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Ask HN: What did you do after quitting the IT industry and how have things been?

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Re: Ask HN: What did you do after quitting the IT industry and how have things been?

#81

Post by globalgoat »

vram22 wrote: post #48
vkat wrote: post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

How does one go about renting a small piece of land for hobby farming?

I'm not sure where the parent poster lives, but I've read about this system (called allotments) in kids' fiction; it was apparently common in the UK (and may still be). Some of the characters in the stories used to be growing vegetables in their allotments :) It's something like small plots of land in or near the edges of towns, so easy for the renters (town-dwellers) to reach after/before work or on weekends. I've d…

Yes,it's a UK tradition which, if I'm correct relates back to WW2 and growing your own stuff in harsh times. It's still really common in the UK and one can get a good plot of land (within London boundaries, maybe about 100 sq mt) for less than GBP100 per year, often within 1 or 2 miles from your house. It's a fantastic deal.

Re: Ask HN: What did you do after quitting the IT industry and how have things been?

#83

Post by aerovistae »

I haven't quit altogether, but I have left my job every 18 months or so to take a few months off. Spent 3 months in Europe this past time and now just starting up a new job search. When working I save more than enough money to cover the cost of the months without work.

So far it's provided a very relaxing pace of life giving me a nice break from the office grind every time I start to get fed up with it.

I figure sooner or later it will get hard to find jobs with a work history like that, but we'll see how this round goes.

Re: Ask HN: What did you do after quitting the IT industry and how have things been?

#84

Post by DoodleBuggy »

toomuchtodo wrote: post #6
callinyouin wrote: post #5

I feel the same way you feel. Growing up I was absolutely fascinated with computers and knew I wanted to be a computer scientist since the age of 12 or 13. Now that I'm in the industry (and not in academia like I initially thought I wanted) the magic is gone and I want to get out, hopefully within the next 5 years or so. It's not that I dislike programming, in fact I still love it, but now that I'm solving other peop…

I'm buying a sailboat with my wife and daughter and sailing the world in 18 months (waiting for the last of my options to vest). Think about it! It's ~$60-100k to get the boat, and you can live on ~$24-30k/year doing it. There's a huge community out there of cruisers who do it full time.

Sounds fun. How long have you been sailing? Where did you learn how to sail? Is that what you plan on doing forever or is this a temporary excursion?

Re: Ask HN: What did you do after quitting the IT industry and how have things been?

#85

Post by DoodleBuggy »

grecy wrote: post #44

I quit my Software Engineering job and am now spending two years driving my Jeep around Africa. I'm working while on the road, writing for magazines, selling photos and filming a YouTube series. I am having the time of my life, and am extremely happy I made the decision I did. IMHO, sitting at a desk is just not worth it. Life is too short. I'm meeting a ton of people who agree, and are living the kind of life people…

Nice Jeep, what was the total cost to have it configured like that?

Re: Ask HN: What did you do after quitting the IT industry and how have things been?

#86

Post by DoodleBuggy »

It's an idea I have entertained, maybe some day will pursue.

Those I know who have bailed out tended to go in three directions:

- Teaching public school

- Diving instructors

- Owning a bar/restaurant in some touristy location

From observation, the teachers seem most fulfilled, and the divers seem to have the most fun.

Re: Ask HN: What did you do after quitting the IT industry and how have things been?

#87

Post by DoodleBuggy »

sdfjkl wrote: post #34

After about 20 years of computer stuff, I've found a new interest - sailing. I spent most of the money gained from computer stuff on a boat, learnt how to repair it and sail it (repairing being the far more extensive subject), and am about to set off for a long trip. While doing this I've been using my newly gained skills and combined with my existing skills (computers, networks, electronics) did some work in the mar…

Where'd you learn how to sail?

Re: Ask HN: What did you do after quitting the IT industry and how have things been?

#88

Post by DoodleBuggy »

eragone wrote: post #14

Went to medical school. It's about as much fun as going to medical school can be, but I'm much happier than I was in software (I think?).

Good for you, medicine is a noble pursuit. Are you going to specialize?

Re: Ask HN: What did you do after quitting the IT industry and how have things been?

#90

Post by DoodleBuggy »

khedoros1 wrote: post #25

A friend worked in software dev for a city in the area, for a few years. He left that job to become a professional photographer. I think he's been doing that on and off for at least the last 5 years. He's doing that, but also some software work. He seems happy. He bought a house for his wife and son. At least from the outside, he seems to be doing well.

I've never understood how photography is still a viable career. Everyone is a photographer nowadays, and everyone takes good pictures, just look at Instagram!

Maybe if they niche, wedding or something?

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