LA vs Seattle (Google offer)

New
mQGz42

New

mQGz42
Nov 29, 2021 85 Comments

Got a L3 offer from Google recently in their LA, Venice office. On the other hand, might be considering asking my recruiter to move me to Seattle instead. Currently very conflicted. Love LA for lifestyle and decent tech opportunities, but at the same time living in Seattle might be able to save me more money (no income tax). What are the pros and cons of each city?

From my understanding:

LA pros: diversity, great weather, lots of things to do, decent tech ecosystem
LA cons: terrible traffic, tax

Seattle pros: no state income tax, strong tech presence, nature
Seattle cons: everyone works in tech, terrible weather

Please give your comments below and help me out, I would greatly appreciate it. Don’t want to make a poll because poll results really don’t mean anything, and am more interested in your thoughts.

TC: 200k
#software #engineering #swe #google #googleads

EDIT: Wasn’t expecting so many detailed, thoughtful comments out there, TYSM my amazing Blind community!

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 TOP 85 Comments
  • New
    dOLE35

    New

    dOLE35
    Taxes aren’t worth depression causing weather and the sever lack of women (assuming you’re into them and single). Choose LA. You’ll be able to live in Venice beach and walk to work so no need to worry about traffic.
    Nov 29, 2021 7
    • Hulu
      DaddyBig

      Go to company page Hulu

      DaddyBig
      General rule of thumb for cheaper rent on the west side is stay east of the 405 unless you are talking about palms, mar vista and maybe el segundo. Use westside rentals when searching for LA apts. Venice has and always will be a crappy place to live, dont live there.
      Nov 29, 2021
    • Pick LA over Seattle if you're young and/or single. The savings difference will not not hold a candle to what you will miss out in your 20s if you choose Seattle.
      Nov 29, 2021
  • Cisco
    HoLeeFuk

    Go to company page Cisco

    HoLeeFuk
    Would say come to Seattle , weather is not that bad, the city is very vibrant, most of the people who talk about women etc are Indian bros living in Kirkland or Bellevue . Stay in cap hill or downtown and you won’t have a better life anywhere else in the US
    Nov 29, 2021 5
    • Amazon
      SlhS10

      Go to company page Amazon

      SlhS10
      Seattle downtown sucks and it isn't good for dating. I have no idea why this was suggested.
      Nov 29, 2021
    • New
      bSmm28

      New

      bSmm28
      I lived in cap hill for 6 years until 2010 and it was awesome -- cheap, creative, tons of young transplants -- but then the incoming flood of tech bros made it lame so I left.
      Nov 30, 2021
  • Pro: LA
    Con: Seattle
    Nov 29, 2021 2
  • Facebook
    gated_comp

    Go to company page Facebook

    gated_comp
    I would go with LA if you love the lifestyle there. The marginal value of money decreases pretty rapidly. You will get promoted and make more money, but if you don't enjoy your life it is not worth it.
    Nov 29, 2021 6
    • New
      dOLE35

      New

      dOLE35
      Corps technically get double taxed but you’re right it still wouldn’t be at Uber type jobs levels. Also everyone and their mom has an e commerce company now. Hard to make work part time.
      Nov 29, 2021
    • New
      mQGz42

      New

      mQGz42
      OP
      Thats true @dOLE35, it will definitely be very time consuming and not good for mental health. Thank you again for the insight
      Nov 29, 2021
  • Please, stay the fuck away from Seattle.
    Nov 29, 2021 2
    • New
      mQGz42

      New

      mQGz42
      OP
      What made you think this way?
      Nov 29, 2021
    • 1. The weather is bad 8 months out the year.
      2. It's so bad, I've developed SAD.
      3. Makes you lazy af.
      4. Girl scene is okay, depends on your game. Seattle downtown > Eastside. However, bay area is much better simply considering the volume of people.
      Dec 9, 2021