Hi, I currently live in Minneapolis which is a great place to raise a family. Problem is, I am not finding my professional career to be satisfactory. Typically, in the midwest, growth appears to be slow (I'm sure you guys will find exceptions here and there) and opportunities are not much. There is barely any profit sharing and climbing the ladder appears difficult because of lack of churning. It's not uncommon to find lifers in companies (nothing wrong with that though). Where can I move to find the best balance? PS: I am accounting for the fact that the increase in cost-of-living will be offset with increase in salary to some extent (I get that it may not be exactly 2x etc). I am looking at senior roles (10+ years of experience) . PS2: There is hardly any diversity (if that's important for you, it is for me) in the midwest. I want either a more diverse environment for my kid or big mountains and green spaces. Ideally, both!!!
Chicago?
Interesting. It’s definitely something I’m interested in but I wish someone who lives here chimes in. On the surface of it all, Chicago appears to be in a troubled state with collapsing economy and tech jobs getting moved to other states, including smaller states like Tennessee. There are a couple of part time MBA programs that would be awesome to get into and I love the rich history of the city itself. I don’t know what the schools are like? The Midwest weather gets old. I’m already in Minneapolis shoveling snow TODAY!
Seattle, hands down.
+10 on Denver or Austin. Raising a family in Seattle can be done if you telecommute and spend all your hard earned cash. Cost of living and traffic problems are comparable to Bay area and OC.
Bellevue, wa is a great place. Schools are good. Lots of activities all year round for kids. But it is expensive.
Any thoughts on Issequa?
Issaquah is quiet and commute is worse. Safe place for raising a family, but you have to be comfortable with the streets and restaurants (other than couple of pubs) being empty after 7pm. Good option if you can't afford Bellevue / Kirkland.
Seattle is amazing don't even think twice about it. But people here are less friendly than the Midwest
In Midwest, people tolerate you, not accept you
I 100% agree, I live and work in MN. Extremely slow growth, mediocre salary and bonus and no RSUs. People around are not the smartest but pretend to be smart. No diversity at all. People spending entire life in same company or just moving around companies in Minneapolis. Some people even talk down about West coast and call those hippies. Not to mention the passive aggressive culture here
Oh yeah, I totally get the talk-down the West coast, as if people don't know what they're doing with their lives out west.
Look up the Seattle Freeze before you make the jump over there
Seattle is probably the worst place to live. It rains 80% of the year and the people there are more snobby than the Kardashians
Came to Seattle from Austin. This place > Austin by miles, and I liked it down there (spent over a decade there)
Seattle is fun but living cost is getting higher here (2nd from bay area). For more laid back but strong tech community, check out Denver, Houston, or Austin.
I don't think Houston is more laid back than Seattle. Maybe Austin and Denver.