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> The problem is the pay in a small town doesn't make up for the lost opportunity due to networking and having a selection of varied employers and colleagues. A

> The problem is the pay in a small town doesn't make up for the lost opportunity due to networking and having a selection of varied employers and colleagues. Also, the pay would have to incorporate a risk premium in case you lose your job, as it is perceived that it will be harder to find a new one. Correct. There's no networking without working your arse off in those locales. And if there are only 3-4 employers in town, you better believe that you don't want to lose your job, ever. I can not recommend, in today's economy, a software engineer ever moving to a place without knowing there is an existing job creation engine running. It's too risky. On the other hand, I'd move to Detroit if the employer was willing to 100% financially derisk the move (full relo, golden parachute on departure for any reason, massive funding of retirement, massive pay). :)

randomdata 9y ago
> I can not recommend, in today's economy, a software engineer ever moving to a place without knowing there is an existing job creation engine running. I don't see that being a big concern. There are several cities within easy commuting distance that are known for the tech industries. If worse comes to worse, I can still get to major tech hubs without any real hardship. Although I also think that tech industries within small towns are vast underestimated by, again, those who don't know to look. You'd be surprised what companies are writing their own software. I continually am. I recently learned even the little mom and pop funeral home in my town has their own custom-built software (and were, when I learned about it, looking for a developer to work on it). It is not just Facebook and Google who need developers. But the best part about small towns with more jobs than people is that employers will literally hire anyone. They aren't in a position to be choosy. You don't have to limit yourself to software engineering. You can do just about anything that is needed. If you really cannot find work as a developer, you can go do something else. No problem. I agree that you probably shouldn't move to any random town, but with careful planning you can have the best of all worlds.

randomdata 9y ago

> I can not recommend, in today's economy, a software engineer ever moving to a place without knowing there is an existing job creation engine running. I don't see that being a big concern. There are several cities within easy commuting distance that are known for the tech industries. If worse comes to worse, I can still get to major tech hubs without any real hardship. Although I also think that tech industries within small towns are vast underestimated by, again, those who don't know to look. You'd be surprised what companies are writing their own software. I continually am. I recently learned even the little mom and pop funeral home in my town has their own custom-built software (and were, when I learned about it, looking for a developer to work on it). It is not just Facebook and Google who need developers. But the best part about small towns with more jobs than people is that employers will literally hire anyone. They aren't in a position to be choosy. You don't have to limit yourself to software engineering. You can do just about anything that is needed. If you really cannot find work as a developer, you can go do something else. No problem. I agree that you probably shouldn't move to any random town, but with careful planning you can have the best of all worlds.