Where in Europe? I'm in the Netherlands. It is a pretty good place to feel stability. It is harder to make big bucks than America but there seems to be a big safety net.

Consider talking to a mortgage broker and looking at houses. I never would have done it if my wife hadn't forced my hand. I ended up being able to afford it. And i was content to rent, but she wouldn't have it.

In the US, I struggled with having the banks accept self-employment income.