6 ms·

Having moved from germany to canada (Vancouver BC) in 2017, I can tell you that "quality of life" is highly subjective, and a lot of things in germany work far

Having moved from germany to canada (Vancouver BC) in 2017, I can tell you that "quality of life" is highly subjective, and a lot of things in germany work far better than it seems - but you will only notice it if you have anything to compare against. E.g. [online] shopping and stock availability is so much better in germany, and you only notice what a privilege it is to get everything you need in 1 day once it's taken away from you. Groceries are super cheap in germany compared to canada. Cellphone and ISP service and pricing is often looked down upon in germany, but still also better than lots of other places. [Free] eduction is also good. Housing in Berlin in 200k should be as comfortable as in Vancouver on 400k and new building construction quality is good. But sure - there will be tons of other places on this planet where housing is cheaper. Then there's considerations about healthcare (where germany is probably neither at the top end nor the bottom end of the spectrum). And of course also about long term job perspectives. While you might be able to find a remote job now, it could be much harder to maintain it or look for future opportunities in some locations than in others. Being in a country with a big tech industry or at least in the same timezone will help retaining opportunities.

foobarian 4y ago
> to canada (Vancouver BC) I mean Vancouver is not exactly a paragon of affordable housing either.
- bluedino 4y ago
  Toronto, Edmonton, Vancouver...probably couldn't be more different. Would not want to lump all of Canada into one of those cities.
  - rchaud 4y ago
    Berlin to Edmonton? Maybe it could work if nightlife doesn't matter at all to you.
    - folli 4y ago
      OP is specifically requesting no cold winters and you guys are talking about Edmonton ;)
  - mardifoufs 4y ago
    Montreal is the most affordable city in canada that doesn't suck. It's a bit hard to believe how cheap it still is (relatively!), yet imo it's a much better place to live in than Toronto/Ottawa/Edmonton.
    - jejeyyy77 4y ago
      Too cold and French speaking.
- Matthias247 4y ago
  sure, this wasn't meant as a suggestion to take Vancouver into consideration - it certainly won't win anything on affordability. It was just meant to offer my perspective and lessons learned around moving from germany to another location. I am sure for other locations there are again other pro's and con's.
  - foobarian 4y ago
    Apologies if that came off a bit dismissive - I think I am influenced by some acquaintances who had terrible experience in that area, due to insane real estate market. It was said that external investors driving it up is a big contributor but I don't have any data and am suspicious of those claims.
bartminton 4y ago
You touch a number of very important points here. Thanks for that. We're aware of the fact, that the overall situation in many countries in the world is much, much worse. So it's kind of a luxury problem. What is actually a challenge, is that I work as a freelancer for 20 years now and still have to go a long way to secure my private pension. I once calculated my personal "real" tax rate in Germany, and ended up at around 71%. Especially due to the fact, that we both are in the highest income tax band but also due to the fact that there are taxes on close to everything. But since we're not really consume oriented, we're fine with lower income, IF we find a place, where life is just more relaxed. Thank you for your thoughts.
- przeor 4y ago
  I would pick Barbados for tax reasons
- badpun 4y ago
  More relaxed than Germany? I always thought it's one of the most relaxed country in the world. Rich, well-run, with excellent safety nets, great worker rights etc.
- janekg 4y ago
  How do you come to the 72%, I'm just interested.
  - kblev 4y ago
    VAT + Income Tax + Socials?
    - bartminton 4y ago
      Income tax + business tax pile up to 50% already. I don't pay social taxes by choice, hence I do not benefit from the social net. If I add up all other taxes then, I end up pretty close at 70%. Meaning mostly VAT, taxes on gas and oil, alcohol, tobacco, final withholding tax on stock and crypto investments and speculation, vehicle tax, electricity tax. All in all there are close to 40 different types of tax, but we don't have to pay all of them. But being in the highest income tax band as a tech freelancer with virtually no deductible costs you pay taxes first, and then have to take care about health care, insurances and pension afterwards. Even if you make some good money, that does not leave you with a lot to live. At least that's our scenario for many years now.

foobarian 4y ago

> to canada (Vancouver BC) I mean Vancouver is not exactly a paragon of affordable housing either.

bluedino 4y ago
Toronto, Edmonton, Vancouver...probably couldn't be more different. Would not want to lump all of Canada into one of those cities.
- rchaud 4y ago
  Berlin to Edmonton? Maybe it could work if nightlife doesn't matter at all to you.
  - folli 4y ago
    OP is specifically requesting no cold winters and you guys are talking about Edmonton ;)
- mardifoufs 4y ago
  Montreal is the most affordable city in canada that doesn't suck. It's a bit hard to believe how cheap it still is (relatively!), yet imo it's a much better place to live in than Toronto/Ottawa/Edmonton.
  - jejeyyy77 4y ago
    Too cold and French speaking.
Matthias247 4y ago
sure, this wasn't meant as a suggestion to take Vancouver into consideration - it certainly won't win anything on affordability. It was just meant to offer my perspective and lessons learned around moving from germany to another location. I am sure for other locations there are again other pro's and con's.
- foobarian 4y ago
  Apologies if that came off a bit dismissive - I think I am influenced by some acquaintances who had terrible experience in that area, due to insane real estate market. It was said that external investors driving it up is a big contributor but I don't have any data and am suspicious of those claims.

bartminton 4y ago

You touch a number of very important points here. Thanks for that. We're aware of the fact, that the overall situation in many countries in the world is much, much worse. So it's kind of a luxury problem. What is actually a challenge, is that I work as a freelancer for 20 years now and still have to go a long way to secure my private pension. I once calculated my personal "real" tax rate in Germany, and ended up at around 71%. Especially due to the fact, that we both are in the highest income tax band but also due to the fact that there are taxes on close to everything. But since we're not really consume oriented, we're fine with lower income, IF we find a place, where life is just more relaxed. Thank you for your thoughts.

przeor 4y ago
I would pick Barbados for tax reasons
badpun 4y ago
More relaxed than Germany? I always thought it's one of the most relaxed country in the world. Rich, well-run, with excellent safety nets, great worker rights etc.
janekg 4y ago
How do you come to the 72%, I'm just interested.
- kblev 4y ago
  VAT + Income Tax + Socials?
  - bartminton 4y ago
    Income tax + business tax pile up to 50% already. I don't pay social taxes by choice, hence I do not benefit from the social net. If I add up all other taxes then, I end up pretty close at 70%. Meaning mostly VAT, taxes on gas and oil, alcohol, tobacco, final withholding tax on stock and crypto investments and speculation, vehicle tax, electricity tax. All in all there are close to 40 different types of tax, but we don't have to pay all of them. But being in the highest income tax band as a tech freelancer with virtually no deductible costs you pay taxes first, and then have to take care about health care, insurances and pension afterwards. Even if you make some good money, that does not leave you with a lot to live. At least that's our scenario for many years now.