Contracting was how I did it initially. That's just about getting provably good at something so that you know you can always pick up an onsite gig with an email or two before flying back to the 'states.
Recently, a lot more shops have opened up to remote work, so it's much easier. You can plant yourself on that beach while still working mostly full time. And you don't need to have built up the leverage and reputation to quickly find work when you need it. All you need do is impress the folks you're working for enough for them to put up with your occasional timezone switches.
I've worked with guys doing that as part of their first job out of school.
Recently, a lot more shops have opened up to remote work, so it's much easier. You can plant yourself on that beach while still working mostly full time. And you don't need to have built up the leverage and reputation to quickly find work when you need it. All you need do is impress the folks you're working for enough for them to put up with your occasional timezone switches.
I've worked with guys doing that as part of their first job out of school.