1. Healthcare is fucked up. It's a big red flag for me. Even after a good insurance, I have to think twice before visiting a doc. Process is slow. Insurance is tied to your job which makes it complicated. 2. Labor is expensive. So you end up mowing the lawn, cooking, cleaning etc. This can also mean compromising on health or free time. 3. Daycare means spending a ton of money. You want to stay in good school districts which means more expenses. Raising kids is hard here. 4. Public transport is almost non existent. Commute adds to the stress and comes with additional hassles like car maintenance, fuel expenses etc 5. People are less social. Loneliness is a real thing in this country. You live in the fear of being sued anytime if you hit someone accidentally. Everyone is more money oriented. Divorce laws are strict. If you are on a visa, it comes with additional stress. What makes you stay? How much can money really compensate for these things?
1) work ethics and work culture 2) organized life ( can plan expenses based on salary, stocks etc.) 3) people with true talent are respected unlike other countries where corruption persists 4) Buying power in usa is way higher than other countries including Europe where salaries are less and people don’t often buy houses 5) quality of education is top notch
1. Agree 2. With constant layoffs, reorgs, firing culture, I don't think this stands true 3. Interview process is fucked up, it doesn't value true talent. 4. Europe has secure jobs, free healthcare, no late hours, and more vacation days. It's actually a much better quality of life. 5. If quality of education was really top notch, the country wouldn't depend on immigrants for high skilled labor. Open to opinions
Re: 5, it’s more on Americans and their hyper individualism than on the system itself. Everyone’s a special snowflake that needs to be the best they can be and each individual needs to figure it out for themselves without any meddling from their family what their life’s purpose is. That’s what makes America great and at the same time ruins careers of millions of bright young people.
Your post doesn’t resonate with me.
I am open to hearing the other side of things
Ne'er knew loneliness or depression until I set foot in this country. Sometimes really wonder how introverts cope in this outspoken, extraverted, assertive, and highly individualistic culture.
You also have the potential here to earn a lot which can take care of many of the points raised.
V good post op
Born in the USA, not going anywhere. Love the freedom, the pay, the opportunities, and the burgers.
Have you stayed elsewhere?
Europe, Asia and Australia
Money and edc is why I stay, but the issues you list is only an issue if you let it "get to you"
We all have to face the broken healthcare system, the expenses in raising kids, and unstable/high pressure jobs sooner or later. There's no escape, at least for a majority of the people. If you chose to not raise kids, life gets too lonely here.
All those "issues" you list is more encouragement to find ways to increase my passive income so they don't become an issue anymore. I encourage you to work on shifting your thinking to adopt a growth mindset instead of such a defeatist attitude
Perspective from Canada 1. Not bad but not great either-probably was lesser to stress about compared to the US but very average health care 2. No comments on this -I’m Not sure this is an issue for people who like to do their own stuff 3. Pretty much the same 4. Public transport is abysmal in Toronto-always broken,underfunded and crowded.Just less weirdos on the buses and trains. 5. Absolutely no difference Note : All of this comes with 50% cut in salaries and horrible weather. I would love to move to the US where at least I have the potential to earn more and alleviate all of this.Europe may be a different story but the bottom line is America produces the best jobs in tech,finance and consulting.
Tbh I'm asking myself this often and I'm not sure. It feels like a sunk cost fallacy right now than me actually wanting to be here.
Same 😂
Saving money & retiring before 40 in my home country
Most people say this, very few actually do this.
@bigbeak, I am considering the same path (fire). How are you going about this? Wooul love to talk to fellow Microsoftees