[eternalban]

Consider Armenia unless you are set on the 'West'. As you know, we Iranians and Armenians are naturally simpatico, and, my impression is that Yaravan has a very lively (remote) startup and developer scene. And Armenians are a lovely and warm people. There are most certainly lovely people over here too but emotional/social temperature is quite lower (but you'll get used to it). That is one of the harder things to adjust to when you come to West from Iran, as I did in '79. But then again, I have no idea what it's like in Iran these days, so who knows, maybe a non-issue.

So bad news is that there is a definitive age ceiling in IT (in the US at least). But deep specialization can remedy that discrimination to an extent. COBOL is not a 'hip' IT space so it may actually not be a bad idea. But regardless specialize so what you bring to the table trumps age discrimination. Or look for other work.

OSS work can (maybe, depending on various variables) help, but you need to look at it from an investment point of view. Reducing your income by 40% is a -major- investment of your resources. Why not instead dedicate your weekend to this and save 40%?

Work pressure varies, but in general larger, more staid and/or possibly boring, companies are more reasonable about work hours and associated pressures.

Advice? Get rid of the akhoonds and reclaim Iran.