5 ms·

Biased by my own experience and I can't speak to the average, but there are certainly plenty of small companies with pool tables, dart boards, and stocked refri

Biased by my own experience and I can't speak to the average, but there are certainly plenty of small companies with pool tables, dart boards, and stocked refrigerators in NYC. Having seasons is preferable for many people. For the people who don't like the seasons, they are usually comforted by the infinite cultural novelty that is crammed within these streets. Both are nice places, but I'm pretty skeptical that anyone is paying less there "because it's nicer".

phamilton 12y ago
I'd argue the opposite. Cost of living is higher because it's nicer, aka the "sun tax". Startups therefore have to pay more because it's nicer.
- krenoten 12y ago
  busts out the Korzybski - any time you get Aristotelian with equivalences you almost certainly step in a pile of truthless crap, so let's become a little more respectful of language. Housing and rental prices roughly approximate demand. "nicer" differs from demand by virtue of passing through the filters of averaging and composition with myriad factors, which an individual may never fully comprehend. Preference often significantly differs from average. Complexity accomodates deviation. NYC far exceeds the complexity of the bay area, thus accommodating a far greater range of deviation from any such single metric :P
RickS 12y ago
I believe he was being facetious - seemingly flashy perks are very commonly used a substitute for actual money, and it works stunningly well. 5k in catering and laundry will shave 20k off an entry level salary more often than it should.
- deleted 12y ago
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  - RickS 12y ago
    Astute of you to mention Palantir - I spent some time there a few years ago. To their credit, they took stunningly good care of me as an intern. Fair rate, and every perk I've ever seen listed by any company ever. However, I was very surprised to find that they were making hires at the intern pay rates with even fewer perks. Seems to be somewhat of a bait and switch. Then again, they're on the short list of places where I'd actually consider the equity worth more than the paper it's printed on.
    - thedufer 12y ago
      > However, I was very surprised to find that they were making hires at the intern pay rates with even fewer perks. I'd be pretty surprised if that was true. I took an offer similar to my intern pay, but between my private office and high quality health insurance, it actually ends up being a lot more.

phamilton 12y ago

I'd argue the opposite. Cost of living is higher because it's nicer, aka the "sun tax". Startups therefore have to pay more because it's nicer.

krenoten 12y ago
busts out the Korzybski - any time you get Aristotelian with equivalences you almost certainly step in a pile of truthless crap, so let's become a little more respectful of language. Housing and rental prices roughly approximate demand. "nicer" differs from demand by virtue of passing through the filters of averaging and composition with myriad factors, which an individual may never fully comprehend. Preference often significantly differs from average. Complexity accomodates deviation. NYC far exceeds the complexity of the bay area, thus accommodating a far greater range of deviation from any such single metric :P

RickS 12y ago

I believe he was being facetious - seemingly flashy perks are very commonly used a substitute for actual money, and it works stunningly well. 5k in catering and laundry will shave 20k off an entry level salary more often than it should.

deleted 12y ago
[deleted]
- RickS 12y ago
  Astute of you to mention Palantir - I spent some time there a few years ago. To their credit, they took stunningly good care of me as an intern. Fair rate, and every perk I've ever seen listed by any company ever. However, I was very surprised to find that they were making hires at the intern pay rates with even fewer perks. Seems to be somewhat of a bait and switch. Then again, they're on the short list of places where I'd actually consider the equity worth more than the paper it's printed on.
  - thedufer 12y ago
    > However, I was very surprised to find that they were making hires at the intern pay rates with even fewer perks. I'd be pretty surprised if that was true. I took an offer similar to my intern pay, but between my private office and high quality health insurance, it actually ends up being a lot more.