Are there many Europeans on this forum ? - Page 4

trackaghost · #46 10-04-2007, 06:23 AM

I'm one of the few UK people on here.

Gypsy-Rhiannon · #47 10-04-2007, 06:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trackaghost

I'm one of the few UK people on here.

We may be few but we are special!

danax6 · #48 10-04-2007, 06:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Catdancer

Fortunately Peg got a job, her boss and his wife helped us out big time, we're in a nice apartment but because it's a small company she has no benefits (no 401k, no healthcare etc). At least, in Holland when you get fired you'll get a check every month enough to pay rent and have food on the table.

And you get health care!

Quote:

I had been here before for vacation and I loved it but real life is very different. Plus when I was younger I was alot more flexible. Although I never thought I'd survive being homeless, it was one of my biggest nightmares but we stuck it out and are back to some kind of normalcy. Still, I'd like to go home, I miss the Dutch 'gezelligheid' (closeness).

I'll trade you my apartment here for your apartment in San Fran, which is where I will be going next year.

suzyvermoesen · #49 10-04-2007, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danax6

I'll trade you my apartment here for your apartment in San Fran, which is where I will be going next year.

Are you going to actually live there ? And now that Lindsey will be coming to Antwerp in 2008

Seriously, i liked San Francisco a lot. And tt's not that big, even to european standards. Loved the sea-lions !

The Catdancer · #50 10-04-2007, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by suzyvermoesen

That was exactly what i meant by having everything you need in this small country of ours (and the rest of Europe).
I was reading an interview with Michael Moore yesterday, about his latest movie "Sicko". For us it's unimaginable that you do not have the right to basic medical care unless you're privately insured. And about 6 years ago my husband got fired and it took him about a year to find another job. But during that time he did get unemployment benefit every month.Agreed that
it was no pot of gold but it was enough to tie us over. (when necessary you can economise on all kinds of things like clothing etc)
That has also been my greatest objection to emigrating to the US; we have built up so much social security here (pension, medical care, unemployment benefit etc..) that we would be foolish to leave all that behind at this stage in life (i'm 51 and my husband is 57)
Not that we can not become homeless. I'm sure that it only takes a few set-backs like losing your job then losing your partner and because of all that losing your home and your health, could land you on the streets. It can happen to all of us, even here in Europe.
But i do believe the social "safety net" over here works alot better than in the US.
I have been to the States on holiday for more than 20 years now, and what always struck me is how many old people still had to work because they had no other income whatsoever.
So i can see why you would want to come back to Europe. Btw :is Peg dutch too ? If not, she might be in for a culture shock, especially
our traffic will give her the creeps ..

And that's exactly what I mean: your social security. I gave it all up. And yes, you could become homeless in Europe but at least the government is willing to help you. The government here takes care of itself and that's it. As for Michael Moore, I really like his movies but he only shows one side of the story and it's usually bad. There are good things in the USA. I guess I was too old to make such a radical change. If I would've done it in my twenties I wouldn't have had any problems. You sleep in a car at that age and your body won't ache, at 42 it's a different story. At your age, I'd stay in Belgium and just come over here for vacation.
Peg is an American, she never even left the country so she's gonna be in for a surprise to say the least. I'm showing her video clips and pictures of Holland and she's also learning the language. So far she loves it, especially the old buildings etc. I've warned her though: it's different when you live there. At first everything is awesome, as soon as the novelty wears off you'll be homesick.

The Catdancer · #51 10-04-2007, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danax6

And you get health care!

I'll trade you my apartment here for your apartment in San Fran, which is where I will be going next year.

No, no health care, we can't afford it. It's terribly expensive.

And I'm not in San Fran, I'm in Seattle.

danax6 · #52 10-04-2007, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Catdancer

And I'm not in San Fran, I'm in Seattle.

Right, damn, I was confusing you with someone else. I'd go to Seattle also, though.

David · #53 10-04-2007, 12:56 PM

If you want health insurance & can't afford it on your own, find an employer that pays a part of it for you. I've never in my life NOT worked for an employer that didn't put me on the group health insurance plan. Nor would I ever consider working for an employer that didn't -- unless I was making half a million & opted to buy my own insurance coverage. Just to satisfy my curiosity, I skimmed through the want ads in a few of the major newspapers down here (Los Angeles Times, Orange County Register, San Diego Union-Tribune), & the majority of hiring employers still offer insurance.

David · #54 10-04-2007, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danax6

Right, damn, I was confusing you with someone else. I'd go to Seattle also, though.

Are you going to visit Ken (macfanken) in Seattle area?

Also up there is Jan or Jennifer or somebody .... no wait ... SARA! That's who else is up there --> Sara M.

danax6 · #55 10-04-2007, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David

Are you going to visit Ken (macfanken) in Seattle area?

Also up there is Jan or Jennifer or somebody .... no wait ... SARA! That's who else is up there --> Sara M.

Nope.

I'm not going to Seattle, I'm going to San Francisco. And I won't be visiting anyone.