Worth moving from NYC to SF for huge pay bump?

Don’t want to get in a ton of detail but I make ~$350k in NYC and generally get by just fine. I have a decent one bedroom apartment and can afford to go out and enjoy myself but also don’t feel wealthy by any means. I have an opportunity to move to SF for a job that roughly doubles my cash comp with meaningful equity as well. I’ve never lived in SF and don’t have many close friends there (but have a ton of loose acquaintances, so I think I could probably build up a friend group pretty easily). I’m hesitant to give up NYC and my close friends and family here, and as a late-20s single dude, have heard atrocious things about the SF dating scene. Anyone have thoughts?

 

I think for twice the compensation + equity, it is worth going. If you hate it, give it full one year and recruit back to NYC.

Worst case, you hate it + bank a quarter mill and know for sure that you are a NYC guy.

Best case, you make vastly more money + expand your network + get to try something different in your life.

 

Politics of both cities are garbage, though SF is a probably a bit worse in that regard. COL is also comparable.

As you mentioned, dating scene is much worse in SF but otherwise they're not dissimilar options. Might be worth trying a year there and seeing if you like it

 

NYC elected Adams, but they did it without the help of Manhattan. 

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2021/06/23/nyregion/nyc-mayor-prima…

Outside of Chinatown (which went to Yang) and a few districts up north and a few districts in the eastern most part of east village either Garcia or Wiley won the district. Garcia did win most of the districts Manhattan, but Wiley was typically the runner up.  My guess is the younger progressives sided with Wiley, while  those who were older, more established or work in high paying front office roles voted for Garcia. 

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Money isn’t everything, but 2x+equity is pretty compelling… I’d probably move somewhere much worse than SF for that kind of raise. 
 

Beyond the comp, I assume you’re weighing the career path relative to where you are now. That kind of raise + equity stake sounds like something that gives you an attractive path forward, but if that’s not true and you see the new job as more terminal and your current role providing a path upward, it might be worth sacrificing the comp for a bit to maintain trajectory and social benefits. Obviously the lifestyle requirements are a factor as well - I do know some people making $300-$400k who could probably get a role paying twice that but choose not to because it’d add another 20-30 hours a week, more travel, more stress / demanding goals, etc. 
 

Realistically though, I imagine you’ll retain optionality in this new role and could probably find your way back to another (perhaps even more) attractive position in New York in a few years. Knowing only what you said above, I’d probably risk the new city - I’ve rarely regretted choosing the “more exciting” / “more unknown” option over something safer

 

You're going to lose a good chunk of the cash bump to taxes (see how they're proposing increasing them even more to provide "health coverage") and you'll be dealing with a lot more human feces. But if you've got no problem with increased crime and can put up with an even more woke culture and hordes of disgusting bums by all means make the move. 

"The obedient always think of themselves as virtuous rather than cowardly" - Robert A. Wilson | "If you don't have any enemies in life you have never stood up for anything" - Winston Churchill | "It's a testament to the sheer belligerence of the profession that people would rather argue about the 'risk-adjusted returns' of using inferior tooth cleaning methods." - kellycriterion
 

Eh...as scary as it sounds to someone in the midwest for instance, they'd actually be saving some in taxes by moving from NYC to SF (with or without the proposed doubling you screenshot'ed). In NYC at the OP's kind of income, that's a 53% marginal tax rate. In SF that'd be just under 42% marginal rate right now, and 49% if the state tax does in fact double. Anyone feel free to fact check me on that one. I admit to not having intimate knowledge with taxes in either locale because I've never had to deal with BS called state income tax or even worse, city income tax.

As for the other two points, haven't experienced either (and with crime actually trending down where I am will less likely experience it) so I can't comment.

The poster formerly known as theAudiophile. Just turned up to 11, like the stereo.
 

Please, like you’re going to turn down going from 350k to 700k plus equity.

You’d take the new gig even if it was in some boring Midwest town, you just wanna brag.

And also, San Fran is a major US city. You really think there are zero quality women in all of San Fran? What nonsense.

 

Why not. Worst case scenario you come back to NYC in a year with some cool life experience and cash in hand. SF gets shit on here but is a cool city, especially when your comp is high enough to really enjoy it.

Array
 

Fuck yeah I'd do weekends boating and at Tahoe shredding with a season pass trying new hills and slowly getting better season after season. Rent or share nice houses with some cool people or friends from the area and get grilling and tailgating on potential weekdays too. Drive to some of the more popular beaches / spots on some weekends.Get some outdoors action biking etc and some sun during the down time, rip a joint and afternoon nap on a slow Sunday while getting some hot tub seshes in at Tahoe or at home. Maybe buy a dirt bike and take it trawling and get some outdoor fire and s'mores actions with some of the people you love. Get some good rounds in at the golf courses and work on the game, but still be drifting golf carts and staying sloshed with a few shooters. Rip a joint and a nice dog at the stand, make sure to stuff face with random snacks along with your brew. Maybe get a dog, fuck it.Making time to stay active and lift at least a few times a week to stay strong, and not be pressed to stay on the 'bigger' side or pushing the most weight. Get more cardio in to take advantage of the scenic shit uphill downhill off trail biking blah blah blah vantage points etc and go for fishing when you can with some of the boys. I think I could manage all that often enough to be happy and still work a good amount / cut those things out as needed. Could stay on the more fun loving side of 10-15% body fat and moderate as needed depending on the year/season/mood/women around at the time.Yeah, I'd do it. ESPECIALLY if flexibility to work remote is higher.

 

What does this forum have against SF? Just regurgitating shit opinions, I’d be willing to bet most haven’t even been there. It’s a great city with so many things to do, beautiful neighborhoods and close to so many national parks.

 
Funniest

I live in SF: girls are dogshit. I'm from Spain and I've never been to a place with so many ugly women. With some luck you will see a 6 once every other week. 

Dating: everytime I open Tinder or Bumble its just fatasses, blue hair, cringe asians or queers, non-binary and that kind of weird stuff. Lot's of "ENM" if that's your thing.

There's really good surf though, that's the only reason I'm still here.

 

I've surfed quite a bit in SoCal and I'm not very sure it's that much better. Water is definetively warmer and that is a huge bonus point. In terms of waves, Ocean Beach, Santa Cruz, Montara and a couple more place around Santa Cruz are pretty good and very consistent throughout the year.

SoCal has really good and renown spots like Rincon, Lowers, Huntington... but they are also more crowded... and I wouldn't say they are much better compared to the ones in NorCal.

In terms of girls, SoCal is likes 500 times better compared to NorCal LOL

 

Also, I agree with dating scene. Absolute crap. I've had (cringe asian) women ask me out, then block me and have her friend scold me for not getting consent to put my arm around her haha. I think she just got angry I was chilling with other women. Lots of damaged goods in SF, all close to being hot, but just a little "off." Lots of fat and blue hair too. NYC girls have style on the other hand.

To he fair, if OP is asian, it's probably best scene for him. But if he is anything else then God Bless.

I would still move to SF for double comp if I never been. Do at least a year and then maybe use the new job to get a higher pay rise somewhere else. Keep climbing the ladder so to say.

 

goldrushlol

Don't want to get in a ton of detail but I make ~$350k in NYC and generally get by just fine. I have a decent one bedroom apartment and can afford to go out and enjoy myself but also don't feel wealthy by any means. I have an opportunity to move to SF for a job that roughly doubles my cash comp with meaningful equity as well. I've never lived in SF and don't have many close friends there (but have a ton of loose acquaintances, so I think I could probably build up a friend group pretty easily). I'm hesitant to give up NYC and my close friends and family here, and as a late-20s single dude, have heard atrocious things about the SF dating scene. Anyone have thoughts?

Only a few, the bay area is expensive, take the job if it is what you really really want it.

SafariJoe, wins again!
 

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