Countries with lower taxes and a better quality of living?
I’m currently stuck in Denmark, and it feels like I’m in a never ending financial tug of war with the government, saying goodbye to 50% of my hard earned cash each month. Add a 25% VAT on everything and throw in some hefty taxes on utilities, electricity etc, and you’ve got a situation that has me questioning if this is the life I signed up for.
Living in a place where the cold weather feels like an extra tax on happiness, I’m craving a change.
I’m all about individualism, self-sufficiency, and independence. So here’s the big question: Where in the world are you guys finding that sweet spot between low taxes and a great quality of life?
As I contemplate my escape plan, Cyprus, Portugal, and Dubai are on my radar. I dream of living in a country where taxes don’t feel like daylight robbery. But, and it’s a big ‘but,’ my online income isn’t quite flexing its muscles enough for a move to the streets of Dubai just yet.
So, where are you residing? What’s the tax scene like in your corner of the world? Are you doing a happy dance every payday, or are you, like me, wistfully staring at your bank statement, wondering where all your money went?
And let’s not forget the living conditions. On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate your overall quality of life?
I’m not just asking for my benefit, this is a collective quest for a better lifestyle.
Your input is greatly appreciated!
(Just to be crystal clear, I’m not fishing for a lecture on why I should be grateful for my current Danish situation or any unrelated personal opinions. If your input doesn’t contribute constructively, save it for another time.)
I lived in Dubai for a bit; sure not tax but I think it’s hell on earth. Rather pay a lot of tax than be there.
Why
Crap weather so you are inside with aircon, if you are making nice money you live in the fake part where they shield you from the crap and you basically live in a some kind of expensive mall, it’s almost impossible to make friends because everyone works 247, the laws are terrible (pay your rent too late and see what happens). I don’t know anyone who lived there from europe who stayed or liked it; after about a year you really want to go to Denmark. Or anywhere else actually. My colleague (who I met there) was born there; he moved to Germany as soon as he could.
Bullshit, I live in Dubai and the bad weather is only during summer, 5 months per year. You don't stay outside much during that period but that doesn't mean you stay inside your apartment lol. You take a taxi or your car and you can go enjoying life in many bars or entertainment spots that Dubai offers. Winter is amazing in Dubai.
You have crap weather in Northern Europe too in winter when it's always cold and gloomy and I'd say is worse than the summer in Dubai.
Salaries in Dubai are extremely high, especially for foreigners that work in the IT or engineering fields. I earn almost 20,000€ per month working in cybersecurity. Zero taxes.
There is an amazing food scene, it's incredibly safe, the airport is one of the most well connected in the world...you can literally fly everywhere you want during weekends because your salary allow you to do it if you want. In Europe you can't do it because it's barely enough to make ends meet. There are so many entertainment options in Dubai and a thriving expat community.
There are different tastes: I think it sucks, you like it. That’s fine, please stay there, all good. That’s fine. I said why I don’t like it, you just like different things. I found it awful for the reason stated. I don’t want to ‘fly anywhere’ because ‘I can’ and i don’t want to take taxis 5 months a year because it’s hell outside. In Northern Europe I put on a coat and go outside; there is no such thing in Dubai because it just sucks in summer (and I actually don’t like the weather in winter either).
I make 400k/year after taxes in Europe so that story doesn’t apply to me. And have been making over 200k/year for the past 20 years. I still would rather make 50k and not live in Dubai than 400k and having to live there.
As if you can enjoy the weather in Denmark or in North Europe during the winter when outside is -5°C and gloomy. I'd rather take the Dubai summers which I don't like but I still prefer compared to freezing, gloomy and dark winters that force you to stay inside in a depressing mood.
And 400k after tax in Europe is 1st percentile. Hardly believable unless you live in Switzerland. In Dubai you can make lots of money as an expat because they offer huge compensation packages to attract foreign high skills workers and because you can invest the money you save each month and don't have to pay any capital gain taxes on your investments. That's not the case in Europe.
I do enjoy that weather. Matter of taste right?
And yes I know as I have lived and worked in Dubai that you can make a lot of money easily. Still never will go back.