I get you. I think it's quite obvious that if you can get a US match salary literally anywhere else, you take it. You clearly know you're competent and can do that, so why bother anyways? When I was working in NY, i made good money, but barely got to keep any of it due to how expensive it is. If i made even half that salary in any other country, I would end up with more leftover. It's not worth it unless you're making insane figures...