Software Engineering in Barcelona vs. Madrid | Hacker News Reader

Software Engineering in Barcelona vs. Madrid

1 pointcengo10 comments

Hello guys,

I am a software engineer studying masters degree right now at the University Of Manchester. (Advanced Computer Science) I am graduating in September and considering moving to Spain after my graduation. The cause of that is the environment of England actually, I do not like the weather, food, people here. I know the salary will be less but that's fine. I have done quite sufficient research about the tech-situation of Barcelona and Madrid. However, I still have some queries in my mind, would it be sensible to move to Spain right after my graduation or should I get experience at least for a couple of years in The UK in order to have a good CV? I am expecting around €50.000, I have enough knowledge as well as practice about the tools that the companies are using. ( Java Technologies )

However, I have noticed that, in many comments given in forums, it's been stated that the people in BCN are less warm than the people living in Madrid. I do not know the reason of that. Would that have an adverse impact on my life as a foreign person willing to go to Spain?

Lastly, If you have the knowledge, could you please mention some of the good tech companies that have a decent salary and reputation in Spain.

Kind Regards.

(I am an EU citizen, no need for work permit etc.)

> in many comments given in forums, it's been stated that the people in BCN are less warm than the people living in Madrid. I do not know the reason of that. Would that have an adverse impact on my life as a foreign person willing to go to Spain?

In my experience, both cities are plenty of people that didn't grow up there, and plenty of foreigners. Most of the folks you'll interact with will be genuinely welcoming and willing to help you feel like home.

You'd totally make more money in UK, but I think that the quality of life you can get with nice CS-related job in Madrid/Barcelona is definitely worth trying.

The salary does not play a crucial role on my life, I might earn less than I earned but the environment is the key that I am considering. What about the CS-situation of Spain in general? Is it improving, stable or not interested?

It’s definitely getting better. If you can, take your time to find conpanies that follow and encourage best practices (proper staging environments and project management, testing, continuous integration and deployment, training resources, career path). Some well-known big consultancies are disguised sweatshops, avoid them like the plague. Attending local meetups should get you in touch with the kind of companies and team mates that you’d like to work with.

Well yeah, good new to hear that. Honestly, for me it is hard to attend to local meetups because now I am in abroad so the only source I can use is the Internet. I have done some research about the tech companies that are following appropriate practises such as Telefonica, Casumo, Socialpoint etc. Dont know the real situation though.

Could you please state some tech-companies that will boost my career and motivate me to stay in Spain?

50k as starting salary is unrealistic for Spain. I don’t think it’s true that people in Barcelona are less warm.

Thanks for the response,

I might have explained wrong, I have 2 years work experience. So, I will not apply for Junior positions.

Still, I think that kind of salary in Spain is for high profile senior positions in most cases.

I have heard that such companies like Telefonica, Wallapop, Casuma pays around that range. No ?

I might have explained wrong, I have 2 years work experience. So, I will not apply for Junior positions.

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