In one of my previous posts, I wrote that I was planning to leave Hungary for another country. This is somewhat the continuation of that post. I need some clarity, and I think it might be better to write it out, because I'm ruminating

Background: I have over three years of experience as a software engineer at one of the global banks, where I developed and maintained a secure Node.js application for an AI-powered customer service chatbot. I’m now looking to apply my skills in backend API development and system integration in a new role. I speak only Hungarian and English and would like to continue my profession in English for multiple reasons; but if I have to summarize, it's because in my profession that's the main language, and I would like to improve and not to "spread myself too thin" in terms of what I want to prioritize and take responsibility for in the next 3–5 years.

I've been applying for jobs; I've been researching countries for my profession. But to be honest, I'm not really excited about any of the EU countries. All of them have their own cons, and none of them have incredible opportunities in my profession. The pay is not bad, but it's not great like in Switzerland or the US. I try to look at other perks as well. Pay is never going to be the greatest here. So I'm trying to find the best option that matches the combination of high pay and Europe's own benefits. I'm stuck in a never-ending loop, to be honest. I don't know any of the markets incredibly well, and my applications are spreading too thin between EU countries.

The question is, besides the pay, what else is important to me? I want to earn well. I want to live well, with enough free time; living a healthy lifestyle is important for me. I want to be able to save a little, to live in a nice apartment somewhere in the city, but with enough green around me. Do my daily walkies.

I can’t decide between: high salary + grey weather (Ireland/Netherlands) vs. lower salary + sun + language barrier (Spain/Portugal) vs. very high salary + very high cost + high barrier to entry + language barrier (Switzerland) vs (Poland)