EU or America - which country is better to work now?

I have a question, especially for the younger people, who probably make up the majority of this board. Is the United States considered a good place to work, now that Poland is in the EU? How many young Poles have seriously considered coming to the States, and staying, legally or illegally? Do you know people that have come to America, and stayed to work, or start a new life?

I have a young cousin and a young acquaintance who went to the States - they found it fun - an adventure - but weren't much impressed. As they are well-educated, Poland provides a better future.

I have met quite a few young people from poland while they were visiting the states, (I help organize parties and events etc.)and its roughly 60% go back 40% stay or try to stay in the states. Usually you must have a high level of English to get a very good job in your field of study,and most polish masters degrees are only accepted as bachelors degrees in the states. I think most consider the UK a better option these days, for many reasons. Most go back simply because they "miss home" quite understandible.

right.

No... most of young people prefer going to EU. It's much cheaper to get there and if sth go wrong you can easilly (at least in most cases) get back to Poland. You can make good money here in Europe, especially when comparing to USA while dollar is so cheap... Polish people still need visa if they want to go to USA, and if they want to work, some company from USA have to send them invitation.... there is so much paper work. All in all EU seems to be better choice for young people.


10 or 20 yrs ago - many, now.... I think that would be <10% of young people who want to leave Poland.


Yes, part of my family... they moved ~15 yrs ago, they live there, some are doing just fine, some aren't....

I believe that well-educated Polish people can do very well in the States. Their English tends to be okay, and they can pick up American English fast enough. My interest in the topic is simple enough. For decades, the U.S. was THE destination for Poles seeking a better life. The result was/are vibrant Polish communities throughout the U.S. As the Polish economy continues to improve, and Polish workers have the EU as an option, will America hold the same allure it once held? Ultimately, the Polish communities might slowly fade away.

You're right... but there are fields where some of well-educated Polish people prefer to stay in Poland. For example someone which CCIE cert + experience (IT) can earn in USA 100-120k $ / yr. The same guy in Poland will earn 'only' 60k $, but costs of living in Poland are still lower than in USA, so all in all there are people who decide to stay here.

No...

What policies must America change to become an attractive destination for Polish workers, as well as other Europeans in nations with emerging economies?

Unfortunately, I feel we're undesirable to many countries just because of our administration and the fact that we trust Poland so much, but wont allow them to participate in the Visa Waiver Program doesn't help so much either.

That's one thing... but even when there will be no visas EU countries will be more attractive, because you can make there similar money and they're much closer to Poland.

I guess it depends on what your looking for in life. I'ts really easy to start up a business here in the US....especially an IT solutions consulting business. Is there really all of this opportunity in the UK? It IS a rather small Island and I don't see many Poles going to other countries in the EU.

I don't know how about UK, but it's quite easy to start IT business even in Poland. You just need a good idea, because there are so many IT companies that it's really hard find something new, something that people will buy or use and you make money on it...

Many companies from EU move to Poland their factiories, offices, because it's cheaper to run business here than for example in France. It's not so bad, but always it could be better (lower taxes and such things).

Yes, provided you have the solution or the consulting expertise in the right markets or technologies. Many of us who used to work for the big consulting companies have done just that. The overheads that they have are easy to undercut as long as you have the answers to their claims that you are paying for world class back office and research capabilities - whihc IMHO is largely a myth.

I've had a UK and US business and running a small business in the US is much more expensive and difficult than in the UK.

UK has some of the best IT people in the world, in the City.
Wages are good £5-600 per day, thats up to $300K


Move a few thousand miles closer. You can flight to London one way for less the price of the train ticket from the airport to central London (about £15).

Reasonable......not good

I would agree with that. When I used to live in Poland I always wanted to move and live somewhere else...America or UK. Now I am studying in the UK and I am quite happy, because I am studying subjects which I always wanted. Since I have been living here I realized how much I miss Poland.........(:

I also would like to see America, because I haven't been there yet.
I think it depends on aspects of your live, because for example You planning come to the UK just for a bit and then you meeting someone and you staying here for good.

In my opinion people should stay there where they feel happy

smart

I would say yes to the UK, it's easy to start a business in the UK if you're under 30. You could even get a business grant from the government if you became a citizen.

Our economy is strong and if you do decide to become a citizen there are many options available that you wouldn't get in America.

The average UK earnings when compared to America are over 3 times more. That means you can earn 3 times as much here in the UK. The Pound is also worth almost twice as much as the Dollar and 5.6 times as much as the Polish Zloty. That makes for huge profits when going back home to Poland!

But you're assuming that people just move for the money. I'd imagine that some people chose to live somewhere because of various other reasons.

Good point though.

of all the countries ive moved to it never been for the money... maybe i should change my priorities...

one thing that struck me on my recent visit state side was just how easy people have it over there...

Care to elaborate, BW? I'm curious in the differences [might have to use them as a ploy to get you over here permanently or vice versa ;)]

everything is so cheap for a start... accommodation, food, drink, car, clothes, entertainment... and life is just easy... hence the fatties... fall out of bed, eat your oversized sugar coated breakfast, drink your oversized coffee, squeeze into your oversized car, relax into the oversized driving seat, rest your belly on the steering wheel, flip the car into drive and lean a foot against the gas call a friend and enjoy the ride... down an oversized road... absolutely no effort involved... easy...

Mmm I love my eggs and toast


Mmm I especially like my Blueberry tea in the AM :)


My VW Golf sure does get good gas mileage ;)


Not even leather :(


Maybe yours? ;)


My 5 Speed is much more fun

Ha ha ha What were you saying?

Ranj.....I know he's being a smart a$$, but what were you feeding and driving him around in?

BW managed to feed himself, and I let him drive me around ;)

ok... but didnt we recently establish that youre not a real american... ;)

as for the food... pretty much the best stuff i ate was in a hippy wholefood place that ranj took me to... and where i ate very good healthy hippy wholefood... the rest of the stuff might have tasted nice but it left me feeling bloated and then hungry again shortly after...

as for car... a big SUV...

Ok, some go to £850 and consulting can be well over a thousand.

what is the median yearly salary in the UK?

I think if you have the chance to do both, then you should.....both places I believe can offer an abundance of opportunity for one who is willing to work hard to reach their goals.....having work experience in both gives knowledge and knowledge is power!****can you all tell I'm feeling very motivated today?****

A lot of americans are coming to the EU now looking for jobs because they have a massive problem with illegal immigrants from Mexico.