Living in Bay Area - non tech in tech

Workday
impintech

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impintech
May 1 18 Comments

For the non techies working in tech here - do you plan on staying in the Bay Area? How do you compete (for housing, rent, etc.) with tech folks making upwards $300k? I finally made it to a 6 figs job and was ecstatic ($128k if market is good, now probably $115k if I perform and get bonus) but still feel like I’m living paycheck to paycheck and can’t catch up, especially with how inflation is going and salaries not catching up. 5 years ago a non tech buddy was able to get a house out in Mountain House/Tracy for $500k but that house is now worth $1.2M. I’ve thought of moving out to Atlanta or Dallas to even get a chance to invest in property but a lot of people told me that’s a dumb career move. But I genuinely don’t know how I can ever outbid someone making $500k a year while I’m trying to scrape by with $128k (if lucky) and whether it’s even worth me staying here if I (1) don’t have a tech role (2) don’t work for a startup w a good chance of IPO. Non techies - what are you all doing? 🥲

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TOP 18 Comments
  • SF sucks anyways, literally a horrible crime ridden place to live.
    May 1 4
    • LinkedIn
      💩 poopoo

      Go to company page LinkedIn

      💩 poopoo
      Like most of the crime we see in California won’t be tolerated in Texas. You’d shoot those criminals on the spot. Fuck California.
      May 1
    • Workday
      impintech

      Go to company page Workday

      impintech
      OP
      Yeah, I’ve always wanted to start my own restaurant and I’d never be able to do that in California (not just criminals, but also COVID lockdowns and insane rent). Texas though? Def would consider. Buddy of mine started his own restaurant during peak COVID times in 2020 and making bank 😭
      May 1
  • HPE
    not-at-hpe

    Go to company page HPE

    not-at-hpe
    U think abortion is the only black mark in Texas? U kidding me ? U forgot the blatant racism? Ted Cruz? The terrible gun laws? The overall intolerance? C'mon man
    May 1 7
    • Meta / Legal
      TLHS

      Go to company page Meta Legal

      TLHS
      Tech company money can afford you a nice place in the southern state. And people there may be bigoted but at least are polite enough to hide it. But I’m Asian, the “kind” republicans prefer so I heard…
      May 1
    • HPE
      not-at-hpe

      Go to company page HPE

      not-at-hpe
      Hmm, I had a bad experience.people who had no idea what ML or even basic computer science is, felt I was stealing their job and looked down on me like I don't belong. Their false entitlement and "hidden" subtle racism was too much. Don't want my son and daughter to grow up thinking that the melanin content of their skin makes them less preferable of a human.. kids pick up on subtle hints very easily. Ofcourse no one will be openly racist these days..but subtle racism is there
      May 1
  • Google
    thingys

    Go to company page Google

    thingys
    Me and wife combined make 400k and we are in non tech, we still can not bid for anything half decent in the Bay Area.
    May 1 2
    • Workday
      impintech

      Go to company page Workday

      impintech
      OP
      Omg this makes me so sad and hopeless but it’s the harsh reality nowadays. And $400k! I won’t be able to make upwards $200k in my field unless I get to like C Suite in my field (communications). Have you and your wife thought of moving to LCOL? Or investing out of state?
      May 1
    • Google
      thingys

      Go to company page Google

      thingys
      We got a house in the Tracy area but we talk very often about moving to another state but once we have kids and are more settled in our career.
      May 1
  • Amazon
    utKJ85

    Go to company page Amazon

    utKJ85
    It sucks from a WLB standpoint but the name of the game is to slowly become more “tech.” Internal switch to product + move elsewhere is a good bet.
    May 1 1