Housing, work-life balance and lifestyle are among the deal-breakers for people who have left Luxembourg or are planning on doing so, according to an informal Luxembourg Times survey.
An analysis of social security data published last month showed that around half of newcomers leave Luxembourg within five years, one of the highest turnover rates among high-income countries.
In a non-representative online survey, the Luxembourg Times asked readers to let us know whether they are considering leaving the country, have already done so, or whether they plan on staying.
More than 200 people responded in just a few days, with 62 people saying they had already left the country and 115 indicating that they are thinking about leaving – around 56% of respondents. Thirty said they are not considering leaving at all.
A total of 183 respondents provided further details, describing the reasons behind their decisions as part of an online form.
This is the most boring place I have ever lived. We are doing all we can to get away from here
Across the dataset, Luxembourg is described as a country with high incomes and strong public services, but many respondents said they struggle to translate those advantages into a sustainable long-term life.
“Nothing is left in the family budget after basic costs,” one person said.
Housing costs reduce disposable income. The job market feels narrower than expected. Social life is often described as lacking. For some respondents, the decision to leave is based less on dissatisfaction with Luxembourg itself and more on whether staying is viable.
Housing dominates
Housing was one of the most frequently cited issues. Of all reasons for leaving or considering leaving, 44 related directly to housing, including rent, buying, landlords and affordability. Readers repeatedly described housing as the factor that determines whether they can stay in the country.
“High priced and unaffordable housing. I always considered this to be the main problem,” one former resident wrote.
“I share an apartment with four other people in my mid-30s. Meanwhile my friends abroad have family homes. It is unbearable,” another respondent said.
Even respondents with relatively high salaries said home ownership feels out of reach. “Even with a strong salary, I could not imagine ever being able to buy,” one person replied.
House prices more than doubled between 2010 and 2022, according to national statistics office Statec. Although prices have been easing in the past months, affordability is still a barrier for first-time buyers. Rent levels have also increased faster than wages in several segments, according to data published by real estate platform atHome in March.
“I was lucky enough to have bought a house just right when Covid started,” said José, one of the repondents who agreed to speak to the Luxembourg Times with the condition of not sharing his identity to avoid negative repercussions at work. “Whoever arrived in the past four years has almost no chances of getting a decent mortgage now,” he said.
Is home ownership in Luxembourg an impossible dream?
Less choice in the job market
Seventy-eight responses referred to job-related constraints, including language requirements, limited mobility, layoffs and lack of senior roles.
“If you do not speak French, you do not exist professionally,” said one reader.
“I got laid off from Amazon. I speak perfect English, but to find a job in Luxembourg I should learn French as well,” another said.
Some respondents in tech and research described early career ceilings. “There comes a point where the only next step is being a head of admin or governance. You hit the ceiling too early,” one wrote.
Others mentioned being afraid of the future due to outsourcing and limited senior positions outside finance.
A researcher referred to fixed-term contracts in academia and limited pathways to remain beyond five years. Junior positions, such as doctoral and post-doctoral contracts – but also other posts linked to specific projects – are often limited to several years. However, staff cannot exceed five years in total working under a fixed-term contract.
How dare you leave dreamland Luxembourg?!
A social environment many find difficult to break into
While only nine responses were coded under ‘social concerns’, many readers include detailed descriptions of isolation and difficulty forming lasting connections.
“I was not able to find meaningful social and emotional connections. My entire life revolved around work,” said one person who has already left the country.
“People hang out with their own nationality. Even if you learn Luxembourgish, you have no one to practice with,” another individual said.
Several described a cycle of friendships forming and dissolving as people move in and out of the country. “You make friends, then they leave. It repeats until you are exhausted,” one person said.
Others described the capital as “too quiet” outside working hours. “The city turns into a ghost town on weekends,” one response said.
“This is the most boring place I have ever lived. We are doing all we can to get away from here,” another person wrote.
Climate and cost of living also appeared frequently in responses. “Weather, bad quality of food and ridiculous prices. Luxembourg has no life for young people,” said one respondent.
Safety concerns were mentioned in only a small number of responses, mainly linked to the Gare neighbourhood. “Gare, drug dealers, junkies. I do not feel safe,” one person said. “I got mugged twice in Gare and had two break ins in Bonnevoie,” echoed another one.
Has Luxembourg City become more or less safe in the last year?
The minority who choose to stay
The 30 respondents who said they are not considering leaving cited similar reasons for staying across responses, mostly mentioning salaries, safety, multiculturalism, healthcare and nature.
“The CNS works better than in the UK. Free public transport, excellent healthcare,” a reader said.
These respondents described Luxembourg as a place where stability and services work reliably, and where these factors outweigh other pressures. Some said they will stay to give their children a better life.
“I have a good life generally, safe, nice house, good salary. Which makes it difficult to leave… really nothing to complain about,” a reader said.
“People like to complain a lot… the reality is that you cannot say anything to Luxembourg on a personal level,” another reader said in the survey.
Stay tuned!
In the coming weeks, reporting by the Luxembourg Times and its sister publications will delve into some of the stories behind these responses.
