Ask HN: Who has moved from the U.S. to Europe?
I&#x27;ve done it, and it was one of the best decisions of my life.<p>WHERE: I&#x27;m Australian, moved to LA when I was 18 and lived there for 15 years.  Then, I moved from Los Angeles to Germany (Duesseldorf), and then to Vienna, Austria.<p>WHAT SACRIFICE: No more In &#x27;n Out Burger, no more decent Mexican&#x2F;TexMex food, no more LA food trucks.  These are literally the only things I miss about the USA. Literally every other aspect of life has improved massively by leaving the USA - healthcare, food, social life.  For the first 4 years I <i>walked to work</i>, ffs. Now I ride a bicycle in combination with the best public transportation options in the world (Austria, Vienna).<p>GAINED: I&#x27;ve completely lost the brain-dead nationalist mentality that had infected me in my earlier life, I&#x27;ve gained  Immense amounts of respect for humanity, I&#x27;ve learned German, I&#x27;ve experienced professional software and hardware development <i>away</i> from Silicon Valley standard practices, and I get to see the USA from outside the decadent, rose-colored bubble from which it is usually experienced.  I honestly wish I&#x27;d left sooner - every time I go back I&#x27;m reminded just how much of a shithole the USA really is ..<p>Plus, living and loving in Europe is just <i>great</i>.  There is no greater joy than a trip through the Balkans for a week adventure, or maybe a jaunt to Spain or southern France.  Just being able to travel an hour in any direction and being immersed in absolutely foreign culture is a joy like no other.  Definitely a great way to ground oneself.<p>EDIT: The <i>weather</i> was pretty good in LA.  But, still: Americans.