So you felt like living in Canada gave you a clear understanding of the high cost of living and low wages in the US (we'll ignore how wrong you are about this for the moment), and your example of a more affordable place to live is... Tokyo?

Thanks for making it clear I should treat your posts as a regurgitation of terminally online zoomer talking points from here on out.

Yes, Tokyo is WAY more affordable than any city in Canada or the US.

And I lived in Connecticut too btw, but Canada was longer and more relevant since I visited a lot more of the US while living in canada.

I'd agree Tokyo or East Asian Cities certainly has a much better quality of life than the dump that is the Bay Area, but if take everything bad about the US labour market that's pretty much amped to 100 in Asian societies and for lower pay and longer hours. You won't have the time to enjoy much of that comfort in the same way as you might in a vacation.

Anybody ambitious would agree it's still far more optimal to work in a USA and build a career there first before moving to Asia as an expat to better negotiate terms. And even then, the supply of interesting jobs there is going be much less.

That’s not really true anymore! Japan works on average less hours than the US does at this point, especially if you’re in tech like me. I’ve never worked more than 40 hours per week here.

And Japan actually has more time off for people to enjoy the fruits of their labor too!

As far as moving goes, I wouldn’t be so sure. Plenty of people start off their career in their home country before moving to HK or Singapore or Tokyo, skipping the US entirely.

Anecdotally, a relative of mine worked at a firm in Hong Kong as an Architect, and the firm literally refused to do anything about nearby construction that there was dust blowing into the office ever day. That's the kind of labour standards you may see in Asia :)

She's working in London right now and alot more happier, tbh having grown up there in HK most of my cohort have moved to US or Europe.

Tech as an expat is a bit of bubble, most of the "hard work" in building a career is achieved in the less competitive environment. Growing up there in those cities is another matter, the academic pressure and job market can be soul-crushing. If you don't get into a top university many large firms won't hire you. That's not to say similar things happen in USA, but it's relatively easier to get into Ivy League, and outside of Banking or Law most other careers are willing to give you a chance to prove yourself.

Well, as I’m sure you know HK is in a different country (and hemisphere!) than Tokyo.

This is like saying you almost got murdered in El Salvador and that’s why you don’t go out alone in Nashville.