The accelerated growth in Silicon Valley may often lead one to believe that all the growth and new technology companies are emerging from this single nucleus. But that could not be further from the truth. The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics has projected that the web development industry will grow 27% by the year 2024, and most of this growth will happen from different cities across the US and the world.
As a junior developer, the best cities to look for opportunities in are Seattle, Boston, Munich, Stockholm, San Francisco, and London. These cities encourage startups where you can maximize your learnings as a junior developer. They are also the hubs of innovation and pioneers of modern technology.
As more and more cities are offering a myriad of reasons for junior developers to relocate to these cities, let us look into some of the key things they have to offer that make them great choices. In this article, we will not only be looking at the traditional tech hubs but also at some of the offbeat places where new jobs for junior developers are sprouting regularly.
Seattle, Washington
In the past decade, Seattle has seen some unprecedented growth with tech giants such as Microsoft and Amazon setting up their headquarters there. Many other companies like Tableau, Zulily, and Expedia have also followed suit and set up shop there as well. This has led to massive job opportunities for junior developers who can hone their skills by working in these large multinational corporations.
While it is a well-known fact that the incessant rain in Seattle can often be a dampener, the many job opportunities that are also available there makes it a great trade-off. Being able to work in one such large corporation for a few years will also look good on your CV and will come in handy as you progress in your career and decide to make that switch from a junior developer to a senior one.
Boston, Massachusetts
Boston is considered to be a game-changer due to its unparalleled support and encouragement for tech companies that specialize in education, energy, and healthcare. The pandemic of 2020 has provided a lot of clarity on what matters most to us. It has shed light on how we can pave our way forward.
Some of these key industries that Boston is emphasizing on are going to define our future and help build resilience against unforeseen and untoward incidents.
Now is one of the best times to be associated with companies and industries that are looking towards the future. As a junior developer, you will learn the skills that are needed to make these projects successful from the ground up.
To top this off, Boston is also ranked as a top city in leading the digital economy in the US. So, if you want to be involved as a junior developer with companies that are leaders in building digital economies, Boston is definitely an option you could explore.
London, England
The city has an amazing startup culture. Over the past decade, thousands of startups have been flourishing in Britain. Of the 60 unicorns that the UK has created since 2008, London has produced 23 of them with a combined value of £ 100.9 bn ($132bn).
The city is also facing its own set of challenges against a backdrop of the rise of entertainment mediums such as Netflix in the US and have begun to enhance their digital operations to remain competitive in the market. Like Boston, London is also a leader in the digital economy, and many job opportunities for junior developers are available in this market.
Washington, D.C.
Even though Washington has the government as the city’s top employer, the tech sector has also grown in the past couple of decades. The city is inundated with investors and startups making it a great place for junior developers looking for a great place to start their career.
Startups are actually a great place for a junior developer as the opportunity to learn begins right off the bat. The learning curve in startups is very steep and yields very high dividends down the line. Companies that are housed here, such as Appian and AptaraCorp have been recognized at different times for being a top workplace and for their leadership.
San Francisco, California
The beating heart of the tech revolution has always been San Francisco. Globally renowned companies and tech startups have all found a footing here and continue to thrive. However, the city has become excessively costly over the years, and finding affordable accommodation has become a real challenge.
If, however, you are ready to manage the cost of living, San Francisco offers high earning potential and great career growth for junior developers. In the book, Silicon City: San Francisco in the Long Shadow of the Valley, the author, Cary McClelland, gives an intimate and eye-opening portrait of San Francisco and its transformation by the tech boom.
Austin, Texas
A more fun option would be Austin in Texas. This city draws a young crowd every year, especially during mid-March, when the city hosts its South By festival. It is a mix of movies and music using interactive media.
If that alone is not reason enough to move to this city, perhaps the fact that Austin is considered to be one of the fastest-growing cities in technology should spur you to consider calling this place your learning ground. It is now home to tech giants like Amazon, Adobe, and Applied Materials, among many others.
Munich, Germany
Munich’s is another fun place to be in, not just for the fame Oktoberfest held there every year, but also because of its rise as a global tech hub. Munich is rapidly emerging as a strong contender in the global startup arena, making it a hotspot for junior developers. As the workhorse of Germany, Munich is home to corporates and notable research institutions.
Stockholm, Sweden
Web developer is one of the most common job titles in Stockholm, making it a very desirable city for junior developers. The city has the highest share of its workforce working in tech and has the highest number of unicorns per capita in the world after Silicon Valley. It is also considered as one of the top startup ecosystems in the world, making it a very sought after destination for junior web developers.
And if that is not enough, the work culture in Sweden has also been praised on many occasions. This is one such video that tells us what living and working in Sweden could be like:
San José, California
San José is one of the best paying cities for software engineers. This includes junior developers. It also has companies like Adobe, PayPal, and eBay that have set up their headquarters there. Google has announced plans to expand its headquarters there, along with many other leading private companies that have already made their mark in San José.
Apart from the best tech salaries, San José also has plenty of interesting job offerings for junior developers. It would be interesting to explore all the opportunities that this traditional tech hub has to offer. You are sure to find a few job openings that at least match your career aspirations.
Conclusion
Hopefully, this article has helped you gain an insight into some of the best cities that a junior developer may consider relocating to. If you are ready to make that leap of faith and decide to pursue opportunities in a new city, understand the pros and cons of each city, and decide based on those what your priorities are.