I seriously considered it at some point, as in my (former) field many top researchers lived in Philly, New York, Boston + Toronto. Becoming a top researcher means travelling where other top researchers are. It was definitely not about money, pay is often equivalent between the EU and the US.

Eventually decided it was not worth it for me (had other priorities in life), but this is a sacrifice many EU researchers make (or should I say, made) to become top researchers.

Shit, first time I read the bit about transphobia. That is awful. Apologies, I don't follow this crap close enough, consider my previous comment about cutting him some slack retracted, fuck this guy.

Edit: Didn't know about his other views. I no longer consider his views forgivable.

He is remarkably progressive and lucid for his age, so I'm inclined to cut him some slack for the topics I wholeheartedly disagree about with him.

For example, his support for Brexit I find hard to forgive... but unlike most of the ghouls that supported it, he seems genuine in his opinions and remains at odds and vocally against the Global Far Right.

It is not two things, it is several things. Life expectancy in the US is lower mainly because of one thing though.