Best Tier 2 Cities for IB exit op into PE/VC

Monkeys, I'm an incoming IB analyst at a reputable MM firm. Considering recruiting for PE starts so early, I'm starting to road map exit ops and am looking to leave NYC after my IB stint. What tier 2 cities are most flooded with PE/VC opportunities where I have the best shot of catching a job. 

Besides that, what tier 2 cities have best WLB

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Boston and Chi if you consider them tier 2. Boston has more opportunities than Chi and both are good if you can tolerate the weather. Outside of those 2 - Miami, Dallas, Austin, Denver, Atlanta, Charlotte, Nashville. Probably in that order in terms of # of opps. Reality is that it gets sparse really fast outside of the NY/SF/Bos/Chi/LA market. You will get another opportunity to lateral or MBA after associate program so I wouldn't worry about it too much unless you have personal life pressure. Also be forewarned that once you are in these niche regions, it can be hard to move around once you're there. So it's good you're doing your homework now on what region and specific firms and culture.

Edited to add that the above is for PE perspective. For VC perspective, I think the order would move to something like Austin, Atlanta, Miami, and then I think that's probably it. Maybe a handful of ones in the Research Triangle. Don't know the VC world as well so others should chime in.

 

You could argue they shouldn't be considered Tier 2 but a lot of people just consider Tier 1 as NYC / SF / LA.

Don't know why someone gave me MS.  Look at all the other posts on this website.  I personally don't fully agree with the Tiers, just stating what some others believe.  Pretty sure it's more based on COL than anything although Boston is definitely not cheap from what I've heard.

Array
 

San Fran tier 2 in my eyes, if it weren’t for the weather. Overpriced dump

 

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