LMM Investment Banking vs. Strategic Finance at a Top 10 Firm

I currently have two job offers and would like to hear some opinions on my options.

Offer 1: LMM boutique investment bank (generalist) in the greater Richmond, VA area for an experienced analyst role

  • Base: $70k + $50-$70k bonus

Offer 2: Strategic Finance Lead at a top 10 investment management firm in Southern California area

  • Base: $110k + $20-$30k bonus

For about a year, I was at a LMM boutique bank and the bank was basically a joke. The first offer is a fairly solid bank with much better deal flow, but I'm not sure I would remotely enjoy Virginia. I was contacted by a recruiter for the Strategic Finance role and think it's pretty interesting and there are a few other IB/MBBs on the team. I don't know anyone who's gone down the IB --> Strategic Finance path. Would taking the SoCal offer be a major step down career wise and/or make coming back to IB/go to PE way too much of an uphill battle for me if I chose to go back to M&A? Any thoughts on coming up with pros and cons for each role/location (besides the cost of living)?

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