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Ask HN: Where to go after Brexit

7 points by europeansoft ↗ HN
I'm a European software developer, I've been living in the UK for several years now. We are very happy here, but after reading the latest Brexit polls I'm considering moving again with my family in the event leave wins.

Which other European cities are good destinations for software engineers these days?

25 comments

[ 5.3 ms ] story [ 35.1 ms ] thread
EugeneOZ
It depends on what you need from cities. I'm traveling with family over Europe while working and all I need is good WiFi.

I can recommend Barcelona and Prague :)

Tomte
Tallinn is small, but seems exciting.

Estonians are on the forefront of trying digital services and e-government.

datalist
What are the reasons you'd be considering this?

Any particular cities you'd consider?

europeansoft
Well, if the UK leaves the EU my rights would be affected. Also I expect a few years of bad economy after the decision where it will be easy to blame other European countries for every problem. So the future doesn't look very promising if we stay.

I was considering Berlin, Amsterdam and Madrid (we are originally from there, so it's the obvious place to come back to, even if the situation there is less than ideal).

datalist
I admit, I am not familiar with all the details, but I as far as I know an exit should not affect the residency of foreigners already living there.

As for the economy, I'd wait and evaluate how things are going.

Have you considered Vienna as well?

europeansoft
Yes, I've never been but I've heard that it's a beautiful city.

How is the job situation there? I don't know many software companies in Vienna.

datalist
I am afraid I cant comment on the job situation. Its probably not exactly the European counterpart of Silicon Valley :) but they nonetheless have a fair share of IT companies. Maybe check out http://www.karriere.at/jobs/edv-it-organisation?states%5B0%5...

As for the city, yes it's quite a nice one, good infrastructure, lots of cultural heritage, nice environment and so on .... for the past six years it ranked #1 in Mercer's list of quality of living survey. Though to be fair, last time I was there I do admit I had the impression some things changed and it seems it has become less safe recently. So that might be something to consider as well.

pyb
You'll be definitely be allowed to stay in the UK, but the economy will definitely tank...
ramtatatam
Get permament resident status :-)

I don't think UK will exit EU, it sounds like their government is trying to get a better hand in negotiations that's all. UK leaving EU would destroy post-WWII order.

Having that said - it's right of their society to vote whatever they feel is right, permament resident status is the answer.

datalist
I'd say it is past negotiations. The referendum probably puts them actually now in the weaker position. If people opt for the EU, Brussels could easily ignore any claims for further privileges, after all the EU has been officially backed by the British people.

And if people opt for leaving, well, then the decision is clear anyhow.

As for the vote next week, I have no idea what to expect. At the last debate Cameron-vs-Farage, I did have the feeling that Cameron was slightly nervous - but that was just a subjective impression.

ramtatatam
I did not think about UK's position post referendum if they voted to stay. Indeed it looks like UK government is pushed a bit against the wall.

Well, either way obtaining a permament resident would be a wise thing to do :-)

europeansoft
I could get UK citizenship if I ask for it, and I would have done that if it was the other way around (my country leaving the EU, instead of the UK).

The way I see it, the main argument to leave the EU is to reduce immigration, it would be pointless if we stay in anyway :)

ISNIT
As far as I can tell, the main argument is about democracy vs un-elected individuals.
ramtatatam
Well, who knows how will it work if UK leaves EU - what if they get an agreement similar to Switzerland :-)
yeureka
I'm in a similar situation and I am thinking about the same thing.

Once Brexit happens I think there is a high chance that a lot of software development jobs will be lost, specially in the City of London.

This will depress wages and mixed with a lower sterling will make for a bad time for developers.

But even if this does not happen, xenophobia will most likely rise as it will be given political backing by whoever comes into power. It could become nasty for foreigners.

I hear good things about Scandinavia and Germany.

ISNIT
https://nomadforum.io/ is a good place to ask similar questions.

https://nomadlist.com/ is a great way to filter and search different countries and cities by various criterion.

I personally think that the UK leaving the EU would make it more democratic and, in the long run, a better place to live than many EU countries which are governed by un-elected individuals.

ISNIT
On a similar note, those who want to leave if the UK stays should know that Switzerland is one of the last democracies in Europe. (They also have nice watches and an amazing quality of life)
datalist
Switzerland is nice, but often overrated by expats ;)
pyb
If we have a Brexit, Berlin will quickly become the startup capital city in Europe. Finance might be forced to partly leave London as well.