Is moving to the US something I should only consider later in life?
Posted by 88-81@reddit | expats | View on Reddit | 39 comments
I've written a couple of posts on this sub about moving to the US on an L category visa, but from my understanding doing so early on in my career would be very hard and and would potentially require a lot of time. I'd like to be able to move out of my country (Italy) by my mid 20s, worst case scenario my late 20s, and assuming I start working when I'm 20 or 21 I don't really see it happening. I think that a wiser course of action would be moving to Switzerland (it's part of the Schengen area so moving there is fairly easy bureaucratically speaking) after a few years working in Italy, further build up experience in Switzerland, and then get hired by an international IT firm once I've become a specialized senior developer, and after that being considered for a transfer to a US office should be relatively easier.
PanickyFool@reddit
Depends on your motivation.
The best time to move to the USA for wealth is when you are early in your career, can work like a dog, and take the risks you can recover from /don't have a family to worry about.
Compound interest being the other reason now is better than later.
Maleficent-Test-9210@reddit
Where are you getting this compound interest. There aren't any savings accounts with even 3% interest unless you have at least $100k for a CD.
Simple-Refuse7555@reddit
Ally bank is giving me over 4% with no minimum. But ETF’s would be double that
temp_gerc1@reddit
Marcus by Goldman currently offers a bit over 4%.
Maleficent-Test-9210@reddit
What's the min? 25k?
temp_gerc1@reddit
No minimum
PanickyFool@reddit
S&P 500 ETFs?
Who the hell apart from Germans use savings accounts?
88-81@reddit (OP)
I wrote this post because IT salaries in switzerland are comparable to the US, meaning that even If I'm only able to move to the US later in life (around my 30s or so) I won't struggle to save up enough money for retirement.
Vivid_Pin830@reddit
You will make more of a salary in the US for IT. My husband is in this sector, however the cost of living is INSANE and getting worse. We are having several benefits reversed. Tax breaks only hit when you reach $550,000 (my husband has been with top companies, L6, degree, security clearances, speciality focus etc and 10 years experience and doesn't make this so our taxes are starting to crush our retirement hopes).
You have time! I highly suggest getting in with start ups that pay decently while you are young (and potentially not raising a family). If the start up hits, you can make BIG money and then transfer to one of the big 5 tech companies when you need more "stability" or benefits etc.
Initial_Savings3034@reddit
One of the benefits to living in the US is costs as a percentage of earnings tend to be less, with notable exceptions: Health insurance and housing.
If your potential employer subsidize either (or both), it's a wonderful place to be young.
QueerWorf@reddit
aren't you paying attention. the US is about to collapse. We have a fascist dictator taking over the country and no one will do anything to stop him. the GOP has the supreme court, congress, and the white house. they will do everything they can to destroy the democracy and make it a fascist dictatorship. why would you want to live there?
carnivorousdrew@reddit
What a bunch of overdramatic emotional bs. Watch less TV and go touch grass. None of what you said is advice or useful whatsoever to OP's question.
lemmeatem6969@reddit
Working with several dozen PhD students from myriad nations on a daily basis all agree that they feel much more free in every other country they’ve lived in. I constantly hear them say, “it’s so strange that none of you realize you’re slaves while claiming to be free. You have no idea how oppressed you are and it’s really strange.”
carnivorousdrew@reddit
Ah yes, PhD students, the representative sample of the overall population and workers especially.
lemmeatem6969@reddit
Perfect example of support for anti-intellectualism ☝️
carnivorousdrew@reddit
I have two masters degrees, a piece of paper has nothing to do with intellectualism, that's the kind of ego boost universities hope to give you so you keep dumping money into them or working for them for peanuts.
lemmeatem6969@reddit
Why are you so passionately supporting the idea that we are the best country in the world when we’re objectively not. The person who is actively working for a theocratic dictatorship is now well on his way, and if a person is capable of noticing historical similarities, they might be concerned. We are not free and somewhere like Sicily is probably quite better off than we are. Have you been there? Have you actually traveled the world extensively? People in more than 20 other nations are statistically much better off than we are and none of us are even aware of it. Why cling so desperately to this lie?
carnivorousdrew@reddit
Lol never said that I believe the US is the best country in the world.
Yes, I have spent probably around 1/2 year in Sicily and I grew up in the rural south of Italy for 20 years. I have traveled probably around 20 countries and lived in 3 different states, and 3 different EU countries. Believe whatever you want dude, you clearly have your mind made up and set and I could not give less of a care, to be politely said.
Vivid_Pin830@reddit
I would say the advice they are giving is, don't expect the "American Dream" to be waiting when you arrive. There is hardship everywhere, and I know various regions are suffering around the globe but encouraging someone to spend maybe the little saving they have to pursue a career in a country that is volatile is not great advice. Between mass deportations and planned de naturalization, it's going to be a very tricky environment to navigate without the worry of securing a green card/work visa etc.
carnivorousdrew@reddit
No one here is suggesting going illegally. If you think the US is volatile you should maybe read some books and read about Italian political history. You are making a comparison that is just funny to hear because of the ignorance it stems from.
CongruentDesigner@reddit
Yep it’s insane, but it was also like this in 2016. People were having the same internet melt downs.
Then people realised 1. The President has a limited amount of time to enact a limited amount of actions that most likely won’t directly effect your day to day life 2. The only major change the orange clown made was the Tax reforms of 2017. And that was with the same unified government his has today.
People literally need to turn off their internet, breathe deeply, and go outside to listen to nature.
MrJim911@reddit
Mango Mussolini was surrounded by people telling him no in his 1st term and didn't control every branch of the government. Now he's surrounding himself with brain dead loyalists who will do anything he says. And a supreme court that will support him.
He will absolutely do FAR worse this term. Whatever you imagine as a worst case scenario for the next 4 years I want you go make it 5 times worse. Then realize you haven't even scratched the surface of bad.
This is absolutely relevant to any person considering a move to the US.
That's not insanity, or doomsday talk, we reached that on election night. Now we're just being realistic and pragmatic.
But you're right about enjoying nature now. With all his fellow climate change and science deniers, we won't be enjoying that much longer either.
Vivid_Pin830@reddit
This. I do sense your fear! I get it, I'm here with you. Most of the US is clueless or just coming to realize as they announce the cabinet. People calling people crazy while we watch Nazi sympathizers, human traffickers, and convicted felons take over the country. But no no, everything is fine. Hey, ya want to go touch some grass with me? 🙄🤣😭
22Lees@reddit
Good God, don’t do it. The Americans with functioning brains are looking to leave.
lemmeatem6969@reddit
Can confirm
CuriosTiger@reddit
Short answer: No. Situations differ, but by and large, emigrating to a foreign country gets harder later in life, not easier. Later in life, you may be married. You may have kids. You may own a house. All of these practical life considerations make international relocation harder later in life.
Obviously, you cannot just move because you want to. You will require a work visa to move to the US. Even to move to Switzerland, you'll need a job offer.
But if this is something you want to pursue, I suggest you make it a goal and work towards making it happen.
88-81@reddit (OP)
That is obviously the hard part: I wrote this post because I'm not sure if I can become specialized enough before my mid to late 20s.
CuriosTiger@reddit
You can, but you won't get there with "let's wait and see". Making an international move like this happen requires setting a goal, figuring out how to achieve it and working towards it consistently. It can take years, even then, but if you decide to wait and see if an opportunity lands in your lap with more work experience, it probably won't.
At least, that's been my experience.
Sharklo22@reddit
My advice if you're thinking of an international career, is make the most of what Italy has to offer in terms of education. You have Politecnico di Milano, for example, which I know is a great school. Comparable education in the US will cost you a fortune.
You don't necessarily have to wait very long, 5 years studies in Italy and then grad school in the US is a possibility. Grad school is usually tuition free and you get a salary.
brooklynaut@reddit
I'd agree with that. I'd be more concerned about social supports - or lack thereof in the US. This has been a long-standing problem regardless of the current mess of US politics, which is going to be a mess, people, no matter what team you're on. Moving and socializing are harder as you get older, but older folks are kind of isolated in the US - I've worked with a lot of them over the years.
CuriosTiger@reddit
This problem is not limited to the US, I'm afraid. But I will say that, as someone who moved to the US from Scandinavia, I find socializing to be much, much easier here compared to back home.
bellamookies@reddit
I wish there was a citizenship trading app bc I would gladly give up my US citizenship for Italian citizenship in a heartbeat. This country is a cesspool of uneducated, racist, sexist, hateful idiots and has become a dystopian nightmare that is about to become far worse. Seriously consider choosing Canada, Mexico, South America, literally anywhere other than this horrific country.
paws_boy@reddit
Why.
SeanBourne@reddit
If moving to the US is your ultimate aim, I would suggest moving as soon as possible. Career progress happens by a combination of working hard and smart… and your 20s to early 30s is where you’ll build a lot of your credibility.
If your ultimate aim is to build wealth, in most fields this still holds true, as salaries and career trajectories are typically: US>Switzerland>rest of europe.
However, I noted below you mentioned that Swiss IT salaries are on par with the US. I’m not familiar with IT, but what I’d test is, what are later stage opportunities and positions like? That is to say, the entry level might be comparable, but if the career progression is say Entry->Mid->Senior->Executive, what you typically find is the US will have more Mid level positions, significantly more Senior positions, and vastly more Exec positions (some third party countries will rarely if ever have Exec positions if there’s not enough scale in the country). Additionally, as you move each career step, compensation gaps will widen with the comparable role in the US paying more than it’s counter part the further you go.
Again, I don’t know if this is the empirical facts comparing Swiss IT to US IT… just what is true in many sectors.
The reason I’m belaboring this is, if it DOESN’T hold true, and Swiss comp/opps are consistently equal to the US, Switzerland is the one advanced country with LOWER taxes than the US. In this case, staying in Switzerland is the best route to create wealth.
temp_gerc1@reddit
Regardless of density of opportunities at various levels, it also depends on the temperament of the person in question. Many people are perfectly content staying at Mid or Senior level. Not everyone wants to put in the absurd amount of work required (if you're not super smart to begin with) to climb the ladder in a place like the US. Many more can't even make it to Executive even if they wanted to.
CongruentDesigner@reddit
That can be a decent move, although still seems quite long.
Ask this in r/movingtoUSA if you’re not getting much here
lostintokyo11@reddit
Maybe not with the current political climate in the USA.
88-81@reddit (OP)
Thanks. I'll repost there.
Vivid_Pin830@reddit
I would like to make the suggestion of researching the current political climate in the US. Research Project 2025. If you asked me 2 years ago I would have had a different answer and encouraged you to move, even 6 years ago it would be more friendly to immigration. I would say wait. The Republican party is now coming into control (Jan 2025) and want mass deportation and de naturalization, this happened on a smaller scale during the first Trump administration. Please understand this is not meant to be fear mongering but as an American citizen with many, many immigrant friends, we are all very concerned with what the future holds. Many of us are looking for safety nets as we are not feeling safe to raise our families. I would hate for someone to be put in a financial bind to come to the US and not be able to achieve a very fleeting, "American dream". Life is about to get very expensive without the benefits usually brought with taxes (compared with Denmark). Dismantling of regulations and safety, dismantling of the healthcare system, social security, reversals of varying civil rights. The list is long and GOP doesn't have the guardrails it had first time around.
I hope none of Project 2025 truly comes to light, but the situation is looking very grim for anyone who follows a more progressive view. If you identify with the LGBTQ+ community, please find a safer country. You will not be safe in most of the country. I urge anyone considering a move to deep dive and research. Don't just follow mainstream media, it is NOT reporting facts and is biased depending on $$$. Families and generations are divided due to politics, it's getting really ugly here. A huge population didn't research or do due diligence prior to voting, prices are (and will continue) to skyrocket, especially with the promise of new tariffs that most of the country didn't understand. If you use Social Media, look up #FAFO it was originally used to tag videos from the left about people from the right realizing they made a mistake. Now it's starting to be infiltrated with people on the right thinking it's about attacking people from the left. Basically, the US is a shit show that lacks stability, logic, common sense and morals.
My suggestion is to wait a couple years to see how things shake out.