I really wonder how this thread would've fared if you had posted it at a different time. Because you posted it in the afternoon in Europe, so you probably recei

I really wonder how this thread would've fared if you had posted it at a different time. Because you posted it in the afternoon in Europe, so you probably received more attention from Europeans. However, as a German myself I'd agree with most of the other posters. Your (presumably) high US salary isn't everything (especially considering the high costs of eduction, health care, housing etc. in the US). Salaries in Germany are very good compared to other European countries (comparable to Netherlands), you can live a great life there. Probably not FIRE, but o well... (also think about how the world might look in 20 years wrt climate change) You posted that your wife has a split opinion of Germany, that Germans aren't necessarily the most welcoming (friendly yes, but it often isn't easy to become friends in Germany). That's why you should really look at least for a region/city that has a little higher population so that you can find people with whom you share hobbies. That would make it much easier to get similar-minded friends. And similar to what another poster said: There's nothing greater than letting your kids bike to school.