Is the Quality of Life Better in US or Europe?

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[alessandrosilva]

Foreigners go to the United States when their priority is money. Foreigners go to Europe when the priorities are cultural integration, diversity, quality of life, life in society, etc.

[Nastia]

It’s very simple: in US you can make more money. But once you realize that happiness is not money but good quality of life, you go back to Europe.

[jmsa]

Portuguese living in the Netherlands here.
Why are more Europeans moving to the US than the other way around? 2 words: Marketing and Indoctrination. First of all, by this I do not mean Europe is intrinsically better than the US (it is for me, but that is my opinion), just to explain why the consistent net migration to the US.
Marketing: the US is a culturally dominant country, in the sense that its cultural output, good or not, overwhelms the rest of the world. This paints a picture of the country which is rosier than the reality (unless you watch a documentary, you wouldn't know about people calling Ubers instead of ambulances). I myself thought for a long time I'd like to move to the US to get a much better paying job, until I actually started going there frequently for work and realized... Hell No! So, Marketing is highly responsible for Europeans (at least those not desperate) wanting to move to the US.
Indoctrination. Here comes the other side: why do US citizens not want to go to Europe? Well, first of all ask average americans how much they know about Europe and the questions will be ridiculous. Not their fault, just that the US basically teaches nothing about the rest of the World. Then there are things like Pledge of Allegiance, US Anthems being played before any farting competition, mountains of flags everywhere, God Bless America's at the drop of a hat, and you create a mindset where people act against their own interests and stay in the US even when their well being would be better served by going (besides, having to pay taxes even after leaving is a big issue). I met one person who was deciding where to send her daughter to college. I mentioned that those studies could be done in Europe, in English, at a high level education institution, and where the cost of tuition would be (at worst, if no funding would be available) about 15% of that of her cheaper option in the US. And to that adding a much lower cost of insurances, housing, etc. She was astonished and considered seriously, but decided that it was better for her daughter to stay in the US, on the other side of the country (a 5 hour flight, vs 8 to Europe) burdened with debt and in a somewhat unsafe city (for US standards, very unsafe for European standards). Choice against her better interest. Why? Because it was home (eve half a continent and 5 hours away).

[leabianchi]

USA is all about money and status. Europe is about cultural experience, excellent gastronomy, quality of life and integration.

[tedendri]

Here in Europe ain't no shooting in schools or shopping centers, no wooden houses no restrictions on reading ANY! Books, we have social security, and we can keep going on and on 😊

[DaveG-rsxp]

Dave, you nailed it. I have many friends in the US and i love visiting them and enjoying US culture. But for all the reasons you say, i couldn't live there. Number one is universal health care.

[anotherthez]

I'm glad that so many Americans are now learning about the rest of the world - and bc they are finally realizing what is that bubble they've living in; and all that explains the amount of Americans thinking about relocating to Europe. You see, that land of the free isn't actually located in North America.
I see people in search of a better life, and I don't believe in borders, so choose wisely and pack your bags. All the best!

[SilverTurtle]

Heading back home to Portugal in February from the USA to visit and making plans to spend more time there.

[jarekl]

The answer to your question, why so many europeans try to establish themself in US or Canada, it is not because of the spectacular quality of life (which is not) or the rich and magnificent culture (which is not). But, because of the job opportunities and the salary advantages (which, both, are very good, especially, if you are a highly educated). Also, because of the perception (or rather, kind of a legend, that the "money can be found on the street". I'm not saying that life in US or Canada is bad. It is not. It is very good. I have been living in Canada (well, in Québec) for over 40 years, did my postdoc in the US, and traveled all over the continent (which is magnificent and vast to explore). Cheers!

[oiausdlkasuldhflaksjdhoiausydo]

Mate, the UK is not in the EU. You got your map wrong.

[antoniazachariadou]

Currently living in Hawaii and grew up on both the west coast and east coast of the USA. Though all of my immediate family recently moved to Europe in Greece. I have EU citizenship too and am planning to move to Portugal on my own early 2025 as I want to be closer to them and also am really needing to leave the USA in general for a lot of different reasons, one of the big factors to me is the food. I feel like in order to try to eat healthy in the USA I have to pay double or triple the price (especially in Hawaii) and the food quality ends up still being low a lot of times despite shopping at a health store lol (I saw a $87 big can of jackfruit at a health store last week and $9 for 4 organic avocados) . (organic oat milk or bread has canola oil in it or the additives in foods, I don't feel as physically healthy here no matter how hard I try). Shopping local can be done but is often an extremely high cost, the access to healthy food and restaurants for not insane costs in Europe is something that is incredibly appealing. The crime and homeless population of local, native or minorities is really sad to see here on island and in the USA with little assistance and the gun crimes in the mainland US. Lots of other reasons for the move, but I love your channel as it's really helpful for preparing for Portugal especially being in my early 20s :)

[MindfulMidLifeTravel]

We are super excited to visit Portugal in April! Enjoyed your videos!

[sidali]

It's depends on which country in Europe Iceland Switzerland are prosperous nations

[joaosito]

Obrigado Dave.
Really hope all good guys like you feels at home in Portugal.
Um abraço

[balasFTW]

In the USA, everything is a business.
They hate taxes and socialism but pay way too much for insurances. These companies do the same thing with the money as the government of other countries (if someone needs it, they'll use it, otherwise it's just profit). However, in other countries you can get help without going bankrupt. Another perk of it being public is that if the government needs to allocate money from the citizens from healthcare to education it is much easier.

[ltgaming]

I’ll be visiting early next year! I’ve been lucky to travel for the past 10 years, but your channel made me finally make the trip to Portugal.

[QuietBob]

2:19 why is the UK in the european union?

[elizabettapeters]

Right now I'll take Europe anytime. US is not what it used to be.
Make the money is US go spend it in Europe

[willowgreene]

We are from UK living in US for 6 years. In the top 5% of earners in the US healthcare is amazing, housing is affordable, pay is fantastic, entrepreneurship is easier. Potential for travel inside and outside of the US is convenient. If you can pay, Education is more progressive and than anything i’ve seen in Europe. I couldn’t imagine moving back to England. We will just base in the US and travel a lot.

[TheRightWay-ts]

There are always pro ans cons of living in every place but speaking about health insurance, violence and food quality, I can say that there's a huge difference between the two continents. I'm from Rome and I live in Berlin at the moment. Unfortunately, the italian job market is still kinda closed, so speaking about the job market in Europe, I can say that the northern countries are handling a little bit better contracts and work conditions than the southern ones (e.j. Italy, Spain). In U.S. I've heard that the job market is pretty open to everyone. So that might be a difference. There are a lot of differences within european countries though...another example is health insurance, while in Italy is free cuz it's universal, in Germany is private and you must have it cuz it's required by law. It's usually paid by your employer but if it's not it can cost you (depending on the plan and situation) around 350€ per month. On the other hand, here (Germany and other northern countries) universities are free while you pay them in some european countries. Another huge difference is the weather. I miss so much my sunny italian weather 😢 not mentioning the friendly people and the night life. If you chose to move to a northern country in Europe, be prepared to see the sun only once in a while. ✌🏻