Relocating to Denmark?

James Hart · #1 08-23-2010, 09:20 AM

Hello all,

I'm hoping to gather some info and insight...

The wife and I have been contemplating relocating to Europe on and off for years. Neither of us speak/read/understand any languages other than English, but have no problems tackling one if needed. I randomly google different destinations and think we are getting closer to committing to something than we've ever been.

For a little background, I'm a lower/mid level IT professional with a background in ISP/Telecom/VoIP with the preferred role of a systems troubleshooter... I like putting out fires seem to be good at it

Anyway, lately I've been looking at Denmark, I like what the interwebz tells me about the place and I see they have a lot of need to IT people AND seem to have a majority the population with English as a second language.

Any Americans without significant ties to another country ever make the move (Denmark or otherwise)?

Any Danes want to chime in with opinions on immigration and/or thoughts of life in your homeland?

I have no opinion of any specific region, but have been reading up on Aarhus and the surrounding areas.

Thanks for any info

blendermassacre · #2 08-23-2010, 09:29 AM

a cursory look at the tax bracket doesn't look good. Nearing %50 percent taxation if you make over $7500 USD annually.

Rusty Chainsaw · #3 08-23-2010, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blendermassacre

a cursory look at the tax bracket doesn't look good. Nearing %50 percent taxation if you make over $7500 USD annually.

Once you factor in what you pay in "indirect" taxes in the US (property tax, cost of health insurance, kids' college fund, etc) you'll easily be approaching 50% of gross. In Denmark, that's all stuff that's paid for directly out of your taxes, so no net difference really.

I've got some Danish friends, and they love it. Everyone speaks really good English, but, on a day-to-day basis, you will have to speak Danish to some degree. They all have nice cars, fancy apartments, good jobs and disposable income, so, despite the higher taxation, they're not doing too badly. The only thing they complain about is how expensive it is to drink over there. It's about $10 for a beer!

James Hart · #4 08-23-2010, 10:38 AM

But what is gotten for that tax? Everything I've read talks about strong economy, low unemployment, above average standard of living, etc etc etc.

That is why I'm looking for first hand info... seems slightly more people immigrate to Denmark than those that emigrate from. I don't mind paying taxes if there is value coming out of it.

Rocker949 · #5 08-23-2010, 10:45 AM

Denmark is considered one of the best countries in the world to live in. However, all those EU countries are very particular about giving jobs to non-EU citizens. If you have the skills they want, you're in luck. But most people don't have the specialized skills. Unfortunately, I've tried and I don't; not in Denmark but in Ireland.

blendermassacre · #6 08-23-2010, 10:46 AM

I wasn't saying that %50 taxes is a terrible thing, just a statement of fact. My wife and I have been thinking of moving to Europe and I always look at the taxation before most everything else.

Rusty Chainsaw · #7 08-23-2010, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James Hart

But what is gotten for that tax? Everything I've read talks about strong economy, low unemployment, above average standard of living, etc etc etc.

That is why I'm looking for first hand info... seems slightly more people immigrate to Denmark than those that emigrate from. I don't mind paying taxes if there is value coming out of it.

In what's called the "Nordic model" (the mixed economic system used in Norway, Sweden, Iceland, Finland and Denmark), your taxes pay for high-quality universal healthcare, university education, excellent state schools (as good as, if not better than, most private schools in other countries) and comprehensive social security, among other things. The main downsides are high VAT (roughly equivalent to US sales tax) and high fuel prices (although not as high as some in Europe). The Nordic countries are also well known for their strong property rights, their low barriers to free trade and their high standard of living.

I agree with you, taxation isn't the issue. It's whether you get value for money for what you pay, and in those countries, you most definitely do.

James Simonson · #8 08-23-2010, 10:48 AM

There are a lot of fantastic bass players. I was shocked. Copenhagen is an amazingly fun, creative city and the artists seem pretty happy too.

James Hart · #9 08-23-2010, 11:04 AM

Thanks Rusty, I was replying to Blender on my 'what do you get' statement... but it's good to have my assumption confirmed.

Rocker,
I'm not that skilled, but I might fall within Denmark's needs... if I ever get the nerve to go ahead with this.

James,
I find there are universally just a lot of great bass players out there... while I do still love to jam, my gig days are over. I tend to write and record my own stuff for my own enjoyment any more.

Rocker949 · #10 08-23-2010, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James Simonson

There are a lot of fantastic bass players. I was shocked. Copenhagen is an amazingly fun, creative city and the artists seem pretty happy too.

Speaking of happy, I was watching a TV show months ago showing the happiest countries in the world. Denmark was in first place. I don't know how they came up with the ratings, but it looked convincing. I think one factor is that the population is so small it makes it easier to take care of everyone, although there are obviously many other factors. Denmark has been of interest to me for a long time since one of my favorite writers was from Copenhagen.

Rocker949 · #11 08-23-2010, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James Hart

Thanks Rusty, I was replying to Blender on my 'what do you get' statement... but it's good to have my assumption confirmed.

Rocker,
I'm not that skilled, but I might fall within Denmark's needs... if I ever get the nerve to go ahead with this.

James,
I find there are universally just a lot of great bass players out there... while I do still love to jam, my gig days are over. I tend to write and record my own stuff for my own enjoyment any more.

I hope your plans work out. I don't know a lot about Denmark, but I've spent quite a lot of time in various European countries. It has been quite interesting. Best wishes to you in this endeavor.

etoncrow · #12 08-23-2010, 11:10 AM

I did a two week USO tour to Greenland. The Danes I met who worked there could drink more Vodka than a battalion of Russian Cossacks. Ordering six at at time for individual consumption.

Lazylion · #13 08-23-2010, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James Hart

Anyway, lately I've been looking at Denmark...

Have you considered North Carolina? According to my sons, half the people down there are from NY and NJ.

I'm sure some of the natives have English as a second language... you know, after redneck-speak...

Just kiddin', y'all! Dale Jr FTW!

Don't shoot me!

champbassist · #14 08-23-2010, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rocker949

I don't know how they came up with the ratings, but it looked convincing.

Girls must be a part of the reason!

Jim Campbell · #15 08-23-2010, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rocker949

Denmark is considered one of the best countries in the world to live in. However, all those EU countries are very particular about giving jobs to non-EU citizens. If you have the skills they want, you're in luck. But most people don't have the specialized skills. Unfortunately, I've tried and I don't; not in Denmark but in Ireland.

my ex sister in law married an irish man and moved to ireland in the seventies,and immigration was still pestering her in the mid nineties.....she actually shoo'd them out of the hotel/restaurant/pub that they built and had run for all that time....i.ve heard the scandinavian countries are very tough to crack....

Muusers · #16 08-23-2010, 11:46 AM

Whatever you do, don't go to Greece, Spain, Portugal, Italy or something similar. Yes the climate is great, but the working atmosphere is terrible! Personally I'd look at Germany. The weather is in general better than Denmark's and it's the 4th biggest economy in the world and it's growing like there's no tomorrow!

Rocker949 · #17 08-23-2010, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by champbassist

Girls must be a part of the reason!

I think you may be right.

Rocker949 · #18 08-23-2010, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Campbell

my ex sister in law married an irish man and moved to ireland in the seventies,and immigration was still pestering her in the mid nineties.....she actually shoo'd them out of the hotel/restaurant/pub that they built and had run for all that time....i.ve heard the scandinavian countries are very tough to crack....

I wasn't aware of any problems like that. But I did read something about problems for people who had married EU citizens who were not actually Irish (but living in Ireland). Also, what you said about Scandinavian countries sounds plausible since the standard of living is just so high.

Rusty Chainsaw · #19 08-23-2010, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Campbell

my ex sister in law married an irish man and moved to ireland in the seventies,and immigration was still pestering her in the mid nineties.....she actually shoo'd them out of the hotel/restaurant/pub that they built and had run for all that time....i.ve heard the scandinavian countries are very tough to crack....

When Ireland's economy began to boom in the mid-90s as a result of its European Union membership (the "Celtic Tiger"), it became an attractive destination for many people in Eastern Europe, especially the Polish. Many Poles moved over there, and when the recession hit, many of them went home (the zloty, the Polish currency, actually gained in value as the Euro tanked).

Ireland had the fastest-growing economy in Europe, and it became the fastest-shrinking. There's now whole estates of empty houses in Ireland where the Polish immigrants used to live. On the plus side, if you want to buy a house in Ireland it's very, very cheap now.

Ireland's immigration policy is stricter than it used to be, but it's still very good about letting people of Irish descent move back there. Basically, if you're an EU citizen, or have a grandparent who was born in Ireland or had Irish citizenship, you're good to go.

Bruce Lindfield · #20 08-23-2010, 11:56 AM

One of my cousins emigrated to Denmark many years and he has stayed - he has returned for visits though. He loves it as a country and the only thing he mentioned was the high level of tax on luxury goods - so like he was talking about a box of chocolates being very expensive! He also mentioned how beer is hideously expensive!

He went to become and farmer, but ended up in IT!