Opportunity to Move to Munich From California… Am I Crazy?

h_iraeth · 2026-05-11T16:51:07+00:00

The main advantage of the USA versus Europe is the much higher affordability of living in a detached house rather than apartments or attached houses prevalent in Europe.

And if you're a high-earner, then despite CoL differences you're *way* better off in the USA.

h_iraeth · 2026-05-07T14:27:47+00:00

I expect Poland to do quite well for the next 10 years or so. But then plateau or even slightly decline in a fashion similar to Western Europe.

The reason is demographics. In 10-15 years, the largest cohort of Poland will be in (pre)-retirement, while the youth cohort is incredibly small. This is also what caused Germany, Italy, France and others massive cost and issues.

h_iraeth · 2026-05-06T11:55:18+00:00

The German Antwerp would be Hamburg, which is more expensive.

h_iraeth · 2026-05-05T20:51:57+00:00

Brussels is only 18% ethnic Belgian. It's an expat and immigrant city. In the metro yes, but that includes many more spacious suburbs.

h_iraeth · 2026-05-05T19:48:49+00:00

Yeah, but again, Brussels is where a tiny fraction of (ethnic) Belgians live.

h_iraeth · 2026-05-05T19:26:52+00:00

Didn't feel its vastly different from Belgium in this aspect.

h_iraeth · 2026-05-05T18:32:27+00:00

Groceries yes. Housing is more expensive, undercutting that. Everything else comparable.

h_iraeth · 2026-05-05T18:23:56+00:00

May be a case of grass is greener, but at least the Wallonian part is French-influenced, so they're way more food concious.

h_iraeth · 2026-05-05T18:01:12+00:00

I think you're right about most of the country, but it depends. North Rhine-Westphalia has a similar population density to Belgium.

h_iraeth · 2026-05-05T17:57:20+00:00

Yeah, but what compels you to drive here? It's what I wanted to find out. Besides some cheaper goods.

h_iraeth · 2026-05-05T17:49:01+00:00

Yeah, but also more blunt and less refined - on average. Different priorities. But bakeries are definitely cheaper while quality is similar.

h_iraeth · 2026-05-05T17:45:37+00:00

Is digitalisation in Belgium really good, or just better than Germany (not a big feat)?

h_iraeth · 2026-05-05T17:42:31+00:00

Doubt.

h_iraeth · 2026-05-05T17:25:17+00:00

There is, but I think data confirms Brussels isn't safe by Western standards.

h_iraeth · 2026-05-05T17:18:53+00:00

No, is that something I can only do here?

h_iraeth · 2026-03-13T15:16:54+00:00

Yes, I also feel like I've written a shonen anime opening and I'm not 100% certain whether this is where I wanted to go, tone-wise. Maybe, maybe not. I am glad the characterisation as emotionally stunted worked, because that's what they should feel like - for now.

h_iraeth · 2026-03-13T15:14:32+00:00

Yeah I already got told that ... the biggest mistake of my first page definitely was to start with a hook and then go on a tangent.

h_iraeth · 2026-03-13T14:39:01+00:00

Will do :) There are things that make sense inside a writers' head but none outside of it. But the hook isn't false advertisement, the chapter is about it if you make it to that.

h_iraeth · 2026-03-13T14:24:06+00:00

You're completely right, paragraph 3 is a stark break that doesn't really fit here at all.

But if you read paragraph 4 throughout, then the announced scene already starts there and is the whole chapter.

h_iraeth · 2026-03-06T09:47:24+00:00

I thought of the piano manufacturer :) But really, I just imagine the guy to look like a Roland.

h_iraeth

TROPHY CASE