I’m currently considering my career options in the healthcare field of Austria. While I know that healthcare in Austria is state-funded and may not offer the same earning potential as in the US, I’m attracted to the social democracy of the Austrian healthcare system. This system values social welfare and equality, which aligns with my personal values and interests. Additionally, the Austrian healthcare system is known for its high-quality care and strong emphasis on patient-centered care, which is something that I value in my work.
On the other hand, I’m also aware that the US healthcare system is very lucrative, and healthcare workers in the US can earn a lot of money. However, I’m concerned about the high cost of healthcare in the US, which could limit access to care for many patients. I’m also troubled by the issues of gun violence, car dependency, and racism in the US, which could negatively impact my quality of life if I were to move there.
Furthermore, as an expat studying in Austria, I have come to appreciate the beauty and safety of life in Austria. Austria is known for its stunning landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and high standard of living. I feel a sense of belonging and community here, which I might not find in the US.
I’m not much attracted towards earning high figures yet I find it tempting to chase a higher salary, I know that other factors like job satisfaction, work-life balance, and overall quality of life are also important considerations that I should take into account. What should I do? 🇦🇹🇦🇹
Make America socialist.
Well you know what they say “Money is more important than happyness”.
There are a million different sayings that definitely imply how money is the most important.
That’s defintely how it is.
Beschreibt ziemlich genau meine Situation.
Einfache Lösung: Ich habe mich jetzt nach 25 Jahren Berufstätigkeit in den USA zur Ruhe gesetzt, übersiedle in ein paar Monaten nach Österreich oder Deutschland und bin dann Privatier.
Warum vielleicht Deutschland?
Mich zipft die NoVA dermaßen an – ich will mir einen Campervan kaufen und ein und dasselbe Modell kostet in Österreich rund 105000€, in Deutschland aber nur rund 70000€, dank NoVA.
Wennst dir dann auch noch einen S-Klasse Mercedes kaufst, hast da dann in Deutschland gegenüber Österreich schon mehr als 50000€ erspart…
Ignoring potential visa issues:
If you work in the US it’s easy to take your savings and retire in Austria. You’re going to have a way better life then the average Austrian.
But if you work in Austria it’s going to be quite tricky to later on retire in the US, as the Austrian retirement payments probably only will cover a very basic standard of living there.
Are you fine with staying in Austria or Europe for the rest of your live or do you plan to eventually move back to the US?
Are you a doctor? Then you can also earn good money in Austria. I would stay here if i were you
Canada
Feeling the same. Partner and I earn a lot more now that we’re in 🇦🇺, but life in Austria is so much more wholesome and beautiful and culturally fulfilling. The food, the travel opportunities, the thousands of museums, and the way Austrians celebrate summer. Plus, the social benefits and it feels a lot safer walking round Vienna than any city in Aus. I don’t know, it’s a painful decision and I hope you’re making the right one. But I’m sure it’s not a once in a lifetime opportunity? Surely you can always go to the US and if you absolutely hate it, try to get back to AT?
it depents how much u earn in austria. If it is just enough to pay rent and bills i would go for your america choice but if it is enough for a nice living so you dont have to worry and can afford most things u like than i would definetly go for the place that makes you happy.
Money is important. Very important but if you are not happy what worth has than money?
You should ask yourself where do you get the better leberkäse?
I feel like it may be worth it to grind it out in America for a while to save up money then move back to Austria. It gets you the best of both worlds. Starting out with a better base of wealth (money) will make it easier down the line
I moved to the US 8 years ago, and was only supposed to stay for 2 years. My thought process was that if I end up not liking it, I can always come back before my 2 years are over. Turns out being able to afford real estate, even if the build quality sucks, is awesome. Owning your own house is simply impossible in Vorarlberg unless you inherit.
While the US lacks a proper social safety net, live ain’t bad if you make good money. I do miss the option to go wherever without a car tho.
Stayyyy. I have no say ultimately but as an American, Austria bring me such joy. I had to go back twice and am already daydreaming of going again.
Do what makes your heart sing.
As an American, the answer depends on a bunch of things. The first and perhaps most important is, how healthy are you? And if you’re in good health, how confident are you that you will remain in good health and avoid any serious accidents?
The US health care system is excellent, at the top end, but it is incredibly expensive (in 2011 I was in an auto accident, and the overnight stay for observation in the hospital cost $50,000, which my insurance paid for me). As a result, about ⅕ of US families have unpaid medical bills, and about ¼ of those (about 5% of all families) owe more than $5000. It is estimated that US families owe over $100 billion dollars in unpaid medical bills.
That’s because most people here get health insurance from an employer, and not all employers provide health insurance. About 10 years ago, we began to have options for people to purchase their own private health insurance (though a marketplace run by the Federal government), but it is quite expensive (over $200/month at minimum, and the insurance doesn’t pay for the first $9000 of bills), and there are many states where even that isn’t an option. As a result, there are about 30 million Americans with no health care insurance at all, which is a little less than 10%, and over 500,000 people declare bankruptcy due to medical debt every year.
I want to be really clear about all of this, and am looking up the specific numbers, because it’s something that every European I’ve ever met finds very difficult to understand. If you come to the US, be sure to get a salaried job that provides good health insurance, because otherwise you risk taking on huge debts if you need health care.
I’m going to assume you are a medical doctor, as that would be the only medical position that would pay that insanely well that would constitute changing your whole life and moving here.
And I say this as an American, in medical school for my MD as well, who has also lived in Austria for a great time of my life.
You definitely should stay. This post and your comments are clearly begging every (in the Austrian subreddit btw, a very biased community for your decision already) Austrian here to tell you to sray
Not simply because Austria is better or america is some hell hole to stay away from, but you obviously don’t want to come here. And living somewhere is honestly a question of how you view it more than what it gives you. It’s why everyone in the world doesn’t want to go live in Norway, or go to America and make massive salaries, it’s why refugees return home to their countries, even when they have nothing there. How you view home in your mind is everything, and you very clearly don’t want to be here and are happy in Austria. And justifiably so, it’s an amazing place.
I find it hard to believe that you can be a multi-millionaire in America as well and be poor in Austria. Comparatively to the American version of you, sure, but not compared to other Austrians. And Austrians live a great life already. Why would you give that up when you’re already so happy? Sacrifice happiness, to uproot your life and move everything, for a chance at… being happy? It makes no sense, you’ve built a beautiful life, why risk it when you don’t even have an overwhelming urge to start new again?
America is a great place to be for a lot of people to come to, but it’s also a shitty place for a lot of people to come to and start over. And I feel, all the tired Reddit Western Europe vs America arguements aside, your viewpoint is one that will make you very happy in Austria and very unhappy if you go to America, no matter what happens.
Remote work?
Moved to austria 8 years ago from the states. I earn the same amount of money at my current job as I did day one out of college in America… And I have 8 years more experience and a masters now.
Do i think about how much money I could be earning in America? Ya
Can I afford a house/apartment in Vienna? Nope… Not even with a high earning spouse and no kids.
Do I want to move back to america? Naw
Happiness > everything else.
Because everything else is just there to lead to happiness eventually – so if you can have the real thing just take it. Seriously.
Honestly, FATCA alone is enough reason to stay far away from America
Remember especially as a foreigner you can just get killed and nobody will care. America is a lost country even with a lot of money. It also has by far the least life expectation, even North Korea has more.
Murika males me happy, should we change?
Life in the US is mostly a rat race. You can earn 300000/y and still struggle financially. With more income you will want a nice house and all these other things.. The system there is inherently stressful unless you already own assets (aka: a house without a mortgage).
Explore the other >100 countries of the world before you decide.
You could do this also with the >8×10^9 people, before you decide with whom you want to stay with the rest of your life.
America: not only more money. More importantly: more opportunities to be creative and create culture instead of just passively consuming as Vienna is famous for.
Try to have even a simple workshop/studio – the kind you have in your garage or attic. Or get the permits for outdoor activities. Wait, why do I actually need such permits in the first place? The joys of an overbearing government…
In America you cant even move if you don’t buy a Dogge RAM 4×4 superdieseledition😀
Where are the costs of living higher? America may pay more with less taxes, but taxes are there for a reason, lots of things you would have to pay for out of pocket may be financed with by taxes in Austria. Healthcare, for example. And education. Daycare. That kinda stuff.
Do you want kids? Because then I would vote for Austria. America is just screwed for kids (gun violence, school expenses, health care …)
What kind of question is this?
Of course it depends on the amount of money and insurances you have in America. If you are save from unemployment, severe sickness in the family etc.
To me it sounds like a no brainer especially if you need to earn your living by selling your time, but maybe you dont want to be happy…
Just came back from my exchange semester in the USA. I would choose Austria all the time. It’s saver ordering a pizza does not include 70% fees and tips. And when I am in the bus people do not talk to me trying to be nice.
As an American, I’ll volunteer to switch with you. Bitte bitte?
Money is everything, go.
Bruh Austria isn’t a socialist country (and all the nordic countries aren’t too), its an avarage european socdem country. I wish though we have socialism in Austria
American here who moved to Austria a couple years ago. I work in the tech field and make like half of what I did in the US.
It’s honestly a tough call and I still somewhat entertain the idea of moving back one day, but what sold it for me was the social issues. I plan on raising a family and there are so many benefits to doing so in Austria as opposed to the US.
Work/life balance is a big part of it, too. Sure I have more money and more things in the US, but do I get to enjoy it?
That said, I still and maybe always will miss the opportunity and certain kinds of freedom that you get in the US.
Clearly Austria
Affordable Healthcare
You would have to pay me at least 1 million per year (not for my work … just … on top) for me to life in the US and I’m allowed to return to Austria at any point without reason or prior notification.
Did you become a doctor for the money or to help sick patients?
As an American now living in Austria, I’d first ask what your goals are, how old you are, and what are your commitments here (wife, kids,family, or none?)
The other thing I can tell you is America is extremely deceiving at how expensive it is to live over there. Those salaries seem huge,
but it is far, far more expensive in many ways, even after inflation. I made a staggering salary by Austrian standards in the US, but spent it just as quick because of the cost of things there!
If you are younger and single, sure go over and earn a lot of money and bank it! It’ll be a great experience. But the second it comes time to have kids, etc go back to Austria!
And that gun violence thing is very real! Three weeks before moving to Austria, in a very wealthy area in the US, not the ghetto, I was driving (a requirement in the US) and there was a construction zone and a guy flipped out next me over a lane change, road raged and went crazy, pulled a pistol at me and another person and he was ready to pull the trigger! My daughter also had to do active shooter training in school at age 8 and 10?
For me personally, I would not go back to living in the US for a million a year. The quality of life is that much better for me in Austria.
Go home!
I wouldn’t move to the US even if I got a million or more paid for it upfront tbh.
decrepit social security, cars everywhere and they are still a few years ahead of us when it comes to right wing idiocy.
Think about more than money. Look what bills are passng in different states and how they could affect you and your life. You could never pay me enough to get there, especially as a person with an uterus.
Money is never everything, at least for me.
Edited: spelling error
Poor Austria? Could you explain it to an east european girl?
42 comments
Context –
I’m currently considering my career options in the healthcare field of Austria. While I know that healthcare in Austria is state-funded and may not offer the same earning potential as in the US, I’m attracted to the social democracy of the Austrian healthcare system. This system values social welfare and equality, which aligns with my personal values and interests. Additionally, the Austrian healthcare system is known for its high-quality care and strong emphasis on patient-centered care, which is something that I value in my work.
On the other hand, I’m also aware that the US healthcare system is very lucrative, and healthcare workers in the US can earn a lot of money. However, I’m concerned about the high cost of healthcare in the US, which could limit access to care for many patients. I’m also troubled by the issues of gun violence, car dependency, and racism in the US, which could negatively impact my quality of life if I were to move there.
Furthermore, as an expat studying in Austria, I have come to appreciate the beauty and safety of life in Austria. Austria is known for its stunning landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and high standard of living. I feel a sense of belonging and community here, which I might not find in the US.
I’m not much attracted towards earning high figures yet I find it tempting to chase a higher salary, I know that other factors like job satisfaction, work-life balance, and overall quality of life are also important considerations that I should take into account. What should I do? 🇦🇹🇦🇹
Make America socialist.
Well you know what they say “Money is more important than happyness”.
There are a million different sayings that definitely imply how money is the most important.
That’s defintely how it is.
Beschreibt ziemlich genau meine Situation.
Einfache Lösung: Ich habe mich jetzt nach 25 Jahren Berufstätigkeit in den USA zur Ruhe gesetzt, übersiedle in ein paar Monaten nach Österreich oder Deutschland und bin dann Privatier.
Warum vielleicht Deutschland?
Mich zipft die NoVA dermaßen an – ich will mir einen Campervan kaufen und ein und dasselbe Modell kostet in Österreich rund 105000€, in Deutschland aber nur rund 70000€, dank NoVA.
Wennst dir dann auch noch einen S-Klasse Mercedes kaufst, hast da dann in Deutschland gegenüber Österreich schon mehr als 50000€ erspart…
Ignoring potential visa issues:
If you work in the US it’s easy to take your savings and retire in Austria. You’re going to have a way better life then the average Austrian.
But if you work in Austria it’s going to be quite tricky to later on retire in the US, as the Austrian retirement payments probably only will cover a very basic standard of living there.
Are you fine with staying in Austria or Europe for the rest of your live or do you plan to eventually move back to the US?
Are you a doctor? Then you can also earn good money in Austria. I would stay here if i were you
Canada
Feeling the same. Partner and I earn a lot more now that we’re in 🇦🇺, but life in Austria is so much more wholesome and beautiful and culturally fulfilling. The food, the travel opportunities, the thousands of museums, and the way Austrians celebrate summer. Plus, the social benefits and it feels a lot safer walking round Vienna than any city in Aus. I don’t know, it’s a painful decision and I hope you’re making the right one. But I’m sure it’s not a once in a lifetime opportunity? Surely you can always go to the US and if you absolutely hate it, try to get back to AT?
it depents how much u earn in austria. If it is just enough to pay rent and bills i would go for your america choice but if it is enough for a nice living so you dont have to worry and can afford most things u like than i would definetly go for the place that makes you happy.
Money is important. Very important but if you are not happy what worth has than money?
You should ask yourself where do you get the better leberkäse?
I feel like it may be worth it to grind it out in America for a while to save up money then move back to Austria. It gets you the best of both worlds. Starting out with a better base of wealth (money) will make it easier down the line
I moved to the US 8 years ago, and was only supposed to stay for 2 years. My thought process was that if I end up not liking it, I can always come back before my 2 years are over. Turns out being able to afford real estate, even if the build quality sucks, is awesome. Owning your own house is simply impossible in Vorarlberg unless you inherit.
While the US lacks a proper social safety net, live ain’t bad if you make good money. I do miss the option to go wherever without a car tho.
Stayyyy. I have no say ultimately but as an American, Austria bring me such joy. I had to go back twice and am already daydreaming of going again.
Do what makes your heart sing.
As an American, the answer depends on a bunch of things. The first and perhaps most important is, how healthy are you? And if you’re in good health, how confident are you that you will remain in good health and avoid any serious accidents?
The US health care system is excellent, at the top end, but it is incredibly expensive (in 2011 I was in an auto accident, and the overnight stay for observation in the hospital cost $50,000, which my insurance paid for me). As a result, about ⅕ of US families have unpaid medical bills, and about ¼ of those (about 5% of all families) owe more than $5000. It is estimated that US families owe over $100 billion dollars in unpaid medical bills.
That’s because most people here get health insurance from an employer, and not all employers provide health insurance. About 10 years ago, we began to have options for people to purchase their own private health insurance (though a marketplace run by the Federal government), but it is quite expensive (over $200/month at minimum, and the insurance doesn’t pay for the first $9000 of bills), and there are many states where even that isn’t an option. As a result, there are about 30 million Americans with no health care insurance at all, which is a little less than 10%, and over 500,000 people declare bankruptcy due to medical debt every year.
I want to be really clear about all of this, and am looking up the specific numbers, because it’s something that every European I’ve ever met finds very difficult to understand. If you come to the US, be sure to get a salaried job that provides good health insurance, because otherwise you risk taking on huge debts if you need health care.
I’m going to assume you are a medical doctor, as that would be the only medical position that would pay that insanely well that would constitute changing your whole life and moving here.
And I say this as an American, in medical school for my MD as well, who has also lived in Austria for a great time of my life.
You definitely should stay. This post and your comments are clearly begging every (in the Austrian subreddit btw, a very biased community for your decision already) Austrian here to tell you to sray
Not simply because Austria is better or america is some hell hole to stay away from, but you obviously don’t want to come here. And living somewhere is honestly a question of how you view it more than what it gives you. It’s why everyone in the world doesn’t want to go live in Norway, or go to America and make massive salaries, it’s why refugees return home to their countries, even when they have nothing there. How you view home in your mind is everything, and you very clearly don’t want to be here and are happy in Austria. And justifiably so, it’s an amazing place.
I find it hard to believe that you can be a multi-millionaire in America as well and be poor in Austria. Comparatively to the American version of you, sure, but not compared to other Austrians. And Austrians live a great life already. Why would you give that up when you’re already so happy? Sacrifice happiness, to uproot your life and move everything, for a chance at… being happy? It makes no sense, you’ve built a beautiful life, why risk it when you don’t even have an overwhelming urge to start new again?
America is a great place to be for a lot of people to come to, but it’s also a shitty place for a lot of people to come to and start over. And I feel, all the tired Reddit Western Europe vs America arguements aside, your viewpoint is one that will make you very happy in Austria and very unhappy if you go to America, no matter what happens.
Remote work?
Moved to austria 8 years ago from the states. I earn the same amount of money at my current job as I did day one out of college in America… And I have 8 years more experience and a masters now.
Do i think about how much money I could be earning in America? Ya
Can I afford a house/apartment in Vienna? Nope… Not even with a high earning spouse and no kids.
Do I want to move back to america? Naw
Happiness > everything else.
Because everything else is just there to lead to happiness eventually – so if you can have the real thing just take it. Seriously.
Honestly, FATCA alone is enough reason to stay far away from America
Remember especially as a foreigner you can just get killed and nobody will care. America is a lost country even with a lot of money. It also has by far the least life expectation, even North Korea has more.
Murika males me happy, should we change?
Life in the US is mostly a rat race. You can earn 300000/y and still struggle financially. With more income you will want a nice house and all these other things.. The system there is inherently stressful unless you already own assets (aka: a house without a mortgage).
Explore the other >100 countries of the world before you decide.
You could do this also with the >8×10^9 people, before you decide with whom you want to stay with the rest of your life.
America: not only more money. More importantly: more opportunities to be creative and create culture instead of just passively consuming as Vienna is famous for.
Try to have even a simple workshop/studio – the kind you have in your garage or attic. Or get the permits for outdoor activities. Wait, why do I actually need such permits in the first place? The joys of an overbearing government…
In America you cant even move if you don’t buy a Dogge RAM 4×4 superdieseledition😀
Where are the costs of living higher? America may pay more with less taxes, but taxes are there for a reason, lots of things you would have to pay for out of pocket may be financed with by taxes in Austria. Healthcare, for example. And education. Daycare. That kinda stuff.
Do you want kids? Because then I would vote for Austria. America is just screwed for kids (gun violence, school expenses, health care …)
What kind of question is this?
Of course it depends on the amount of money and insurances you have in America. If you are save from unemployment, severe sickness in the family etc.
To me it sounds like a no brainer especially if you need to earn your living by selling your time, but maybe you dont want to be happy…
Just came back from my exchange semester in the USA. I would choose Austria all the time. It’s saver ordering a pizza does not include 70% fees and tips. And when I am in the bus people do not talk to me trying to be nice.
As an American, I’ll volunteer to switch with you. Bitte bitte?
Money is everything, go.
Bruh Austria isn’t a socialist country (and all the nordic countries aren’t too), its an avarage european socdem country. I wish though we have socialism in Austria
American here who moved to Austria a couple years ago. I work in the tech field and make like half of what I did in the US.
It’s honestly a tough call and I still somewhat entertain the idea of moving back one day, but what sold it for me was the social issues. I plan on raising a family and there are so many benefits to doing so in Austria as opposed to the US.
Work/life balance is a big part of it, too. Sure I have more money and more things in the US, but do I get to enjoy it?
That said, I still and maybe always will miss the opportunity and certain kinds of freedom that you get in the US.
Clearly Austria
Affordable Healthcare
You would have to pay me at least 1 million per year (not for my work … just … on top) for me to life in the US and I’m allowed to return to Austria at any point without reason or prior notification.
Did you become a doctor for the money or to help sick patients?
As an American now living in Austria, I’d first ask what your goals are, how old you are, and what are your commitments here (wife, kids,family, or none?)
The other thing I can tell you is America is extremely deceiving at how expensive it is to live over there. Those salaries seem huge,
but it is far, far more expensive in many ways, even after inflation. I made a staggering salary by Austrian standards in the US, but spent it just as quick because of the cost of things there!
If you are younger and single, sure go over and earn a lot of money and bank it! It’ll be a great experience. But the second it comes time to have kids, etc go back to Austria!
And that gun violence thing is very real! Three weeks before moving to Austria, in a very wealthy area in the US, not the ghetto, I was driving (a requirement in the US) and there was a construction zone and a guy flipped out next me over a lane change, road raged and went crazy, pulled a pistol at me and another person and he was ready to pull the trigger! My daughter also had to do active shooter training in school at age 8 and 10?
For me personally, I would not go back to living in the US for a million a year. The quality of life is that much better for me in Austria.
Go home!
I wouldn’t move to the US even if I got a million or more paid for it upfront tbh.
decrepit social security, cars everywhere and they are still a few years ahead of us when it comes to right wing idiocy.
Think about more than money. Look what bills are passng in different states and how they could affect you and your life. You could never pay me enough to get there, especially as a person with an uterus.
Money is never everything, at least for me.
Edited: spelling error
Poor Austria? Could you explain it to an east european girl?