AKKR Menlo or Atlanta

Outside of cost of living, what are the major differences people have heard between the offices? Thinking about culture and stuff in that realm

Also heard there is a pay bump for ASO1s?

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All anecdotal from one coffee chat:

  • Office Culture: Atlanta wins by a small margin on WLB but you are going to be worked hard.
  • Outside of the Office: Menlo. I don't know a single person that likes Atlanta that didn't go to Emory / have friends there beforehand.
  • Cost of Living: Atlanta wins. Average studio in Menlo is going to run you about $3k. Atlanta closer to $1.5ish. You get much more for your money.
  • Taxes: Easy win for Atlanta given California is a tax hellhole but you get what you pay for.
  • Activities: Menlo for outdoors, probably the best weather year-round short of Santa Barbara. Atlanta snows in the winter and boils in the summer.
  • Type of people that live there: Menlo, you will build your network rapidly in LMM/GE/VC and sand hill road is a small place...

From the conversations I have had, Menlo is long closed for '25 but they might still be trying to swing someone into ATL. Given their historically strong performance I'd just suck it up for two years in either office and move on.

 

Trust me, I'm very aware. I work at a growth buyout firm and am here seven days a week.

Rounding error ie: after factoring in life outside the office, career/networking op's, ability to surf, better scenery, I would easily take 90 in Menlo vs 80 in ATL.

 

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