
4. No public healthcare.
5. Not very good for introverted people who just want to be chill and mind their own business.
6. People will look at you strange or make fun of you if you don’t like or care about certain American things like BBQ, football, burgers, pizza, etc.
7. People in general don’t know much about the rest of the world, and only consume American cultural products.
8. Unsafe outside in certain parts of the city. "Don't go south of that street" kind of stuff.
9. Trump.
I lived in Scandinavia and certain developed Asian countries, and found that these places fit me better, so that’s why I moved away.
Re: Ask HN: Leaving Germany – where to find quality of life as experienced engineer?
#79You are more or less describing the Canary Islands. You can live there talking English only, and there will be probably opportunities of work for your wife (that should however learn to speak at least functional Spanish). Remote working for you, however, I don't think there is much occupation related to your field.
No remote working for CS/software/hardware?
Re: Ask HN: Leaving Germany – where to find quality of life as experienced engineer?
#80Having moved from germany to canada (Vancouver BC) in 2017, I can tell you that "quality of life" is highly subjective, and a lot of things in germany work far better than it seems - but you will only notice it if you have anything to compare against. E.g. [online] shopping and stock availability is so much better in germany, and you only notice what a privilege it is to get everything you need in 1 day once it's tak…
> to canada (Vancouver BC) I mean Vancouver is not exactly a paragon of affordable housing either.
Toronto, Edmonton, Vancouver...probably couldn't be more different. Would not want to lump all of Canada into one of those cities.