The first year I did not save much at all. Your start up costs are pretty high. I have one child starting school this year. (I have been budgeting for this since I started to off set the initial cost) The second year I was here I have saved around $30000 USD. We are very good at budgeting our money. I put aside our money to the states like it does not exist.
I am one of the happy guys here. I left a regional and I have not looked back.
We have a very nice lifestyle here and enjoy our time. I actually have more time off now than I did at my previous company. Some months are better than others, but I am just as tired as when I was commuting to four day trips. It really is not that bad.