IT jobs in warm climate that are well paid - OPTIONS?

St1mpMeister

I'm a senior developer and looking for a change of scene. I grew up abroad and as a result have an affection for warmer climates and outdoor pursuits like kiteboarding, kayaking, SUP, etc.

I'm toying with the idea of going abroad for a few years, living somewhere where I can kiteboard year-round in warm waters, yet still earn a "decent wage" and trying to come up with a list of locations I should choose from.

I lived in Canada, NZ and Australia for a year each. Canada was great but the weather isn't always warm unfortunately. NZ/Oz are too far away for me as I want to be able to pop home at least once a month as I have commitments here. I also lived in the Middle East for several years and that was great but heat can be stifling. I'd prefer somewhere maxing 35 C in the summer.

So my thinking is along the lines of:
- Barcelona
- Portugal
- South of France
- Perhaps the US west coast (but not a fan of the health system)

Any other places I should consider? Antigua?!?

EDIT: just to say, I know I could setup shop on my own and work anywhere, but would prefer to work for a company in the locale.

zweton

Malta?

Zascar

I've always wondered the same. I'd love to live in a warmer country but the type of Technology companies I work for are usually only in pretty big cities - and I don't speak any other languages. Australia is fantastic but so far away. Dubai is great but yes the heat is insane. If you don't have another language you are kind of screwed. There are places where English is fine like Singapore but its incredibly expensive.

I found everyone speaks English in southern Portugal and its really nice but few big companies. South of France is beautiful but packed in summer and the french are not the most welcoming. America used to be very appealing to me but not so much these days. I'd love to take a break in another country but there are not a lot of options.

pauliebdub

You could find something in Barcelona, if you have specific in demand skills, but you would probably need to speak Spanish or at least make a big effort to learn. Salaries are also considerably lower and full time jobs are hard to come by. You might also have some luck in Lisbon.

pauliebdub

You could also consider Munich, lots of jobs, a great city, near mountains and plenty of lakes for water sports. Again you'd need to speak some German or make a big effort to learn.

jamesthepeach

I don't have any language apart from English and have had no problems whatsoever anywhere I've worked. Japan, Spain, Germany, us, Singapore, Dubai, Barbados and a few others.

Id go for Dubai if I were you. No tax. Hello money. Goodbye money. Work for a year there and then just head off to the country of your choice for a year and pick up work after you get there. You'll have enough from Dubai to keep you going for years anywhere else.
Once you build up your contacts you will have no problem getting it work internationally. There are many who do exactly that and there are specific contacts who will call you with the work.
You can decide at the time whether you want it or you want to.spend another few months surfing.
It really is a great life.
Once you get married and have kids all that ends
Enjoy it while you are young.

By the way huge money to be made contracting in London, IT and finance. I really dont understand why anyone works in IT (and isn't tied for family reasons) in Ireland when London is paying minimum of £500 up to £1500 a day for contractors at the moment.
You can even get a UK based job and work 3 weeks in Ireland every month if you want. Or as the op would like, somewhere with nicer weather for a week a month

Jersey (United Kingdom)

British Overseas Territories. Bermuda. Gibraltar. British Virgin Islands. Cayman Islands

They are tax havens with a lot of expats working in them.

Zascar

I have family in Dubai so I've been a good few times - it's very cool but I have hesitations about living there. It's got extremely expensive in the last few years. I think 10 years ago was the time to go, even up until 5. Also not sure how i'd bare the summer heat. If you have kids schools are mad money. There are plenty of good things about it though and I'm still considering it.

jamesthepeach

Zascar wrote: »

I have family in Dubai so I've been a good few times - it's very cool but I have hesitations about living there. It's got extremely expensive in the last few years. I think 10 years ago was the time to go, even up until 5. Also not sure how i'd bare the summer heat. If you have kids schools are mad money. There are plenty of good things about it though and I'm still considering it.

It's hot and not the best place to live.
But the money you leave with is amazing.
Do it for a year. You wouldn't be able.fornlonger tbh.
But I have mates untold to go and a couple of them are there now. It's still the same. Fortunes to be made. Definitely wouldn't do it if you have kids though. Even don't do it if you are married unless you both get jobs.

Wesser

Malta.
Good jobs, tax haven, sunshine, cheap Ryanair flights!

zweton

Would it be a place you would get bored if quickly enough I wonder?

Did you live there for a bit wesser?

Wesser

No I didn't but I have friends living there and they are doing well for themselves.
It is English speaking as well.
As with any place you have to go out and do things and make friends..

zweton

Yeah I agree, are they working in i.t ?

Wesser

He is a software developer

St1mpMeister

Sorry for delay getting back... thanks all for suggestions.

Dubai is a maybe, but having lived in the middle east for several years I'm only too aware of how stifling the summers can be and you need to stick indoors to escape it. My sister has lived out there 20 years and is whiter than me

I also think that IT jobs in Dubai tend to be geared towards Indian/Pakistani workers as I recall the salaries weren't great.

Haven't been to Malta yet, will check it out. Spain is currently topping my list as I speak a little Spanish, but I recall there being 100s of jobs that required only English. Valencia/Barcelona/Cadiz.. lots of places to choose from, and a short hop home whenever I need to head back.