(I live in the UK and can only dream about USA level salaries).
I have had that choice to move to SV several times. And no doubt make a pile of money. But I don't want to live in the US. I want to live here. And if you follow indices that measure quality of life, security, democracy, freedom etc. it is easy to see why. Norway is usually at the top of those indices -- the US very much isn't.
I think this is also the reason we have an anemic tech sector: if you have a lot to lose, you become risk averse. Why start a company and gamble money when you can find a mediocre, well paid job where you work 7.5 hours per day, 5 days per week, go home at the end of the day and focus on what you want to do?
I think part of our problem is a lack of fear of not making it. We don't have to make it to have a good life. And we know it.
(It is also a factor that the cost of living in SV is a lot higher than here. I did the numbers many years ago, and I'd have to make more than double what I make here to have the same amount of disposable income in SV)
If you go by the internet metrics that are vastly skewed to be anti capitalist, then sure.
In reality, US is very much "make your own life". We have conservative areas, liberal areas, and everything in between. You can live in a busy city, or you can live very remotely.
Objectively speaking, if you take your salary+benefits-taxes in US versus salary+benefits-taxes in EU, the only way EU wins is if you are still in early stages of career and start having kids.
It is easier to see from the flip side: if you lack freedom and security, what good is wealth? You're just a prisoner with a somewhat nicer cage. If you see wealth as a goal in itself, then it just means you probably haven't actually got a plan for why you are chasing wealth.
The secular nature of the US constitution was designed to protect religious freedom while in the UK religion was subjugated to the interests of the state - the Church of England was setup so that the King could get a divorce after all!
I agree with the available VC money, it’s a big difference. But I don’t see how governments are supposed to fix that.
The cream of the crop goes to US. There’re some other obvious disadvantages the EU has for the talent looking to immigrate, like having to learn a local language if you want to be part of the society.
Cities like Amsterdam and Berlin have a huge crowd of great tech people and most don't speak the local language.
Of course people exist who move to wherever the salaries are the highest, but way more people want to be able to visit mom and dad every once in a while.
What helps Europe(and I mean mostly Germany) are more relaxed immigration rules. Like you can come looking for job without having a job offer, or get permanent residence quickly. Working visas also aren’t capped like H1B.
The cost of living in SV is insanely high. If you think rent is high in London or Amsterdam, think again.
These are outliers, and they don't have a good social system to save those in need. You also need to take into account tax and cost of living.
Yes, there's a couple of people who seemingly win, but everything counted its a minus in my eyes.
I've been in SV in 2005. I don't want to live there. The weather is decent and landscape is good, but I'm fine here in The Netherlands. I have access to beach, the weather is decent too, income is acceptable, there's a working social system, and on the plus side I also don't have earthquakes in the area where I live. Oh, and if you're a foreigner: people speak English. Though you'll find the same in say Berlin.
SAP when a beaurcratic problem needs and equally byzantine solution
HQ is in Santa Clara and it was founded in California two decades ago.