HN Explorer

To move to a new country?

1 points by iopuy ↗ HN
I'm 27 and have worked for the last 5 years as a software developer in the United States. I've mostly enjoyed the experience but can't help but feel that I am wasting the prime years of my youth behind a desk.

I cannot take the luxury of quitting work completely to travel but changing jobs is a definite possibility.

I am considering moving to Europe to work as a developer. Basically finding a development position like my current role but overseas. I feel this will be enough adventure to keep me sane while allowing me to explore new and exciting cultures. My question is the following:

How has moving to a different country affected you? Are you considering gaining citizenship in that country? How did you first go about setting up your move? Did you regret it?

Thanks for the help in a difficult time in my life.

5 comments

[ 2.9 ms ] story [ 26.7 ms ] thread
willwh
I moved from Edinburgh, Scotland, to the West Coast of Canada. I am now eligible to apply for citizenship and fully intend to do so in the new year.

First things first: visas, and start budgeting to arrive in a new country with a decent load of cash in your pocket. Put some feelers out for work when you apply for your visa - if you can secure something telecommute in the interim - it's a great way to start, especially with the opportunity to work in house on arrival.

I am now happily married and my first son born in June.

While I miss the romantic memories of home, and my family, I don't regret a thing! I do travel home once a year and with the advent of video IM - being away is not quite as horrific as it was just 20 years ago!

andyl
I'm a US citizen who lived in Europe about when I was about 27. I was there for 4 years and it was a great experience - both leaving and returning. I'd do it again in a second.

How it worked for me was: I helped start a company in California, then when we decided to expand to Europe, I moved and helped set up operations there. I never considered changing citizenship.

After going and returning, my feeling was that I could be at home in either place. Its good to shake things up every now and then, and it is interesting to be in a place where things are a bit unfamiliar. So if you get a chance to move, do it!