Spanish dev here. I created with some friends the most active Maker group in Spain [1]. We won contests like Hyperloop's, NASA's SpaceApps (once winners, twice finalists), making robot competitions [2], teaching to everyone, etc. A couple of days ago we were talking about who would continue it, since ALL of us are leaving the country for different reasons.
So I can say that I know what it means that skilled workers are leaving first hand. Now I reverse the question, why would we stay? Spain has some great things, such as weather, food and party, but it's horrible in any tech-related industry.
For instance, I did a couple of internships to help with my University credits and earn some money. I got paid per month almost the same that I'm getting paid now every couple of days working as an US contractor. Not only that, now I'm doing things that I really love, challenging but rewarding, collaborating with the best people I know and living wherever I want. We made https://www.angularattack.com/ , now we're launching a new one way better (not yet public though) and I'm helping doing two websites for two of the biggest Venture Capital firms in USA.
Now tell me, why should I go back to working 9-5 for some company that doesn't care at all about developers and treat us as code monkeys, for peanuts and in horrible conditions? I had a horrible chair for example but there was "no budget" for a better one.
It's a pity because the country gets worse, but it's also good since the hard working Spaniards get the best -- even if it has to be outside. I am lucky I can visit my sister in UK and my friends in Japan, Sweden, Germany and USA :)
Not in tech, but in finance, and your words resonate with my experience too. After working in a project for a bank, I got headhunted by one of the Big 4, I turned down what I considered a laughable job offer (22K) and moved to Mexico. I couldn't be happier with my choice. If you are young, Mexico offers many more opportunities to develop a fulfilling professional career than Spain does.
Moved to Germany 3 years ago, going to to Spain this year.
Tech scene here in Germany is way better than in Spain, but social life... I gave up a long time ago.
My plan is to go back and make my own thing. If I'm not successful I'll try to work in remote.
I know things are moving forward in Madrid and Barcelona. What about Valencia?
I'm from the UK and living in Madrid (working remotely for a company in London) - in my experience there is a LOT more quality work in tech in Barcelona that in Madrid. I think outside of Madrid and Barcelona you'll struggle to find much interesting work.
Actually I think that my experience in Spain has set me back as I asked for way lower compensation than I realize now that I could be earning as it just seemed crazy. I remember when they asked me about "what is your hourly rate?" the first time, I said a number while shaking as it was beyond my dreams and now I realize it's totally pennies compared to the money they are probably making out of my work. Now I know for the future though (:
So I can say that I know what it means that skilled workers are leaving first hand. Now I reverse the question, why would we stay? Spain has some great things, such as weather, food and party, but it's horrible in any tech-related industry.
For instance, I did a couple of internships to help with my University credits and earn some money. I got paid per month almost the same that I'm getting paid now every couple of days working as an US contractor. Not only that, now I'm doing things that I really love, challenging but rewarding, collaborating with the best people I know and living wherever I want. We made https://www.angularattack.com/ , now we're launching a new one way better (not yet public though) and I'm helping doing two websites for two of the biggest Venture Capital firms in USA.
Now tell me, why should I go back to working 9-5 for some company that doesn't care at all about developers and treat us as code monkeys, for peanuts and in horrible conditions? I had a horrible chair for example but there was "no budget" for a better one.
It's a pity because the country gets worse, but it's also good since the hard working Spaniards get the best -- even if it has to be outside. I am lucky I can visit my sister in UK and my friends in Japan, Sweden, Germany and USA :)
[1] http://makersupv.com/
[2] https://orchallenge.es/