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The author points out that remote working is solving the "expensive places to live" problem, yet moved to a studio in Paris which are awfully expensive. I am qu

The author points out that remote working is solving the "expensive places to live" problem, yet moved to a studio in Paris which are awfully expensive. I am quite of puzzled by this. Of course, if the author gets the North American salary instead of the European one, while living in Paris, then things might work out financially. I moved in the deep suburbs of Paris because rent and apartment prices are a no go for a single income person, even in tech.

closeparen 5y ago
I’ve long felt that the decentralization of the San Francisco tech scene is great news for New York… for the price I’d much rather be in Manhattan than somewhere that fancies itself a quaint small town.
- frockington1 5y ago
  I live in flyover country, most new work seems to be from Manhattan based firms. Unfortunately the tax situation in the boroughs is driving employers away
wink 5y ago
In general you're right of course, but it still solves the problem that you may not HAVE to move to the expensive place anymore. Of course you still CAN, like the author chose to. And as someone who never moved away from where he was born and also never lived in the really expensive part of the city, it might solve the problem of many more people just moving here to work, whereas they would prefer living more remotely. I would love to stay here, for example, not just because of work because I've lived here all my life and like it. Also your (and the author's) mention of a studio confused me for quite a bit, we'd never call anything 30m2 a studio where I live :P
- deaddabe 5y ago
  > In general you're right of course, but it still solves the problem that you may not HAVE to move to the expensive place anymore. Of course you still CAN, like the author chose to. > And as someone who never moved away from where he was born and also never lived in the really expensive part of the city, it might solve the problem of many more people just moving here to work, whereas they would prefer living more remotely. I would love to stay here, for example, not just because of work because I've lived here all my life and like it. I lived in rural land before moving in the Paris suburbs in order to land a job. In some ways I am glad I had to. It opened me to so many new stuff. I would not imagine enjoying my twenties in rural land personally. The trade of housing space for commodities, almost car free living and infrastructure is currently worth it for me. Maybe I will go back rural in my 30's now that full remote is gaining traction. Or maybe not. I get your point though. > Also your (and the author's) mention of a studio confused me for quite a bit, we'd never call anything 30m2 a studio where I live :P The nomenclature we use in France (IIRC) is studio for a single room, and then 1 bedroom, 2 bedroom, etc.. no matter the floor size. How would you call it? And where do you live so we have context in naming things? :)
olivierlacan 5y ago
If you note, I said I moved back to a studio apartment in Paris. Not a cheap area even if I didn’t live in the center of town but definitely didn’t move there by choice either. I think you’re mixing two points I’m making. None of the point about offices in city centers and expensive neighborhoods relates to my personal experience. It was a general point about the futility of office-obsession on the part of companies, which was particularly bad even for startups in the Paris area back in 2015/2017. Hopefully it’s better now. But I remember people looking at me like I was mad for saying remote was non-negotiable.
- deaddabe 5y ago
  > If you note, I said I moved back to a studio apartment in Paris. Not a cheap area even if I didn’t live in the center of town but definitely didn’t move there by choice either. May I ask the reason of work was not the one? I know I would not want to go back in the country side for now, given the limited public transportation and medical infrastructure out there. > I think you’re mixing two points I’m making. None of the point about offices in city centers and expensive neighborhoods relates to my personal experience. It was a general point about the futility of office-obsession on the part of companies, which was particularly bad even for startups in the Paris area back in 2015/2017. Hopefully it’s better now. But I remember people looking at me like I was mad for saying remote was non-negotiable. Sorry if I misread or interpreted things too quickly. From what I am witnessing in the area, you currently can : 1 - Go full remote in the country side and have your pay reduced. Job security takes a hit too, because the job market is not "hot" like in the US. 2 - Agree to come to the office 2/3 times a week and go live in the suburbs (or stay in town if you can afford it and enjoy it) I currently using option 2. Maybe I am missing g other options.

closeparen 5y ago

I’ve long felt that the decentralization of the San Francisco tech scene is great news for New York… for the price I’d much rather be in Manhattan than somewhere that fancies itself a quaint small town.

frockington1 5y ago
I live in flyover country, most new work seems to be from Manhattan based firms. Unfortunately the tax situation in the boroughs is driving employers away

wink 5y ago

In general you're right of course, but it still solves the problem that you may not HAVE to move to the expensive place anymore. Of course you still CAN, like the author chose to. And as someone who never moved away from where he was born and also never lived in the really expensive part of the city, it might solve the problem of many more people just moving here to work, whereas they would prefer living more remotely. I would love to stay here, for example, not just because of work because I've lived here all my life and like it. Also your (and the author's) mention of a studio confused me for quite a bit, we'd never call anything 30m2 a studio where I live :P

deaddabe 5y ago
> In general you're right of course, but it still solves the problem that you may not HAVE to move to the expensive place anymore. Of course you still CAN, like the author chose to. > And as someone who never moved away from where he was born and also never lived in the really expensive part of the city, it might solve the problem of many more people just moving here to work, whereas they would prefer living more remotely. I would love to stay here, for example, not just because of work because I've lived here all my life and like it. I lived in rural land before moving in the Paris suburbs in order to land a job. In some ways I am glad I had to. It opened me to so many new stuff. I would not imagine enjoying my twenties in rural land personally. The trade of housing space for commodities, almost car free living and infrastructure is currently worth it for me. Maybe I will go back rural in my 30's now that full remote is gaining traction. Or maybe not. I get your point though. > Also your (and the author's) mention of a studio confused me for quite a bit, we'd never call anything 30m2 a studio where I live :P The nomenclature we use in France (IIRC) is studio for a single room, and then 1 bedroom, 2 bedroom, etc.. no matter the floor size. How would you call it? And where do you live so we have context in naming things? :)

olivierlacan 5y ago

If you note, I said I moved back to a studio apartment in Paris. Not a cheap area even if I didn’t live in the center of town but definitely didn’t move there by choice either. I think you’re mixing two points I’m making. None of the point about offices in city centers and expensive neighborhoods relates to my personal experience. It was a general point about the futility of office-obsession on the part of companies, which was particularly bad even for startups in the Paris area back in 2015/2017. Hopefully it’s better now. But I remember people looking at me like I was mad for saying remote was non-negotiable.

deaddabe 5y ago
> If you note, I said I moved back to a studio apartment in Paris. Not a cheap area even if I didn’t live in the center of town but definitely didn’t move there by choice either. May I ask the reason of work was not the one? I know I would not want to go back in the country side for now, given the limited public transportation and medical infrastructure out there. > I think you’re mixing two points I’m making. None of the point about offices in city centers and expensive neighborhoods relates to my personal experience. It was a general point about the futility of office-obsession on the part of companies, which was particularly bad even for startups in the Paris area back in 2015/2017. Hopefully it’s better now. But I remember people looking at me like I was mad for saying remote was non-negotiable. Sorry if I misread or interpreted things too quickly. From what I am witnessing in the area, you currently can : 1 - Go full remote in the country side and have your pay reduced. Job security takes a hit too, because the job market is not "hot" like in the US. 2 - Agree to come to the office 2/3 times a week and go live in the suburbs (or stay in town if you can afford it and enjoy it) I currently using option 2. Maybe I am missing g other options.