For those who’ve lived in both Europe and the USA, I would like to hear your take. What do you love about each place, and what drawbacks have you noticed? Whether it’s the Old World charm of Europe or the dynamic lifestyle in the USA, spill the beans. In the end, what was the game-changer that made you pick one over the other and if you could share the decision-making behind your preferred choice.
Everyone already summarised pretty much the differences. I was born in the US and raised there but am a dual EU citizen and have spent the last 4 years in Germany. The taxes can be very hard to stomach here, even with a high salary. You trade financial independence in the US for slower pace of life in Europe. You’ll always be foreigner in Germany though even when fluent in language and ties to community, that’s probably the worst part other than the slow and excessive bureaucracy.
I suppose that’s even harder if you’re not white.
I’d say especially with a high salary. The more you make, the more you’re punished. Sometimes I feel that’s why the US economy is more innovative, because there isn’t much incentive to work hard in places like Germany (by comparison).
Oh the US is definitely more innovative. It comes at a cost, obviously. The US is a dog eat dog world.
Absolutely, I left when (among other reasons) I didn’t want to be part of the “move up or move out” mentality anymore.