The rationale for moving out of CA for lower cost of living
Hi all, I am trying to understand the rationale on moving out of CA as a software engineer during these times, and want to hear your thoughts. Of course a lot of the high paying tech jobs are concentrated in CA, which also comes with high COL. Covid has made it possible to work remotely, but it doesn't look like it is permanent yet for most tech companies. And who knows if company policies might change down the line after COVID is brought under control. AIso, if you move out of CA to a place with lower COL, doesn't it also mean lower pay and less job mobility( i.e. less long term wealth and career growth )? From some of the posts here, it does make sense that non-remote workers might be favored for promotion more so than remote ones? Thanks, just wanted to hear everyone's thoughts. I am also at a crossroads on planning to buy a place( have a small family(with young children) to support ), so it would help to understand this situation better #wfh #remotework #covid19
Unless you are looking for farm land, the only thing that matters when you have kids is how good the public school district is. That brings extreme stability to home prices in case you have not checked. In the Bay Area there are extreme differences by just being a block away. You could also go private, some do...different cost calculation.
Rent/mortgage takes away a large part of your paycheck. Also, saving for 20% down payment is easier for a $300k house in a LCOL area than for a $1.2m house in a HCOL area
Don’t forget about bad air quality, high crime rates, a huge problem of homelessness, and a one party political system that has no balances or checks.
Yes it will be less pay but you don’t need to make as much in a LCOL state. the paycuts tend to only be 10-20%. For someone with a family you can actually afford a house in a LCOL state. If I had a family it would be no question. In terms of other opportunities, if you’re a good swe you can get a job remotely. On top of that, lots are moving to other tech hubs that are cheaper than sf/Seattle- think Denver, Austin, raleigh, etc. there are still a ton of jobs in those places.