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.
Born and raised in the US, lived in the Netherlands 12 years. Money is an issue often brought up by Americans. We pay a lot of taxes here but get a lot back for that too. Public transportaion is awesome. Infrastrucure is very good. Everything works and is properly maintained. City services are amazing. If you call a city or national department, someone answers the phone and answers your question. Cycling infrastructure is second to none. You can walk everywhere. Don’t need a car. No violent crime. No guns.
It’s flat and rainy in the winter. I miss the nature in the US. Americans are friendlier, but the big expat communities here provide endless opportunities for friendship. Nothing i miss enough to entice me to move back.
Final word, here it’s peaceful as opposed to chaotic in the US.
Im British, moved to the Netherlands a decade ago. Love it here. My income is a LOT higher here. (About 450-500% more). So it covers easily for the higher taxes.
Everything just works. Its amazing.
Had an all-commission sales gig in the US so I earned a lot more there. But expenses were also much higher. American culture is designed to extract as much as possible from your bank account. Bought an apartment in Den Haag for far less than it would cost in the US. Mortgage is consequently much cheaper.
9 weeks vacation? I wish that was the standard in NL.
I had 6 weeks to begin with, but as I got older I got more. Last 2 or 3 years before retirement it was 9 weeks.