My wife (4 YOE) works for a bank with a TC of ~200k as a PM and I (5 YOE) make ~300k at Uber. Both currently in NYC. Likely not relevant, but JIC, I have a MS in CS (from a top 20) and she has a BS in Info Tech (from an Ivy). She recently got an offer (no numbers yet) for a role at Amazon as a senior technical PM that is only in Seattle. The recruiter is clear she would have to interview again for a role in NY. And she probably wouldnt want the extra work/reduced WLB at Amazon for only 50k pay increase in NY. Not interested in the valley at all. Given that Seattle is a pretty big tech hub I imagine it will be pretty easy for me to get another SWE job. Uber has said I cant WFH. I, of course, could try to change teams, but with the hiring freeze on most teams, it may be hard. Amazon will likely (looking at levels.fyi) offer about 50k more a year. Plus the tax savings and COL savings. We can probably expect to save over 100k/year more post tax if I get a similar paying job. I enjoy Uber and dont want to leave, and she enjoys her bank job, but 100/year more post tax seems crazy to pass up. No kids, donāt want any for at least 4 years, so that doesnāt come into the equation too much for us. Although 4*100k=400k+ not including investment gains more makes it much easier to feel safe having kids. Neither of us have lived on the west coast. Weāre a bit worried that the tech scene in Seattle is a bit older/has kids and the āexcitingā growth promo project donāt go there. For those that have lived in both, what are your thoughts on the two cities for high earning tech folks?
Seattle tech scene is limited to Amazon and Microsoft and rest all companies with small or "HQ2" presence are affected by the Amazon or Microsoft culture. There is monotony in Seattle's tech scene so you earn a lot but learning is limited.
Definitely heard about homogeneous jobs/culture. Thanks for insight
Having to reinterview for the same role in nyc is a bunch of recruiter crap. If thereās an open position there contact the hm directly
You may be underestimating the difficulty of lining up a 300k job with 5 YOE in Seattle. Thereās only a handful of companies here paying that well and no guarantee you pass their interviews regardless of how good of a programmer you are, especially if you donāt think itās possible at Uber. Also if she loves her current job 100k might not be worth it for the stress/risk of Amazon.
Side point, that I forgot to include, I passed HC at G 6 months ago and decided to take Uber before finishing team matching. Recruiter said I had 12 months from date of passing HC to change my mind, soš¤š»thatās still the case, talking to recruiter at the end of the week. But maybe Iām underestimating tech scene in NY, I thought FB Seattle was bigger than NY and of course Microsoft. Wouldnāt want to both work at Amazon. Definitely trying to push against our comfort zone and trying to question if weāre being too cushy and burning 100k+/year for a bit of discomfort.
Agree with that. It's a risky move and your combined TC could wind up being the same overall even with your wife's raise. Unless you really want to do it because you want to make a life in Seattle, and this is your chance - I'd say don't do it. Amazon isn't exactly known for their great culture. Sounds like you've both got it good. Stay and appreciate what you have and don't just chase paper.
You make a ton of money already in a city you love. Donāt sacrifice that! More opportunities will come your way. I can tell you right now that if you want city life anywhere near the level of NYC, Seattle is not the way to go. Youāre trading world class city for world class outdoors coming here (so depending on which you prefer that may influence your decision).
I have done tech in both places; I love both but prefer Seattle. You lose diversity of other professions around you (most people work in tech) and being in a global hub like NY. You gain better overall tech jobs and (for me at least) a better culture - less status and showing off, more people hustling without having to brag about how hard theyāre working.
Definitely making a good argument for Seattle, thanks
Would be better if you had made the move to seattle in may, the summers are perfect there. If I were you I would move, 4+ years and a change of scenery will be memorable. You could easily make 400k there if you work at FB but 300-350k at Google is great too.
Iāll reach out to my FB recruiter from last round of interviews and ask about Seattle. Thank you
You won't crack 300k at amazon with 5yoe. And L6 PMT will make maybe 220 tops. I'd stay in NY.
Recruiter said they can get to 250 (wife lied and said she had an offer at 250). Waiting for numbers Agreed, my Amazon offer was 270 when I took uber. They wouldnāt negotiate higher. Also donāt want both us to be at same company
Uhh have you not heard the story about the person who picked up their life to move across the country to work at Amazon but then got the ol' job switch-aroo?
Link?
My best friend and my brother both just quit Amazon. Horrible work environment.
I passed up post-tax TC to be in NYC and donāt regret it one bit
Did you live in Seattle before? Why do you feel like it was the right decision?
I havenāt lived in Seattle, it more has to do with how much I love NYC. Seattle is just a different place, depending on the person it could be a better place- just not my thing.