3 ms·

Disagree. I'm from the Midwest and live in SF now. Couldn't be happier with my change. Data point of one: - $2200/mo 1BR apt in SF (Inner Sunset). Not trendy,

Disagree. I'm from the Midwest and live in SF now. Couldn't be happier with my change. Data point of one: - $2200/mo 1BR apt in SF (Inner Sunset). Not trendy, but nice. I got it 3 years ago. - Working for a major tech co. - Roughly $275K/yr in total comp (salary/equity/bonuses). It goes up around $10-20k every year, as my equity bumps compound and I get raises. - Putting away $18k/yr in 401k + $9k company match. - Average bills of $1000/mo. Mostly leisure spending, but also includes the occasional Lyft, etc. - Mostly eat at work for free. Minimal food in the house for dinner, which I don't eat that often (I snack a lot at work and don't feel hungry). I think I eat out about 2x/week. - No car, though I occasionally ZipCar or mooch my GF's. CalTrain and Clipper card are paid by my company. My net worth on Mint has increased roughly $50-100k/year since I began working here, due to cash savings and stock vesting. I take an international vacation every year, and visit my family 3x/year. I previously worked in the Midwest and life wasn't nearly as fun, nor was I making as much money. More importantly, I didn't have job flexibility. The workplaces were terrible there (SV culture, silly as it can be, is much friendlier to employees), and there weren't as many jobs. They also didn't pay for public transport, give you equity bonuses, pay for your meals, or had office snacks. A spacious house couldn't make up for all of those differences. I'm glad I came to SF, despite its downsides (like less space, commuting, etc). There is a big trend in bashing it, but if you're good at what you do and know how to manage your money, you can do pretty well here. Not to mention have a higher quality of life. And if I decide to move back (which is likely, so I can be closer to family) I'll go back with an amazing CV and probably better career options. Stop listening to haters. Don't knock it till you try it.

paulddraper 10y ago
> They also didn't pay for public transport, give you equity bonuses, pay for your meals, or had office snacks. A spacious house couldn't make up for all of those differences. Huh. Well, my family appreciate our Midwestern house and yard. I do get free snacks at work, but I'm not sure they really care that much.
alexandercrohde 10y ago
As a San Franciscan for about 5 years, those costs sound realistic. However that total comp number is well above the norm for the area. Two points on that. 1. If you're going to count equity, count it by the value at the time of the grant [minus strike price], not what it's worth now. In terms of comp, it was a gamble that paid off. 2. It sounds like you work for one of the big 4? Not everybody gets this opportunity, in fact if your degree isn't in comp-sci they may not even want to talk to you (regardless of your IQ or what have you).
cosatelo 10y ago
you truly have an ideal scenario though, for me I make a 100,000 in SF and between my expenses and taxes its the equivalent of making 40000 anywhere else.

paulddraper 10y ago

> They also didn't pay for public transport, give you equity bonuses, pay for your meals, or had office snacks. A spacious house couldn't make up for all of those differences. Huh. Well, my family appreciate our Midwestern house and yard. I do get free snacks at work, but I'm not sure they really care that much.

alexandercrohde 10y ago

As a San Franciscan for about 5 years, those costs sound realistic. However that total comp number is well above the norm for the area. Two points on that. 1. If you're going to count equity, count it by the value at the time of the grant [minus strike price], not what it's worth now. In terms of comp, it was a gamble that paid off. 2. It sounds like you work for one of the big 4? Not everybody gets this opportunity, in fact if your degree isn't in comp-sci they may not even want to talk to you (regardless of your IQ or what have you).

cosatelo 10y ago

you truly have an ideal scenario though, for me I make a 100,000 in SF and between my expenses and taxes its the equivalent of making 40000 anywhere else.