[MichaelCrawford]

I wouldn't regard myself as a "young American" as I have grey hair now.

But I am considering emigrating to Europe. I've lived in Italy and in France; I'd like to go back someday.

http://www.warplife.com/mdc/resume/ if you have a job for me there.

Germany would be cool too, I studied German in high school.

[Red_Tarsius]

I'm a 22yo Italian. I will move to the West Coast as soon as I can.

Healthcare and university aside, I don't understand the appeal of Italy. The air you breath here is filled with cynicism and hopelessness. The state is not business friendly. You can find history, good weather and nature in other places.

The deep south has been destroyed by mafia's garbage management. Please, read USA army's findings on Naples. http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/30/world/europe/beneath-south...

[MichaelCrawford]

I have many fond memories of living in Formia while my father served on the USS Springfield in Gaeta. I've been to Naples many times.

I was but six years old then; it was not until many years after we returned, that my father explained the widespread corruption to me.

What I remember are beautiful young women who would toss chocolate soccer balls to me, from their apartment balconies.

[s73v3r]

"The state is not business friendly"

90% of times when people say this, they mean that business is not allowed to run roughshod over anything it wants.

[beachstartup]

in italy this means the 5% of businesses that "unofficially sponsor" the government are allowed to run roughshod over anything they want.

[chrisper]

Do you think there are enough tech jobs in Europe? Because I am from Europe, but studying in the US. Considering going back after I am done here, but many people say the tech scene here is a lot better.

[_delirium]

Can only speak for Scandinavia, but there is plenty of technology work available, for both locals and anyone who speaks fluent English (it's a plus, but not necessary, to also speak a Scandinavian language). True both at "tech companies" and in many, many places in other parts of industry. For example in Denmark, Maersk (a global shipping/logistics company) hires large numbers of technologists, ranging from straightforward programming jobs, to data-science / operations research / mathematical modeling type roles. They are perhaps uniquely easy for foreigners to work for as well, because they have a workplace language policy that comes close to "English-only" (with so many global offices they really, really do not want anything in Danish, not even email chains, out of fear that it will slow down inter-office communication).

The finance industry is another traditional sector that's frequently hiring in tech. The jobs there pay well and are good for work/life balance (no overtime, not much stress), but have a reputation of being staid and boring. You might even have to wear a suit to work (I have seen this explicitly mentioned in job postings). They also tend to require at least a bachelor's degree, and look positively on an MSc.

There is a ton of freelance work as well; lots of companies, government agencies, etc. seem to be regularly in need of someone to build an app, redesign a website, build a "serious game" / "training game", analyze some data, etc., and some are even willing to pay well for it. The freelance gigs are harder for foreigners to find, though, unless they speak the language and have developed a good local network.

What there is generally less of is: 1) salaries in the $150k+ range; and 2) venture capital. But there are plenty of good normal jobs, and a small mostly-bootstrapped startup scene.

[chrisper]

Well, salaries here are $150k+ because the cost-of-living is crazy. I think even if you make less in Europe you have a better life in general.

[IndianAstronaut]

>salaries here are $150k+ because the cost-of-living is crazy

This strikes me as unsustainable. A lot of the basic services will deteriorate quickly since those providing them cannot afford accommodation.

[km3k]

Most of the US doesn't have super-high cost-of-living and $150k+ salaries. Just the biggest cities do. Remember, the US is HUGE.

[atom-morgan]

So if someone was interested in a job in that area, would you simply suggest applying through their websites? Should I update my location on LinkedIn and wait for recruiters (if that's big there)?

[MichaelCrawford]

I haven't actually posted any Scandinavian companies yet, but over the weekend I'll post a few at http://www.warplife.com/jobs/computer/

I just looked at the LibreOffice spreadsheets that I've been collecting these in, I have five for Sweden, one each for Norway and Denmark. Of course there are many more that I could list but do not yet know about.

[nazgob]

Just go via websites, travel to few conferences and you're all set.

[MichaelCrawford]

"better" here in the sense that there are more startups in the US. I'm not so sure there are more openings in the US; my sense is that Europe has just as many well-established companies.

It is uncommon for startups to succeed.

[chrisper]

I guess the salary is also lower in Europe, but the life in general is better even if you make less compared to the US.

[toomuchtodo]

Work remotely. Decouple your salary from your location.

https://github.com/lukasz-madon/awesome-remote-job

[MichaelCrawford]

I've done too much remote work. It can get very lonely.

What I'd like is to go into an office, and have coworkers. It's not about creating killer apps by the water cooler; it's about having the company of other human beings in my workplace.

I do apply to some remote gigs, but only a very few. What I'd really like is to work in Portland, Oregon.

[sandstrom]

There is a huge shortage in the nordic countries. Quite a lot of people move here (1/4 or more in some companies are from abroad). If you speak good english you'll get by easily.

There is a social benefit to learning the local language, but not necessary for getting hired (i.e. no need to know the language in advance).

I think northern European countries are doing pretty well, but the southern ones get most of the headlines, because they are in trouble. I.e. as long as you move to a well-functioning, growing country the outlook is great.

[MichaelCrawford]

I have a close friend here in the US who is a Swedish immigrant and a web designer. Maybe she has some connections I could use.

My hesitation in applying to work in Northern Europe is that I lived in Newfoundland and Nova Scotia when I was married to a Canadian woman. I'm not real sure I have the temerity to face all that snow again. :-/

[amag]

There's typically very little snow in the tech hubs of Scandinavia (Stockholm, Copenhagen, Oslo, Gothenburg and Malmo) even in the midst of winter. If snow is your biggest concern then moving here shouldn't be an issue ;).

[chrisper]

Do you mean shortage in jobs or shortage in workers?

[sandstrom]

Shortage in skilled workers [tech sector; software]