How do you think Brexit will affect software /startups in Uk ?
Do you think London will maintain its reputation as the opportunities city?
Ask HN: Relocating to London After Brexit
1–10 of 97 posts
Re: Ask HN: Relocating to London After Brexit
#2London wasn't that great when it comes to tech jobs compared to US/Canada. Starting salary for grads at FANGs is around a third of what it is at large US cities when living costs are no more than 30-40% lower for example. Compared to rest of Europe London is a lot better with notable exception of Switzerland which is a non-EU country. So to me it would seem that membership in EU is not a necessary condition for good tech jobs with competitive pay.
I'd be a lot more worried about the general shift to working from home than leaving EU when it comes to London's importance as a tech center.
Re: Ask HN: Relocating to London After Brexit
#3I’m not sure what you’ll gain from this question other than political comments.
Some will say no because of possible tariffs the EU could apply to sales into the Eu. It tends to forget that the rest of the world exists.
Some will say yes given the UK now has the ability to reduce taxes, invest in areas that it couldn’t before and provide competitive opportunities which anyone in the EU couldn’t
So it’s really down to the UK to take advantage of its freedom.
Re: Ask HN: Relocating to London After Brexit
#4London wasn't that great when it comes to tech jobs compared to US/Canada. Starting salary for grads at FANGs is around a third of what it is at large US cities when living costs are no more than 30-40% lower for example. Compared to rest of Europe London is a lot better with notable exception of Switzerland which is a non-EU country. So to me it would seem that membership in EU is not a necessary condition for good…
I would agree to this about working from home. But this applies every city as well - New York being notable because of the mass emigration during COVID.
Re: Ask HN: Relocating to London After Brexit
#5London wasn't that great when it comes to tech jobs compared to US/Canada. Starting salary for grads at FANGs is around a third of what it is at large US cities when living costs are no more than 30-40% lower for example. Compared to rest of Europe London is a lot better with notable exception of Switzerland which is a non-EU country. So to me it would seem that membership in EU is not a necessary condition for good…
Switzerland is not that great either I believe. Looked it up last year, I could make ~1.5 times what I make now, but prices are on average at least 2 times higher than where I live now.
Re: Ask HN: Relocating to London After Brexit
#6London wasn't that great when it comes to tech jobs compared to US/Canada. Starting salary for grads at FANGs is around a third of what it is at large US cities when living costs are no more than 30-40% lower for example. Compared to rest of Europe London is a lot better with notable exception of Switzerland which is a non-EU country. So to me it would seem that membership in EU is not a necessary condition for good…
Switzerland is not that great either I believe. Looked it up last year, I could make ~1.5 times what I make now, but prices are on average at least 2 times higher than where I live now.
Taxes are very low, though.
Re: Ask HN: Relocating to London After Brexit
#7London wasn't that great when it comes to tech jobs compared to US/Canada. Starting salary for grads at FANGs is around a third of what it is at large US cities when living costs are no more than 30-40% lower for example. Compared to rest of Europe London is a lot better with notable exception of Switzerland which is a non-EU country. So to me it would seem that membership in EU is not a necessary condition for good…
I would agree to this about working from home. But this applies every city as well - New York being notable because of the mass emigration during COVID.
I think most NY exits went to NJ by a good train line. NY should be fine.
Re: Ask HN: Relocating to London After Brexit
#8London wasn't that great when it comes to tech jobs compared to US/Canada. Starting salary for grads at FANGs is around a third of what it is at large US cities when living costs are no more than 30-40% lower for example. Compared to rest of Europe London is a lot better with notable exception of Switzerland which is a non-EU country. So to me it would seem that membership in EU is not a necessary condition for good…
I always feel like salary comparisons are a little biased by a slightly US-centric definition of a comfortable lifestyle (e.g. including a car, parking, bigger house requirements, etc) as well as underestimating some built-in benefits of other countries like free healthcare.
Are there good sources out there that would afford a holistic cost comparison of a typical London lifestyle (Tube, 1-bedroom in Zone 1-2, weekend abroad in Europe, etc.) vs SF, LA or NY for instance?
Otherwise agree that long-term the work from home trend could be slightly more concerning, but this won't materialise as soon as most think. There is still a lot of value in being physically close to networks of influence and decision-makers, which in the UK would very much still remain in London.
Re: Ask HN: Relocating to London After Brexit
#9We will find out is the only sensible answer, as the question is too complex really.
But, one obvious impact will be labour supply. Fewer European area devs will come to the UK, which will make things less attractive for big tech companies.
Re: Ask HN: Relocating to London After Brexit
#10The EU will dissolve in less than 5 years. Brexit is a howto manual for the other member countries.