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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?

#61

Post by ruhrharry »

bartminton wrote: post #21
giantg2 wrote: post #11

"politics, social life, social net" I think it will be hard to recommend depending on your exact positions on these. I think it will be difficult to recommend a place with low taxes and robust safety net. Generally the taxes are what Pay for a safety net. On that note, the US could be an option (southern states) for you since the taxes tend to be lower than other developed nations. The safety net is fairly robust, bu…

> "politics, social life, social net" > I think it will be hard to recommend depending on your exact positions on these. We're both educated and open towards a liberal, future oriented society. Same goes for paying taxes, since the "overall standards" in Germany are still very high. Nevertheless, the last 10 years spit society, family and friends. Hardly any healthy discussion culture, you're either on the one or the…

Climate and weather change are scientific facts, nothing to discuss about it as long as you are not a climate scientist and have other facts (I don't mean "alternative facts").

If you think, that nonsensical conspiracy theories should be regarded as an equal opinion to facts, then you won't be happy in many countries. Well, maybe in Russia.

Re: Ask HN: Leaving Germany – where to find quality of life as experienced engineer?

#62

Post by b20000 »

higeorge13 wrote: post #16

Malta might be an option due to climate, english and lots of foreigners living there, but i have no idea about taxes. Cyprus also.

malta seemed like a really busy expensive hard to get around place with tourists last time i considered it. interested to hear from founders who have lived there for a few years at least.

Re: Ask HN: Leaving Germany – where to find quality of life as experienced engineer?

#63

Post by Sweetio »

lormayna wrote: post #20

What about Israel? The tech scene is amazing, the weather is great and the taxes are lower than in Germany ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taxation_in_Israel ). Unless if you don't have Jewish roots, it can be hard to get a VISA. For quality of life, I would like to suggest Italy, but the salary are terrible low and the taxes are high. Moreover, the probable new government, will make immigration way more complex.

No post body was provided.

Re: Ask HN: Leaving Germany – where to find quality of life as experienced engineer?

#64

Post by commonlisper »

qorrect wrote: post #15
jaclaz wrote: post #6

You 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.

I loved the Canary Islands ( I was only there for 2 days though ). Seems like it's big enough to have both big cities and small towns. And the food was amazing.

I know that being a tourist in Canary Islands is fun but is it a good country for a German to move to permanently? Does it have the kind of infrastructure and healthcare Germany has?

Re: Ask HN: Leaving Germany – where to find quality of life as experienced engineer?

#65

Post by rootos »

Fiji and Mauritius sound great for you, as do Trinidad and Tobago

French Polynesia (English probs though)

Dominican Republic is easiest for Visa

British dependencies/territories in the Caribbean?

You could get an answer by doing some basic research...

Re: Ask HN: Leaving Germany – where to find quality of life as experienced engineer?

#66

Post by matus_congrady »

I would definitely suggest Prague, Czech Republic.

The city is beautiful. Climate is great. Low taxation (especially if you're self-employed). Cost of living is way better than in Germany. Quality of food, healthcare and public services is also very good.

Also, if you don't like the leftist policies, you'll love Czech Republic.

Re: Ask HN: Leaving Germany – where to find quality of life as experienced engineer?

#67

Post by nwh5jg56df »

foobarian wrote: post #42
bartminton wrote: post #24

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yes, Europe, especially Spain or Portugal are on our list. France not so much, since it suffers from very similar issues than Germany. Regarding the equatorial zone: Agree - especially considering, that we have roughly 30 to 35 years more to live, it would have to be a spot that "still exists". We're aware of that, also of the fact, that one can not escape one's own problems by escaping a certain place. But since our…

I might consider Hawaii or Massachusetts. School especially would be excellent in the latter, when time comes. Progressive and liberal politics. Cold winters unfortunately but at least the gas does not come from a hostile superpower. One other thing about most US locales, is property taxes are relatively high, and they fund the local government (i.e. your town - they pay for police, school, etc.) which is something a…

> One other thing about most US locales, ...

And US school shootings to worry about

Re: Ask HN: Leaving Germany – where to find quality of life as experienced engineer?

#68

Post by ajmurmann »

bartminton wrote: post #21
giantg2 wrote: post #11

"politics, social life, social net" I think it will be hard to recommend depending on your exact positions on these. I think it will be difficult to recommend a place with low taxes and robust safety net. Generally the taxes are what Pay for a safety net. On that note, the US could be an option (southern states) for you since the taxes tend to be lower than other developed nations. The safety net is fairly robust, bu…

> "politics, social life, social net" > I think it will be hard to recommend depending on your exact positions on these. We're both educated and open towards a liberal, future oriented society. Same goes for paying taxes, since the "overall standards" in Germany are still very high. Nevertheless, the last 10 years spit society, family and friends. Hardly any healthy discussion culture, you're either on the one or the…

I'm German living on the US west coast for close to 15 years now. What you are describing sounds a lot like the problems we are having here. I do wonder if that's how it now is in most countries. I always thought of Germany as having lower pay but higher quality of life. Very disappointing that that's eroded. I'd be very curious to hear where you end up, since it sounds like we are sharing similar criteria.

Re: Ask HN: Leaving Germany – where to find quality of life as experienced engineer?

#69

Post by ajmurmann »

b20000 wrote: post #58

what are your top 3 issues with berlin? germany and berlin always seemed to offer great quality of life. i’m from europe too. how can you not afford a house in germany with a 200k/year salary? for less than 500k you should be able to find something nice? even if you pay 50% tax. and you have 2 incomes. in the US real estate on the east and west coast is insanely expensive and 1.5MM plus for a very basic house. nothin…

Portland metro still has very nice houses for much less that 1.5MM

Re: Ask HN: Leaving Germany – where to find quality of life as experienced engineer?

#70

Post by akmarinov »

rootos wrote: post #65

Fiji and Mauritius sound great for you, as do Trinidad and Tobago French Polynesia (English probs though) Dominican Republic is easiest for Visa British dependencies/territories in the Caribbean? You could get an answer by doing some basic research...

These are all great for the chill, exotic, beach going part, but considering OP has a 6 month son - things like kindergarten and schools are, let's say, subpar in all of these places.

I'd go with Australia or New Zealand that I think gets you the best of both worlds.

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