The other day I was asked by a colleague with a newly-minted H1 visa a question you would not normally expect from a person in his position. Essentially, he admitted he had wanted to live in the US but facing the need to make the final step he almost got cold feet. Been there, done that - there is, so to speak, a world of difference between window shopping (thinking of going somewhere to work and telling friends about your plans) and shoplifting (severing your current ties, parting with a hard-won comfortable position and actual relocation) :)
1. Desire, Decision and Determination
Naturally, this question requires a strategic decision and in my experience it is unlikely to be completely rational. From what I know, human beings are pretty emotional animals and their decisions tend to be initially based on desires and passions and only later rationalized into more logical world views. Moreover, in real life it is unusual to have a reasonably complete understanding of something new before actually jumping into it. No matter how much you can learn from your friends, your journey will be different.
Leaving your comfort zone always takes a leap of faith. Such a leap is hardly possible without strong motivation. For some people it could be "going from" (e.g. a country of unpredictable past and uncertain future; personal problems and yearning to start from scratch in a new environment; boredom), for others it is about "going to" (e.g. more interesting jobs; personal growth; trying to achieve as much as you can and then some; stability; better future for your children). If you feel no need to change anything in your life, why on Earth would you attempt anything as transformational as living abroad? Otherwise, your visa gives you a free ticket to a different life. The worst possible consequence would be coming back after a few years with dramatically different experience and probably a much-coveted blue passport.
The more I think about it, the more I believe that this kind of reflection is vital. You need to know what makes you tick. Even (and especially) if your musings turn out to be wrong later :) In my opinion, if you ever wanted to come here you should. Do not over-rationalize (especially if you do not have children) and follow your dreams. You miss 100% of shots you do not take.
2. If you are so clever, show me the money
While for the previous generation of engineers immigration was a no-brainer, the current economical situation seems to be more nuanced or at least blurred. Certain developing countries seem to be awash with windfall money and I hear that officially paid salaries of 30K+ are achievable there.
The Googles of this world tend to concentrate in a few high-tech clusters in the US and even when they have international R&D offices they tend to keep core development at home. Not to mention that both capitals of the startup universe are located here (the SFBA and Boston). So if you yearn for working on something exciting and really stretching yourself you are much more likely to achieve your objectives here. Creme de la creme of the software world has its R&D in the SFBA while in most countries they have only sales offices.
4. Think global, act local
Anecdotal evidence seems to be surprisingly efficient if you attempt to compare two countries. Pondering lofty ideas and theories could be fun but your normal life is comprised of mostly mundane moments. It is difficult to explain how different many of those are here.
My favorite illustration juxtaposes updating last year my driver license in the country I am originally from and getting a driver license here in CA (making an appointment online, paying fees with a card right there, not a single uniformed employee, polite and even smiling government officials, superbly organized process, the office itself an order of magnitude larger and better equipped - and we are talking about a remote suburb with a population of at less than 100K). And I observe such differences in many areas - efficiency, politeness and general feeling of normal people around you. Immigrants somewhat spoil the picture but even they mostly behave themselves.
I believe choice is a common theme here. You have it here most of the time in almost any respect from climate to neighborhood. This country feels as a huge place. There is no center, there are so many decent places (even if you simply count major metro areas; at a different scale, there are many quite different nice places within the SFBA itself) that it almost overwhelms your ability to choose. This country is truly diverse and you are more likely to find your optimal environment here than anywhere else. Personally, I regret only the distance to my parents.
1. Desire, Decision and Determination
Naturally, this question requires a strategic decision and in my experience it is unlikely to be completely rational. From what I know, human beings are pretty emotional animals and their decisions tend to be initially based on desires and passions and only later rationalized into more logical world views. Moreover, in real life it is unusual to have a reasonably complete understanding of something new before actually jumping into it. No matter how much you can learn from your friends, your journey will be different.
Leaving your comfort zone always takes a leap of faith. Such a leap is hardly possible without strong motivation. For some people it could be "going from" (e.g. a country of unpredictable past and uncertain future; personal problems and yearning to start from scratch in a new environment; boredom), for others it is about "going to" (e.g. more interesting jobs; personal growth; trying to achieve as much as you can and then some; stability; better future for your children). If you feel no need to change anything in your life, why on Earth would you attempt anything as transformational as living abroad? Otherwise, your visa gives you a free ticket to a different life. The worst possible consequence would be coming back after a few years with dramatically different experience and probably a much-coveted blue passport.
The more I think about it, the more I believe that this kind of reflection is vital. You need to know what makes you tick. Even (and especially) if your musings turn out to be wrong later :) In my opinion, if you ever wanted to come here you should. Do not over-rationalize (especially if you do not have children) and follow your dreams. You miss 100% of shots you do not take.
2. If you are so clever, show me the money
While for the previous generation of engineers immigration was a no-brainer, the current economical situation seems to be more nuanced or at least blurred. Certain developing countries seem to be awash with windfall money and I hear that officially paid salaries of 30K+ are achievable there.
I hesitate to provide a meaningful way of comparison. Nowadays most people seem to be aware of the elusive concept of quality of life and few expect to draw any conclusions from a difference in salaries. You simply cannot compare this country with a handful of habitable cities in one eighth of this world. One of the reasons is the sheer size and diversity of this country. Although some professions tend to concentrate in a few locations it by no means results in the whole country squeezing into three or five largest metro areas. Naturally, prices and salaries differ as well.
From TX to WA and NY to CA, there are so many places to work and live that this choice occasionally seems to be intimidating. In my view, this country is so different that it takes living here to find your way of valuation. In other words, you cannot judge solely on the financial basis but I doubt you can be worse off here.
3 . The span of my wings does not constitute my reachFrom TX to WA and NY to CA, there are so many places to work and live that this choice occasionally seems to be intimidating. In my view, this country is so different that it takes living here to find your way of valuation. In other words, you cannot judge solely on the financial basis but I doubt you can be worse off here.
I heard a story about fifteen H1 holders who were asked by the company where exactly they would like to go to. The unanimous answer was quite predictable but instructive - they wanted to go to CA. Brand recognition in action :) And frankly, I still completely share their sentiment after actually living here.
The Googles of this world tend to concentrate in a few high-tech clusters in the US and even when they have international R&D offices they tend to keep core development at home. Not to mention that both capitals of the startup universe are located here (the SFBA and Boston). So if you yearn for working on something exciting and really stretching yourself you are much more likely to achieve your objectives here. Creme de la creme of the software world has its R&D in the SFBA while in most countries they have only sales offices.
Global mobility is a myth - ask anyone working in the US or the UK how easy it was to get there and obtain a work permit. Equally, the distribution of interesting jobs is also skewed. For all the offshoring hype, the most challenging jobs are likely to stay here for the foreseeable future (especially if you want to strike it rich in a startup). Thus, one's professional perspectives here are better than anywhere in the world.
4. Think global, act local
Anecdotal evidence seems to be surprisingly efficient if you attempt to compare two countries. Pondering lofty ideas and theories could be fun but your normal life is comprised of mostly mundane moments. It is difficult to explain how different many of those are here.
My favorite illustration juxtaposes updating last year my driver license in the country I am originally from and getting a driver license here in CA (making an appointment online, paying fees with a card right there, not a single uniformed employee, polite and even smiling government officials, superbly organized process, the office itself an order of magnitude larger and better equipped - and we are talking about a remote suburb with a population of at less than 100K). And I observe such differences in many areas - efficiency, politeness and general feeling of normal people around you. Immigrants somewhat spoil the picture but even they mostly behave themselves.
I believe choice is a common theme here. You have it here most of the time in almost any respect from climate to neighborhood. This country feels as a huge place. There is no center, there are so many decent places (even if you simply count major metro areas; at a different scale, there are many quite different nice places within the SFBA itself) that it almost overwhelms your ability to choose. This country is truly diverse and you are more likely to find your optimal environment here than anywhere else. Personally, I regret only the distance to my parents.
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