[SandB0x]

I agree with your advice, but just a note on the UK:

Software companies aren't the same this side of the pond, the culture seems rather different. Maybe I've just had bad experiences, but London is full of soul crushing financial services/admin software type places. I'm sure the US is too, but there also seems to be a healthy community of fresh companies.

Check out your very own jobs.stackoverflow.com - this is one of the places I would expect a modern company to advertise, but there are nine jobs listed for the whole of the UK, compared to over 50 for NY alone. If you want a "normal" programming job you have to take your chances with the vast sea of recruiters on Monster.co.uk.

(or, of course, build personal connections and/or do your own thing)

[adam-_-]

There are still a number of interesting companies in London depending on what you're interested in...

Web development: check out NMA Top 50 for Agencies.

Startups: Check out the WiredUK Silicon Roundabout article _and_ the comments!

Misc: Check out things like Times TechTrack.

Interested in a particular technology? Check out the official language job board and search for London (e.g jobs.perl.org).

There are definitely interesting companies you just have to spend some time finding them because they won't come to you.

[olliesaunders]

Yes, there isn't really a software startup/innovation culture in London.