13: Why living in Europe is better than the US

Living in Europe is better than living in the US. Americans, please don’t hate me. Look, team USA forever. I hesitate to say this, because I don’t want to offend. But the truth is, if my friends and family didn’t live in the US, I’m not sure if I’d ever care to go back. And you know, things change. Who knows, maybe someday I’ll move back to the states, but I just love it here so much. 

Why the US is better than Europe: 

• There is potential to make a higher salary – but sometimes I think when you consider the cost of living with salary you might be just as well off i the US versus Europe – my phone bill is 20 pounds versus 100+ in the US. Public transport is much less expensive than owning a car. Most European countries have universal healthcare. I’d have to do some math. 
• You have more space for bigger houses and bigger back yards
• There is some A+ nature around the US and lots of travel opportunities within the US – a big reason why 63% of Americans don’t have a passport – only 37% of americans have a passport
• If you’re an american living in the US, you can fit right in bec there are a whole lot of people who are very similar to you and have a similar mindset
  • I’ve tried explaining this phenomenon to people and you just won’t really get it until you live in a place where most people are not like you 
  • When you are like everybody else you feel a sense of belonging, you feel more understood, you have a baseline level of trust with somebody you just meet because you can place what they’re all about – their background, how they think about life, predict their actions and thoughts which gives you a sense of control and peace as you speak with them – sounds more dramatic than it actually is – this is a very subtle phenomenon, hardly palpable – but it’s noticeable nonetheless
• Americans are generally really kind to one another, we have a positive mindset, we have a great work ethic, we’re generally pretty warm and kind, we think we’re the best country in the world – not that there are people that don’t think that we aren’t BUT we don’t look up to another country. Even with our faults, other countries look up to us. We’re great at chatting with strangers and we smile a lot… of COURSE there are many an acception, but this is the general culture that I notice that I miss living abroad 

Why the Europe is better than the US: 

Have you SEEN Europe? I mean common. It’s a freaking stunner. I’ve sat in pubs in the UK that have literally been around longer than the US has been a country. I’ve stood in front of art from the 1500s. I’ve seen crumbling buildings from the Roman times. If you love history and architecture, Europe is an absolute treat. 

More relaxed lifestyle

After work they meet for dinner and drinks on a work day. Europeans enjoy weekends but they don’t live for the weekends as much as Americans do. Aperol Spritz on a Monday?  Yes, thank you. 

More work life balance

Their OOO is “I’m off the entire month of August. I’ll get back to you when I’m back” the US OOO is “I’ll be in surgery on Tuesday, but I’ll respond to your emails while I’m in the recovery room.” “I’ll be skiing in Colorado with my family, but I’ll respond to my emails in the mornings for a bit and if there are any emergencies, here is my personal cell number”. Like, no. Just no.

Universal healthcare

Countries in Europe have healthcare for everybody – it’s pretty uncomplicated – in the US you have to have insurance but many things aren’t covered and you every visit leads to many fees you have to pay.

More support for building families

Some countries provide free or affordable childcare, they have 20-60 weeks of maternity care and offer paternity care as well.

Amazing travel opportunities

There are opportunities to travel on a 1-3 hour flight. Living in Europe is the best ever when you can arrive in a different country with different language, cultures, food, etc. after a 1-3 hour flight.

Food is healthier

The food is better for you. They don’t do fake butter or Splenda over here. They are stricter on what can and can’t be used in food (ie chemicals used in foods).

Healthier lifestyle

They have a generally healthier lifestyle. People walk everywhere.

More sense of ‘community’ 

Because of the way they structure their cities, towns and neighborhoods, there is more of a sense of local community living in Europe.

Safer than the US

Europe is generally safer than the US. By a lot actually…

Better government welfare programs

In Europe, there are more government welfare programs to help the masses. They have programs such as universal health care, free higher education, strong labor protections and regulations, and generous welfare programs in areas such as unemployment insurance, retirement pensions, and public housing.

Not as much unhealthy debt

Europeans don’t have as much debt as Americans who have Nearly $1 Trillion in Credit Card Debt. If you want to go down a rabbit hole, start looking into debt in different countries and the history and the many factors at play.

It feels like a fairytale

Living here feels like a fairytale (not always but a lot of the time it does). I’ve been here almost 4 years and it still feels magical to me. I’m walking out of my Victorian flat that was built in the mid 1800s to my hair dressers which is a 3 minute walk down the street. I ride my bike to the local coffee shop to work in the afternoons sometimes. I ride my bike to the local flower market the first Sunday of every month and get flowers from my boy George and then go to a cute little cafe for lunch and a coffee while I read my book. I go for a walk along the Thames river after work passing by the London eye, and Tower bridge as the sun is setting. I walk in Hyde Park and Kensington gardens talking to my parents on the phone while I stroll past Kensington palace… It’s a beautiful life!

If you are considering a move abroad, download my FREE guide, 5 Exact Steps to Move Abroad. It would be a great start!