East Coast transplant working in California. Do I get MBA in CA if plan on moving back to East Coast?

I was born and raised in the NE, and out of college worked for a REIT for 3 years in AM. I wanted to make a life change to escape a few winters if possible, and recently moved to Orange County. Here, I work as an Associate for a RE US subsidiary for a Foreign Investment Bank. We provide VC for spec developments & value add commercial properties. I am the "point man" in our little operation, and also manage our current portfolio. While I am enjoying not going through a winter in NE, there is a strong possibility I will be moving back there within a few years (If not sooner). My question is, would it be a mistake to get my MBA/MSRE on the WC if I plan on moving back East? If I head back to the EC, I'd most likely want to go to NYU's Stern MSRE program, but I currently have an opportunity to start my MBA this March. Would it make sense to just get my MBA 'over with'?

7 Comments
 

If you want to work on the east coast, I don't think many people will recognize the strength of that school and you're better waiting to do NYU, which will have nationwide appeal. In general I think if you want your degree to have more than a regional benefit, you need to pick something with nationwide reputation. I would look into something at UCLA or wait until you move to NY.

 
Best Response

For Real Estate especially, recruiting tends to be very regional. If you want to work in NYC CRE you are better of going to NYU Stern/Schack from a recruiting perspective.

As one of the above posters mentioned, if you do your MBA full time from Haas or Anderson you are still in good shape to recruit for NYC roles.

However, I still think from a CRE specific perspective you are better of being in NYC. This holds especially true if you are not planning on doing these programs full time as you could be networking much more in NYC during your downtime. NYC Real Estate although institutionalizing more and more each year is still a very much who you know business.

 

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