Depends on what aspect of the job market. Availability of jobs is one thing, gross wages another, even in relatively wealthy countries like the Netherlands and Germany. These are a lot lower compared to US metro areas. A lot of the difference is spent on housing, but if that difference is mainly in paying down an expensive mortgage, it does mean building a lot of equity over time.

This seems very unreasonable.

Have you tried writing directly to the CEO of the company to explain your situation and how you’ve been treated? You have nothing to lose.

Nice tips! We’ve done the transatlantic move twice and will be doing it a third time to retire early in France.

I would add:

- Keep your amount of stuff down to what fits in a 20’ container. When you move, it’s time to throw out anything you’ve not used/worn/… in a year or more. It’s just negative equity, taking up mental/visual space.

- Be aware of cultural differences. I lean more towards latin cultures and would find living in the Calvinistic Netherlands insufferable, even Amsterdam would probably test my limits. Other people love it and would find living in more southern countries horrible and chaotic.

- Mind the long term financial consequences. You can live very well in many EU countries on US retirement savings, but the reverse is not true because of the lower wages / COL in Europe. If you plan to ever move back, don’t wait too long or you may find yourself out of time to save enough for a nice retirement.

The arguments against US citizenship are basically:

- Citizenship-based taxation. You’ll have to file taxes and FBARs with the IRS no matter where in the world you live. This is already the case for you as USC, so filing jointly is not really that much of an additional burden.

- Reduced banking options abroad. Some foreign banks will turn US citizens away because they opted out of FATCA reporting to the US. Sometimes smaller, local banks have the best mortgage rates which your spouse could access under her name if she’s not a USC and no longer has an IR-1 visa.

​

In favor of citizenship:

- Emotional/personal reasons. Where do you feel home?

- No longer having to deal with USCIS, ever. I’ll include unlimited travel to and from the US and prolonged stays abroad here.

- Voting rights

- Getting ahead of potential uncertainty after the 2024 election for LPRs. Not necessarily the worst scenario, but deliberately long delays processing N-400s etc. Who knows.

The first step is to look at your options. Do you have a second citizenship already, or a partner with citizenship in a country you would consider? Do you have a job or competency that might get you a work visa somewhere?

If not, the option of moving to a different country might just not be on the table.

Moving to another country is never easy, I’ve moved my family transatlantic around your age and both my kids struggled for a few years before they found happiness.

It’s easier to do something unexpected and unusual in a new environment, like starting a new hobby or joining an organization to make new friends. You’ll feel less impeded by existing habits and people around you. Do it within weeks of moving, before you established any new habits. Cities with international institutions and companies are easier to meet people open to new connections.

If the larger issue is you having trouble to connect with others, you’ll need look inside yourself, perhaps with the help of a therapist, because you will eventually meet your old self again.

Q-tips, sunscreen, mosquito repellent, …

Also any electronics they need (razor, Apple stuff, …)