The Decision to Migrate to the U.S.

In 2009, my wife, a managing director at a British multinational bank, was offered the position of leading a team in Henderson, Nevada. At the time, I was a director at my family's securities business, and my co-director, my uncle, was also considering selling his share. However, the key issue with relocating to the U.S. was the work conditions, which are significantly poorer compared to those in the EU and Western European countries.

People often complain about the long working hours in the U.S., but this is not an issue when you are high up in a big multinational company, as you are expected to work day and night due to significant responsibilities. In London, my wife had a typical schedule: she would wake up at 5 AM, leave for work at 6 AM, and arrive at 7 AM. She stayed until around 6 PM, and sometimes as late as 8 PM, and had a 1-hour commute home. All these arrangements were critical, but the team’s work-life balance was tightly managed by the bank.

When my wife was asked by the board of the UK bank to relocate, she made it clear that she would only go if she received the same benefits as in the UK. These included:

6 weeks of paid holiday Unlimited sick days, covered by a doctor's recommendation Platinum healthcare cover, ensuring all medical expenses were covered by the bank A luxury car of their choosing, leased through the bank’s car company Full pension contributions amounting to approximately ￡40,000 per year A free dental plan Double her salary, initially in U.S. dollars, which was the same in real terms Two annual business-class round-trip tickets to the UK

After several back-and-forth negotiations, they agreed to all the terms except for the salary, which they initially offered in U.S. dollars. When my wife insisted on being paid in British pounds, the terms were agreed upon immediately. This decision was crucial as the cost of living in the U.S. is nearly double that of the UK.

The Life in Henderson, Nevada

In 2011, we purchased a beautiful 5,000 square-foot home in Henderson for roughly ￡550k. This home was on par with what we had in the UK, offering amenities such as a swimming pool, jacuzzi, games room, outdoor living space, and a barbecue area. These features were important to us, and it was a welcome change from the hectic city life in London. Life in Henderson was more relaxed, with a slower pace and a greater focus on quality of life.

The Early Retirement Decision

However, in 2012, I decided to retire early at the age of 35 when our business was acquired by a U.S. blue-chip company. This was a significant decision for me, as I had been working in the business since I was 18 and had no other experience. My wife, on the other hand, loved her job and was not planning to retire; she still works today. In fact, she is a workaholic, while I am a plodder who enjoys life at a slow pace and is grateful for the luck I have had.

Why Europeans Relocate to the U.S.

After ten years in Henderson (2009-2019), we left for a reason: things started to change in a not-so-nice way. This was a common experience for many European expatriates in the U.S., as most people move for financial reasons rather than a better quality of life. The American dream has become more elusive, requiring a significant financial investment to achieve.

Reflections on the American Dream

Although we miss the U.S. — the swimming, shopping, weather, and friends we made there — we are content to be home. My advice to anyone considering moving to the U.S. is to go out and meet the real people, explore, and enjoy the stunning scenery. But be cautious; the American dream requires a lot of money these days.

In summary, the cost of living in the U.S. is significantly higher than in Western European countries, and anyone considering a move should ensure they are financially prepared. The key is to understand the true cost of living and adjust their lifestyle accordingly.