True, there are some curious hotspots for software engineers. If you are tied down by family or friends, you might have to accept a significantly lower pay depending on location. Even if larger enterprises are present locally, they mostly pay less if the local market doesn't offer more.

You can do contract work and travel a lot, but that isn't for everyone.

Of course the lower pay is still enough to make a good living, but it certainly isn't anywhere near 6-figure jobs.