🎉 I very recently moved to a different country 🎉

I was merely playing catch-up with the ever increasing cost of living in Belgium. Whilst my odds of owning a plot of land in a country like Belgium were ever decreasing. This is not just true for the mid- and younger generations but also for older generations who end up single, bound to a life "rent to no end".

As a software developer with contract offers ranging from 1800 euros (with car) to 2.450 euros net, I laid out my future paths. That, while rent nearing 1000 euros / month, food recently increasing by 50%, including dog food and other costs, my monthly expense crept uncomfortably close to a net income. But, let's continue with an optimistic estimate of saving up 500 / month (whilst not having a life). It would take me 4 years to save up 30.000 euros which I assume to be enough to get a mortgage loan, for a studio maybe. To then pay it off for 20-30 years? Possibly while losing myself in an office job. I often change environments when feeling stuck, it keeps me moving towards my goals

Let's just say, that's not a sustainable trajectory for me. Maybe that was a pessimistic estimate or not, a lot can happen within 20 years. Even within a few years apparently...

So, I made a 6 months plan to move abroad and pay for a starter-property in cash. 6 more months of hustling and bustling as a freelancer on very cool projects but this time, my goals were set in stone. I've set goals before but often forgot about them once comfortable in i.e. a new job, ...

If you want to follow along with my journey: https://www.youtube.com/@fleedum/featured

I actually wanted to highlight a different matter so here goes. I need to clarify that I'm settled in by now and that I'm certain that this was the right move forward.

The thrill of obtaining my first property by working hard for it, left a taste for more. The move is fairly recent but I'm already picking up jobs left and right whilst keeping my eyes open for a bigger project to work on. Because there will always be thrilling (financial) goals to work towards.

However, today I signaled my interest on a remote job with a daily rate of $400. I told them I'd like learn more about the job and afterwards negotiate the daily rate since that was a bit on the low end (in Belgium). I told them I'm no longer in Belgium but I am still burdened by a fair share of the costs due to my move being so recent.

I understand a rate decrease for a remote job since it requires no hours of commuting nor a physical presence and more competition due to it being less local. What I don't understand is that by mentioning my relocation, the rate now dropped to $300?!. Isn't the market supposed to set the rates? Not much changed but my time zone. Strange!

I also understand that a freelancer sets a rate based on their expenses / cost of living / operational costs. I'm all for competition. If a local here outcompetes me and agrees to $100 less a day, more power to them.

However, I couldn't follow the reasoning of a company dropping the daily rate by a significant amount solely for crossing a time zone on a remote position for EU citizens...

This just adds to my suspicion of this entire JOB (just over broke) scheme. In my POV, I relocated to not drown financially and / or wasting my life away. Their response is more in the line of "oh, here's $100 / day less so you drown in your new place as well".

Of course, they couldn't know my situation and I wouldn't ask them to cater to it. It's just very strange to me that whilst only my geographic location changed, which shouldn't make a difference for the remote job, they now offer $100 less for exactly the same skillset, time, work, ...

My other suspicion arose when a start-up received govt. funding (tax money?). The agreement stated that the start-up has to employ a certain amount of people within certain period. Do I perceive this a good investment in future jobs by the govt. or rather as a scheme to keep everyone busy, working, paying taxes to support ...

I would say "others" but more so it seems like the housing market is the controlling factor in "Isn't the market supposed to set the rates". Less so skill or anything else. We get paid more to pass more on to the banks or other beneficiaries, directly or indirectly. JOB (just over broke).