True. I grew up in the Netherlands where things are similar but now live in New Zealand. The highest tax bracket in NZ is the lowest tax bracket in the Netherlands.
It will be very difficult for me to go back and pay huge taxes again, knowing that despite the taxes healthcare isn't free there and corporations getting so many tax incentives. it feels like the burden is unfairly placed on individuals.
Having said that... People working from home has been the biggest frustration in my work for the past three years. I specifically picked a company where people like to come in, and are required to for at least three days. I want to work with people, not anonymous voices with cameras switched off not responding to calls and messages (I'm sure they're all hard at work lmao)
Happy new year from another Dutch couple in NZ... Six years and counting.
Besides what you pointed out, work culture is incredibly peasant here. If I talk to my Dutch friends back home, they have to work so hard and compete with so many people... Meticulously needing to tick each box on the job listing.
It's probably safe until someone decides to go look what's inside their smoke detector