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Moving to US (maybe), what should I know?

Cyberpunkd

Member
Can't believe I'm writing this...

The Office No GIF


There exists a small chance (Green Card Lottery) I will be moving with my family (3 kids) to the US in the next 12-18 months. We don't have a fixed place yet, probably Austin / Texas or North Carolina.

Here is my view of the US:
Dystopian state
Excellent at accumulating capital to maximise shareholders returns
Market is very flexible, people are willing to bet on idea or just "we will figure it out as we go along" (unless you are talking about technical field, best no to play with people's lives there)
Terrible place for everyone below the average in terms of education, resources, wealth, etc.
Americans are kind and friendly people but all that is surface-level
People love guns
Serial murderer or mass pedophile at every corner


Any advice someone (both Freedom People as well as Europeans that moved there) that can give me a rundown of key points I need to pay attention to or that will be a huge shock when coming from Europe?
 
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RagnarokIV

Battlebus imprisoning me \m/ >.< \m/
Bro, based on what you think and expect maybe just don't go?

But in all seriousness, we probably need more context. Why are you going? What work will you be doing?
 
Visited Texas recently, the drivers there are crazy (Dallas/Houston).

Texas on the whole is generally conservative/republican, except for Austin, which is more liberal/democrat. Dunno if you care about that. It's also HCOL.

It's a huge place though, tons of stuff to do. Food portion sizes are large there as well.
 
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demented waffle

Gold Member
European freedom seems to be different from ours. Just stay where you're at. We don't need you to bring your voting habits with you. We're a bunch of rootin-tootin-shootin cowboys over here. That's with your current views of the US.
 
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drganon

Member
Don't know much about Texas, but I can tell you about North Carolina. Cost of living and taxes aren't bad, but housing is very expensive in certain parts of the state. Also the coast gets beaten up by hurricanes on a regular basis. Lastly, if you move to the Raleigh area you'll be surrounded by people who moved from New York and New Jersey.
 

Dr.Morris79

Gold Member
Here is my view of the US:
Dystopian state
Excellent at accumulating capital to maximise shareholders returns
Market is very flexible, people are willing to bet on idea or just "we will figure it out as we go along" (unless you are talking about technical field, best no to play with people's lives there)
Terrible place for everyone below the average in terms of education, resources, wealth, etc.
Americans are kind and friendly people but all that is surface-level
People love guns
Serial murderer or mass pedophile at every corner
a37TarK.gif
 

Lunarorbit

Member
You don't want to move to Texas. Seriously. I lived north of Houston for 7 years and the construction was hellicious.

Austin is so expensive. All the small towns on the way to Austin have been getting their character and culture torn out. It's pathetic. Plus the energy infrastructure is literally killing people.

North Carolina is better. Different life style. I would suggest Charleston in south Carolina. The beaches are great. Humid in the summer but also nice in the winter. Charleston is a medium sized city and has a cool walkable downtown.
 

Topher

Identifies as young
Here is my view of the US:
Dystopian state
Excellent at accumulating capital to maximise shareholders returns
Market is very flexible, people are willing to bet on idea or just "we will figure it out as we go along" (unless you are talking about technical field, best no to play with people's lives there)
Terrible place for everyone below the average in terms of education, resources, wealth, etc.
Americans are kind and friendly people but all that is surface-level
People love guns
Serial murderer or mass pedophile at every corner

If you move to Texas then you'll probably see a lot of guns. Other than that, I'd say forget everything you think you know about the US. Dystopian state? What the fuck?
 

BlackTron

Member
I already know what OP is like, I thought he might have tried to smooth over doing a 180 on the US now that there's a green card lottery.

Nope, he's 100% dead serious honest lmfao
 

Cyberpunkd

Member
I'll give you cred, you have that part right.

Well, it seems the states that have your ideology the most are those states. Start loving individual freedom instead of a gilded cage, I guess.
Not really, I am really Republican when it comes to economy. As most people I had my socialist stint in early 20s.
If you move to Texas then you'll probably see a lot of guns. Other than that, I'd say forget everything you think you know about the US. Dystopian state? What the fuck?
Hmmm, ok, I guess it makes sense to see for myself.
 

Cyberpunkd

Member
I already know what OP is like, I thought he might have tried to smooth over doing a 180 on the US now that there's a green card lottery.

Nope, he's 100% dead serious honest lmfao
I never said I don't like US or the Americans, it's just typical dunking on things that we see mostly in Europe - lack of job protection, no social net, expensive healthcare, etc. But if you are successful it is probably way better in the US than Europe, the problem is being successful. It's like a sinusoid , just that France flattens the top and bottom (and a lot of other European countries do as well).
 

demented waffle

Gold Member
I never said I don't like US or the Americans, it's just typical dunking on things that we see mostly in Europe - lack of job protection, no social net, expensive healthcare, etc. But if you are successful it is probably way better in the US than Europe, the problem is being successful. It's like a sinusoid , just that France flattens the top and bottom (and a lot of other European countries do as well).

Just be aware that you won't be in Kansas anymore, Toto. Like I said and you just posted; European freedoms and American freedoms are different. At least Texas and North Carolina.

And fair enough on the dunking. We do it to y'all as well.
:messenger_beaming:
 
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Are you in debt to loan sharks and planning to flee the country because of it?

Anyway, don't call ambulances 🚑, it may make you wish you had chosen to deal with the loan sharks instead
 
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IDKFA

I am Become Bilbo Baggins
If you move to Texas then you'll probably see a lot of guns. Other than that, I'd say forget everything you think you know about the US. Dystopian state? What the fuck?

I don't think that way, but I get where he's coming from.

In Europe we do have this view of the US. It's basically down to the US health insurance system and also the lack of workers rights/benefits.
 

Cyberpunkd

Member
ike I said and you just posted; European freedoms and American freedoms are different.
I am ready to make non-sarcastic small talk with my neighbours, not sure about American football and baseball. I guess I can start a local pétanque league.
Google safest place in USA.
From the states I posted it gives me Frisco in Texas and Cary, North Carolina. Also some thing called Naperville in Illinois.
 
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demented waffle

Gold Member
I am ready to make non-sarcastic small talk with by neighbours, not sure about American football and baseball.

From the states I posted it gives me Frisco in Texas and Cary, North Carolina. Also some thing called Naperville in Illinois.

One thing to be sure of: If you move to the south, don't call us yanks. I cannot stress that enough. :messenger_grinning_sweat:
 

demented waffle

Gold Member
I am ready to make non-sarcastic small talk with my neighbours, not sure about American football and baseball. I guess I can start a local pétanque league.

From the states I posted it gives me Frisco in Texas and Cary, North Carolina. Also some thing called Naperville in Illinois.
Are you working from home? Those might be the safest, but you're not gonna find much employment there. The bottom half of that post. Yes, quote fail on me.
 
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Days like these...

Have a Blessed Day
Can't believe I'm writing this...

The Office No GIF


There exists a small chance (Green Card Lottery) I will be moving with my family (3 kids) to the US in the next 12-18 months. We don't have a fixed place yet, probably Austin / Texas or North Carolina.

Here is my view of the US:
Dystopian state
Excellent at accumulating capital to maximise shareholders returns
Market is very flexible, people are willing to bet on idea or just "we will figure it out as we go along" (unless you are talking about technical field, best no to play with people's lives there)
Terrible place for everyone below the average in terms of education, resources, wealth, etc.
Americans are kind and friendly people but all that is surface-level
People love guns
Serial murderer or mass pedophile at every corner


Any advice someone (both Freedom People as well as Europeans that moved there) that can give me a rundown of key points I need to pay attention to or that will be a huge shock when coming from Europe?

I live in Houston, Texas the price of living is cheaper than Austin, the city is bigger with more to do and the food is delicious best in Texas. 6 restaurants received a michelin star in November. Austin received one more star than us but most of their stars were barbecue where ours were different types of cuisine
Also the city is very international if you're used to that it won't be that much of a culture shock. When I go to Austin or Dallas I feel like I'm in a country town.
 
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Cyberpunkd

Member
I live in Houston, Texas the price of living is cheaper than Austin, the city is bigger with more to do and the food is delicious best in Texas. 6 restaurants received a michelin star in November. Austin received one more star than us but most of their stars were barbecue where ours were different types of cuisine
Wow, that is some serious gourmet cuisine scene in Houston. However I see safety-wise related to crime and traffic incidents it is not the best place.
 

DragoonKain

Neighbours from Hell
The US is a collection of states with their own laws, culture, norms, traditions, so not sure the entire country can be lumped in as one entity in a lot of respects. It has bad neighborhoods like any country, but it is most certainly not dystopian lol and there is not a pedophile or serial killer around every corner. Unless you were being funny.
 

Kvally

Member
Here is my view of the US:
Dystopian state
Excellent at accumulating capital to maximise shareholders returns
Market is very flexible, people are willing to bet on idea or just "we will figure it out as we go along" (unless you are talking about technical field, best no to play with people's lives there)
Terrible place for everyone below the average in terms of education, resources, wealth, etc.
Americans are kind and friendly people but all that is surface-level
People love guns
Serial murderer or mass pedophile at every corner


Any advice someone (both Freedom People as well as Europeans that moved there) that can give me a rundown of key points I need to pay attention to or that will be a huge shock when coming from Europe?
Here is my view of the US:
Dystopian state - NOPE
Excellent at accumulating capital to maximise shareholders returns - YUP
Market is very flexible, people are willing to bet on idea or just "we will figure it out as we go along" (unless you are talking about technical field, best no to play with people's lives there) - YUP
Terrible place for everyone below the average in terms of education, resources, wealth, etc. - NOPE
Americans are kind and friendly people but all that is surface-level - MOST ARE KIND
People love guns - SOME
Serial murderer or mass pedophile at every corner - LIKE ANYWHERE


Any advice someone - DON'T COME HERE. WE HAVE ENOUGH PEOPLE.
 

demented waffle

Gold Member
The US is a collection of states with their own laws, culture, norms, traditions, so not sure the entire country can be lumped in as one entity in a lot of respects. It has bad neighborhoods like any country, but it is most certainly not dystopian lol and there is not a pedophile or serial killer around every corner. Unless you were being funny.
I'm assuming he's giving us the same amount of shit of us calling French surrender monkeys.
 

demented waffle

Gold Member
Wow, that is some serious gourmet cuisine scene in Houston. However I see safety-wise related to crime and traffic incidents it is not the best place.
So what's your job and preferred distance traveled per day? Go from there. Pay is also gonna be a thing as well as wages are vastly varied, but also look at the cost and standard of living. It's a thing us Americans have to also have to do when moving about our country.
 

Days like these...

Have a Blessed Day
Wow, that is some serious gourmet cuisine scene in Houston. However I see safety-wise related to crime and traffic incidents it is not the best place.
Yeah traffic is really bad. There are several very safe neighborhoods inside the city but the prices of those houses are $$$. If you've got a few million lying around go for it!
 

Cyberpunkd

Member
I'd suggest making a trip to the states you have in mind moving to, get in touch with locals, immerse yourself in daily life and form your own opinion. As a fellow European I've found this kind of first hand experience the most valuable.
That is a very good idea, we might try to ditch the kids at grandparents' and go for a sort of scouting missions.
Troll post I assume?

If not you are not endearing yourself to those of us whom you ask for help
It's not a troll post, just some friendly banter and dunking on you. As mentioned I have a lot of respect for Americans (every American I know is really cool) and the US, inequality aside.
 

Topher

Identifies as young
I don't think that way, but I get where he's coming from.

In Europe we do have this view of the US. It's basically down to the US health insurance system and also the lack of workers rights/benefits.

Health care expenses are high. There is no doubt about that. A lot of a person's paycheck goes to health insurance. But that is probably offset a bit by a lot less taxes from what I understand of Europe. Not going to lie. I hate our health care system, but I'm not going to derail the thread. I will say that it is probably the one thing that will be a bit of a shock for anyone coming from Europe unaware.

Worker protections vary from state to state. In Texas and North Caroline, employers can fire employees for any reason aside from race, sex, etc. There are really no limits on how much you can work and such. Every job is different though, but generally high pay comes with high expectations. People who work hard typically do well. That isn't to say there is no risk of being laid off regardless, but obviously the more value you provide to a company, the less likely you'll be out of a job.

The lack of public transportation is probably next on the list of differences. Other than that, I'd say Americans are just normal people for the most part. We have good people and we've got our assholes. That's everywhere though, ain't it?
 
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