I am a post-mba associate and have the option to work in either Charlotte or NYC. Obviously, charlotte is a lot cheaper, but will living there hurt my exit ops down the road? Is NYC worth it for a few years?
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Most people will regard NYC IB higher than Charlotte. If your exit is in NC then Charlotte is better, otherwise it's not. This is really dependent on what you want from your exit.
Do many associates in nyc have families? Do they live in the city or commute in?
It's a mix of both aspects. There's not a lot of associates with children but a significant amount with partners. Some people live in jersey or brooklyn but I would guess majority is in the city. It's a relatively junior role with most people being in the 29-35 age range, roughly.
I’d base the decision on if you’d like to work in Charlotte or NYC for the next 3 years. Exit opps will be up to you but the 3 years is a long time.
Would the answer change if it were two banks and the one in nyc was much better? I would like to buy a house and I like the south, but I can’t help but feel like I might regret not doing a few years in nyc.
That's a personal decision. Do you want to settle down in the South? If so, go there now. If you're unsure and value optionality over location then do the NY firm.
Quality of bank, group and your deal sheet will far outweigh location in terms of exits. As someone who has moved for jobs a couple times, companies don’t really care as long as you have a solid story for the new location and you can spin being there for an extended period of time.
Would you leave WF for a JEFF/HL/Blair type MM?
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