SF or SoCal?

Apr 24 9 Comments

I'm a 21M who is about to graduate with a 130K remote SWE job at a tech company (non-FAANGMULA). The breakdown of the TC is 100K base, 10K RSU, 20K bonus. I'm very happy with this offer but not sure where I wanna live. My main priorities are double or triple my TC in 2-3 years, having an easy time landing interviews, meeting other people in tech (I'd love to meet future co-founders. A dream of mine is starting my own startup), and moving to FAANGMULA after this position. I am in between SoCal (San Diego or LA) and SF and here's my breakdown of each place.

Since I'm looking to maximize my career growth, I'm worried about limiting my growth if I move to SoCal. However, I don't know if the trade off between having roommates (I dont mind roommates, but obviously I prefer my own place) and not being able to save much is worth moving to SF. If my base was around 150K I'd definitely move to SF. Please keep in mind that this concern for me is only for the next 2-3 years of my life. If I end up living in SoCal, I'll move to SF once my TC is more. Here are my top questions:

- Will I have an easy time landing interviews with big tech companies if I live in SoCal?
- Is the tradeoff between COL and career growth worth it?

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 TOP 9 Comments
  • Every big tech company has a large office in LA now, especially with Apple, Netflix, Amazon etc needing to be near Hollywood. Go to SoCal where it’s easier to live cheaper.

    Why California at all if you’re remote though? Makes no difference for career where you’re currently based if you’re remote anyway.
    Apr 24 3
  • Appian
    MTUx17

    Go to company page Appian

    MTUx17
    +1 to somewhere less expensive while you have the opportunity. I've been remote for a few years in a large MCOL city and the same pay goes so much further than NY/SF and I'm saving a ton while having a nice house in a good location. You can always move to a different city later if you have to be there for work.
    Apr 24 0
  • Zuora
    $ rm -rf /

    Go to company page Zuora

    $ rm -rf /
    If you know what city you ultimately want to end up… move there first

    Life over money. With remote you won’t be limited
    Apr 24 0
  • Apple
    DeepakMu

    Go to company page Apple

    DeepakMu
    Sf has a much larger tech scene. LA will have small products for those companies. Sf revolves around tech and vc. These are things that you said matter to you.

    But to me I’d rather be in LA living in a house with a pool, eating better food, going to events with prettier people etc.

    Different strokes for different folks. Look at this thread - some people think living in the middle of nowhere is great because it’s lower cost and don’t understand price is dictated by a market that puts a premium on the experience of living in California. Kinda like saying “Eat McDonald every day” because it’s cheaper.
    Apr 24 0
  • How about leaving California for a non state income tax low COL location? I mean 130k in California you almost break even
    Apr 24 0