Where to Live In The World (Was: Leaving Switzerland)
Another advantage about having an exit strategy (options -> abundance mentality) is that I don't care anymore about competition at work. I do my best and assert my boundaries. However, I don't care anymore about looking good to my supervisors. It does not affect me anymore.
Hello guys,
I thought about something: when is it worth to move to another place?
I think it depends a lot on Social Capital. In this post, I look at this issue through the biological-economical lens.
When you move somewhere else, these are the main barriers of entry I believe:
- Social network: you don't know anyone, that also include emotional support.
- Language
- Culture
- Rules and legislation
However, one of the reasons that most people stay where they were born is that they have accumulated a certain social capital. And by moving somewhere else, they would lose it.
That's also why I think that social skills are so important. Yes, you cannot replace years of being at a certain place. But if you have social skills that allow you to connect efficiently and effectively to high-quality people, then it matters less that you start from scratch.
In any shape or form, we only interact with a small number of people on a daily basis that will be the same (work, store, friends, etc.) So it's not such a big group of people. So now I think it's not as hard as we think to build a great social life somewhere else IF we have the proper social skills.
What I mean is that I think that basically our family and long-standing friendship is the highest social capital we can have.
So to move somewhere else must have a high-risk/high-reward profile. Otherwise, I agree that the cost is not worth it. If we move somewhere else, one or several aspects of our lives (work, friends, dating, environment, etc.) must get significantly better. If this is not the case, then I think it's not worth moving.
What do you think?
Yes, it's a great point.
There might be some other considerations on the positive side such as:
- The growth opportunity: the challenge, the starting from scratch, the seeing and experiencing new things, etc.
- The upward gamble: you never know you might find a great environment, better than the one you came from, until you try. If you can cover the downsides and potentially go back, then this is a plus with smaller minus
Also, keep in mind that how long it takes to build a new circle might be over-estimated.
The "new guy on the block" gets a lot of attention, and that can be leveraged early on to connect, invite people out, and jump-start the new social circle. And then you'll be "this new guy who just walked in and turned out to be so awesome".
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Quote from Lucio Buffalmano on February 10, 2021, 9:28 pmYes, it's a great point.
There might be some other considerations on the positive side such as:
- The growth opportunity: the challenge, the starting from scratch, the seeing and experiencing new things, etc.
- The upward gamble: you never know you might find a great environment, better than the one you came from, until you try. If you can cover the downsides and potentially go back, then this is a plus with smaller minus
Definitely! Yummy!
Also, keep in mind that how long it takes to build a new circle might be over-estimated.
The "new guy on the block" gets a lot of attention, and that can be leveraged early on to connect, invite people out, and jump-start the new social circle.
That is what I'm slowly realizing. Also that old social circles might not be SO valuable as we think. Close and trusted friends are, though. I insist (note for myself).
And then you'll be "this new guy who just walked in and turned out to be so awesome".
Hahaha, that's the plan!
Cheers!
Hello Lucio,
since we talked about Germany vs Netherlands. This is a very interesting explanation of the current hierarchical dutch culture and its development.
My eyes are now set on Australia after some research:
In my field, there is better training and better hours and better holiday than Canada (less than Denmark or NL, but better to make friends and for activities) and better salary/cost of life than NZ.
It's warmer and we still earn good money as doctors, not as much as Switzerland but property is more accessible and I think I would not work all the time as I do now.
The only downside is that it's far away from Europe.
@transitioned: could I ask you some questions via email please?
Thanks, man!
Sent.
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That's why I did not consider Germany: it's exactly like Switzerland regarding mentality.
Just replace "Germany" with "Switzerland" and it's exactly the same (except for the trains: Swiss trains number 1 or number 2 in the World along with Japan in my experience)
Same here, punctuality, no glass on Sundays, except not killing bees and wasps: