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> If really wanted to work in Berlin or elsewhere, you'd do it, and it wouldn't be a big deal. This is simply getting at the notion of the premium - how much
by chimeracoder 13y ago
> If really wanted to work in Berlin or elsewhere, you'd do it, and it wouldn't be a big deal.
This is simply getting at the notion of the premium - how much I value working abroad.
A more formal way of asking this question, assuming for simplicity a $100K/year salary:
"How attractive (measured in dollars) is the idea of working in Berlin?"
If it's worth $30,000/year, you'll do it as long as you can make 70% of your US salary or more. Otherwise, it's not worth it.
It's not a matter of "not wanting to do something" - it's a matter of the opportunity cost. In this case, the opportunity cost of working abroad for US citizens is high (see philiphogden's comments), so the only people who will do it are the people who can rationalize taking a financial hit.
So yes, the answer is "you want it, just not enough". But the following question is, "how much should someone have to want to work abroad in order to do it?"
- thetrb 13y agoBerlin is a relatively cheap place to live. So depending on where you live now you might actually need much less money when living in Berlin.
- mahyarm 13y agoMost of the US (not NYC, DC, SF) is far cheaper than Europe in general. Even Seattle is cheaper on average.
- PavlovsCat 13y ago> Even Seattle is cheaper on average. Unless you mean "cheaper than Europe in general", I guess these sites could use your input: http://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/compare_cities.jsp?country1=United+States&country2=Germany&city1=Seattle%2C+WA&city2=Berlin http://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/compare_cities.jsp?coun... http://www.expatistan.com/cost-of-living/comparison/seattle/berlin http://www.expatistan.com/cost-of-living/comparison/seattle/...
- mahyarm 13y agoBerlin is much cheaper than most of western europe or germany because of the long term economic effects of being part of east germany. A more apt comparison then would be frankfurt vs seattle or detroit vs berlin. Also expatistan just uses the expensive part of town
- wellboy 13y agoBerlin is 3 times cheaper in terms of rent & food than San Francisco.
- simonebrunozzi 13y agoI don't know if it's 3 times, but I could easily bet on a "at least twice".
- kingi 13y agowell, that's true but you only get ~30% to 50% of the salary (amount in EURO) compared to SV and you have to pay around 48% taxes on your income.
- wellboy 13y agoYou have to pay taxes of 48% for everything above 52k€ salary. If you earn 60k€, you have to "only" approx pay 30% taxes.
- walshemj 13y agoDon't forget you will be building up an German pension as well. I considered going for some dutch jobs one of the reasons woudl be I that I have the max no of qualifying years in the UK pension scheme.