[jypepin]

This is completely true. And also, if money feels like it could be an issue, and you are coming from the US with a US network, it's still pretty easy to find contracting work with your US-based network at US rates. That's what we did once we quit our jobs and I was pretty much working 2 days/week.

[boffinAudio]

Oh, that's another thing: while salaries in Europe might be sub-par by American standards, subcontractor values are exceptionally comparable to American standards. That is to say, if you can find subcontractor-style/freelance work in Europe, you can expect to make revenues on par with American standards.

Its just the employment laws that make half your paycheck disappear every month. But, don't worry, when you need healthcare you won't be going anywhere near a bankruptcy procedure. I broke my arm a few years back and needed reconstructive surgery that would have cost me multiple $100,000+'s in the USA - whereas here in Austria, even unemployed, I was covered and did not have to pay a dime.

[IamInEurope]

You usually lose your health insurance in Austria after about 30 weeks of unemployment... so not sure what you are talking about.

https://www.ams.at/arbeitsuchende/arbeitslos-was-tun/geld-vo...

[boffinAudio]

Only if you haven't worked anywhere for 6 months, whereas I have worked almost every month I've lived in Europe, and only had my accident between jobs. For a lot of Americans, this would have been a dire, life-changing event. Europeans don't understand just how dangerous that can be in the USA.