Six Years on the Street, One Big Decision: Happiness or Prestige
All,
I've been on the street for over six years now — starting in banking at a top BB (GS, MS, JPM) and spending the last four years at a MF (BX, KKR, Apollo, H&F). I was promoted to Senior Associate at my fund and was told I could skip business school after a strong three years as an Associate.
Unfortunately, about six months into my first year as a Senior Associate, I realized this wasn’t a life I could sustain and began recruiting. After a grueling few months speaking with private equity firms, hedge funds, family offices, and startups in my hometown, I was finally able to land an offer.
I just let everyone at my MF know that I’ve accepted the offer and will be moving back home after the new year. As I sit down to reflect on my journey through banking and PE, I can’t help but wonder if one day I’ll regret leaving NYC and taking a corporate finance role in a tier-3 city.
Still, I just couldn’t picture myself at 35 living the same life — successful on paper, but missing any real sense of happiness. So I ask you all: am I doing the right thing by finally prioritizing happiness, or am I a fool for walking away from a life many dream of having?
Based on the most helpful WSO content, your decision to prioritize happiness over prestige is a deeply personal one, and it seems like you're not alone in grappling with this dilemma. Many professionals in high finance face similar crossroads, and the insights shared across WSO threads highlight a few key considerations:
Happiness vs. Prestige: The "prestige race" often leads to a cycle of never-ending goals—getting into top schools, landing at elite firms, and climbing the ladder. However, as some WSO users have pointed out, this pursuit can leave you feeling unfulfilled, as personal relationships and a sense of purpose often bring more lasting happiness than titles or paychecks.
Work-Life Balance: Many contributors emphasize that the trade-offs in high finance—great pay and prestige but poor work-life balance—can take a toll over time. Moving to a corporate finance role in a tier-3 city might offer you the balance and lifestyle you’re seeking, even if it means stepping away from the "dream" on paper.
Long-Term Perspective: Career satisfaction often comes down to funding a lifestyle you can tolerate and being content with your choices. As one WSO user noted, "You can either go all out and work as hard as you can to achieve your goals, or you can compromise and prioritize other things in life." Neither path is wrong, but clarity on what truly matters to you is essential.
Regret and Reflection: It's natural to wonder if you'll regret leaving NYC and the prestige of your current role. However, as others have shared, the key is to focus on what aligns with your values and long-term happiness. If the corporate finance role allows you to live a life that feels more authentic and sustainable, it may be the right move.
Ultimately, your decision reflects a shift in priorities—from external validation to internal fulfillment. While some may view it as walking away from a coveted life, others would argue that choosing happiness and balance is the ultimate success.
Sources: Is work life balance really worth it when you are young?, https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/investment-banking/are-you-happy-with-your-life?customgpt=1, Are you happy with your life?, Who is happy & satisfied with their current role?
Live your dream, not anybody else's.
Dw buddy is already in a dream, obviously fake post
Honestly, sounds like you made a choice most people never dare to. Money and prestige are tempting, but they don’t buy daily happiness or health. Prioritizing your well-being now doesn’t close doors; it just means you’re being intentional about the life you actually want. You’ll likely look back and be grateful you made the move rather than burning out in NYC.
Hey man, it's not like you left to wait tables at IHOP.
Only you know what you need to be happy. Money doesn't buy happiness. It does, however, buy freedom. Which is essential for happiness. So as long as you can see freedom on the horizon, Godspeed.
Prestige is the biggest impediment to happiness in finance. Only in finance would someone look at a $1.5mm total comp MD at a balance sheet or MM bank and snort in derision, fully preferring to chase a career at a MF where the median outcome is basically the junior leaving the firm and often the industry.
just going to leave this here dittochu_ on X: "Manhattan is a beautiful prison" / X
Unrelated to OP but people will move across the country for a job only to move away and call it a prison. For some people it is already home.
Did 2 years EB and 2 years MF and have essentially nearly cried every other day for the past 4 years. Sure my resume was top tier on paper, but I was so empty. So miserable and nothing to look forward to. Quit one day with nothing lined up (literally walked out, no 2 weeks notice lol) and recently accepted a strategy job and couldn't be happier.
you only get one life dude, do what makes you happy and brings you peace
I think you made the right choice for you. I think especially with all the incredible tools available to everyone, you can tinker a LOT if you have extra hours or go through a season where you want more of a challenge...
My friend - do not for a second doubt that you did the right thing. I dare call you friend because that decision took courage very few people have and it is to be admired.
I'm some years ahead of you and have processed similar deliberations. Feel free to hit me up. The short version is that the distinction between resume virtues and eulogy virtues is cliche, but it's true. Don't sacrifice the latter for the former. Happiness comes from purpose, not from external validation. This took me a long time to learn. Very few people find purpose in a wall street job. They might think they do but... think again.
From my own deliberations, I realized that the day my father passes away I will give everything I own to spend more time with him, but I won't be able to. The only rational solution is to prioritize time with him now over my career.
Sure, some people care deeply about prestige. That's just more external validation and a poor, but far too common, substitute for a healthy sense of self worth. Don't get me wrong, you should go forth and conquer, but don't let that define your value as a person. In the immortal words of Dr. Seuss - those who mind don't matter, those who matter don't mind.
You’ve “been on the street”?
No one who actually works at a MF talks like such a tool.
Yeah this post is fake - you can just tell by the language. Message still holds true however
Your “hometown” has hedge funds, private equity, family offices, and startups? Did you move from NYC to Greenwich CT?
This would’ve been cool if you actually left the lifestyle and hustle but it sounds like you just moved to another NYC…
Life isn’t one dimensional but everyone chasing the high finance path usually has one dimensional goals. If you focus on that one goal at the expense of everything else, what happens when you get there and realize what’s the point? Gotta find a way to structure your life to achieve goals in all dimensions. Especially if you’ve already banked a good bit of money, you should let that compound and not look back. Money should be a means of enabling you to live more freely; if money is taking away control of your life, you’re doing it wrong
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