Joining Google Zurich as New Grad soon and my manager was open to me possibly transferring to MTV. I'm just wondering at what point it might be worth it financially - I'll be able to save tons of cash despite Zurich's high CoL due to Switzerland's low taxes and the higher base salary (compared to other offices). Should I expect to have a higher earning potential in MTV and therefore make more money in the long run (even when accounting for significantly higher taxes)? If so, at what stage of my career should I make the jump? When my GSUs make up a higher percentage of my total compensation? Or is compensation for MTV always going to be lower than for Zurich? Don't get me wrong, money isn't everything and I might still consider moving in the future but I figured I'd ask anyways.
I have heard MTV has the biggest room for career progression in terms of the levels. But beware, it's extremely expensive to live here! Really small condo type things are well over a million dollars. And if you are single, expect to pay 35+% in taxes. MTV is a boring place to live if you are single. The traffic is terrible. TBH, if I were you and I were happy with my team/project and not eager to climb levels as fast as possible, I'd totally stay in Zurich.
Zurich isn't that cheap either (lower taxes though, hence the question whether after-tax compensation in MTV can eventually surpass compensation in Zurich) and I'm a boring person & don't mind living in MTV (lived in the South Bay for a while :))
I'd stay in Zurich. MTV is too boring. There is nothing to do on the weekend or weekday evenings. I used to drive to SF every weekend to meet friends and experience cultural stuff (museums, events, parties, etc.), but that's a lot of commitment too.
No
Zurich no question. Hell even if you had to take a big pay cut it would be worth it. US also looks to just be going downhill by the day...
The grass is always greener on the other side, right? :) without getting too much into politics - the US definitely has its flaws but so do other countries and sometimes you just want to experience something new, you know?
Zurich, two of my friends working there... Heard that it's easy to get promoted in Zurich comparing to MTV
Zurich is also boring AF
You will make more money if you stay in Zurich. No capital gains on stocks holding longer than a year +10-15% better base salary and taxes so low you can only dream off in MTV. IMO it's also easier to get promoted in ZRH. But in MTV you have a lot more projects to choose from and in ZRH this is very limited. I would stay in Zurich until you're on L5 or 6 and the decide if you want to try out MTV. You'll have much more resources in hand if you do this compared to all your colleagues in MTV (e.g. buying a house if you want to stay). Only if you really think a project here is too good to pass would I go soon. Enjoy life in Switzerland.
You get less stock in ZRH but the taxes make more than up for it.
Thanks, that's what I was looking for! Kinda surprising that getting promoted seems easier in Zurich, though. Isn't visibility & impact important and that's something you're more likely to have in MTV?
Zurich... MTV is boring AF
Good gravy you should stay in Switzerland and be glad you won the lottery.
Why? I'm not from Switzerland, only been there a few times, no idea if I'll like it more than the Bay Area
Obviously to each his own, but Switzerland is the best country in the world in my opinion. Zurich isnโt that great, but itโs a small and wonderful country. Itโs often considered to be the best country to be born in.
Whatโs your comp in Zurich?
~$170k/yr
Zurich def