LA Offer Eval
Hi, I’m a machine learning engineer in a investment bank with 113k TC (4 years exp) and I just got an offer from a media/ entertainment company with 190k TC(all cash) and 5k sign-on. It is around 68% increase of my TC. My current city is Dallas, TX and the new company is in LA. I’m a top performer in my current company but I don’t feel what I’m doing here is good for my career as we have to use a lot of outdated technologies because of security reasons. The manager of the team has changed 4 times for 10 months, which really makes it difficult for a team to operate normally, and team members don’t seem to be very happy about what they are doing. People in the new company seems to be very welcoming for my chance of joining. They are motivated to adopt new technologies. During the interview process, I can feel they are happy with what they are doing there. I’m also interviewing with other companies but that is the only offer I got. Here are questions: 1. Dallas, TX doesn’t have state tax and has low cost of living compared to major cities. I know the tax and cost of living in Los Angels, CA are pretty high. Does 190k TC really looks “good” in LA? Is it worth relocating? 2. The new company is in Culver City. Is that area safe? Where is the safe residential areas closed to Culver City? I will appreciate if anyone can help me with my decision. Please share your thoughts.
Culver City is a great location and very safe, and 190k TC for LA is a great package did your YOE is 1 to 5ish years, 5 to 10 years it's ok, granted it depends on your role and industry...keep in mind media and entertainment does not pay as much as tech (nor investment bank), same goes for non-tech roles
4 yoe
Thanks for the information!
It’s good pay for LA. You definitely won’t live the high life or even be able to afford a normal home but 190k is definitely workable here. Culver City is relatively nice
I probably will share a 2b2b with someone 😅
If you share, that's a good move. I was just looking at this one building they recently opened in Culver City, 4K for a fucking studio....lol
Go for LA offer
Culver City is a great area. There aren’t a lot of pockets in LA that feel suburb-y, but Culver City is one of them.
Culver is nice! Look at things off the expo line, for places to live. I lived in DTLA and took it to Santa Monica every day. DTLA has some pretty great places in the South Park area. Culver is cute and walkable too, but more expensive.
Thanks for the information!
I’ve lived here in a 35k salary when I worked in Hollywood and I live here on 160k DINK now. If you need any help at all, send me a DM
$190K at 4 YOE in LA is great! Use this opportunity as a stepping stone to your next one - you can pivot to future engineering roles that are $300K+ in the next 2 yrs or so.
Oh that sound promising
Culver City, in many ways, is a perfect location. It’s conveniently located to all areas of LA. Also, you get more for the money in Culver City and the areas around it. No significant crime issues. Welcome to So Cal.
Thank you for sharing!
Culver City is a great spot to work. My SO Works at tiktok in Culver City and we live in Santa Monica and it’s an easy commute. $190k is good in Los Angeles. Maybe not “buying a house on the west side and shopping at Erewhon” but you’ll be more than comfortable.
Nice! Thanks for sharing your experience!
i agree on not being able to buy a house but you can buy less food at erewhon to make it affordable. they charge by weight /s
Culver City is nice! The little downtown area has a bunch of nice restaurants.
190 for LA will be almost equal to 110 in Dallas or maybe lesser , but I think you should also consider career growth as the bigger piece if this puzzle because TCs go up and down but skill set stays forever
Yeah it’s difficult for personal growth, especially skills for technologies, in big banks
State tax about 10%. 110 in Dallas is more like 125 in LA. How are you getting a 50% difference?