I am currently happily employed in Europe, have 7 weeks of Paid Time Off, work 40hr/week and my overtime always rolls into extra vacation days. I never have to worry about health care or any surprise bills. I am also currently interviewing for other positions here in Europe with similar perks and possibly a 30-50% jump in pay.
I recently got offered an insane offer from a California Tech Start-Up -> They really need my skillset. My salary negations went so well that they are offering me 4x of what I earn now + a yearly bonus, that's based on my perfomance. That's a life changing amount of money! I know cost of living in California is much higher than Europe but like we're talking about 4x the money.
But here's the problem -> Their glassdoor reviews say that they have no work/life balance. Apparently 12+hr days are the norm over there. They also advertise “unlimited paid time off” but your manager has to approve it. So realistically I am not gonna get much vacation. Part of me wants to go and try it out! And anther part of me is like “Are you insane? Do you want to leave your friends and life behind and go be a work slave in the US? What's the point of having money, if you don't got time to spend it'
There is also an argument to be made to just take the offer for a year or two just to save money and experience the US. But I have been reading r/antiwork of a while and it seems the working culture in the US is super toxic and unhealthy? Is this really gonna be the same at a tech startup? Are my fears unfounded? Am I insane, if I leave Europe with all its perks just for the money? Does money really buy happiness? HELP! I am really struggling with his
I enjoy a very nice active life style here, I cycle everywhere and don't even own a car. I also travel almost every weekend! And live next to some of the most beautiful places in the world with plenty of time to visit those places. I am losing sleep over this! 4+ times the pay raise is just too hard to pass…. Most of the friends think I should take it but I am not so sure! I value my free time and freedom.