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Hi, I’m planning the best way to move to USA(SF) from another country. I got an offer from EPAM with 120k TC in SF and they provide H1B and relocation assistance. But this TC seems too low (especially that I earn 80k in Ukraine). I will definitely want to move on to FAANG once I can (EPAM contract assumes 1 year of employment). The question is whether I should accept the offer I got, relocate and start looking for a better salary after a year or should I try to go over interviews with FAANG while I’m in a different country? Also, do you think 120k TC is too low in SF for a family of two without kids? Thanks for advices :)
I'd go for it and change later. Is the location in SF the city or elsewhere in the bay area?
Because it’s a body shop, they offered me with few locations. They include SF and Bay Area. The salary is same
80k in Ukraine, what's the tax on it? 120k is tough (unless you live on 2 incomes). But it's bearable, especially if you agree to commute from east bay. However from my exp it's much easier to come here on h1b, and then interview with various companies, rather than doing that remotely. I couldn't get any faang interview (except amazon) back in EU. Here i've already got interviews at FB and G (failed, but can reapply this year).
Thanks. 80k is after tax (here it’s 5%)
your life quality will degrade significantly. Sure, come here and try if they are willing to sponsor it. count 3-3.5k for a studio in SF
You will have around $7500 of disposable income per month with 120k salary after medical insurance deduction and taxes. Rent in SF will eat at least 3k per month. Utilities, internet, etc is around $500 more. So without kids it’s livable, but you will feel waaay poorer than in Ukraine with 80k. It should be easier to get into FAANG from inside US and H1B is transferrable. So if you want to move fast and ready to suffer in a bodyshop :) - it’s a viable option. Consider other US locations: Bay Area is crazy expensive and you could still easily get interviews in FAANG as they will pay for travel (and relocation if you will get an offer). But you will get much higher quality of life on 120k pretty much anywhere else.
Financial instruments are Also available in Ukraine! For example you can invest through Interactive Brokers in the whole worlds economy and set up your passive investment strategy 😉 True story that it is not popular in Ukraine yet but community steadily growing. Even FIRE and YOLO movements are also not a rare thing 😇
80k Ukraine you live like a king. 120k SF is literally poverty level + shit and needles on streets. Why would you do that to yourself?
You know, there are many reasons for relocation except from the salary including but not limited to: corruption, foul courts, bad medicine, bad access to financial instruments to make saving for retirement and so on. I assume that it shouldn’t be too hard to get at least 200k after a year with EPAM by moving to another companies (esp FAANG) that is also eased by the fact of my physical presence in SF. Am I wrong?
You aren't going to save anything nor afford doctors on 120k pretax in SF. Your plan makes sense if they give you green card, which as far as I know they will do when your second H1B would have less than a year of validity left.