How good of a life we can live in Denmark with a US$ 54,000 annual income?
My wife and 2 children will join me
Denmark - 5 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
That depends very much what you are used to here, in the States...Generally speaking, Europe is more expensive than the US, some of it MUCH more expensive. Danemark belongs to the more expensive parts, mainly because of its social benefits/tax situation. Neighboring Germany, for instance, would be less expensive, so would the Netherlands. But even so, in rural areas this salary would buy you more life than in the cities - just like in the States. Good luck!
2 :
First, are you a Nordic citizen no problem at all, but will you have a resident permit? Secondly, yes you could live a normal life in Denmark on 55 000 USD a year, but it depends on were you want to settle down in Denmark? Third, I do NOT agree with the answer you have got before this answer - not at all. You see, it is one thing to travel around, but an other thing to be living here in Europe. One will have different views and information how it really is.
3 :
It depends on a number of factors, will the children need daycare, do you want a car, where in Denmark do you want to live? I believe you would find yourself struggling to make ends meet if you decide to live in Copenhagen or its suburbs which have very high houserents, whereas you should find it easier if you move to the cheaper parts of the country. The best thing to do, in my opinion, is to research as much as you can online and make a budget with room to spare. Do you speak Danish? Below are some links which you might find helpful, they should give you an idea of what things costs in Denmark, but they are unfortunately all in Danish: If you are planning to buy a home: www.boligsiden.dk If you are planning to rent a home: www.boligportal.dk Car prices: www.bilbasen.dk (petrol costs around 9.50 kr. per litre where I live, sometimes more, sometimes less) Shopping: www.kvickly.dk www.fotex.dk www.irma.dk - look at tilbud/tilbudsaviser for the current cheap sales (we are a two adult household and we spend about 4000 kr. a month on shopping, but it can definitely be done for less). I don't have any children, but my guess is that full day kindergarten (above age 3 till they start school) will cost around 1200-1500 kr. a month for the first child and about half of that for the second child. If you have children below 3 years old that need looking after the prices could start around 2000 kr. a month and upward. School is free, the cost of child care after school hours varies, but is usually much cheaper than kindergarten.
4 :
You can live an excellent life on only $54,000 USD annual income. Living a good life has little to do with income.
5 :
If you are earning the money (which is app 283.000 DKR) in Denmark remember you have to pay tax, which would be app 93.000 DKR, so you would have 190.000 DKR left, or 16.000 DKR after tax per month. This is not a lot of money in Denmark. Rent depends very much if you live in one of the cities or in the country. But for a family of four you would probably pay at least about 8000 DKR for either a comfortable apartment in one of the cities or a nice house in one of the smaller towns. Having a car including petrol & insurance (assuming you could buy the car cash) would probably cost you another 2000 DKR a month. Alternatively public transport is less expensive and works really well all over the country - and it is customary for everyone to use it. Assuming you don't need daycare for your children, which is expensive, you would have about 6000 for food, clothes, going out etc. This should be enough if you cook at home most evenings, and your wife can live with a very limited clothes budget. You wouldn't be rich and you would have to watch your money. On the other hand if your 54.000 US$ is after tax, then you have 23000 DKR after tax. This would give you a lot more money to spend, and you wouldn't have to watch every penny you spend. But most people have a good life in Denmark. You would be fine either way, though not rich. But how important is big houses and big cars to you?
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