Crazy to consider moving to Europe?

[Anonymous]

100 percent for 5-6 years

[Anonymous]

I would do it 100% in a heartbeat but I would not work and would just leave my small business on the wayside and pick it back up in a few years.

[Anonymous]

I would move to Europe in a heartbeat but my husband doesn’t want to. I and my kids have dual citizenship so I know for sure they will be studying overseas.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn’t unless your husband doesn’t earn a high salary. Salaries are SO much lower. The additional 2 or so weeks of PTO will come at a very high price financially.

Also housing is more expensive and so are taxes.

I have experience with life in Nordic countries and it’s not the perfect lifestyle that people on this site portray it to be.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would go! I would probably choose Sweden or Germany since the kids would benefit from learning a second language and I could work on it. Although (having lived abroad in non-English speaking countries) I would look into what expat services your husband’s company offers so you’re not surprised by expectations for paperwork or having to fill out tax forms with Google translate open. The last time I had to deal with that kind of thing I knew the language in question before I moved (although nowhere near fluently) and enjoyed the challenge. Now that I have young kids of my own I know I wouldn’t have time for that. It sounds like it would be flexible too which is nice — you could move now and stay 3 years (or 5 if you decide to ensure the kids get their citizenship) and then return to the US if the culture shock was too much.

It is so hard for companies to sponsor you in Europe, most companies don't do that anymore (unless you are an exec with niche skills), they hire natives.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn’t unless your husband doesn’t earn a high salary. Salaries are SO much lower. The additional 2 or so weeks of PTO will come at a very high price financially.

Also housing is more expensive and so are taxes.

I have experience with life in Nordic countries and it’s not the perfect lifestyle that people on this site portray it to be.

Why? Hard to assimilate or just more problems?

[Anonymous]

I would definitely go! I am a dual citizen (I’m from Europe and moved here) and since you said a major perk for you would be getting dual EU citizenship, I’d check extensively to see if that is actually an option in Germany or Sweden (the UK doesn’t matter obviously because it isn’t in the EU), as it is not necessarily simple or based on you living somewhere for a number of years. You didn’t say if you are white or POC, and if you are POC I would also research where to go, but don’t be afraid of the PPs who say racism is worse in Europe - it is in some ways but in others (for example, fear of being shot by police) it is much better!

[Anonymous]

It would be crazier not to.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn’t unless your husband doesn’t earn a high salary. Salaries are SO much lower. The additional 2 or so weeks of PTO will come at a very high price financially.

Also housing is more expensive and so are taxes.

I have experience with life in Nordic countries and it’s not the perfect lifestyle that people on this site portray it to be.

Companies like one she is talking about, pay moving, housing, school, home travel and cover tax difference.

[Anonymous]

I'm currently spending 10 months in Germany (recently arrived) as an initial trial, then we may try to move permanently.

There are for sure cons. You'll likely always be a foreigner/outsider to locals, but your kids should integrate. It's a lot harder to see family, and I already live cross-country from mine when in the US. Salaries are lower, and also more "even" meaning my high paying US field does not pay as well here. Every country has its flaws, and the US has its benefits.

The things I like: no guns (but honestly this doesn't really cross my mind in the US, even if it should), great bread, and importantly, there isn't so much capitalism/profits-at-all-costs. It is noticeable. I don't feel like every company is trying to scam me or squeeze every penny out of me. We had to buy civil insurance here (it is mandatory) and the agent talked us out of a policy we didn't need. Just seems more human that big cities in the US.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DH works for a Swedish company and could basically put in to relocate to Stockholm, London, or Berlin at any point. Our kids are currently 5 and 2 years old. We've been throwing around the idea of moving to the EU since DH would already have a job, I own a small business and could easily work from anywhere, and the kids are not yet really established in the school district or with friends/activities. One major perk we discussed is if we stayed 5+ years and became dual citizens, the kids could go to college anywhere in the EU. Also, we're attracted to the work-life balance, opportunity to travel, healthcare, childcare available. If my DH moved to the European side of the company, he would get August off every year on top of his regular generous PTO. We do currently live within 15 mins of all the grandparents which would be a big change, but DH's parents are in the process of building their retirement home a few hours away. The kids don't have any cousins yet (Dh and I are both the oldest in our families).

Any thoughts or experiences?

We would've been gone already!!! We talk about it and now that our son is a Junior in High School, we talk it about more often. You may never have this opportunity again.

[Anonymous]

I would do it in a heartbeat! Go for it, OP!

[Anonymous]

I might do it for 1-2 years only but during that time it would be a good experience. There are pros and cons to living anywhere - even the US. The weather in Scandinavia would end me. I can barely stand winter and grey skies in DC much less farther north. I also enjoy the conveniences of the US - parking, housing size, relatively cheap food, etc. I am close with my family and would not want to miss years with them.

I say this after having lived in 4 countries in my life. DH is not from the US so I could not convince him to move again.

Do what you can. If you don't like it, you can come back

[Anonymous]

No, they were wildly more rational than the US during COVID. Two year olds in Europe in 2021 are ten-fold ahead of American 4 year olds today.

[Anonymous]

Did it. No regrets. Don’t plan to come back. We love it.