[AIX2ESXI]

Been a professional IT worker since 1999. Most of my sysadmin roles have always been on site with occasional remote work. Over the years, I've been able to swing working for a few weeks at a time while traveling abroad.

Currently based in Los Angeles and my organization is allowing us to work remote. Looking to just move abroad to Ukraine and lower my costs of living while immersing myself into a new culture and escaping the discord in my homeland. Might never come back if remote work is not longer taboo for DevOps and Infrastructure admins.

For those of you leaving the Metro areas, I encourage you to integrate in your new communities and be open minded. You will be welcomed if you leave your old ways behind and bring your talent and generosity to where you stay. Good luck!

(That WSJ Article comment section is hilarious btw, don't prove them right.)

[kilroy123]

Born and raised in California and I've been in the tech industry since 2007. I have been living abroad for almost 6 years and couldn't recommend it enough.

It requires some flexibility but it's been an amazing adventure.

[vmception]

I live in SF

I bounced between hostels and luxury hotels and airbnbs in central Europe last year, it was about $600 per month. With the luxury hotels being subsidized by reward points.

I pay over 10x more than that for pretty decadent living in SF. Not a complaint, I know what I'm doing. Just perspective.

I would highly recommend living abroad indefinitely.

[AIX2ESXI]

Much appreciated. Looking into now. Need to use my Chase Sapphire rewards more or get an Amex travel card. Only Ukraine is open right now. Thinking about Odessa so that I can study the classical arts in between Sysadmin duties and life.

[vmception]

Croatia is open right now to Americans, which is decent and beautiful.

And from there you can get into Schengen if you aspire for that. Its not an Schengen wide policy so I wont say more. There are a lot of relationships in Europe.

Ukraine is probably cheaper but its up to you.

[AIX2ESXI]

Thanks for the advice. Will look into Schengen visa. What are the best portals for finding work? I'll be remote until end of year with my current gig. But the 10 hour timezone difference will catch up to me.

[AIX2ESXI]

Yeah, I feel that. Not much keeping me here now and I miss the sensation of international exploration. So pissed that my favorite digital nomad spots are blocked due to passport restrictions. We'll see what the future holds.

[morceauxdebois]

You don't think you'll find discord in Ukraine, the country in a cold civil war?

[AIX2ESXI]

For sure, but the language barrier and not being on the border will provide some dissonance. It's more a cultural thing for me at this point. Don't feel connected to America after falling in love with international life. Also want to escape the election cycle and local politics that everyone seems to obsess about.