Your experience lines up with what our students told us as well. Many in America romanticize European life but don’t realize that many Europeans do the same to American life lol.

If you need regular healthcare that’s something you need to heavily consider. We’re losing doctors quickly here for the same reasons I previously listed. Expect months at times to be seen for non emergencies. Longer for specialists. Then the large costs associated with them.

Tax wise, compared to Europe, it’s not that bad here. Expect about 25-30% for single. 20-25% if married filing jointly. You don’t get much for it but most taxes fund our military who also tend to get involved internationally. I’ve been told by a good friend in the Netherlands who’s much older than I that Europe banks on us for military strength if things really hit the fan. Yay no healthcare…

I highly recommend visiting in July to see our peak heat and again in February to experience our true cold. We’re a state of extremes but lean more towards the cold side.