Uhm, generally curious is anything you mentioned sans the language barrier and the tribalism which might come with it in some places really be that different from the US?
You got local taxes, why would the success of a company in SV mean anything to an engineer in NY? People move around EU all the time, London, Stockholm and Berlin are full of engineers from all over the place. Just like in the US, people move where there are jobs to be had and they care about success of companies.
Are there places which are keen on keeping to themselves? Sure maybe, but they are not the majority? Really hard for me to see your point with such sweeping generalizations.
Because you cant get employed in Europe as full time employee due to different tax residency and location where the company is HQd.
Most FTE positions are either
- employed by local branch of the company (it is not the same)
- you have your own llc and work as a contractor
- cross border worker with double taxation agreement
Moving around in Europe is not the same like in the US. There is nothing like “european citizenship”. It means nothing.
It makes more sense for me to move to Singapore or the US rather than Berlin.
Also a lot of europeans that do move to these EU locations never really can feel at home. Because after all it is a different country and you will always feel like a foreigner.
You work in Berlin but your heart is still in Warsaw.
"There is nothing like “european citizenship”. It means nothing."
Check your privilidge mate. Have you ever seen immigration papers citizens of Russia/China have to fill in?
Are you a terrorist? Have you ever expressed views that could be considered extreme?
Provide evidence you are going to return to your coutry after this visa expires. Oh, you are applying for permanent residency, prove that you have not been abroad for more that 520 days in 10 years. Alao provide us with proof of address in the form of utility bills for the past 10 years. If you are not on the right type of visa, no driving lisence and no mortgage for you.
Oh, you want to start a business, has your company been endorsed by one of our approved sponsors? Oh, you want to get a job, is it on the shortage occupation list? Oh , you want to bring your kids, do you earn enough to support them (by the way your wife's salary doesn't count because we said so)? Have you moved house, gotten married, got a new passport? Must registed with police withing 7 days but the waiting list to register is 3 months long. Lso we chanhe immigration rules twice a yeat and you have no way of knowing what we changed and why. You think we should explain the rules to you mate? Fuck off, pay an immigration solicitor.
I don't understand your point about FTEs. Again, how's that different to the US? If you're in the NY office it's not the same as SV HQ or you work remote from Idaho. And whether you work for a salary locally with your own LLC or contrast that against fewer taxes vs. cost of living in the city of your employer + moving seems to be a fairly reasonable tradeoff.
I haven't moved around the US personally, but know a great deal of people who do in Europe. Schengen must be 35 years old or so? Everyone can move where they want. And yes, there is, I guess, more cultural diversity in Europe, but that hasn't stopped most people. In fact, many find it freaking awesome. It makes for much more diverse discussions, food, music, opera, everything. Europe is Europe. And the US is the US. To me, neither cultural concept is per se better or worse. You get to enjoy slightly different things.
I can also tell you, from personal experience having lived in Berlin for many years now that there are tons of people from all around the world who disagree with you on not moving here.
And your last point... How would you feel at home moving to the US or Singapore if you can't even stomach moving from Warsaw to Berlin which is literally only a 6 hour drive by car???
I can tell you there are a ton of your countrymen and women enjoying life here and we have pretty awesome Polish cuisine throughout the city. If you ever come to Berlin, feel free to reach out via gbx at mailbox dot org. Definitely much more is possible in Europe than only ever staying in your home city.
Borders in Europe are defined by what you think is possible, not so much by what is, in fact, possible.
You got local taxes, why would the success of a company in SV mean anything to an engineer in NY? People move around EU all the time, London, Stockholm and Berlin are full of engineers from all over the place. Just like in the US, people move where there are jobs to be had and they care about success of companies.
Are there places which are keen on keeping to themselves? Sure maybe, but they are not the majority? Really hard for me to see your point with such sweeping generalizations.