HACKER Q&A
📣 usmigrationta

Thoughts on relocating back to the US from the EU?


I find myself at a crossroads and would love to hear your insights and experiences on a topic that's been on my mind lately. I am currently based in an EU city, enjoying the stability and peace of mind that it has to offer. Over the last 10+ years, I've been comfortable in the tech world, working my way up and securing "better" roles over the years. I have a background in backend, devops and management.

We (myself, wife, and son) are contemplating the idea of relocating back to the US, and I'd love to tap into the collective wisdom of this community for some valuable feedback. We've already gone through all the red tape and will likely have permission to enter the US under Green Card immigration rules during the summer. The Green Card is for my wife. Myself and my son are US citizens.

--> My reasons for moving to the US are the following:

- Closer to family. Parents are getting older, and I would like to spend more time with them.

- On that note, I would like my son to get to know his grandparents and cousin (also around his age).

- Stronger earning potential.

- More welcoming culture (I'm looking to move back to the South). This is a very important topic for both myself and my wife.

- Cultural barriers, although now very minimal, will be removed. Now that I write this, I realize there will be new ones introduced for my wife.

- Speaking your native language feels....natural.

--> Speaking against moving to the US are:

- The worry of high healthcare costs.

- Emotional distress on my wife while being separated from her parents, as well as needing to "start from scratch."

- Tech job market. Where I am located, my career is going well, and I fear that moving to the US during this bad wave may cause financial and general stress.

- Comfort of our current life.

At the moment, I have 2 options in mind:

1)Enter the US to secure the Green Card, then return back to the EU until, if ever, we feel confident in the move. This way, we don't lose the green card and we just need to keep an eye on how many months out of the year we spend away from the US. I will need to dig deeper into this, as it seems like it isn't a long-term solution. However, it may buy us an extra 6 months.

2)Sort of a hybrid on the 1st option, but using the extra time to secure an offer in the US before making the move over. My current job is wonderful, but I fear that I won't be able to work remotely from the US.

For those of you who have made a similar move or have considered it, what influenced your decision?

I'm not looking for a solution, but rather more perspective. I tend to get fixated on ideas and have difficulty taking a step back. Before it was a fixation on moving to the US, now it is the opposite, not moving.


  👤 DataDaemon Accepted Answer ✓
Europe is going nowhere. No innovation, and no industry. New regulations and green is killing everything. First protests happened and more to come. USA is not great but also not terrible like Europe.

👤 JojoFatsani
First I’d wait to see what happens in November.

Healthcare really isn’t that expensive if you have a good job here. It will not bankrupt you if you have a tech job salary at a place with decent insurance.

I’ve spoken with foreign nationals about this and all of them prefer our experience of on-demand healthcare vs waiting months to see a doctor or getting prioritized/triaged.


👤 ggm
Think long-term. Think Health care and pension. You know longevity in the EU is significantly higher? Housing, health and education may all be better where you are. Plus familial support for your partner.

Sure taxes are higher. And FAANG pay is superficially attractive.

Stay in Europe. It's a great choice.

(Believe me i know how hard this decision is. I migrated to Oz from the UK in 88.)


👤 ZuckMusk
You shouldn't ever return back 1. US companies prefer H1b visa workers 2. Hire and Fire culture it is easy to fire anyone

👤 Moldoteck
if only you will work, it's kinda dangerous. It's ok if you have insurance for employer, but what if you get some health condition or accident that doesnt allow working for 3-6months? Big chances to be fired and loose the insurance, take this risk into consideration. Also, isn't there a option to move your parents to eu under some family reunification clauses? This way all of you would live in one country/in eu