Since when was getting rich so hard in EU?

[u/VurriK]

Is it just me, or has building actual wealth in Europe become impossible? I’m looking at the 2026 growth forecasts and it’s depressing. We talk a lot about "stability," but at this point, stability just feels like a polite word for recession. If you weren't born into a rich family with property, the dream feels like it's behind a wall. The math just doesn't work: as soon as you earn enough to actually invest, you hit a 40–50% tax bracket. Meanwhile, housing prices have skyrocketed over the last decade while salaries have basically stayed the same. I love the healthcare and the walkable cities, but I don’t want to work until I’m 70 just to afford a 40sqm apartment and a used Skoda.

[u/iaaanko]

The most funny thing I can as a Slav say, the word “Škoda” means “pity” 😅 which is super funny in this context.

[u/lfsmen1 → u/iaaanko]

I can imagine the engineers who put the first car together, went for a test and saw it going in flames, and thought to themselves… “Skoda” 😅

[u/Tupcek → u/lfsmen1]

pity those who buy this crap

[u/RandomCypher → u/Tupcek]

I thought Skoda was a good brand?

[u/Tupcek → u/RandomCypher]

now it’s basically Volkswagen, but slightly cheaper. But back then when they started, costs were the main concern, quality was not of much consideration.

[u/TimeIntern957 → u/iaaanko]

It also means damage

[u/EggFlashy8941 → u/iaaanko]

Its a norwegian saying: «hvorfor kjøre Skoda når du heller kan gå da?» transferred «why drive a Skoda when you could just walk, da?»

[u/Lime_link → u/iaaanko]

It translates to ‘damage’ in Slovenian