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Ask HN: Europe to East Coast, does it make sense to move at 50?

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31–40 of 274 posts

Re: Ask HN: Europe to East Coast, does it make sense to move at 50?

#31

Lots of anti American comments in this thread, so I’ll attempt to actually answer your question. Background - I’m an American who moved abroad for 12 years (UK) and returned after Brexit. Salaries are much higher than the EU. But in some cities cost of living is high. Coming from Berlin, you’ll have an easier time finding an apartment, but it will be expensive. I’d expect to pay $2000 to $2500 per month for a decent…

Calling out obvious issues one needs to be aware of is not anti American.

Re: Ask HN: Europe to East Coast, does it make sense to move at 50?

#32

There are many contract opportunities in the US, often paying more than in Europe, sometimes a LOT more. You didn't provide details about what you do and how much you make, so it's hard to be sure in your particular case. You will be close to NYC, which also opens many opportunities. You could use some job search engine like Indeed to look around a little in your area of expertise. This said, the visa issue could be…

I think I’m in your camp, but unfortunately stuck in Europe. Does it make sense to vote with your feet when you’re 44?

If you line up a good opportunity in the US, it could. At 44 you probably made decisions based on the expectations for Europe's safety net when you get older. This would be reset when coming to the US. But depending on what you do, it's possible to command enormous salaries in the US, in which case this move would make a lot of sense.

Re: Ask HN: Europe to East Coast, does it make sense to move at 50?

#34

Lots of anti American comments in this thread, so I’ll attempt to actually answer your question. Background - I’m an American who moved abroad for 12 years (UK) and returned after Brexit. Salaries are much higher than the EU. But in some cities cost of living is high. Coming from Berlin, you’ll have an easier time finding an apartment, but it will be expensive. I’d expect to pay $2000 to $2500 per month for a decent…

> Food is cheap and plentiful. The portion sizes are twice as large for the same equivalent price as the EU :).

As someone who moved from EU to the US for 6 years and recently got back: the quality of the food is way lower there, though. As in: food standards imposed are significantly lower. I ended buying mostly organic food at Costco after my body significantly changed within first 6 months.

EDIT: don't know why I am being downvoted: the food standards difference is based on actual facts, not my personal experience, it doesn't take a lot of googling to compare the sheer numbers. Or if you're lazy just consider the mere fact that salmonella is still a thing in the US, which is why all eggs are washed before the sale.

Re: Ask HN: Europe to East Coast, does it make sense to move at 50?

#35
post #29
post #7

Hello there, I live in Berlin now and used to live in the United States. My family is there, and I go back to the east coast of the US often. The degenerating and dystopian quality of the United States is difficult to overstate, but almost impossible to capture verbally. Whatever one cause attributes to the systematic breakdown of the US, it is difficult to deny the realities of the decline -- massive alcohol and nar…

I’ve been to the US a couple times for work (all over), always travelled around a bit. I found the people to very, very warm and kind everywhere. Racial segregation is sometimes too real in some places but the black people there seem so positively surprised and very kind when you ask them something as a white dude, it’s easy and rewarding to just be the change you want to see in that respect. The only reservation I’d…

Federal government literally spends over $1T on healthcare for the elderly.

The healthcare issues in the country have never been about the old.

Re: Ask HN: Europe to East Coast, does it make sense to move at 50?

#36

Lots of anti American comments in this thread, so I’ll attempt to actually answer your question. Background - I’m an American who moved abroad for 12 years (UK) and returned after Brexit. Salaries are much higher than the EU. But in some cities cost of living is high. Coming from Berlin, you’ll have an easier time finding an apartment, but it will be expensive. I’d expect to pay $2000 to $2500 per month for a decent…

> Food is cheap and plentiful.

Compared to some of Europe yes, compared to Germany absolutely not.

Re: Ask HN: Europe to East Coast, does it make sense to move at 50?

#37
You should do it.

Princeton NJ is a beautiful part of the state, and close to the university.

Not sure where you will live, but Nassau Street has a quaint charm. There's plenty to do, and you are a 90 minute train ride to Manhattan.

Don't let the comments discourage you. People are just blowing off steam from the roe v wade ruling.

Re: Ask HN: Europe to East Coast, does it make sense to move at 50?

#38
post #29

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I’ve been to the US a couple times for work (all over), always travelled around a bit. I found the people to very, very warm and kind everywhere. Racial segregation is sometimes too real in some places but the black people there seem so positively surprised and very kind when you ask them something as a white dude, it’s easy and rewarding to just be the change you want to see in that respect. The only reservation I’d…

Federal government literally spends over $1T on healthcare for the elderly. The healthcare issues in the country have never been about the old.

Oh that’s good to hear, I got the impression it was only good as a veteran.

Re: Ask HN: Europe to East Coast, does it make sense to move at 50?

#39

Lots of anti American comments in this thread, so I’ll attempt to actually answer your question. Background - I’m an American who moved abroad for 12 years (UK) and returned after Brexit. Salaries are much higher than the EU. But in some cities cost of living is high. Coming from Berlin, you’ll have an easier time finding an apartment, but it will be expensive. I’d expect to pay $2000 to $2500 per month for a decent…

> anti American comments in this thread

It's weird that describing things accurately is considered "anti-American." The question was answered multiple times though: If he does get a higher salary, much is going to be wasted on making up for deficiencies of the US that may be invisible to a German (especially wrt. health, food quality, security, social services, etc.)

Re: Ask HN: Europe to East Coast, does it make sense to move at 50?

#40
post #7

Hello there, I live in Berlin now and used to live in the United States. My family is there, and I go back to the east coast of the US often. The degenerating and dystopian quality of the United States is difficult to overstate, but almost impossible to capture verbally. Whatever one cause attributes to the systematic breakdown of the US, it is difficult to deny the realities of the decline -- massive alcohol and nar…

Yes, because there are no alcohol or drug issues in Berlin!

What an over the top comment. The US regardless of these issues is an enormously successful country, with some of the friendlist people when you visit (I'm from the UK originally but travel a lot).

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