I left NYC for Houston a few months ago for a new gig and pretty substantial (30%) pay bump. I love my new job, but am fairly miserable in Houston, and miss the ever living shit out of New York.
Am I crazy to already seriously be contemplating moving back? Those of you who left NYC, how was/has it been for you?
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This isn't meant to shit on Houston, but having spent a lot of time in Houston and having lived in NYC when I was younger, that's a big leap. Even though Houston's a big city, it's nothing, absolutely nothing, like NYC. Houston's just so spread out and you end up driving at least 30 minutes to get anywhere. I find newer non-east coast cities to be like that in general and if you grew up like that, it's not bad and you're used to it. If you grew up or lived in an older northeast city (or Chicago or SF), it's really tough to adapt to.
I'd give it a few more months, maybe up to a year, and see how you're adapting. Unfortunately it would look weird if you decided to start looking for a job back in NYC after only a few months. People from NYC (or Boston, SF, Chicago, Philly, etc) would completely understand it, but unless you have close contacts at a target company as opposed to cold emailing/applying online, it will look weird. Give it some time, try to find new hobbies or groups to join to meet people (I don't know the names but those groups for single or younger folks who share a hobby and meet up to do it) and if it's still not working after a year, try to relocate.
Just my two cents though. At least you can save money while you're in Houston.
Fortunately my company has office locations everywhere, so it wouldn't necessarily be looking for a new job, but more of putting in for a transfer.
You hit the nail on the head though - Houston's a big ass city with admittedly plenty of big city things, but it's just not even in the same galaxy as NYC.
Thanks for the advice!
Yeah I would never live in Texas as much as I hate NYC's taxes and cost of living. It's too damm humid, too spread out, not much going on, and doesn't have the diversity and excitement of NYC. The caliber of people is significantly lower as well. Texas is very much a good ol'boy network, so if you're not a white guy who went to say UT Austin or SMU and was in the right frat, it will be tough to truly fit in. In NYC pretty much everyone is a transplant, and people could care less about your race or where you're from.
Jesus Christ you're a douche.
I've lived in a number of different cities, both big and small. In general, every city is what you make of it. A brand new city where you don't know anyone can take time to adapt to. You need to make new friends and find out where the best places to go are. You probably didn't need to put a lot of effort into going out in NYC --- in Houston you'll need to put in effort, which can make it seem daunting. My best advice is to try to give Houston a fair shake and not constantly compare it to NYC. They both have pretty giant PROs/CONs, but you'll never be happy if you're always comparing.
And to your original question -- I have lots of friends who spent their 20s in NYC and then left. They don't miss it. For many people NYC loses its luster after awhile, particularly once children are involved. So before you start trying to move back, be sure it is really what you want.
That being said, you raise some excellent points, and thank you for your advice.
Yeah, I lived in a large city in Asia for a while. Whenever I am in New York I can't help but think "What an old, rundown city". Like you mentioned, the city just "feels off" from what I view as the "quintessential city". Just funny how we cannot help but compare things that are similar. Good luck in Houston.
Yeah if you have kids NYC doesn't make too much sense. I still think for young single finance professionals it's the best city to advance career wise. I would love to live in say L.A. or Chicago after b-school, but there just aren't as many opportunities.
Buy a porsche or a maserati.
Yeah, Houston is a big change. That city is probably 10-20 years from having any type of NYC-esque lifestyle. I think they are just now trying to build up a downtown living community. NYC is just so dame unique. The size and concentration isn't matched in the US. Probably why they can get away with raping you in taxes. I think the only other cheaper option with NYC similarities is Chicago. Philly/Boston have a lot of city living people and an urban life, but both are smaller and your financial career options are limited. If your firm has offices in those cities it might be a good transition. At least you'll be close to NYC.
Me, personally, Chicago is probably the only other city I would look at outside of NYC or Boston. I hate the idea of driving for anything but pleasure. I also really enjoy urban living. I feel ya dude. Hang in there.
I can't give advice as someone having moved from NYC to another place, but I'm originally from NY and now live in FL and I've had many colleagues come from the city to work down here. What they say is a mixed bag really, some missing the nightlife and experience, and others (usually with children or looking for that in the future) loving the trade-off because of the work life balance. There are plenty of stories on both sides I'm sure.
What I can give you is my perspective, which is if you got a bump, and you don't like the atmosphere, it's not worth it. But there are certainly a growing number of opportunities outside of NYC (Dallas/Ft Worth, Salt Lake City, SoCal, Florida, Chicago, etc.) that people seem to be finding for more pay and a better work-life balance. The taxes, commute and general nature of NYC (with rare exception) is difficult.
Prioritize what you're looking for a weight it out, I'm sure there's a right fit for you. Good luck.
I left NYC for Chicago in the summer. The cost of living is much better here, but nothing compares to NYC. I feel you man. I absolutely miss NYC and am thinking about moving back after b school.
Why would you want to leave Chicago for NYC?
Thank you all for the advice - I've got plenty to think about. If you ever find yourselves in H-town, let me buy yall a beer (or 5).
Actually, a ton of people move out of NYC. In fact, NYC has negative net migration--its population grows only through foreign immigration.
Having grown up in Houston all of my life and spent the last summer in NYC, I would take Houston every time. I think it really just depends on what you like and what were used to growing up. I think Houston is also a much better place to start a family since its significantly cheaper than NYC. I wish you all the best in figuring out where you want to live.
Having grown up in Houston all of my life and spent the last summer in NYC, I would take Houston every time. I think it really just depends on what you like and what were used to growing up. I think Houston is also a much better place to start a family since its significantly cheaper than NYC. I wish you all the best in figuring out where you want to live.
If you haven't had any good barbeque or blown some shit up since moving to Texas that's probably part of the problem. Get into your regular routine and embrace everything you can do in Houston that you can't readily do in NYC. Keep in mind your money is going a lot further in Houston, so enjoy your new purchasing power. Then decide what you want to do.
It's largely a matter of personal taste, NYC or a similar older concentrated city where having a car is optional (I fall on this side) or a newer city like Houston where you can buy a huge house in the burbs for the same cost as a 1 bed in NYC (or Boston, SF, or a cheaper city that's still much more expensive than Houston, I've personally lived in both types) but as compbanker said, watch out what you wish for. I have a very good friend who spent 5-6 years post college in NYC and made it in banking. He loved NYC but was transferred to SF to help open their tech office there. Awesome career opp but he wanted back to NYC badly and did everything he could to make it happen. Finally by his early 30's he made it back but all of his NYC friends had moved, coupled up and were with fiancé/wives or had kids and moved to the burbs. So by the time he got back the NYC of his youth was gone and he was a very successful guy with few friends in the city. It was just a different place. And I don't even think his age at 33/34 (forget exactly) made it much different. The difference in your friends from 25/26 and 3-4 years later is big because most of them leave NYC, or at least end up with girlfriends or wives.
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