I spent last week in London exploring the tech scene.
Here are 6 reflections from my perspective as an American software engineer:
What I LOVED ❤️
Here are 6 reflections from my perspective as an American software engineer:
What I LOVED ❤️
1. London is the hub for Europe's tech talent 💻
I met with Big Tech engineers, startup founders, and finance bros. Unlike Silicon Valley, London is not dominated by tech
(could either be a pro or a con)
A good comparison of European tech cities: jointaro.com
I met with Big Tech engineers, startup founders, and finance bros. Unlike Silicon Valley, London is not dominated by tech
(could either be a pro or a con)
A good comparison of European tech cities: jointaro.com
2. The history 🏰
We toured Windsor Castle, which was built 900 years ago 😱
London’s rich history is everywhere.
Our hotel was located on a road junction from the 17th century. OTOH, almost everything in suburban Bay Area was built after my parents were born :P
We toured Windsor Castle, which was built 900 years ago 😱
London’s rich history is everywhere.
Our hotel was located on a road junction from the 17th century. OTOH, almost everything in suburban Bay Area was built after my parents were born :P
3. The London tube 🚇
It’s magical to quickly and easily navigate the entire city without a car. The tube runs frequently enough that you just show up — no need to time an hourly departure. The tube puts public transit in California to shame.
It’s magical to quickly and easily navigate the entire city without a car. The tube runs frequently enough that you just show up — no need to time an hourly departure. The tube puts public transit in California to shame.
4. Vegan options 🌱
Even places you wouldn’t expect often had plant-based options, and there were tons of restaurants that were entirely vegan.
Europe’s increased environmental consciousness led to tons of food options.
Even places you wouldn’t expect often had plant-based options, and there were tons of restaurants that were entirely vegan.
Europe’s increased environmental consciousness led to tons of food options.
What I HATED ❌
5. Tech compensation 💸
Engineers in Europe get paid a lot less. I chatted with several engineers about this during the @join_taro meetup.
London engineers receive dramatically less equity than their American counterparts.
5. Tech compensation 💸
Engineers in Europe get paid a lot less. I chatted with several engineers about this during the @join_taro meetup.
London engineers receive dramatically less equity than their American counterparts.
The issue is most obvious in Big Tech, where engineers get paid ~40% less in London compared to California, and the gap is larger at other companies.
@GergelyOrosz has talked about the comp ranges in Europe here (all numbers are lower than the US): blog.pragmaticengineer.com
@GergelyOrosz has talked about the comp ranges in Europe here (all numbers are lower than the US): blog.pragmaticengineer.com
6. Smoking culture 🚬
It’s hard to walk anywhere in London without ingesting a bunch of second-hand smoke from the hordes of people smoking or vaping.
This was probably the biggest hindrance to our day-to-day quality of life.
It’s hard to walk anywhere in London without ingesting a bunch of second-hand smoke from the hordes of people smoking or vaping.
This was probably the biggest hindrance to our day-to-day quality of life.
Overall London was a great experience! Two visits to Dishoom and several donuts from Crosstown 🍩
Met with some great people like @ablenessy, and @kunalstwt :)
Met with some great people like @ablenessy, and @kunalstwt :)
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