Just wanted to share some thoughts as someone who’s been living in the U.S. for a while. On paper, the salary here can look great—but after taxes, rent, insurance, and healthcare costs, it doesn’t always feel like you’re actually saving much.
Meanwhile, when I think about life in Asia, sure, the pay might be lower, but the quality of life can be surprisingly high. It’s safer, public transportation actually works, and access to affordable healthcare is way better. Plus, there’s just more fun and ease in daily life.
Curious if anyone else feels this way or has made the move back. Was it worth it?
In many big cities, age can be a major issue. If you’re still young, you remain competitive. But once you get older, a lot of jobs simply won’t want you
Totally feel you. I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately too. The U.S. definitely offers career growth, but it often comes at a personal cost—especially for immigrants. You spend so much energy just staying “legal,” dealing with the visa grind, sky-high rent, and healthcare anxiety.
A few of my friends moved back to Asia (Singapore, Taiwan, and South Korea), and while their salaries were lower, they all said their life satisfaction shot up. No more immigration stress, better food, easier social life, and way more affordable living.
That said, it really depends on your priorities. If career trajectory and global exposure matter most right now, the U.S. might still be the place. But if you’re looking for peace of mind and balance, Asia’s quality of life can be hard to beat.
Totally get where you’re coming from. The U.S. salary numbers look impressive, until you realize how much of it gets eaten up by invisible costs like healthcare premiums, deductibles, and random surprise bills. It’s like working just to stay afloat.
Asia, on the other hand, offers a kind of practical comfort that doesn’t show up on a paycheck. Clean streets, low crime, cheap food, and the freedom to actually enjoy life outside of work. It’s not just about money, it’s about lifestyle ROI.
I’m also curious to hear from folks who made the move back. Did the trade-off between income and sanity pay off long term?
