What should i choose, a US job on H1 visa or a permanent job in Eindhoven, The Netherlands?

Question

Hi,

I am at the crossroads of my career, I have a choice between a US job on a H1 visa, and a permanent job in Eindhoven, The Netherlands, both being in the cutting edge technologies in teh IT field.

I would be paid almost 4k euros per month in Eindhoven, The Netherlands, and 80$ / hr upwards in the US contract.

What should i choose? My parameters are.

1) Long term goals ( Higher / Better positions in the prospective companies )

2) Quality of life

3) Work / Life balance

4) Seeing myself 10 yrs down the line.

I would greatly appreciate if any of the enlightened souls take out a few minutes and help me out.

Regards.

Answer 1

As much as I love America, the comparable downward slide of the US$ v. the rise of the Euro would probably send me to the Netherlands unless the cost of living difference made up for the currency difference.

On the other hand, the USA rocks and you don't need wooden shoes.

However, we cannot complete with the Netherlands in the quaint old windmills department.

Answer 2

The Netherlands

Answer 3

netherlands

Answer 4

No contest. Better social conditions in the netherlands, medical, education etc. For that matter, most Europen countries are...

Answer 5

I spent a lot of time in Holland and love it dearly. That said, Eindhoven won't be quite as English language tolerant as the Hague or Amsterdam. But if you speak a little German or are good at languages, Dutch isn't too hard to learn. The people are wonderful.  Still, I always was happy to get back to US because that is my home culture.

Medical care is much much better in the US than Netherlands, by the way. If you want the government to pay, and are willing to settle for less care, then Hollands is just okay.

Can your US job ever be permanent? It's good pay. Growth opportunities are always better in the states, especially if you can get a citizenship.

Quality of life is better in the states in general (you didn't say where, by the way).

Work/life balance is probably better in Europe. Usually get 2 to 3 more weeks of vacation a year with a 36 hour (or less) work week.

10 years down? Probably the US is the best bet depending on your skills and IT field. You can answer that part better than I.

I don't see a bad choice for you here. The better of two goods. How fortunate!

Mathwise, is this right?

4000eu/mth x 12mths = 48,000 Euros / year

vs.

$80/hr x 2080hr/year = $166,400/year

The US pay is much better!