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.)
Are you European? I am. I’m in the US. It’s all about individualism here.
I pay way less tax. And then literally everything I need - everything - I have to pay for.
The medication I’m on runs at almost $3k a month. I don’t pay that because I have excellent insurance through my very fancy highly paid job, a job that’s not available to me in Europe. If I ever lose that job I’ll be out of picked $3k a month for those meds or pay about the same for health insurance. Similar story with dental care.
There is no pension coming my way though is I need a 401k ie a private pension savings account. That comes out of my pre-tax total but after that plus tax and insurance contributions I am left with about the same % take home pay as in Europe.
The food is 3x more expensive and so bad for you. I have to supplement with minerals that I need to pay for because the food doesn’t have it naturally here. I need extra vitamins because I am permanently vitamin D and calcium deficient no matter what I eat. Except European cheese which is the only cheese my stomach can tolerate. Can’t eat wheat here either. So yeah proper nutrition ah the equivalent level I was getting in Europe is expensive.
The public transit sucks. I have a car so I can leave the major city I live in on weekends. Can’t take a train anywhere good. So I have to pay for that. Can’t leave it on the street due to crime so I have to pay for a garage.
Then there’s the cost of education for kids. Something that may eventually mean I leave the US.
I don’t know where you’re from or why you’re stuck in Denmark but the high taxes are just a shortcut to an easier life for all the benefits they give you. If you don’t value those then I agree it’s time to leave.