I’m a dual US/EU citizen who grew up in the States and now lives in Europe. I get jealous of how much money my American friends make, and sometimes think they’re “ahead” of me in terms of career trajectory since they make more than I do (I’m from NYC) and I chose to live in a lower-income EU country.

But, I live a full life here in Spain. There is nothing like strolling through old streets, admiring the architecture, drinking in the plazas with friends, taking weekend trips across the country etc. Spanish people spend a lot of time outside in third spaces and it really creates a unique kind of community I could never find in the US.

I never have to think about gun crime, I have full access to healthcare because I pay for it through my contributions, I can take public transport anywhere I want, and I have tons of friends. It’s nice to live in a country where no one gives a fuck about anything except friends, family, and enjoyment for the sake of enjoyment. There is no undercurrent of anxiety and stress here that exists in the US. I can walk home across the city at 4AM and nothing will happen to me except bumping into old people going for a stroll, which I could never do in Philly, NYC, or Miami when I lived there. Everyday I’m thankful for my freedom of movement and that I have an entire continent to explore and have full, unrestricted access to work or study in 31 countries.

I cannot see myself living back in the US, but I do worry about the fact that the job market across Europe is really bad and I will never, ever in my lifetime have as much financial freedom as my American peers with whom I grew up. My career growth and trajectory will never be as strong or as promising as it would be had I stayed in the US, especially since I went to a good university. I still choose to be in Europe.

Worst aspects of Europe for me: low salaries, getting paid once a month, lack of career growth, cost of utilities, increasing car dependency, the job market is very territorial by language.

You have 90k, figure it out