Seattle or Austin

GE
xyz4911

Go to company page GE

xyz4911
Jan 11 33 Comments

I am currently in Bay Area working for relatively low TC ~ 200k with a PhD and experience in ML (~ 6 YOE after PhD + 3 Y in India). I had an offer from Facebook MLE last year (~300k TC) but had to decline due to GC (EB1) processing. I will be free to move in 5-6 months (AC21).

Want to leave Bay mainly due to housing. I am mainly considering moving to Seattle or Austin. For me Seattle >> Austin because of the nature and water quality. I went there this winter just to check it out and the gloominess wasn't too bad for a few days, but will only know how it will be in the long term. I have been to Austin several times. I can tolerate the heat.

**Opportunities**
Seattle: Amazon and MS obviously have big presence there but how are the job opportunities in FAANGs/ startups etc. How's it compared to Bay Area. Is the culture more relaxed? I am looking for decent WLB.

How about Austin?

**Housing**
I know both these places have crazy housing markets, but I feel like I can get something decent for 1-1.2 mil or even less in Seattle Area maybe Bothell, Lynwood or in the South. I don't mind a little far and old house, but I like a big backyard with some trees. Does this seem

I know Austin even though it's crazy is still affordable with high property taxes.

Would really appreciate your inputs/comments that will help me understand these options better.

Household TC ~ 300k (200 me + 100 wife)

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  • Meta
    /dev/mem

    Go to company page Meta

    /dev/mem
    Austin is less ruined by the left
    Jan 11 1
  • Meta
    blahblahs

    Go to company page Meta

    blahblahs
    Seattle. Also moved from bay and was deciding on austin vs seattle. Both are great. Austin is in Texas… outside of Austin just kinda sucks. Dry, tumbleweed, Republican politics. Seattle is green, wet, mountains, rivers, lakes and tons of immigrants/non shitty Republican politics. Just don’t LIVE in seattle. End up in Kirkland, bellevue, shoreline etc.
    Jan 11 5

  • This comment was deleted by original commenter.

  • Seattle has more diverse community, and it's beautiful, but winter there is wet and cold, plus I probably won't work for the PIP company or companies which force me to use Windows.

    For Austin you have many choices. You can work for GAF and tons of startups for you to choose from.

    In terms of career growth I would pick Austin. But sometimes life is not just about TC and career growth.

    Are you married or have a partner? Why not let the significant other choose if you can't decide.
    Jan 11 2
    • GE
      xyz4911

      Go to company page GE

      xyz4911
      OP
      Married, but no kids. Don't know if we will. We are kind of past the prime age for kids. Wife likes both but she has more opportunities in Austin, but she also likes Seattle scenery more like me. She isn't in tech.
      Jan 11
    • Amazon
      djsbttttt

      Go to company page Amazon

      djsbttttt
      Seattle has way more roles for Google and Facebook/Meta. A lot for Apple too. Tech scene and jobs in Austin are no where near Seattle.

      OP do a quick google search to see SF doesn’t know what they are talking about.
      Jan 11
  • Snap
    r8pop2

    Go to company page Snap

    r8pop2
    Try visiting Seattle in the winter (now) and see if you can do it. If you can, this place is great

    Summer is gorgeous, access to mountains, water, city life

    You can definitely get nice housing within your budget
    Jan 12 1
    • GE
      xyz4911

      Go to company page GE

      xyz4911
      OP
      I have spent a couple of days in Seattle last winter before I had to cut short the trip due to the snowstorm. I didn't mind the overcast skies and the rain for a few days, but I have no idea how it would be in the long term, I guess I'll know only when I stay there. But I loved the natural scenery while driving around.
      Jan 14