> I work as a senior eng at a large tech company and based on levels.fyi, it looks like my SF colleagues make somewhere between 2 and 4 times what I do. I know

> I work as a senior eng at a large tech company and based on levels.fyi, it looks like my SF colleagues make somewhere between 2 and 4 times what I do. I know money isn't everything, but I've experienced the pain and stress that not having enough causes. There's a bit of a tilt so far towards Germany in this thread. Let me offer a counterpoint: you can go for a high salary in CA until your kids start at school, and then move to Germany. I'm estimating that you can net somewhere between $100k - $250k per year more in CA (partially depending how frugal you decide to live and you actual options, but you should really do the math yourself). Accumulating over 5 years (around when your kids start with primary school), you that can net you a fully paid off house in Bavaria.