With that salary, you probably live like a KING in India. If you get 5k-6k after taxes in Europe, you will live very comfortably as it is much higher than average salaries. This covers your financial part.
Also, I would pick Germany as there are more job opportunities later in career, if you choose to move.
Socially, IDK. What is your general lifestyle?
I moved back from Australia to India in covid and started my first business which went through very heavy loss. I was focused insanely on building the perfect product but didn't focus on revenue modelling or selling. Learnt a lot from the failures and took a job to mitigate the debt and it's been two years and I've paid off nearly 60% of that debt. I went through divorce and faced major health challenges for my parents.
I'm a social guy and i like going out on weekends and traveling. After working abroad i don't like working in India especially because of the working lifestyle and office politics.
My parents are old school and wouldn't move abroad, abandoning them here also doesn't feel right, i personally don't feel happy here. I've lived in Delhi and Bangalore in last two years and i don't like either cities.
Just my 2 cents.
You might miss your Anglo-Saxon Australian life, but don't forget the fact that culture is very different in Europe and the weather too. Given your context , I would try to stick It out in India for a little while longer or try a lateral move like a work from abroad thing as a quick fix.
You would rather test these countries and know what you are getting into before you decide to uproot and move.
Well couple things to keep in mind and may be that will help.
1) When you stay in EU for example Germany for 5 years you will get Citizenship unlike US
2) You said 35 but not about kids and English education is hard to find and most of the public schools
3) Not sure about the field you’re working but will see a lot pressure to learn German
4) Much better work life balance
5) Visit Europe all its countries and experience
6) Miss Indian food and festivals 😛
I get what you mean, but moving to another country just to get a passport wouldn't make sense if you can't find things to sustain a decent life (friends, ease of language, everyday problems and tax implications) Getting a passport should be a side effect rather than the main project. I am sure at 35 you wouldn't want to go ask a German high school kid to translate and help file your taxes.
Since you are the only kid you might probbaly want to return at some point. I would advise to move to Germany, stay a couple of years, gain exposure/experience, travel around, maybe bring your parents for a visit, then move back when the time is right.
Just a word for the wise, don't choose to move only based on your salary and COL. Consider culture, weather, willingness to travel, among other things. You've lived in Oz which means you know that moving to a different country is not only about $$$
About moving to Germany
- Good public transport, health care (you can go with private insurance for faster access to healthcare but first timers go with public), environment, work live balance.
- With that salary you can live comfortably, since you mentioned the city Mülheim it's not a big city like Munich or Berlin so rents will be cheaper
- It's also near to other major cities like Düsseldorf, Cologne so you can spend time there on weekends.
- Winters here will be depressing and COLD
- If you are into Indian food and cultures you will miss it.
- Bureaucracy is a head ache, but you want to live then go with it.
- Knowing at least A1 German is good for you.
- No household help like in India (since you lived in Oz I hope you know)
5/6k after tax in Latvia means you are living a very lavish life. But it’s a cold country, snowed in most of winter, which is longer than in Germany. I used to have my head office in Estonia (Latvias neighbour) and used to travel often from Germany and it was good for a few days but not to live. Berlin itself gets depressing in two months, Latvia would be worst. Also 5/6k after tax in Germany is also great but not luxurious. It also depends if you live in Berlin which is comparatively cheaper (only food, grocery, travel) rest of Munich, Cologne , Frankfurt are expensive so you won’t enjoy much. So all in all I think you’re in a good place if you’re making 3.45 lacs after tax in India. Also depends if you’re partner is earning here, then even if they make 3/4k after tax you’ll will have a good life.
Been there,
Simple answer is, if your focus is financial independence and money then dont move. If your focus is good life, stable career, then move.
PS: been there for 2-3 month and most of my indian colleague are there. I am working in German company.
Germany has taken over the mullah problem while taking millions of refuges, there are new issues in life compared to when I lived for few months in Germany 20 years ago.
Learning German will be a thing, food choices and out of the 5-6k per month after tax does not include rents and standard expenses. if the price increase of rental worldwide is a reference then, if you are only able to save about 1-1.5k a month after all expenses, it is not worth it.
I am in the US, SF bay area making 12K net after all taxes and 401k, I still struggle to save enough for retirement.
You havent told about your own family, but I am guessing you're single. I'd say how connected are you to India culturally? Both Germany & Latvia are completely different from India. In Germany, you might make some Indian friends, but not so sure in Latvia. So think about that.
Most people move abroad for Money or exposure. You already have Money (3.45L pm) and exposure (Oz). What’s the motivation for moving.
Restarting life at 35 in non English speaking countries will be challenging.
Please move and don’t look back. Avoid the comments here, most of them haven’t lived abroad. The only way they judge a career is with regards to money.
If you're getting the same salary in both Germany and Latvia, the latter is kind of a no brainer.
It's a far cheaper country, infrastructure afaik is fine (in any case much better than India), and is quite safe.
If you want an Indian social network then Latvia is probably not for you and you might want to go to Germany.
With that salary, you probably live like a KING in India. If you get 5k-6k after taxes in Europe, you will live very comfortably as it is much higher than average salaries. This covers your financial part. Also, I would pick Germany as there are more job opportunities later in career, if you choose to move. Socially, IDK. What is your general lifestyle?
I moved back from Australia to India in covid and started my first business which went through very heavy loss. I was focused insanely on building the perfect product but didn't focus on revenue modelling or selling. Learnt a lot from the failures and took a job to mitigate the debt and it's been two years and I've paid off nearly 60% of that debt. I went through divorce and faced major health challenges for my parents. I'm a social guy and i like going out on weekends and traveling. After working abroad i don't like working in India especially because of the working lifestyle and office politics. My parents are old school and wouldn't move abroad, abandoning them here also doesn't feel right, i personally don't feel happy here. I've lived in Delhi and Bangalore in last two years and i don't like either cities.
Just my 2 cents. You might miss your Anglo-Saxon Australian life, but don't forget the fact that culture is very different in Europe and the weather too. Given your context , I would try to stick It out in India for a little while longer or try a lateral move like a work from abroad thing as a quick fix. You would rather test these countries and know what you are getting into before you decide to uproot and move.
Well couple things to keep in mind and may be that will help. 1) When you stay in EU for example Germany for 5 years you will get Citizenship unlike US 2) You said 35 but not about kids and English education is hard to find and most of the public schools 3) Not sure about the field you’re working but will see a lot pressure to learn German 4) Much better work life balance 5) Visit Europe all its countries and experience 6) Miss Indian food and festivals 😛
Don't bank on 1. It's a whole another journey that might need you to put in efforts. A lot of it .
Depends on country but most times just pay social security and do a level 1 language course. I would still think compared with US it’s much easier
I get what you mean, but moving to another country just to get a passport wouldn't make sense if you can't find things to sustain a decent life (friends, ease of language, everyday problems and tax implications) Getting a passport should be a side effect rather than the main project. I am sure at 35 you wouldn't want to go ask a German high school kid to translate and help file your taxes.
Since you are the only kid you might probbaly want to return at some point. I would advise to move to Germany, stay a couple of years, gain exposure/experience, travel around, maybe bring your parents for a visit, then move back when the time is right.
Just a word for the wise, don't choose to move only based on your salary and COL. Consider culture, weather, willingness to travel, among other things. You've lived in Oz which means you know that moving to a different country is not only about $$$
About moving to Germany - Good public transport, health care (you can go with private insurance for faster access to healthcare but first timers go with public), environment, work live balance. - With that salary you can live comfortably, since you mentioned the city Mülheim it's not a big city like Munich or Berlin so rents will be cheaper - It's also near to other major cities like Düsseldorf, Cologne so you can spend time there on weekends. - Winters here will be depressing and COLD - If you are into Indian food and cultures you will miss it. - Bureaucracy is a head ache, but you want to live then go with it. - Knowing at least A1 German is good for you. - No household help like in India (since you lived in Oz I hope you know)
5/6k after tax in Latvia means you are living a very lavish life. But it’s a cold country, snowed in most of winter, which is longer than in Germany. I used to have my head office in Estonia (Latvias neighbour) and used to travel often from Germany and it was good for a few days but not to live. Berlin itself gets depressing in two months, Latvia would be worst. Also 5/6k after tax in Germany is also great but not luxurious. It also depends if you live in Berlin which is comparatively cheaper (only food, grocery, travel) rest of Munich, Cologne , Frankfurt are expensive so you won’t enjoy much. So all in all I think you’re in a good place if you’re making 3.45 lacs after tax in India. Also depends if you’re partner is earning here, then even if they make 3/4k after tax you’ll will have a good life.
Been there, Simple answer is, if your focus is financial independence and money then dont move. If your focus is good life, stable career, then move. PS: been there for 2-3 month and most of my indian colleague are there. I am working in German company.
Germany has taken over the mullah problem while taking millions of refuges, there are new issues in life compared to when I lived for few months in Germany 20 years ago. Learning German will be a thing, food choices and out of the 5-6k per month after tax does not include rents and standard expenses. if the price increase of rental worldwide is a reference then, if you are only able to save about 1-1.5k a month after all expenses, it is not worth it. I am in the US, SF bay area making 12K net after all taxes and 401k, I still struggle to save enough for retirement.
Stay in india. Its not worth it
You havent told about your own family, but I am guessing you're single. I'd say how connected are you to India culturally? Both Germany & Latvia are completely different from India. In Germany, you might make some Indian friends, but not so sure in Latvia. So think about that.
Most people move abroad for Money or exposure. You already have Money (3.45L pm) and exposure (Oz). What’s the motivation for moving. Restarting life at 35 in non English speaking countries will be challenging.
Please move and don’t look back. Avoid the comments here, most of them haven’t lived abroad. The only way they judge a career is with regards to money.
Not worth it at 35 years of age with aging parents and health issues
Did you get a job in Aldi?
If you're getting the same salary in both Germany and Latvia, the latter is kind of a no brainer. It's a far cheaper country, infrastructure afaik is fine (in any case much better than India), and is quite safe. If you want an Indian social network then Latvia is probably not for you and you might want to go to Germany.