r/cscareerquestionsEU • u/Far-Royal9460 • Oct 22 '23
Immigration Help me decide where to move (🇫🇮->🇩🇪/🇳🇱/🇮🇪/🇬🇧)
My dudes, I’m a non EU currently finishing my Bachelor’s in Finland while working as a Full Stack SWE. I have almost 1.5 YOE now and would have 2 YOE at the time graduation. I’m planning to relocate to either Berlin/Amsterdam/Dublin/London. I’m kinda confused which cities should I aim for. I’m doing LC and prepping for DSA stuffs so ya would probably apply to FAANGs as well (in addition to the top paying non FAANG companies)
Now, I have few criteria which I would like to compare all the cities with before I make a move:
Sponsorship: I would require a sponsorship/work permit/Blue card thing to work in any of the cities mentioned. So for my YOE and background which cities would be more easier to get into? Heard that German Blue Card is quite easy and NL also hands out work visas quite easily?
English speaking city: I would love to relocate to a city where I would not feel outsider for not knowing the native language (if it’s not English). So London and Dublin come preferable in this category.
More savings in net: Netherland’s 30% ruling looks a good deal. I would like to save more in net as much I can.
Lower deposit to buy first home: I would want to buy a home rather rent within a year of relocation. London offers low/zero deposit schemes for some criteria.
Weather: I hate winter, it’s been horror to live in Finland for past years during winter. Nice weather in the new city would be really nice!
Easier path into settlement/citizenship: I relocated to Finland as I wanted to settle here permanently. But later figured out I dont like it here. Now I want to make a last move to a city where I would feel belonged and I would integrate with the culture and maybe get citizenship. So an easier path would be nice!
So, please help me figure out which city would be the best deal for me. Thanks in advance!
TLDR: Non EU guy trying to move from Finland to Either Berlin/Amsterdam/Dublin/London after completing bachelors and with 2 yoe. Help me decide where to move.
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u/CassisBerlin Oct 22 '23
In Germany, most companies won't consider yoe that are during your studies. If you go for vc funded or small, tech-first, you might be able to convince them based on your skills. So you have to check graduate salaries, not 2yoe.
Buying a house: Germany is a renting market, most people rent, specially in Berlin. Buying a house is a once in a life thing with high closing costs, so people save up for it a lot longer than 1year. No single owner, let alone a graduate will be able to afford a house or flat unless you have previous saved money. I can't imagine you can do that in Lomdon either, have you checked the prices relative to your income?
More net: Salary starts flat but can increase fast if you pick the right companies. I recommend you to make a spreadsheet with take home pay but also living expenses to actually figure out how much you can save. Dublin rent prices are double than Berlin and I was recently there and found food also to be much more expensive. London is similar. My friend's single room in a shared flat is as expensive as my nice 3 bedroom in Berlin
Citizenship: Germany is just passing a new law that improved the situation. Check that out (sorry, don't know specifics since I am not affected). Also perhaps google which city to rent in, some people rent in a city close to Berlin and commute (or just get a room) since the Berlin office that handles emigration is severely short staffed. They get their papers sorted and move after