31–40 of 99 posts
However, because of taxes, government regulations, and the fact that it's very difficult to fire someone, it's tough to grow past the startup phase.
This is probably why it's not looked at as a great place to start a business by most.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
Hm; might be unreasonable - but I'd worry about the security situation in Israel. In the US, not much of a safety net; I'd guess in stockholm things are alright for the taxes you pay.
It's a matter of perspective. I live in one of the safest neighborhoods in NYC, and yet, there's an essentially random killing within 1 mile radius of my house every couple of months. If you're in a neighborhood that's not as nice, like some parts of the bronx, it's even scarier. And I'm not just talking about homicide statistics: The police has a scary track record, most recent example is in the Empire State shootin…
I also work right by the Empire State building and walk to work along 34th where the shooting happened and I don't worry. None of my co-workers do either. You can't let random infrequent events worry you.
I admit that some areas aren't great, for instance the Bronx or the part of Brooklyn bounded by Flatbush, Bushwick, and East New York. If living in an "edgy" or "up and coming" neighborhood isn't your thing, the majority of Manhattan below 110th is as safe as you can be, whatever time of day or night.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
How high are the taxes in Sweden? Highest bracket in Tel-Aviv is, as far as I know, ~60% (50% income tax + 10% health/social taxes) + 17% VAT (=~sales tax equivalent, essentially applicable to individuals but less so to companies) Highest bracket in NYC as of 2013 (unless the "fiscal cliff" is averted) is a few % short of 60% (40% federal, 13% state, 2% fica, 2% social security, and a few more). If the fiscal cliff i…
When social security will pay out more than comes in, the difference will come out of general tax revenue. There are no books to balance. The retirement age may go up, but reducing or eliminating social security is electoral suicide.
The US is borrowing half of what it is spending right now. That can only go so long (maybe 10 more years, maybe 20 more years, but definitely not for 50 more years). "General tax revenue" right now covers approximately half of government expenses, without having to cater to social security.
social security + medicare spending grow at 8%/year for the last 20 years or so. In about 30 years at this rate, it will be larger than the current federal budget.
And the math must add up.
If you are below 50, you will most certainly NOT have the same qualitative benefits that retirees today do. Either benefits will be cut nominally, or inflation will cut them really; But either way, if when you retire you get (in real terms of purchasing power) half of what this generation of retirees is getting, you should consider yourself lucky.
Some downsides with Stockholm: (1) It is difficult to make friends in Stockholm, because Swedish people are generally very reserved; (2) It is very dark and cold most of the year; and (3) Summer is short.
I love Stockholm. It's an awesome city and despite the high taxes, it's very progressive in terms of trends. In other words, there are many early adopters there, which is something that is very unique to SV. Also, much of Swedish design is built on simplicity. You can see this everywhere from web design, to store design and of course furniture. The only downside, as others have pointed out, is that its extremely expe…
How high are the taxes in Sweden? Highest bracket in Tel-Aviv is, as far as I know, ~60% (50% income tax + 10% health/social taxes) + 17% VAT (=~sales tax equivalent, essentially applicable to individuals but less so to companies) Highest bracket in NYC as of 2013 (unless the "fiscal cliff" is averted) is a few % short of 60% (40% federal, 13% state, 2% fica, 2% social security, and a few more). If the fiscal cliff i…
Swedish income taxes are extreme and have a very high VAT as well (25%): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taxation_in_Sweden
Some downsides with Stockholm: (1) It is difficult to make friends in Stockholm, because Swedish people are generally very reserved; (2) It is very dark and cold most of the year; and (3) Summer is short.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
Often in many countries conservatives = high taxes, welfare state. Not on the social issues though.
Despite the fact that nominally conservative parties implement such policies does not make those policies 'conservative' in any meaningful political-history/ideological sense. Just like Obama renewing the Patriot Act doesn't make it liberal legislation.
I love Stockholm. It's an awesome city and despite the high taxes, it's very progressive in terms of trends. In other words, there are many early adopters there, which is something that is very unique to SV. Also, much of Swedish design is built on simplicity. You can see this everywhere from web design, to store design and of course furniture. The only downside, as others have pointed out, is that its extremely expe…
How high are the taxes in Sweden? Highest bracket in Tel-Aviv is, as far as I know, ~60% (50% income tax + 10% health/social taxes) + 17% VAT (=~sales tax equivalent, essentially applicable to individuals but less so to companies) Highest bracket in NYC as of 2013 (unless the "fiscal cliff" is averted) is a few % short of 60% (40% federal, 13% state, 2% fica, 2% social security, and a few more). If the fiscal cliff i…
In Stockholm you pay about 30% in income tax (add 20% if you earn more than 401 100 SEK annually, you earn about 360 000 SEK annually as a newly graduated MS CS student). However you also have another tax, the employment tax, which isn't displayed on your salary specification and is paid by your employer in addition to your salary. The employment tax is 31%. This makes the effective income tax about 81%...
The sales tax is 25% for most things.
We do have free public education, and healthcare for everyone under 18 (it's heavily subsidized after 18 but not free). The standard of our universities is not bad but i wouldn't call it world class as they try to make you believe... We do have problems with the earlier education. Stockholm doesn't have any problems with natural disasters or bombings but the housing situation is pretty crappy.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
It's a matter of perspective. I live in one of the safest neighborhoods in NYC, and yet, there's an essentially random killing within 1 mile radius of my house every couple of months. If you're in a neighborhood that's not as nice, like some parts of the bronx, it's even scarier. And I'm not just talking about homicide statistics: The police has a scary track record, most recent example is in the Empire State shootin…
Most of NYC is very safe, if you don't feel safe at 3am you're living in the wrong place. Within a mile of where I live in Clinton/Midtown there's been 4 murders since 2006[1]. I also work right by the Empire State building and walk to work along 34th where the shooting happened and I don't worry. None of my co-workers do either. You can't let random infrequent events worry you. I admit that some areas aren't great,…
Lower East Side: http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=news/local/new_yor...
Union Square: http://articles.nydailynews.com/2012-10-07/news/34309226_1_s...
Empire State: http://www.cnn.com/2012/08/24/justice/new-york-empire-state/...
(Correcting self: police only killed the killer; but wounded 9 others)
> You can't let random infrequent events worry you.
That exactly WAS my point. Despite how scare the situation in Israel looks, it is just as safe and just as random as NYC.
> Most of NYC is very safe, if you don't feel safe at 3am you're living in the wrong place.
Boerum Hill is a place a lot people I know don't feel safe at night. Is union square (where I live) the wrong place? I see people arrested (handcuffs at all) after mugging / snatching / sexual assaults on a monthly basis on my 5 block walk to work. (That's in the daytime).
It's not that I feel unsafe in NYC. But compared to Tel-Aviv, crime in NYC is rampant.
I previously lived in Curry Hill for a few years, and I did go down to jog in the neighborhood at 3am. But chelsea/union square does not feel as safe.