Why do developers who could work anywhere flock to the most expensive cities?

Re:Why do developers who could work anywhere flock to the mo... by paganel on Tuesday April 04, 2017 @02:22AM (#14030020)

I'm in the opposite boat as you. I am by no means a "fantastic" programmer, but I did indeed receive a job offer for working in NYC a couple of years ago (I now live in an Eastern European capital of about 2 million people). I concluded that living in a shared appt while I'm in my 30s it's not for me anymore, at least if I can avoid it, and there was almost no way for me to live on my own in NYC unless I had commuted from very far away.

I also couldn't fathom putting an entire ocean between myself and all the people and things I love. I see myself living in Berlin, let's say, but living half a world away was just too much for me. I was also well aware of the money I decided to leave on the table when I refused the offer.

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Re:Why do developers who could work anywhere flock to the mo... by Swizec on Tuesday April 04, 2017 @02:38AM (#14030083)

I agree. Having a girlfriend from here and sharing an apartment with her (she also makes 6 figures) rather than strangers makes things a lot easier.

She's an EU/US dual citizen so she could move to Europe with me, but opportunities for soft skills people are hella scarce on that side of the pond. It's hard enough over here.

And 2 million capital vs 300k capital is big difference in "amount of things available" ;)

I'd prob wanna move to Paris or Berlin or NYC eventually. All cheaper than SF.

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Re:Why do developers who could work anywhere flock to the mo... by elastic_church on Tuesday April 04, 2017 @03:01AM (#14030178)

Hm thats weird, I was a junior engineer and living in Manhattan. And aside from simply being able to afford it with less than 30% of your monthly income, there are more than enough ways to get lucky on rent in NYC.

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