Taiwan (amounts are in Taiwan NT): Rent: In Taipei, $16,000+; in rural areas, you can find a good place around $6,000 Food, travel: I generally spent ~$8,000, but I ate out frequently (pretty normal there.) If you stick to mostly 7-11 food and don't eat much you can bring this down to 4,000. Food is also more expensive in Taipei than in surrounding areas. Public transportation is excellent and cheap, there's little n…
Ask HN: Cost of living across the world (Ramen PPP Index for hackers)
171–180 of 180 posts
Re: Ask HN: Cost of living across the world (Ramen PPP Index for hackers)
#172Earlier quoted context omitted.
If you go with Orange on the phone you can get 35CFS/mo for phone + 3G. They have a deal going for 10CFS off per month of all plans. The high end for a programmer is higher if you consult, and there is no real downside to contracting in Switzerland.
Thanks for your additional information. I've been wondering about contracting/consulting since a while, but I'm not sure how to get started here. My mail is in my profile - I'd appreciate if we could exchange a few lines.
Re: Ask HN: Cost of living across the world (Ramen PPP Index for hackers)
#173Zürich, Switzerland Monthly Expenses $2500+ Wages 100k+
Re: Ask HN: Cost of living across the world (Ramen PPP Index for hackers)
#174Earlier quoted context omitted.
Thanks for your additional information. I've been wondering about contracting/consulting since a while, but I'm not sure how to get started here. My mail is in my profile - I'd appreciate if we could exchange a few lines.
I'd rather talk on a site that has private chat, e.g. reddit.
Re: Ask HN: Cost of living across the world (Ramen PPP Index for hackers)
#175Zürich, Switzerland Monthly Expenses $2500+ Wages 100k+
Second that. But for 2500$ you already have a 2 room/50qm flat and a Mini Cooper. At least I do. I don't know any other place where I would earn that much money as a student.
Re: Ask HN: Cost of living across the world (Ramen PPP Index for hackers)
#176Buenos Aires, Argentina. Living in a nice area such as Belgrano costs you around $800 (US dollars): - Apartment: $500 - Food: $200 - Public transport: $50 - Internet: $30 - Cellphone: $20 Most programmers here make between $800 and $1600. Really good ones make up to $2500.
Re: Ask HN: Cost of living across the world (Ramen PPP Index for hackers)
#177Re: Ask HN: Cost of living across the world (Ramen PPP Index for hackers)
#178Earlier quoted context omitted.
I'd rather talk on a site that has private chat, e.g. reddit.
Mind if I join in? I'm also living in Zurich and have been evaluating contract work. Therefore I would be very interested in anything you would like to share on that topic.
A lot of agencies will try to set their fee at 20%, but there are companies out there that will do 7% (more than payrolling but not bad).
In Switzerland even consulting agencies have to deduct vacation from your check and pay it back when you actually take a vacation, but you should be able to sign a form to wave that away (i.e. get rid of that deduction and not get paid for vacation).
Contract notice periods are usually one month. If you don't get extended and can't find another contract the normal unemployment rules apply (i.e. if you've worked for over a year you can begin drawing AHV immediately). I understand that according to swiss law you can switch contracting agencies at any time with no notice (the underlying contract has a one month notice period but who is carrying it can change during its lifetime).
Re: Ask HN: Cost of living across the world (Ramen PPP Index for hackers)
#179Buenos Aires, Argentina. Living in a nice area such as Belgrano costs you around $800 (US dollars): - Apartment: $500 - Food: $200 - Public transport: $50 - Internet: $30 - Cellphone: $20 Most programmers here make between $800 and $1600. Really good ones make up to $2500.
I'm a jealous american. How's the surf out there? How much would it cost to go ski in chile for a week?
No idea about skiing in Chile.
Re: Ask HN: Cost of living across the world (Ramen PPP Index for hackers)
#180Buenos Aires, Argentina. Living in a nice area such as Belgrano costs you around $800 (US dollars): - Apartment: $500 - Food: $200 - Public transport: $50 - Internet: $30 - Cellphone: $20 Most programmers here make between $800 and $1600. Really good ones make up to $2500.
I've been looking to work out of BA for the month of February - coming down from NYC to BA. Any advice on subletting a short term space or getting connected with other internet entrepreneurs down there? Contact: brittany at gtrot dot com or @blocks8
There are Hacker News meetups here in BA every couple of weeks. Also, there's this thing called Palermo Valley (http://palermovalley.com). Check it out.
My email is in my profile.