Belgian here. I feel like this video, while really nice, paints an ideal and somewhat unrealistic picture of what it’s like to live in Belgium. Hardly anyone could ever afford to have a $3k/month mortgage, and only a tiny minority of people could buy a $600k flat. It’s pretty clear that Jessica’s husband has an extremely high paying job with tons of benefits. To put things in perspective: in 2023, the median net salary in Belgium was €2200, or $2350. A couple with median salaries couldn’t even dream of getting a loan to buy their flat.
'Belgian' here. Median net salary per family unit or per person? most families have two working people (or 1,5) - additionally, you could get a mortgage for a flat (or - more commonly - a house), but not for a 600k one :D in Brussels (which is by far not the most liveable place in Belgium). Anyway, happy you're happy.
With 2 wages of 2200€ net you could afford a 3k mortgage though. But you are right most Belgians won't be able to afford a 600K flat. BUT a normal size flat that is in good condition is around 450K in most of Belgium. Most houses in my street are valued around 400K and they are all around 1800sqft and they are all less than 11 years old so up to current standards. Chances are that they are living near Brussels where prices for housing are way higher but wages are also a lot higher than in most of Belgium. If I would go and work in Brussels (I'm in IT) I would almost get 50% more wage for the same job I do in Limburg (which has lower pay in my sector)
@@twnfaem Your comment sounds like you wanted to prove me wrong, but you actually agree with me? Oo That’s exactly what I said: 2 people who both earn the median Belgian salary could never buy a $600k house or flat, just like they could never afford to have a $3k/m mortgage. You have to be in the top 2% of earners to do that. This video makes it seem like the life Jessica has with her husband is what most everyone could have in Belgium. It’s not.
@thomasbdl house value and wages are very dependent on the region you live in. Brussels can have 50% higher prices and wages than other regions. Brussels wages bring the average up by quite a bit, but it's a small region.
Oh no. 2200€ median net salary? Portugal is the 5th EU country with the lowest salary. Our average salary is around 1040€. Our minimum wage is below 800€. I'd give my right arm to make 2200€ per month consistently throughout the year. I'd be living the best life ever.
I am a Belgian that lived in the US for 8 years. I’m moving back to Belgium as a single mom because our quality of life in America is very low and we struggle a lot. I am thankful to be able to move back after years of struggle. This is my perspective, not speaking for anybody else.
I’ve known Jess for over 20 years and she’s the REAL DEAL. We served in the Marine Corps together all over the globe, and she’s literally part of my family. Enjoy your success, Jessica!!! #SemperFi
About health care : last weekend I got very ill and went to the hospital at a saturday evening. The consult cost me 6 €. Went to the pharmacy on call on a saturday evening and my meds cost 1.4 € ... Ok, we pay a lot of taxes in Belgium but we get good health care for it !
It's a good thing that social security does the minimum... when we are taxed at over 50% so that the majority of these are not put to good use as is often the case in the Nordic countries...
@leto1n0u well yeah, that's true. But hey atleast we are safe. Sometimes we need to put it into perspective. Ofcourse it can be better. And we must always strive for it. But hey, it's very good here. A lot of job opportunities, good and cheap education, good and cheap health care. Although we are in a dip atm, and there are a lot of uncertainties, if we keep working together, we will make it. At least were the elections a positive outcome right now. Let’s see what formation they bring, and what then politicians can do! Hang in there!
Last January I got seriously sick. I couldn't work, and wasn't elligible for social security sickness payments. I got rejected by the hospital. My Belgian health insurance apparently kicked me out of their books due to an "administrative error". I was left with serious health issues for months. They still subtracted money from my bank account, and they still charged me 61% personal income tax. The government owns everything, so you're basically powerless. Finally someone helped me after months after I begged them. This is socialism. This is public healthcare. STAY AWAY FROM IT.
"Belgian health insurance" ? You mean mutuelle ? Usually when they screw up, and if you're in the right they are fairly fast to react. Had to deal multiple times with them and everything went good at the end. Pulbic Healtcare is a good thing. Private insurance companies are bad and they become more and more greedy. "A l'americaine". If you do your homework properly, Belgian health care system is one of the best the world. Also Ask your doctor for a "DMG". This could save you more money, especially if you ahve kids. Payng 4 euro a simple consultation is great.
@@gillesdejeneffe4938 Yes, "ziekenfonds". They cover your health expenses in exchange for a static fee. In other countries better known as "health insurance". When they screwed up, they were ridicilously SLOW to react. In fact, just as slow as every government administration usually reacts. Public healthcare is a bad thing. I have to pay 61% income tax, mandatory social taxes, disability taxes, and health insurance coverage (or "ziekenfondsbijdrage") for... being in perfect health. Yes that's right. If your neighbor is a drug addict and he goes 3 times to the doctor a day, you get to pay his bill while he barely pays a dime. That's public healthcare! And when the time comes you actually need them for once, they kick you out of the hospital and leave you to rot, because some government worker messes up. Good luck trying to sue the government in Europe! I've had my experience with Belgian healthcare. I still remember having to explain the nurse how an infuse works. "Best healthcare in the world". That's not homework, that's propaganda. Paying huge amounts of money for barely being covered, is one of the worst things in the world.
@@wanneske1969 1.5k per person in a couple is not that uncomon in Belgium. You have to undertand that 15 years later, you're a owner. politically you can't touch too much to the access to house ownership in Blegium : we have "une brique dans le ventre". This american way of living with "panache and debt", we just don't understand that. We understand it is hard to make it big here but we expect a good life in return. this is how we live in Belgium
Minus all the agreements and disagreements from many folks from, near or have been to the area; I am happy that she has found her happy place, feel safe and secure with her family, was brave enough and fortune enough to leave the U.S.
I'm so impressed with her life. Serving her country and then creating an amazing life for herself and her family as well as a second career. You go girl!!!
If you can afford a house that is almost twice the average price in Belgium, means you have high income and can live comfortably. Maybe 5% of the people in Belgium can pay a mortgage of almost 3000 USD a month. They are considered high income persons so they certainly more than 50% tax.
Well 3k usd mortgage probably means around 6.5-8k monthly net income , that would seem safe enough from a bank pov. That certainly is on the upper end of the spread given they also have a company car etc, I think that is top 2% or something even, all things considered. But you can certainly live comfortably around here with a much smaller income than that , 6.5 k leaves a lot on the table spending money wise in a normal family
@@kverreet Nah, the company car isn't the dead giveaway, it's the mortgage cost that instantly gave away these people are high income earners. The fact that they HAVE this income and CHOSE to live in a silly appartment in the heart of Brussels is such a bad idea! The money spent she would have her own house with a big garden on an outskirt of Brussels with super easy acces to a train/metro station... A good tutorial here, how *NOT* to spend money... Even if you have money, that appartment is quite tiny. They settled for location only...
@@ABC-ABC1234 I know, I didn't say the car was a giveaway. It does however add significant value, that is a lot of money they can spend on other things instead, every single month. They could buy a massive villa in the Ardennes or Limburg or something instead, indeed. But you have to keep in mind that once you reach a certain age it often becomes more about convenience than possibilities. You no longer want that big house to clean and so on . Also they are expats, if they want to hang out with other expats, Brussels definitely is the place to be , not some rural town where they'd probably end up being pretty isolated..
Every time an American speaks about how much they love living in Europe, comment sections get flooded with people either attempting to bash Europe with cookie cutter statements or try to convince the internet how great America is.
Problem with all these videos from Americans is that they are all privileged high earning individuals or had high paying jobs back in US and now they are just enjoying the cost arbitrage between the US and Europe. I have yet to see some Americans moving to Europe and living on a below average salary and singing praise of Europe. The fact is all the privileges they have is because they were born in the US and made money in the US which at the end helped them to take advantage of the cost arbitrage.
@@sauloncall Good point. I also think it would help if the Americans just talk about what they like about their new countires without disparaging the USA. One could say, "I like the easy way of life here." Full stop. The part about people yelling at each other is unnecessary. I too am looking to move out of the US with my husband, but this country has a lot of great qualities that could be highlighted and I chose to focus on that. We hear enough about what's wrong with it.
@@sauloncallI have never lived in the US, but I believe the safety net of society here in Belgium, or France (can't speak for the countries where I haven't lived) would still make it much more comfortable for a person to live here than over there, especially if the person were to get sick or needed job stability.
How can you convince that America is great sins RUclips and TikTok people see that the greatest county is not that great at al. And be honest I’m from Europe and I bin in the usa 6 time is beautiful county to and you have some great food to but a lot of garbage food whit a lot of chemical in it. Not one county is perfect. You know why American day Europe is better because we work to Life and American life work and buy things and not enjoy like European do. Is that a bad thing not really but you need to stand stil What is important in life more
ummmm maybe go travel there as a black woman then make a decision, that's all I'll say. I'm not setting foot in Europe again. I hope you have a better experience.
I respect a person who has served our country abroad in many countries throughout most her adult life and finally find somewhere she can settle. Yes America is not what it used to be.
@@byokenhaving lived in N.America, i tell u...the impression i previously had of europe, especially places like Italy Swiss Beligium has changed....America is a dump...the laws and racism is way worse than in europe. You wouldn't think so because of the history but it is. We're constantly putting our noses in other nations business and not focusing on domestic issues. My ex wife sister is based in Iraq working in the oil & gas. Her initial perspective has changed. The ppl are very nice, but we in the west are screwing wt their culture and want to dominate them for their oil...she and her colleagues swear the media lies on these ppl....propaganda all the way
Having an American passport is a boon. I am in India and it is really difficult for an Indian to settle in the West with increasing inflation and strict immigration rules for the third world countries.
@@forward_ever_ever2595I am Iraqi Kurdish myself but live in Europe. I love Iraq at the moment. It’s amazing and I’d rather live there than America especially with all that project 2025 stuff. I actually go to Iraq for healthcare because it’s cheap and easy. Europe has long waiting lists but other than that I like it here too. 😅😅
60$ sounds unreal. I am pretty sure that the tax payers have to pay for the rest! We moved from Germany to Switzerland 3 month ago. Child care here is between 800 CHF and 2500 CHF. Per child and month for the Kindergarten! :D So glad we don't have children....
Thankfully I have a friend from Belgium and have stayed with the family and travelled all over the country. It really is quite a dynamic and enjoyable place with absolutely fabulous ancient cities that are still thriving. What's not to love!
As a belgian, i can confirm that our country is lovely but the daycare is certainly not 60 per month. It depends mainly on your salary ( if you go to a state nursery) but private nursery is about 600 to 800 eur per month
There are quite few inaquracies in the numbers, the state does not cover your medical expenses, you have to co-finance it and get a health insurance, plus a dental insurance, plus a hospital insurance etc and they reimburse between 60 to 70 percent. When you go to doctors you can pay at the moment anything between 6 -15 euros to hundreds of euros if you need specialist help. Gynecologists are extremely expensive, "pink taxing" women. Getting an appointment in a hospitaly usually takes 3-6 weeks, so you are forced to go to a private praxis if you are quite sick. I find the budget calculations very minimalistic, lot of things, such as clothing, entertainment, household equipments, school, internet, public transport subscriptions to travel expenses etc were not mentioned.
Her child is 7, I don’t think childcare refers to daycare but rather after school care. It could be provided within the school, which might explain why its subsidised. Or an au pair.
Belgian here. I think the 60 euros is for the after-school care : I pay 2 euros per day to my son's school so that I can pick him up after work around 5.45pm. That's about 60 per month and the school is in Brussels.
My brother was an exchange student in the US last year and we invited his guests family for 14 days to Belgium for Christmas. It was so much fun because we traveled all over Belgium, we did Paris, Amsterdam, Zurich and Rome too. All by train. They had never left the US and it made me realise how wonderful Europe actually is. They couldn’t believe how stunning the grand place in Brussels is. Their enthusiasm was contagious. I learned that the world isn’t all glitter and glamour as we might think, but each place has its charm. For my brother the US wasn’t what he expected but he made friends for life and said that he felt very welcome, that somethings aren’t as obvious in the US as in Europe, like biking to school which we both love, but on the other hand he had an amazing experience and when ge speaks English, British ask him if he’s American 🤣 When I old enough I will also be an exchange student in the US, but will pick another State, I would love to study in Vermont. Nature is stunning and I heard that people are lovely.
I live in Belgium. More than 60 % of the people in Belgium have bought a house. Most people have a house with a mortgage. Belgians say that renting an apartment or a house is a waste of money. They like to buy a house. In Dutch we say : Belgen hebben een baksteen in hun maag.
I live in Brussels and I can confirm, I came back to my parents because we have a solid settlement and I'd rather not waste money renting unless it's absolutely necessary, most of friends my age (35+) have a similar mindset. There's no way I'll ever have the means to buy a house in Brussels though lol
Rented an appartment in Bruges for 3 years. By the second year I was saving up to buy a house. My mortgage is almost the same as the rent I used to pay. So yeah, it's a big waste of money. Note that this was pre-pandemic.
I’m originally from Brussels and moved to the US at a young age. The quality of life in Europe is better. The US has a lot of opportunities but the hustle and bustle lifestyle can be very stressful. I love Brussels! Thank you for showing the world Bruxelles ma belle ❤
It’s great to see this video from my own neighbourhood, I’m lucky to live here. Seeing the homemade pasta stall at the market and her wandering around the commune building which is totally gorgeous and strolling past one of my favourite bars where you can sip a glass a crisp white wine while looking at the sun glinting on the gold of communal tower.
Good for her. People are entitled to do what makes them happy. Lots of people changed their lives post-pandemic. I live in DC and love it (things are starting to re-stabilize after all the effects of the pandemic) but I can understand why she and her family made the move. She served her country and now she gets to put her and her family first.
It's always difficult to uproot yourself from a familiar environment and settle in another country. I'm sure she and her family had to face a lot of bureaucratic crap along the way to arrive at this point of her migration journey. She makes it sound easy but that only speaks to her intelligence, tenacity and positive spirit. Personally I'm really glad that she presented an overall optimistic outlook in the clip because let's face it: who wants to watch a 10 min clip about someone's miserable existence in another country when there's misery aplenty in our own backyard? PS: Thank you for your service! :-)
Jessica's experience in Belgium highlights the profound impact that lifestyle, cost of living, and cultural exposure can have on personal happiness and family life. It's a wonderful reminder of how a change in environment can enrich our lives and broaden our perspectives. 🌍
I had the same experience: I lived abroad then moved back to the US, and got laid off from my dumb job. The demon who laid me off didn't turn its camera on (it was also in the middle of the pandemic). I realized that the way people are treated in the US is not normal. I don’t know what’s more frightening: the experience of being treated sub-humanly, or realizing the psychology of people who do so
Or people who label other humans as "demon", to explain perceived [undo] evil upon them, then complain they were treated sub-humanly. Hypocrisy is a badge too
I don't know you but, it is obvious to me from your intelligent observation and statement that if you keep your focus you well do well in whatever you in life do as long as you spot the demons before getting into any committed situation with them.
Belgian here, Cheers to here and the live she is living but as many Belgian people in the comments say: this video is not completely accurate. Also if they can afford a monthly spending of 4K (with a family of 3???) even tho the tax bracket is 50% they have an extremely high income and good conditions from her husband's job. These people do not represent the average Belgian family life at all!
Ok sure but this is not a documentary about Belgian society. This is a document about Jessica, the American woman who moved to Belgium with her husband. There are plenty of wealthy people in Belgium, like there are people on low or average income. Same as everywhere really.
This was refreshing to see Jessica's reasons why she and her husband left the U.S. to raise their daughter in Belgium. Thank you for your USMC service. Looking forward to your cooking videos.
I always have the feeling migration abroad is being over-romanticized. Include rain since oct-nov and it still hasn't stopped. I switched my heating on the day before yesterday. Healthcare is way cheaper than the USA that part is for sure. Costs are cheaper but salary is also lower than the USA. I'm planning on starting a channel 'a belgian's real life'... maybe this is a sign that I really should 🤷♀️
Don't fall for it. Belgium ain't all that. A lot of people here do struggle big time and the weather make it worse. I've moved in Belgium from Texas and sometimes I wish I could go back to TX. People are cold, salary aren't that high, difficult to find a well paying job, bureaucracy, the constant fight between the Northern and Southern Belgians, tough to make genuine connections and so on...people need to do real research before deciding to move abroad.
Her life is very nice but this is not the normal situation for a Belgian citizen. All big cities are suffering from gentrification. It's extremely expensive to live that close to city hall. Her husband also has an exceptionally good salary package that most people won't get here, especially if you work blue collar (which the Belgian economy is getting more scarce in).
Awesome…thank you for sharing your story. Good for you finding your way to a new country, after so many years of hard work. Also, for the later in life education. Really amazing. Wishing you and your family all the best!
Moving to another country (especially legally!) is a privilege, but it is available to many more people than one might think. Especially young people, getting education in another country is a great way to see the world, and even to save some money, considering US tuition costs. Let's hope for a peaceful, friendly future where being a foreigner does not mean isolation, but instead learning and flourishing.
its not privileage now., many americans with pensions of around 1500$ can easilly go and live well in some EU countries as Spain,Portugal even France but outside of Big cities
@@Mr11ESSE111: nearly 10 million Americans live abroad, but those who have swallowed down the patriotic bs think that the US is the only place to live. I can hear the chants of USA, USA, USA playing on repeat in the heads of some commentators.
@@WillieFungo ha! Well I have been on the road for two years running now. I’m in Buenos Aires at the moment. Nice things here. Nice things back in nyc. Good and bad wherever you go. The truth is that she lives in a very nice city and I’m happy she likes it. But I don’t find the states any more dangerous than Europe
@@keithss67 as someone who is born and raised in the Netherlands, I really don't understand how you think you're not safer here in Europe than the US. I mean just going off by the statistics alone along with the obvious (no gun culture, lesser crime and violence and traffic deaths etc). But ok.. I guess..😅
Don't be fooled. You pay in general very high taxes in the U.S. too, all combined, but you don't get anything for it. In Belgium the taxes actually benefit you in many ways.
Some context: 1. They live in Saint-Gilles, close to the Municipal Hall. This is one of the most expensive areas to buy or rent a home in Brussels. 2. Inserting the cost of your family meals and dining out as business expenses is committing fiscal fraud.
The U.S. economy can actually get better if only the govt can start making better decisions for the sake of it's citizens, cos' they've really made life more difficult for its residents. Hyperinflation has left the less haves bearing the brunt of the burden. Its already eating into my entire $620k retirement portfolio. Like where else can we invest our money with less risks?
Because I find the market so intimidating, I feel like I could really use more help. I've already liquidated most of my assets, therefore I could use some advice on how best to use my funds.
I hope everyone has money ready to invest at the appropriate time. Planned actions can help you secure your financial future. You still have the best chance of becoming a millionaire on the stock market.
Biden is not entirely responsible for whatever is going. The economy is cyclical, and things will definitely get better. The first rule of investing is to keep investing, whatever the economy is doing. That is how you make substantial gains.
That's some incredible gains. How do you find a financial advisor? I've been trying to connect with one for some time now, an I don't want to work with hedge funds.
There are many independent advisors to choose from. But I work with Monica Shawn Marti and we've been working together for almost four years and she's fantastic. You could pursue her if she meets your requirements. I agree with her.
Brussels has very beautiful arquitecture and it's a nice place, but I would never live there because of the weather. It's always cloudy and dark and me coming from Spain cannot survive that. I've been 12 years living abroad in North Europe and I cannot stand Belgian or North Germany weather (let alone Finland, Norway and Sweden) it kills me.
Ooh-rah!! I am from the Bronx and retired from the military after 32 years in service. I got wise about my finances in my late 30s and good to see fellow vets doing great.
strangely, despite the comments posted here, this mortgage and housing price is less expensive than mortgages in an expensive US city. for example, my rent in the PNW is 2k for an apt 1/3 of the size of their duplex. so the comments from belgians here are very interesting explaining that most belgians could not afford this housing expense or suggesting that they are high income earners.
Belgian here, the average employee (IT, engineer, accountant, consultant etc) gets a company car and interesting benefits. That helps in negating some of the high costs of living here. Other than that, unless you earn pretty good money, above 4-5k net per month (single), that kind of mortgage is out of question. You can also have your own company as a freelance, like she does, and if you're smart and have a good accountant, you can hit bank. Anyway, success to them & may they remain happy 🥳
It’s a good reportage actually. That’s how chill and easy the life of an average European is. And I find it funny how my fellow Americans try to hate on it, you guys just need to go and touch some grass.
as a Belgian trust me, we have a good life, not going to complain but her life is not the life of an average european. She have a really high standing life, very few people in Europe have this kind of life.
She's optimizing her life, and that's great to see. There was a weird comment in the end where she said she wouldn't get rich in Belgium because of the high taxes, but I'm pretty sure most Americans don't get rich in the U.S. either, because of the low salaries (when considering actual hours worked) combined with the high cost of living. Although, I have no sense of what's expensive or inexpensive anymore because I live in one of the most expensive cities where $590k won't even buy you a decent two-bedroom 1-bath condo...so everything seems less and a better deal in comparison!
Fact is when you have money life is cool all around the globe, when you are poor life is harsh. I am Belgian so I am not criticizing what she says about Belgium, but the reality is that at the moment without money you cannot carry out any projects, unless the project is to become homeless.
Enjoyed the video. Always interesting to read the comments of people who try to extrapolate to their own situation to contradict the living standards portrayed in this video. of course, there are couple on a tighter budget, but then again there are people who have much more. I’m sure this is not different anywhere else in the world.
FATCA is manadatory ALL countries (i think non-Nato countries are excluded)* Wonder what her social media income looks like. Either way, do what's best for you and your family. Unfortunately majority are too stressed and dehumanized to be able to think and and make a plan to change and let's not forget access. All things considered, good for her.
No, it has nothing to do with NATO. All countries' banks have to report in, or be taxed 30% of all their USD inflows/outflows. It's one of the dumbest, braindead laws ever created (along with the US's citizenship-based taxation); I'd use harsher words, but I'm mincing them being aware of the YT filter.
Just so you guys know, this is from the point of view from a couple with a household INCOME of at least $135k EUROS annually. This isn't a normal experience in Europe.
I was always tought your mortgage could only be 1/3rd of your netto income ! If you want to buy a house like that it means paying 100.000 or more euros in advance and earning 10.000 € netto a month, which is indeed not average ...
Most rich people stay rich by spending like the poor and investing without stopping then most poor people stay poor by spending like the rich yet not investing like the rich but impressing them
Exactly! My grandparents were so frugal but they had a TON of money on both sides. I remember my grandfather telling me "you want to make money while you sleep." And I guess that attitude passed down to my dad (RIP), because I remember going to his house one day and I had bought something I really liked, so I wanted to show it to him. So I said "Look at this! Isn't it cute? It was on sale...I saved 50%!" My dad replied "Well, if you're spending, you're not saving." Obviously I had no retort, and that has always stuck with me.
After I raised up to 325k trading with her l bought a new House and a car here in the states 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 also paid for my son's surgery (Andy). Glory to God.shalom.
Now I understand why there are always 2 things to select when you apply for a credit card (for example): if you’re an American citizen or not. At least in Switzerland.
what you're paying 3000 for mortgage ?? to live in brussels ?? for a duplex ?? i couldn't imagine living outside west flanders . we pay under 1000 euro mortgage for a house in ostend . maybe less fancy but the beach is only a 15 min walk . bruges is 30 min drive
Wow, that's an absolute dream! The most amazing duplex apartment in a unit with 2 others in a quiet Brussels neighborhood. Well located for food culture and international travel, amazing she could make a living out of it. Very wholesome video, congrats to Jessica!
I’m a black American woman living in the US and videos like this make me want to move to Europe. I’m sick of the racism, traffic, sprawling suburbs where you don’t see anyone outside or walking around, car centric design/culture, gun violence, unaffordable housing prices, childcare, healthcare, and higher education, as well as only 2wks PTO. Some comments though are making me think that even still, quality of life in the US is better than Europe? What’s the truth?
'... quality of life in the US is better than Europe ...'. In short, no. There are lots of videos here on RUclips made by Americans living in Europe. Some of them have settled in my country, England, and are perfectly happy. Racism is a problem in nominally "white" countries and that is the reality.
As they it depends upon your priorities and perceived value. Remember that quality of life is not just the only criteria as you also need work to survive as well as other things. Quality of life in comparison to US is high in Europe but also at the cost of high taxes and social welfare programs.
Travel to Europe and stay more than 2 weeks if you can in one place to get an idea. There are good points and bad points. Safety, public transportation, more security versus a complacent attitude rather than a go getter one, lack of choice and often subpar service and little customer orientation. Europeans also tend to be more insular, less friendly and outgoing in general. Racism is everywhere but in Europe it's more a class thing. If you're black but well dressed and well spoken you will be treated as 'honorary white' but in the States you could be a huge black celebrity like LeBron and be stopped by police regularly as you drive into your expensive neighborhood.
@@TheMiccoliGroup cost of living is sky high over here. We both work as independents trying our best to raise two kids with no fringe benefits from employers for example. We still get by but there’s no free time for anything
visited belgium last year for the first time and love the architecture. I was in a tourist area specifically the I think pentagon area in brussels? it was amazing. Long story short I was having a beer at night by myself and was approahced by a french girl to share a cigarette and beer with. She ended up taking me to an underground techno show and I loved it LOL.
@@LXBalla4414 I am sorry, but I call complete BS on what you're saying. Unless you're one of these people (like the ones in the video) living in the heart of a capital city, buying property is not your main issue. Actually, property prices in Belgian province of "Luxembourg" are FAAAAAAAAAAR lower than living in Luxembourg... Side note; are you working to live or living to work???
Help me here. I'm torn between moving countries and staying put where I currently reside. There's this voice in my head that says there really is no "paradise" in the world as we know it today
The American dream is to be able to immigrate to a better country without having to worry about the violence, politics, & lack of quality education & healthcare. It’s sad she had to participate in the US military industrial complex, but I completely understand since they purposely/nefariously use it to make working class people (especially POC & 1st generation/immigrant folks) join in order for them to elevate their financial status & class
Sad? She used the US system to fund education, travel, and emigration out of the US. She was smart and driven, it must have been a hidden blessing for her to be fired and end up in Belgium working her own business.
As a Belgian I'm happy gor her. For her specific situation it works out fine. In general the financial difference is just because Belgium is one a quite a few 'social welfare states'. Taxes are high, and go into social benefits like education, healthcare, child care, pensions. Belgium certainly isn't thr most efficient one: taxes and national debt are about the highest in Europe, the quality of the social services is similar ot worse then other European countries.
Belgian here. Nicy cherry picking to make a bias point. I pay more than 40% income taxes so those that come here can get all the free stuff. There's a reason why people go to the US to build companies. There's a reason why Europe's economy has barely recovered since 2008. Bad policies, corrupt politicians, and immigration overload. Yes, some things are better in Belgium but that video is like showing Disneyland Paris and telling people that it is Paris.
On the chaussée de louvain ( the house just before the american pharmacy now) sat 1 traiteur. You could find there very posh and exotic food ready made in plates. I still remember the smell of that shop and how fancy that was while looking at the nylon panties and lace bra lacletes of posh chicks coming to order with dogs we had never seen ( pitbulss)
I'm an American who lived in Belgium long enough to become Belgian. There are a ton issues with her story. 1) The government doesn't provide healthcare. Belgium's healthcare is administered through non-profit insurance agencies and private doctors. The government reimburses part of the cost, but doesn't directly run care facilities. 2) Co-pays are way higher than 2-3 EUR a month. A general consultation runs you 10-20 EUR. Sure, it's lower than the US, but it isn't "dirt cheap." 3) Belgium has some of the worst traffic in Europe, and people definitely get angry and honk while sitting in daily gridlock (a lot of that comes from the backwards tax policy of making it cheaper to give employees a company car than a meaningful pay raise. Not only is this horrible for the environment, but it hampers wealth-building and risk-taking since people hesitate to change jobs out of fear of losing their German automobile). 4) 3,000 EUR a month is crazy expensive for a mortgage for many parts of Brussels. They were able to afford that due to their high income they made living in the US 5) Belgian workers effectively can't be fired, which creates poor service and labor inefficiencies. Getting fired is like winning the lottery (2+ years of unemployment and paid holiday while being unemployed). That cost falls back on the consumers. It'd be nice if CNBC would talk to Americans who have lived overseas for more than 5 years. There's a lot of stuff these green expats just don't know or miss. It's kind of embarrassing as a long-time European resident to see these misrepresentations of US vs European life.
2) Co-pays are way higher than 2-3 EUR a month. A general consultation runs you 10-20 EUR. Sure, it's lower than the US, but it isn't "dirt cheap." That's not true these days, one no longer has to pay up front and get money back later. Nowadays all you need to pay is the 2-3 euro per visit, like she says. 3) since people hesitate to change jobs out of fear of losing their German automobile This also feels a bit wrong. I don't know anyone who wouldn't change jobs out of fear of losing their car. Company cars basically are ubiquitous for certain sectors/job titles, it doesn't matter where you work you will be able to negotiate for one. 5) Belgian workers effectively can't be fired, which creates poor service and labor inefficiencies. Getting fired is like winning the lottery (2+ years of unemployment and paid holiday while being unemployed). That cost falls back on the consumers. Ofcourse one can get fired, an employer simply needs a valid reason for it, that is all. No random firings around here like in the USA that much is true. But you certainly can get fired, I have been. The 2 years plus of unemployment is highly conditional. You cant simply waltz into Belgium, work for a few months, get fired and colllect free money. Back in the day it used to be a lot easier to abuse the system but nowadays they are pretty strict.
@@Its_elena2 We are a great place to live as long as you are upper middle class or above. Anyone below that is kind of struggling these days , though "struggling" is relative obviously.. our view of struggling still is a poor mans paradise.
I'm flying to live in Europe in 2 days, such a better quality of life than the US. Looking forward to leaving the culture war and stupid politics behind.
Belgian here. She looks like she went to the St Gilles market. We can comment all we want, I'm glad she likes it here. Her neighborhood is not mine, city is not yours, country not yours. Everything is different it depends where you live. Let's just be happy for her. Overall it's not wrong or excessive to say that Europe is better than the US if you only consider quality of life.
I am glad this worked out for her but as a POC that lived in Europe, I got treated very differently. Your job opportunities are very limited, the money is not as good as US, forget about any kinds of promotions since you are a foreigner, and it’s not easy with cultural and language barriers. I hate these types of videos, they show the very glamorized side of it. I fell for it thinking Europe is some utopia and went to a country that is consistently top 5 for happiness and top 3 for wealth and I was miserable with no friends.
I wonder if countries that claim to report the top happiness are ever heterogeneous in terms of ethnicity, religion, or immigration? Each culture and country measures happiness differently so maybe that gets lost in translation. Either way, sorry to hear you had such a rough time. I hope you find your niche and grow :).
@vvonderweiss i moved back to US and its better now. And indeed those top countries are very homogeneous. Its always Finland, Sweden, Switzerland, etc. And they have the lowest diversity and immigration. So everyone believes the same thing. I do appreciate the safety nets though.
Wow. I’m a black American woman living in the US and videos like this make me want to move to Europe! I’m sick of the racism, traffic, sprawling suburbs, car centric design/culture, gun violence, unaffordable housing prices,and only 2wks PTO. Your comment is making me think that even still, it’s better than Europe?
@outsidegirl100 Europe is better but just dont expect to be welcomed with open arms. Your social life and career will suffer. If i had friends and better job opportunities, i would of stayed in europe.
Every time I watch US vs Europe videos… it can be resumed in two words: Car Dependency You either have a great car living in the suburb and a big house or have you a lifestyle around people with coffees and cocktail bars.
a lot of people say “i pay more than 50% taxes” But the min is 25% and max is 50% in Belgium so how can you pay 55% taxes ? The beauty about Belgium is that you don’t pay any capital gain taxes on stocks.. 😉
I didn't see any mention of American salaries here though? Regardless, Belgians are the richest in the world when you look at median wealth per adult. The US ranks 13 on this list.
I moved from DC to BXL as well, for sure am more chilled out, my budget is much less, under a thousand euros a month with shared rent, in DC it was a thousand just for rent. My income is half but im generally less scared about the future :)
Fantastic video! I have incurred so much losses trading on my own....I trade well on demo but I think the real market is manipulated.... Can anyone help me out or at least tell me what I'm doing wrong??
I am from Brussels and it worries me because every time Americans start posting videos about some place in the world it is a bad sign for the common folk. Expats will follow searching for some idyllic paradise that don't exist. Further more expats with their narrow frame of mind usually drive prices sky high since they are earning their salaries outside of the host country and are one of the main reasons some cities in Europe have become unlivable such as as Barcelona, Lisbon and Porto. Also expats seem to live in an alternate world were they know better than the host country, complain about all the small details which won't suit them and are generally never integrated in the culture and the country as they "don't see a reason to learn the language as they can get along in English", let alone understand the culture. Anyways forgive me for being sour, but since expats have basically destroyed life for most locals in many amazing citties in Europe already, I kind of think this video is of disservice more than anything else.
@@MyCamilla1989 Well, she sits at a table at a restaurant that has outdoor seatings. So, I've seen people drinking at restaurants that has outdoor seats and I didn't judge any of them. Are you saying you're going to judge someone for having a drink at a restaurant? 🤔
I will not visit Brussels again. I had three issues in this country. I visited London and Paris during this period in with no issues. 1. Needed to switch hotels after front desk clerk entered my room without knocking. He said he needed to explain that I had to pay additional tax. Yeah right 2. I witnessed people being robbed in plain sight. You have to look over your shoulder in Brussels. 3. My flight from Brussels to London was fine. The baggage employees went on strike and the crew did not inform the passengers that we were flying to London without our luggage. We found out an hour after we waited at baggage claim for our luggage that it did not arrive. I needed to stay in London and change plans in order to receive my luggage two days later.
Brussels is basically the Washington DC of Europe. Traffic is terrible because so many people work in the city and because the EU and NATO offices are headquartered in Brussels. Just move to Leuven or Ghent or if you can afford it Bruges... Bruges is so beautiful!
@@wanneske1969 Maline/Leuven/Antwerp itself are UNAFFORDABLE! Either live in a village with close and solid connection nearby or pay the consequences. Although it seems sooo close in Belgium on a map, Belgium itself is very densely populated. Those mentioned cities are beyond disgustingly expensive now. (In terms of living quality Antwerp center isn't even attractive)
@@wanneske1969 Hey Wannes, aangenaam kennis te maken. Tegenwoordig liggen die prijzen wel VEEL hoger dan 20 jaar geleden. Vooral post Covid crunch in 2021, die prijzen zijn waanzinnig gestegen. Verder moet je ook nog onderscheid maken tussen apartement aan de kaaien/ Eilandje nieuwbouw appartement vs appartement aan Sint Jans plein... ;)
Rule of thumb Flanders => Dutch but nearly all speak English, I'm willing to bet Flemish people's English is better than their french even though half of the country speaks French. (Blame educational system focusing more on English) Brussels; predominant French but English is easily accesible as well due to the international aspect of the city Walloon region; almost exclusively French.
Officially, Brussels is bilingual, you can speak French or Dutch. Most people don't speak Dutch though ! Using English is not a bad idea, but it makes you look like a tourist.
@@wanneske1969 we can't help looking like tourists if we are though, haha. I'm half Dutch but am not fluent. And I learnt French for four years at school but can't remember much!
Im from Mexico Cancun and live in belgium with my girlfriend. Its a nice country ..great food...the only downside..is the bad weather... and they dont have a beautiful ocean..like cancun
Wow! The happiness and aura that the US CAN NEVER give many immigrants. You ma'am look Sun kissed and happy. God bless you. I tap into your amazing blessing for a tall gentleman husband.
The US is what you make it to be. Many immigrants who are educated like this woman do just fine. If you’re immigrating with $2 in your pocket, zero education, zero skills outside of manual labor, you’re going to have a harder time than say a doctor or engineering coming to the US.
It's funny, I clicked on this as I'm also an expat living in Brussels (and, by and large, really loving it), so the title piqued my curiosity. I didn't expect that the scenes would be shot literally right next to where I live. So strange and unexpected! 😅 I love the neighbourhood that I (and apparently this lady) live in... but I definitely don't have as nice a life as she, unfortunately. 😁 Belgium is a great country; highly unsung, I would say. The only downside is that income tax can be very high here and certain things are quite expensive by western European standards, like groceries, so it can feel hard to climb the ladder, financially speaking.
Her only way to escape the American taxman is to become a citizen of an EU country, Belgian or Dutch for instance. While her husband is a EU citizen this shouldn't be too much of a hassle.
Belgian here.
I feel like this video, while really nice, paints an ideal and somewhat unrealistic picture of what it’s like to live in Belgium. Hardly anyone could ever afford to have a $3k/month mortgage, and only a tiny minority of people could buy a $600k flat. It’s pretty clear that Jessica’s husband has an extremely high paying job with tons of benefits.
To put things in perspective: in 2023, the median net salary in Belgium was €2200, or $2350. A couple with median salaries couldn’t even dream of getting a loan to buy their flat.
'Belgian' here. Median net salary per family unit or per person? most families have two working people (or 1,5) - additionally, you could get a mortgage for a flat (or - more commonly - a house), but not for a 600k one :D in Brussels (which is by far not the most liveable place in Belgium). Anyway, happy you're happy.
With 2 wages of 2200€ net you could afford a 3k mortgage though.
But you are right most Belgians won't be able to afford a 600K flat. BUT a normal size flat that is in good condition is around 450K in most of Belgium.
Most houses in my street are valued around 400K and they are all around 1800sqft and they are all less than 11 years old so up to current standards.
Chances are that they are living near Brussels where prices for housing are way higher but wages are also a lot higher than in most of Belgium.
If I would go and work in Brussels (I'm in IT) I would almost get 50% more wage for the same job I do in Limburg (which has lower pay in my sector)
@@twnfaem Your comment sounds like you wanted to prove me wrong, but you actually agree with me? Oo
That’s exactly what I said: 2 people who both earn the median Belgian salary could never buy a $600k house or flat, just like they could never afford to have a $3k/m mortgage. You have to be in the top 2% of earners to do that. This video makes it seem like the life Jessica has with her husband is what most everyone could have in Belgium. It’s not.
@thomasbdl house value and wages are very dependent on the region you live in. Brussels can have 50% higher prices and wages than other regions.
Brussels wages bring the average up by quite a bit, but it's a small region.
Oh no. 2200€ median net salary? Portugal is the 5th EU country with the lowest salary. Our average salary is around 1040€. Our minimum wage is below 800€.
I'd give my right arm to make 2200€ per month consistently throughout the year. I'd be living the best life ever.
I am a Belgian that lived in the US for 8 years. I’m moving back to Belgium as a single mom because our quality of life in America is very low and we struggle a lot. I am thankful to be able to move back after years of struggle. This is my perspective, not speaking for anybody else.
So you mean life in Belgium is easy ?
@@rajasaifkiani3240 Depends where you live. If you're broke in Brussels, then you're life is miserable lol
@Jabafish yes if i am broke where can i live for little stable life ?
I’ve known Jess for over 20 years and she’s the REAL DEAL. We served in the Marine Corps together all over the globe, and she’s literally part of my family. Enjoy your success, Jessica!!! #SemperFi
You should both move back to africa. Enrich africa with the diversity you bring.
Wow she's a certified badass!
I'd like to see ur videos!!
Another one making high US salary and thinking thats how the locals live where she goes lol belgium salaries are poor and taxes high
@@BambotbI wouldn't be so sure of that, this is a wealthy part of Europe. Don't make assumptions out of envy.
About health care : last weekend I got very ill and went to the hospital at a saturday evening. The consult cost me 6 €. Went to the pharmacy on call on a saturday evening and my meds cost 1.4 € ... Ok, we pay a lot of taxes in Belgium but we get good health care for it !
It's a good thing that social security does the minimum... when we are taxed at over 50% so that the majority of these are not put to good use as is often the case in the Nordic countries...
@leto1n0u well yeah, that's true. But hey atleast we are safe. Sometimes we need to put it into perspective. Ofcourse it can be better. And we must always strive for it. But hey, it's very good here.
A lot of job opportunities, good and cheap education, good and cheap health care.
Although we are in a dip atm, and there are a lot of uncertainties, if we keep working together, we will make it.
At least were the elections a positive outcome right now. Let’s see what formation they bring, and what then politicians can do!
Hang in there!
Last January I got seriously sick. I couldn't work, and wasn't elligible for social security sickness payments. I got rejected by the hospital. My Belgian health insurance apparently kicked me out of their books due to an "administrative error". I was left with serious health issues for months. They still subtracted money from my bank account, and they still charged me 61% personal income tax. The government owns everything, so you're basically powerless. Finally someone helped me after months after I begged them.
This is socialism. This is public healthcare. STAY AWAY FROM IT.
"Belgian health insurance" ? You mean mutuelle ? Usually when they screw up, and if you're in the right they are fairly fast to react. Had to deal multiple times with them and everything went good at the end. Pulbic Healtcare is a good thing. Private insurance companies are bad and they become more and more greedy. "A l'americaine". If you do your homework properly, Belgian health care system is one of the best the world. Also Ask your doctor for a "DMG". This could save you more money, especially if you ahve kids. Payng 4 euro a simple consultation is great.
@@gillesdejeneffe4938 Yes, "ziekenfonds". They cover your health expenses in exchange for a static fee. In other countries better known as "health insurance".
When they screwed up, they were ridicilously SLOW to react. In fact, just as slow as every government administration usually reacts.
Public healthcare is a bad thing. I have to pay 61% income tax, mandatory social taxes, disability taxes, and health insurance coverage (or "ziekenfondsbijdrage") for... being in perfect health. Yes that's right. If your neighbor is a drug addict and he goes 3 times to the doctor a day, you get to pay his bill while he barely pays a dime. That's public healthcare!
And when the time comes you actually need them for once, they kick you out of the hospital and leave you to rot, because some government worker messes up. Good luck trying to sue the government in Europe!
I've had my experience with Belgian healthcare. I still remember having to explain the nurse how an infuse works. "Best healthcare in the world". That's not homework, that's propaganda. Paying huge amounts of money for barely being covered, is one of the worst things in the world.
Her situation doesn’t apply to most Americans..she’s apparently married to a dutch guy and gets a lot of benefits through her husbands job
True ! I also don't know any Belgian couple that can pay 3000 € a month for a mortgage.
Then marry a European man, she did and so did I 20 years ago and I couldn't be happier :)
She’s also an influencer and they make a lot of money
@@pixiet7321 can I marry a polar bear?
@@wanneske1969 1.5k per person in a couple is not that uncomon in Belgium. You have to undertand that 15 years later, you're a owner. politically you can't touch too much to the access to house ownership in Blegium : we have "une brique dans le ventre". This american way of living with "panache and debt", we just don't understand that. We understand it is hard to make it big here but we expect a good life in return. this is how we live in Belgium
Minus all the agreements and disagreements from many folks from, near or have been to the area; I am happy that she has found her happy place, feel safe and secure with her family, was brave enough and fortune enough to leave the U.S.
I'm so impressed with her life. Serving her country and then creating an amazing life for herself and her family as well as a second career. You go girl!!!
If you can afford a house that is almost twice the average price in Belgium, means you have high income and can live comfortably. Maybe 5% of the people in Belgium can pay a mortgage of almost 3000 USD a month. They are considered high income persons so they certainly more than 50% tax.
You will have to pay above 7000$ monthly mortgage to live in a crappy 1700 sq ft Bay Area home. Just saying.
Well 3k usd mortgage probably means around 6.5-8k monthly net income , that would seem safe enough from a bank pov. That certainly is on the upper end of the spread given they also have a company car etc, I think that is top 2% or something even, all things considered.
But you can certainly live comfortably around here with a much smaller income than that , 6.5 k leaves a lot on the table spending money wise in a normal family
@@kverreet Nah, the company car isn't the dead giveaway, it's the mortgage cost that instantly gave away these people are high income earners.
The fact that they HAVE this income and CHOSE to live in a silly appartment in the heart of Brussels is such a bad idea!
The money spent she would have her own house with a big garden on an outskirt of Brussels with super easy acces to a train/metro station...
A good tutorial here, how *NOT* to spend money... Even if you have money, that appartment is quite tiny. They settled for location only...
Saint Gilles, I used to live there ..before selling my apartment and buying a home in a smaller town at 45 min.
@@ABC-ABC1234 I know, I didn't say the car was a giveaway. It does however add significant value, that is a lot of money they can spend on other things instead, every single month.
They could buy a massive villa in the Ardennes or Limburg or something instead, indeed.
But you have to keep in mind that once you reach a certain age it often becomes more about convenience than possibilities. You no longer want that big house to clean and so on . Also they are expats, if they want to hang out with other expats, Brussels definitely is the place to be , not some rural town where they'd probably
end up being pretty isolated..
Every time an American speaks about how much they love living in Europe, comment sections get flooded with people either attempting to bash Europe with cookie cutter statements or try to convince the internet how great America is.
Problem with all these videos from Americans is that they are all privileged high earning individuals or had high paying jobs back in US and now they are just enjoying the cost arbitrage between the US and Europe. I have yet to see some Americans moving to Europe and living on a below average salary and singing praise of Europe. The fact is all the privileges they have is because they were born in the US and made money in the US which at the end helped them to take advantage of the cost arbitrage.
@@sauloncall Good point. I also think it would help if the Americans just talk about what they like about their new countires without disparaging the USA. One could say, "I like the easy way of life here." Full stop. The part about people yelling at each other is unnecessary. I too am looking to move out of the US with my husband, but this country has a lot of great qualities that could be highlighted and I chose to focus on that. We hear enough about what's wrong with it.
@@sauloncallI have never lived in the US, but I believe the safety net of society here in Belgium, or France (can't speak for the countries where I haven't lived) would still make it much more comfortable for a person to live here than over there, especially if the person were to get sick or needed job stability.
How can you convince that America is great sins RUclips and TikTok people see that the greatest county is not that great at al.
And be honest I’m from Europe and I bin in the usa 6 time is beautiful county to and you have some great food to but a lot of garbage food whit a lot of chemical in it. Not one county is perfect. You know why American day Europe is better because we work to
Life and American life work and buy things and not enjoy like European do. Is that a bad thing not really but you need to stand stil
What is important in life more
@@sauloncallShe isn’t on an American salary though. She’s an influencer. Arguably anyone can become an influencer.
She seems genuinely happy. ❤
Being rich will often do that to a person
Every time I watch one of these videos I start asking myself what country do I want to move to and how much money do I need?
ummmm maybe go travel there as a black woman then make a decision, that's all I'll say. I'm not setting foot in Europe again. I hope you have a better experience.
South Africa....
These videos are all higher income people moving from the US because they couldn’t handle it.
You can go live in Uganda.
The answer is always Spain 😅
I respect a person who has served our country abroad in many countries throughout most her adult life and finally find somewhere she can settle. Yes America is not what it used to be.
It's not what it used to be. There's more diversity now. Let's see what that diversity does to Europe.
@@byokenhaving lived in N.America, i tell u...the impression i previously had of europe, especially places like Italy Swiss Beligium has changed....America is a dump...the laws and racism is way worse than in europe. You wouldn't think so because of the history but it is. We're constantly putting our noses in other nations business and not focusing on domestic issues. My ex wife sister is based in Iraq working in the oil & gas. Her initial perspective has changed. The ppl are very nice, but we in the west are screwing wt their culture and want to dominate them for their oil...she and her colleagues swear the media lies on these ppl....propaganda all the way
Having an American passport is a boon. I am in India and it is really difficult for an Indian to settle in the West with increasing inflation and strict immigration rules for the third world countries.
@@byokenAre you seriously this thick?? My city in Europe is 46% non white. It’s diverse and I couldn’t live any other way.
@@forward_ever_ever2595I am Iraqi Kurdish myself but live in Europe. I love Iraq at the moment. It’s amazing and I’d rather live there than America especially with all that project 2025 stuff. I actually go to Iraq for healthcare because it’s cheap and easy. Europe has long waiting lists but other than that I like it here too. 😅😅
$60 for child care could NEVER happen in the states 😭
60$ sounds unreal. I am pretty sure that the tax payers have to pay for the rest! We moved from Germany to Switzerland 3 month ago. Child care here is between 800 CHF and 2500 CHF. Per child and month for the Kindergarten! :D So glad we don't have children....
Germany also has low childcare.
They're paying $60/month out of pocket. The government is subsidizing the childcare with an additional $180/month.
She's taking advantage of a system that she didn't pay into and obviously feels entitled to. We should be taking in refugees not Americans.
Right, but 50-60% of income goes to taxes. You still pay, just not directly.
Thankfully I have a friend from Belgium and have stayed with the family and travelled all over the country. It really is quite a dynamic and enjoyable place with absolutely fabulous ancient cities that are still thriving. What's not to love!
As a belgian, i can confirm that our country is lovely but the daycare is certainly not 60 per month. It depends mainly on your salary ( if you go to a state nursery) but private nursery is about 600 to 800 eur per month
There are quite few inaquracies in the numbers, the state does not cover your medical expenses, you have to co-finance it and get a health insurance, plus a dental insurance, plus a hospital insurance etc and they reimburse between 60 to 70 percent. When you go to doctors you can pay at the moment anything between 6 -15 euros to hundreds of euros if you need specialist help. Gynecologists are extremely expensive, "pink taxing" women. Getting an appointment in a hospitaly usually takes 3-6 weeks, so you are forced to go to a private praxis if you are quite sick. I find the budget calculations very minimalistic, lot of things, such as clothing, entertainment, household equipments, school, internet, public transport subscriptions to travel expenses etc were not mentioned.
Her child is 7, I don’t think childcare refers to daycare but rather after school care. It could be provided within the school, which might explain why its subsidised. Or an au pair.
@@mmjkk you are right. I did not get that. Thanks
she has a 7 years old daughter who goes to school, not nursery
Belgian here. I think the 60 euros is for the after-school care : I pay 2 euros per day to my son's school so that I can pick him up after work around 5.45pm. That's about 60 per month and the school is in Brussels.
My brother was an exchange student in the US last year and we invited his guests family for 14 days to Belgium for Christmas. It was so much fun because we traveled all over Belgium, we did Paris, Amsterdam, Zurich and Rome too. All by train. They had never left the US and it made me realise how wonderful Europe actually is. They couldn’t believe how stunning the grand place in Brussels is. Their enthusiasm was contagious. I learned that the world isn’t all glitter and glamour as we might think, but each place has its charm. For my brother the US wasn’t what he expected but he made friends for life and said that he felt very welcome, that somethings aren’t as obvious in the US as in Europe, like biking to school which we both love, but on the other hand he had an amazing experience and when ge speaks English, British ask him if he’s American 🤣 When I old enough I will also be an exchange student in the US, but will pick another State, I would love to study in Vermont. Nature is stunning and I heard that people are lovely.
I live in Belgium. More than 60 % of the people in Belgium have bought a house.
Most people have a house with a mortgage.
Belgians say that renting an apartment or a house is a waste of money. They like to buy a house.
In Dutch we say : Belgen hebben een baksteen in hun maag.
I live in Brussels and I can confirm, I came back to my parents because we have a solid settlement and I'd rather not waste money renting unless it's absolutely necessary, most of friends my age (35+) have a similar mindset.
There's no way I'll ever have the means to buy a house in Brussels though lol
Rented an appartment in Bruges for 3 years. By the second year I was saving up to buy a house. My mortgage is almost the same as the rent I used to pay. So yeah, it's a big waste of money. Note that this was pre-pandemic.
Loved this, Jessica looks so fulfilled… so beautiful to watch ❤️
She’s a dork.
Please also put social media of these guys in the description every time that helps us to follow
The Dining Traveler is her RUclips page. I had to rewind and pause the video really fast to catch it! (:
@@candacedawn357 please share the link over here thanks
I’m originally from Brussels and moved to the US at a young age.
The quality of life in Europe is better. The US has a lot of opportunities but the hustle and bustle lifestyle can be very stressful.
I love Brussels! Thank you for showing the world Bruxelles ma belle ❤
Brussels is such a cute (and underrated) city. And so accessible to all of Europe. Jessica’s home and family are lovely!
It’s great to see this video from my own neighbourhood, I’m lucky to live here. Seeing the homemade pasta stall at the market and her wandering around the commune building which is totally gorgeous and strolling past one of my favourite bars where you can sip a glass a crisp white wine while looking at the sun glinting on the gold of communal tower.
Glad to see another Marine Officer doing well! Semper Fi.
Good for her. People are entitled to do what makes them happy. Lots of people changed their lives post-pandemic. I live in DC and love it (things are starting to re-stabilize after all the effects of the pandemic) but I can understand why she and her family made the move. She served her country and now she gets to put her and her family first.
It's always difficult to uproot yourself from a familiar environment and settle in another country. I'm sure she and her family had to face a lot of bureaucratic crap along the way to arrive at this point of her migration journey. She makes it sound easy but that only speaks to her intelligence, tenacity and positive spirit. Personally I'm really glad that she presented an overall optimistic outlook in the clip because let's face it: who wants to watch a 10 min clip about someone's miserable existence in another country when there's misery aplenty in our own backyard? PS: Thank you for your service! :-)
Thank you 🙏🏽
Jessica's experience in Belgium highlights the profound impact that lifestyle, cost of living, and cultural exposure can have on personal happiness and family life. It's a wonderful reminder of how a change in environment can enrich our lives and broaden our perspectives. 🌍
What a beautiful family and Jessica is a strong, sweet person. Wishing you all the best :)
I had the same experience: I lived abroad then moved back to the US, and got laid off from my dumb job. The demon who laid me off didn't turn its camera on (it was also in the middle of the pandemic). I realized that the way people are treated in the US is not normal. I don’t know what’s more frightening: the experience of being treated sub-humanly, or realizing the psychology of people who do so
Or people who label other humans as "demon", to explain perceived [undo] evil upon them, then complain they were treated sub-humanly. Hypocrisy is a badge too
@@williamelewis464 Are you projecting or confessing?
I don't know you but, it is obvious to me from your intelligent observation and statement that if you keep your focus you well do well in whatever you in life do as long as you spot the demons before getting into any committed situation with them.
That's Trump and his people all over....demons.
@@williamelewis464 So is stupidity. Unless you have some personal knowledge of this person's journey why are you commenting?
Belgian here,
Cheers to here and the live she is living but as many Belgian people in the comments say: this video is not completely accurate. Also if they can afford a monthly spending of 4K (with a family of 3???) even tho the tax bracket is 50% they have an extremely high income and good conditions from her husband's job. These people do not represent the average Belgian family life at all!
Ok sure but this is not a documentary about Belgian society. This is a document about Jessica, the American woman who moved to Belgium with her husband. There are plenty of wealthy people in Belgium, like there are people on low or average income. Same as everywhere really.
This was refreshing to see Jessica's reasons why she and her husband left the U.S. to raise their daughter in Belgium. Thank you for your USMC service. Looking forward to your cooking videos.
Nice comment
I always have the feeling migration abroad is being over-romanticized.
Include rain since oct-nov and it still hasn't stopped. I switched my heating on the day before yesterday.
Healthcare is way cheaper than the USA that part is for sure.
Costs are cheaper but salary is also lower than the USA.
I'm planning on starting a channel 'a belgian's real life'... maybe this is a sign that I really should 🤷♀️
Don't fall for it. Belgium ain't all that. A lot of people here do struggle big time and the weather make it worse. I've moved in Belgium from Texas and sometimes I wish I could go back to TX. People are cold, salary aren't that high, difficult to find a well paying job, bureaucracy, the constant fight between the Northern and Southern Belgians, tough to make genuine connections and so on...people need to do real research before deciding to move abroad.
The fact that I, too, come from D.C. and live close to where all of this was shot in Brussels is too serendipitous for me 😅
Her life is very nice but this is not the normal situation for a Belgian citizen. All big cities are suffering from gentrification. It's extremely expensive to live that close to city hall. Her husband also has an exceptionally good salary package that most people won't get here, especially if you work blue collar (which the Belgian economy is getting more scarce in).
Awesome…thank you for sharing your story. Good for you finding your way to a new country, after so many years of hard work. Also, for the later in life education. Really amazing. Wishing you and your family all the best!
Moving to another country (especially legally!) is a privilege, but it is available to many more people than one might think. Especially young people, getting education in another country is a great way to see the world, and even to save some money, considering US tuition costs. Let's hope for a peaceful, friendly future where being a foreigner does not mean isolation, but instead learning and flourishing.
its not privileage now., many americans with pensions of around 1500$ can easilly go and live well in some EU countries as Spain,Portugal even France but outside of Big cities
@@Mr11ESSE111: nearly 10 million Americans live abroad, but those who have swallowed down the patriotic bs think that the US is the only place to live. I can hear the chants of USA, USA, USA playing on repeat in the heads of some commentators.
Judge you for drinking wine on a Monday afternoon in the states? Honey, we invented the 3 martini lunch 🍸
Americans who move to Europe always have to exaggerate how "bad" America is.
@@WillieFungo ha! Well I have been on the road for two years running now. I’m in Buenos Aires at the moment. Nice things here. Nice things back in nyc. Good and bad wherever you go. The truth is that she lives in a very nice city and I’m happy she likes it. But I don’t find the states any more dangerous than Europe
@@keithss67 Exactly. I love to travel too. But America is a great country, and I'm always glad to come back.
@@WillieFungo Not a fan of mass shootings!
@@keithss67 as someone who is born and raised in the Netherlands, I really don't understand how you think you're not safer here in Europe than the US. I mean just going off by the statistics alone along with the obvious (no gun culture, lesser crime and violence and traffic deaths etc). But ok.. I guess..😅
I mean, if you can buy a home in Brussels, you can live in Brussels LOL
What a nice story! I'm proud to be from Belgium :)
I left America in 2007 been in Europe since 2015 this is very accurate
America is quite a big continent, as is Europe, so it's not saying much. Which countries in each?
Don't be fooled. You pay in general very high taxes in the U.S. too, all combined, but you don't get anything for it. In Belgium the taxes actually benefit you in many ways.
Her life looks so peaceful and stress-free, love it
Some context:
1. They live in Saint-Gilles, close to the Municipal Hall. This is one of the most expensive areas to buy or rent a home in Brussels.
2. Inserting the cost of your family meals and dining out as business expenses is committing fiscal fraud.
The U.S. economy can actually get better if only the govt can start making better decisions for the sake of it's citizens, cos' they've really made life more difficult for its residents. Hyperinflation has left the less haves bearing the brunt of the burden. Its already eating into my entire $620k retirement portfolio. Like where else can we invest our money with less risks?
Because I find the market so intimidating, I feel like I could really use more help. I've already liquidated most of my assets, therefore I could use some advice on how best to use my funds.
I hope everyone has money ready to invest at the appropriate time. Planned actions can help you secure your financial future. You still have the best chance of becoming a millionaire on the stock market.
Biden is not entirely responsible for whatever is going. The economy is cyclical, and things will definitely get better. The first rule of investing is to keep investing, whatever the economy is doing. That is how you make substantial gains.
That's some incredible gains. How do you find a financial advisor? I've been trying to connect with one for some time now, an I don't want to work with hedge funds.
There are many independent advisors to choose from. But I work with Monica Shawn Marti and we've been working together for almost four years and she's fantastic. You could pursue her if she meets your requirements. I agree with her.
Brussels has very beautiful arquitecture and it's a nice place, but I would never live there because of the weather. It's always cloudy and dark and me coming from Spain cannot survive that. I've been 12 years living abroad in North Europe and I cannot stand Belgian or North Germany weather (let alone Finland, Norway and Sweden) it kills me.
Ooh-rah!! I am from the Bronx and retired from the military after 32 years in service. I got wise about my finances in my late 30s and good to see fellow vets doing great.
strangely, despite the comments posted here, this mortgage and housing price is less expensive than mortgages in an expensive US city. for example, my rent in the PNW is 2k for an apt 1/3 of the size of their duplex. so the comments from belgians here are very interesting explaining that most belgians could not afford this housing expense or suggesting that they are high income earners.
Please make more videos in Europe. Thank your CNBC Make It! I like this video and also the one in Denmark
Yeah, the Denmark one was quite sometime ago, I remember.
@@abhisheksamanta1 It's also interesting that both are mothers and they both mentioned about their kids' school environment in the US.....
@@Aidan_Au If I was a mother in the US, I'd also be scared about sending my kids to school!
@@jj-if6it And you'd be worried for the same reason that these 2 ladies/mothers talked about in the video? Thank you for sharing!
@@Aidan_Au yes, living in America in general would make me feel anxious due to the high level of gun crime for one. I live in Australia
Belgian here, the average employee (IT, engineer, accountant, consultant etc) gets a company car and interesting benefits. That helps in negating some of the high costs of living here.
Other than that, unless you earn pretty good money, above 4-5k net per month (single), that kind of mortgage is out of question.
You can also have your own company as a freelance, like she does, and if you're smart and have a good accountant, you can hit bank.
Anyway, success to them & may they remain happy 🥳
It’s a good reportage actually. That’s how chill and easy the life of an average European is. And I find it funny how my fellow Americans try to hate on it, you guys just need to go and touch some grass.
Well said. Bare feet and green grass!!
Life is not chill and easy in Europe. There are problems everywhere.
as a Belgian trust me, we have a good life, not going to complain but her life is not the life of an average european. She have a really high standing life, very few people in Europe have this kind of life.
lol this is not the life of an averge European. She and her husband are basically in the top 5% of income in Belgium.
She's optimizing her life, and that's great to see. There was a weird comment in the end where she said she wouldn't get rich in Belgium because of the high taxes, but I'm pretty sure most Americans don't get rich in the U.S. either, because of the low salaries (when considering actual hours worked) combined with the high cost of living. Although, I have no sense of what's expensive or inexpensive anymore because I live in one of the most expensive cities where $590k won't even buy you a decent two-bedroom 1-bath condo...so everything seems less and a better deal in comparison!
Fact is when you have money life is cool all around the globe, when you are poor life is harsh. I am Belgian so I am not criticizing what she says about Belgium, but the reality is that at the moment without money you cannot carry out any projects, unless the project is to become homeless.
Enjoyed the video. Always interesting to read the comments of people who try to extrapolate to their own situation to contradict the living standards portrayed in this video. of course, there are couple on a tighter budget, but then again there are people who have much more. I’m sure this is not different anywhere else in the world.
If you can afford a $3000 mortgage, youll be comfortable in 98% of the planet.
Love your story! I also moved to Europe to find safety and happiness.🌻🌻🌻
FATCA is manadatory ALL countries (i think non-Nato countries are excluded)*
Wonder what her social media income looks like.
Either way, do what's best for you and your family. Unfortunately majority are too stressed and dehumanized to be able to think and and make a plan to change and let's not forget access. All things considered, good for her.
No, it has nothing to do with NATO. All countries' banks have to report in, or be taxed 30% of all their USD inflows/outflows. It's one of the dumbest, braindead laws ever created (along with the US's citizenship-based taxation); I'd use harsher words, but I'm mincing them being aware of the YT filter.
Looking forward to moving there for work in a couple months, great video.
Just so you guys know, this is from the point of view from a couple with a household INCOME of at least $135k EUROS annually. This isn't a normal experience in Europe.
I was always tought your mortgage could only be 1/3rd of your netto income ! If you want to buy a house like that it means paying 100.000 or more euros in advance and earning 10.000 € netto a month, which is indeed not average ...
In then DC metro, the median income is $100,000.00/year for college professionals and many make over $175,000.00/year.
So if it's euros, then it wouldn't be $, but € lol
Most rich people stay rich by spending like the poor and investing without stopping then most poor people stay poor by spending like the rich yet not investing like the rich but impressing them
Exactly! My grandparents were so frugal but they had a TON of money on both sides. I remember my grandfather telling me "you want to make money while you sleep." And I guess that attitude passed down to my dad (RIP), because I remember going to his house one day and I had bought something I really liked, so I wanted to show it to him. So I said "Look at this!
Isn't it cute? It was on sale...I saved 50%!" My dad replied "Well, if you're spending, you're not saving." Obviously I had no retort, and that has always stuck with me.
Thanks to my co-worker (Alex) who suggested Ms Angela Christine Derle
After I raised up to 325k trading with her l bought a new House and a car here in the states 🇺🇸 🇺🇸
also paid for my son's surgery (Andy). Glory to God.shalom.
Sure! She engages on what's Apk using the digit
That's her whats App🇺🇸
Now I understand why there are always 2 things to select when you apply for a credit card (for example): if you’re an American citizen or not. At least in Switzerland.
It's so fun and fascinating to hear life storiy and anecdotes of different people with distinct origins and walks of life
what you're paying 3000 for mortgage ?? to live in brussels ?? for a duplex ?? i couldn't imagine living outside west flanders . we pay under 1000 euro mortgage for a house in ostend . maybe less fancy but the beach is only a 15 min walk . bruges is 30 min drive
Wow, that's an absolute dream! The most amazing duplex apartment in a unit with 2 others in a quiet Brussels neighborhood. Well located for food culture and international travel, amazing she could make a living out of it. Very wholesome video, congrats to Jessica!
I’m a black American woman living in the US and videos like this make me want to move to Europe. I’m sick of the racism, traffic, sprawling suburbs where you don’t see anyone outside or walking around, car centric design/culture, gun violence, unaffordable housing prices, childcare, healthcare, and higher education, as well as only 2wks PTO. Some comments though are making me think that even still, quality of life in the US is better than Europe? What’s the truth?
'... quality of life in the US is better than Europe ...'. In short, no. There are lots of videos here on RUclips made by Americans living in Europe. Some of them have settled in my country, England, and are perfectly happy. Racism is a problem in nominally "white" countries and that is the reality.
As they it depends upon your priorities and perceived value. Remember that quality of life is not just the only criteria as you also need work to survive as well as other things. Quality of life in comparison to US is high in Europe but also at the cost of high taxes and social welfare programs.
Travel to Europe and stay more than 2 weeks if you can in one place to get an idea. There are good points and bad points. Safety, public transportation, more security versus a complacent attitude rather than a go getter one, lack of choice and often subpar service and little customer orientation. Europeans also tend to be more insular, less friendly and outgoing in general. Racism is everywhere but in Europe it's more a class thing. If you're black but well dressed and well spoken you will be treated as 'honorary white' but in the States you could be a huge black celebrity like LeBron and be stopped by police regularly as you drive into your expensive neighborhood.
@@vmoses1979”honorary white” I’ve never heard such a thing and being living in Belgium my whole life as a black woman.
I live (and grew up) near the Belgian border in Luxembourg and my life could not be more different from this. Just saying....
How so?
@@TheMiccoliGroup cost of living is sky high over here. We both work as independents trying our best to raise two kids with no fringe benefits from employers for example. We still get by but there’s no free time for anything
I live in Canada. So I get it. Start your own business.
visited belgium last year for the first time and love the architecture. I was in a tourist area specifically the I think pentagon area in brussels? it was amazing.
Long story short I was having a beer at night by myself and was approahced by a french girl to share a cigarette and beer with. She ended up taking me to an underground techno show and I loved it LOL.
@@LXBalla4414 I am sorry, but I call complete BS on what you're saying. Unless you're one of these people (like the ones in the video) living in the heart of a capital city, buying property is not your main issue. Actually, property prices in Belgian province of "Luxembourg" are FAAAAAAAAAAR lower than living in Luxembourg... Side note; are you working to live or living to work???
Thanks for reminding me how awesome it is to live here.
The best thing about Brussels is the train to Antwerp ♥
Antwerp has only one problem : too many Antwerpians.
Help me here. I'm torn between moving countries and staying put where I currently reside. There's this voice in my head that says there really is no "paradise" in the world as we know it today
The American dream is to be able to immigrate to a better country without having to worry about the violence, politics, & lack of quality education & healthcare. It’s sad she had to participate in the US military industrial complex, but I completely understand since they purposely/nefariously use it to make working class people (especially POC & 1st generation/immigrant folks) join in order for them to elevate their financial status & class
Sad? She used the US system to fund education, travel, and emigration out of the US. She was smart and driven, it must have been a hidden blessing for her to be fired and end up in Belgium working her own business.
As a Belgian I'm happy gor her. For her specific situation it works out fine. In general the financial difference is just because Belgium is one a quite a few 'social welfare states'. Taxes are high, and go into social benefits like education, healthcare, child care, pensions. Belgium certainly isn't thr most efficient one: taxes and national debt are about the highest in Europe, the quality of the social services is similar ot worse then other European countries.
Belgian here. Nicy cherry picking to make a bias point.
I pay more than 40% income taxes so those that come here can get all the free stuff.
There's a reason why people go to the US to build companies. There's a reason why Europe's economy has barely recovered since 2008.
Bad policies, corrupt politicians, and immigration overload.
Yes, some things are better in Belgium but that video is like showing Disneyland Paris and telling people that it is Paris.
They spend 55% in taxes, so what do you mean free stuff???
On the chaussée de louvain ( the house just before the american pharmacy now) sat 1 traiteur. You could find there very posh and exotic food ready made in plates. I still remember the smell of that shop and how fancy that was while looking at the nylon panties and lace bra lacletes of posh chicks coming to order with dogs we had never seen ( pitbulss)
I'm an American who lived in Belgium long enough to become Belgian. There are a ton issues with her story.
1) The government doesn't provide healthcare. Belgium's healthcare is administered through non-profit insurance agencies and private doctors. The government reimburses part of the cost, but doesn't directly run care facilities.
2) Co-pays are way higher than 2-3 EUR a month. A general consultation runs you 10-20 EUR. Sure, it's lower than the US, but it isn't "dirt cheap."
3) Belgium has some of the worst traffic in Europe, and people definitely get angry and honk while sitting in daily gridlock (a lot of that comes from the backwards tax policy of making it cheaper to give employees a company car than a meaningful pay raise. Not only is this horrible for the environment, but it hampers wealth-building and risk-taking since people hesitate to change jobs out of fear of losing their German automobile).
4) 3,000 EUR a month is crazy expensive for a mortgage for many parts of Brussels. They were able to afford that due to their high income they made living in the US
5) Belgian workers effectively can't be fired, which creates poor service and labor inefficiencies. Getting fired is like winning the lottery (2+ years of unemployment and paid holiday while being unemployed). That cost falls back on the consumers.
It'd be nice if CNBC would talk to Americans who have lived overseas for more than 5 years. There's a lot of stuff these green expats just don't know or miss. It's kind of embarrassing as a long-time European resident to see these misrepresentations of US vs European life.
2) Co-pays are way higher than 2-3 EUR a month. A general consultation runs you 10-20 EUR. Sure, it's lower than the US, but it isn't "dirt cheap."
That's not true these days, one no longer has to pay up front and get money back later. Nowadays all you need to pay is the 2-3 euro per visit, like she says.
3) since people hesitate to change jobs out of fear of losing their German automobile
This also feels a bit wrong. I don't know anyone who wouldn't change jobs out of fear of losing their car. Company cars basically are ubiquitous for certain sectors/job titles, it doesn't matter where you work you will be able to negotiate for one.
5) Belgian workers effectively can't be fired, which creates poor service and labor inefficiencies. Getting fired is like winning the lottery (2+ years of unemployment and paid holiday while being unemployed). That cost falls back on the consumers.
Ofcourse one can get fired, an employer simply needs a valid reason for it, that is all. No random firings around here like in the USA that much is true. But you certainly can get fired, I have been.
The 2 years plus of unemployment is highly conditional. You cant simply waltz into Belgium, work for a few months, get fired and colllect free money. Back in the day it used to be a lot easier to abuse the system but nowadays they are pretty strict.
Belgium is more productive than the us so …
@@Its_elena2 We are a great place to live as long as you are upper middle class or above. Anyone below that is kind of struggling these days , though "struggling" is relative obviously.. our view of struggling still is a poor mans paradise.
@@kverreet Nailed it! Thank you.
Thank you.
Nice storyline happy for you! Best regards from Germany
I'm flying to live in Europe in 2 days, such a better quality of life than the US. Looking forward to leaving the culture war and stupid politics behind.
Stupid politics won't leave you in Europe. They have stupid far left politician, who think cow burps are significant contributor to climate change.
Belgian here. She looks like she went to the St Gilles market.
We can comment all we want, I'm glad she likes it here. Her neighborhood is not mine, city is not yours, country not yours. Everything is different it depends where you live. Let's just be happy for her. Overall it's not wrong or excessive to say that Europe is better than the US if you only consider quality of life.
I am glad this worked out for her but as a POC that lived in Europe, I got treated very differently. Your job opportunities are very limited, the money is not as good as US, forget about any kinds of promotions since you are a foreigner, and it’s not easy with cultural and language barriers. I hate these types of videos, they show the very glamorized side of it. I fell for it thinking Europe is some utopia and went to a country that is consistently top 5 for happiness and top 3 for wealth and I was miserable with no friends.
I wonder if countries that claim to report the top happiness are ever heterogeneous in terms of ethnicity, religion, or immigration? Each culture and country measures happiness differently so maybe that gets lost in translation. Either way, sorry to hear you had such a rough time. I hope you find your niche and grow :).
@vvonderweiss i moved back to US and its better now. And indeed those top countries are very homogeneous. Its always Finland, Sweden, Switzerland, etc. And they have the lowest diversity and immigration. So everyone believes the same thing. I do appreciate the safety nets though.
@@vvonderweiss Seems to be that way.
Wow. I’m a black American woman living in the US and videos like this make me want to move to Europe! I’m sick of the racism, traffic, sprawling suburbs, car centric design/culture, gun violence, unaffordable housing prices,and only 2wks PTO. Your comment is making me think that even still, it’s better than Europe?
@outsidegirl100 Europe is better but just dont expect to be welcomed with open arms. Your social life and career will suffer. If i had friends and better job opportunities, i would of stayed in europe.
So glad for you… pls stay there!
Huh? Literally never seen anyone get judged in the US for having wine in the afternoon.
I have. They immediately think you're an alcoholic. It's fairly typical difference I see between Europe and US.
@@ladyethyme Exactly.
@@ladyethymeexactly! That’s why I made the comment on the video
People definitely judge in the US, will assume you’re a slacker with an easy job
Right. She seems very touch up
Every time I watch US vs Europe videos… it can be resumed in two words:
Car Dependency
You either have a great car living in the suburb and a big house or have you a lifestyle around people with coffees and cocktail bars.
What a beautiful story ❤
a lot of people say “i pay more than 50% taxes” But the min is 25% and max is 50% in Belgium so how can you pay 55% taxes ? The beauty about Belgium is that you don’t pay any capital gain taxes on stocks.. 😉
It's always the American income that allows them to do this.
I didn't see any mention of American salaries here though? Regardless, Belgians are the richest in the world when you look at median wealth per adult. The US ranks 13 on this list.
The retirement income from the military
@@candyboayue112 ah yes that’s true. Military penion is good money but you’d earn significantly more from a job in Belgium.
Exactly! This is just Americans flaunting their wealth in cities with "lower" cost.
I don't understand, does Belgium give visas to content creators?
I moved from DC to BXL as well, for sure am more chilled out, my budget is much less, under a thousand euros a month with shared rent, in DC it was a thousand just for rent. My income is half but im generally less scared about the future :)
Fantastic video! I have incurred so much losses trading on my own....I trade well on demo but I think the real market is manipulated.... Can anyone help me out or at least tell me what I'm doing wrong??
Same here, My portfolio has been going down the drain while I try trading,l just don't know what I do wrong. .
Trading with an expert is the best strategy for newbies and busy investors who have little or no time to monitor trade
I think l'm blessed if not I wouldn't have met someone who is as spectacular as expert mrs Janet..
High recommended
Wow, I'm surprised to see Janet mentioned here as well. I didn't know she had been kind to so many people
I thought myself and my family were
the only ones enjoying Janet
trade benefits
I am from Brussels and it worries me because every time Americans start posting videos about some place in the world it is a bad sign for the common folk.
Expats will follow searching for some idyllic paradise that don't exist. Further more expats with their narrow frame of mind usually drive prices sky high since they are earning their salaries outside of the host country and are one of the main reasons some cities in Europe have become unlivable such as as Barcelona, Lisbon and Porto.
Also expats seem to live in an alternate world were they know better than the host country, complain about all the small details which won't suit them and are generally never integrated in the culture and the country as they "don't see a reason to learn the language as they can get along in English", let alone understand the culture.
Anyways forgive me for being sour, but since expats have basically destroyed life for most locals in many amazing citties in Europe already, I kind of think this video is of disservice more than anything else.
So, we judge people for drinking wine on Monday afternoons here in States? That's news to me. 😂
I
Especially in DC. That city is full of alcoholics lol
Well try drinking that wine on the street like she did and see what happens.
@@MyCamilla1989 Well, she sits at a table at a restaurant that has outdoor seatings. So, I've seen people drinking at restaurants that has outdoor seats and I didn't judge any of them. Are you saying you're going to judge someone for having a drink at a restaurant? 🤔
Is that the same USA where in some states or towns "open carry" of alcoholic beverages is prohibited ?
I will not visit Brussels again. I had three issues in this country. I visited London and Paris during this period in with no issues.
1. Needed to switch hotels after front desk clerk entered my room without knocking. He said he needed to explain that I had to pay additional tax. Yeah right
2. I witnessed people being robbed in plain sight. You have to look over your shoulder in Brussels.
3. My flight from Brussels to London was fine. The baggage employees went on strike and the crew did not inform the passengers that we were flying to London without our luggage. We found out an hour after we waited at baggage claim for our luggage that it did not arrive. I needed to stay in London and change plans in order to receive my luggage two days later.
Brussels is basically the Washington DC of Europe. Traffic is terrible because so many people work in the city and because the EU and NATO offices are headquartered in Brussels.
Just move to Leuven or Ghent or if you can afford it Bruges... Bruges is so beautiful!
Or pick a strategic city that has good connection with Brussels by train.
@@ABC-ABC1234 Like Malines, Leuven or Antwerp
@@wanneske1969 Maline/Leuven/Antwerp itself are UNAFFORDABLE! Either live in a village with close and solid connection nearby or pay the consequences. Although it seems sooo close in Belgium on a map, Belgium itself is very densely populated. Those mentioned cities are beyond disgustingly expensive now. (In terms of living quality Antwerp center isn't even attractive)
@@ABC-ABC1234 I am a single guy and own an 2 bedroom appartment in Antwerp. And I'm not rich :-).
@@wanneske1969 Hey Wannes, aangenaam kennis te maken. Tegenwoordig liggen die prijzen wel VEEL hoger dan 20 jaar geleden. Vooral post Covid crunch in 2021, die prijzen zijn waanzinnig gestegen. Verder moet je ook nog onderscheid maken tussen apartement aan de kaaien/ Eilandje nieuwbouw appartement vs appartement aan Sint Jans plein... ;)
2900 € Mortgage is not a standard in Belgium it tends to be way lower if you don't want to live in the city.
I always wonder how you know whether to communicate in French or Dutch. Does it depend on the city?
Rule of thumb Flanders => Dutch but nearly all speak English, I'm willing to bet Flemish people's English is better than their french even though half of the country speaks French. (Blame educational system focusing more on English)
Brussels; predominant French but English is easily accesible as well due to the international aspect of the city
Walloon region; almost exclusively French.
Officially, Brussels is bilingual, you can speak French or Dutch. Most people don't speak Dutch though ! Using English is not a bad idea, but it makes you look like a tourist.
@@wanneske1969 we can't help looking like tourists if we are though, haha. I'm half Dutch but am not fluent. And I learnt French for four years at school but can't remember much!
Im from Mexico Cancun and live in belgium with my girlfriend. Its a nice country ..great food...the only downside..is the bad weather... and they dont have a beautiful ocean..like cancun
Wow! The happiness and aura that the US CAN NEVER give many immigrants. You ma'am look Sun kissed and happy. God bless you. I tap into your amazing blessing for a tall gentleman husband.
The US is what you make it to be. Many immigrants who are educated like this woman do just fine. If you’re immigrating with $2 in your pocket, zero education, zero skills outside of manual labor, you’re going to have a harder time than say a doctor or engineering coming to the US.
Thank you 😊
It's funny, I clicked on this as I'm also an expat living in Brussels (and, by and large, really loving it), so the title piqued my curiosity. I didn't expect that the scenes would be shot literally right next to where I live. So strange and unexpected! 😅 I love the neighbourhood that I (and apparently this lady) live in... but I definitely don't have as nice a life as she, unfortunately. 😁
Belgium is a great country; highly unsung, I would say. The only downside is that income tax can be very high here and certain things are quite expensive by western European standards, like groceries, so it can feel hard to climb the ladder, financially speaking.
Some of these bot comments are crazy 😂
I am happy for her and her family.
If you live in another country why you have to send your numbers to The US? I mean you have emigrated? Right? I dont understand that.
As a US citizen you are taxed for life unless you renounce.
@@kentwhitehead7000 Yes. We are the only country in the world where we have to declare our taxes once we reside in another country.
@@inmytravelstoday That's weird
That's Uber weird.
Her only way to escape the American taxman is to become a citizen of an EU country, Belgian or Dutch for instance.
While her husband is a EU citizen this shouldn't be too much of a hassle.
I'm 45 and had the same brown couch when I was a kid!
Can you please do an episode of Netherlands??
Here in NY we paid $1400 a child for daycare. It is standard cost
The grass always seems greener at the other side