Best cities to start a career in as a young professional?
Of the major cities with decent amounts of finance/consulting jobs that people are interested in (think NYC, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Atlanta, SF, LA, etc) - which do you think are the best for someone in their early/mid 20s?
Also, guessing the biggest answer is going to be NYC -- what are the pros/cons of NYC versus a city like SF?
SF fucking sucks
why
Nightlife sucks, the girls suck, everything is very expensive, huge homeless problem, crime
SF would’ve been awesome during the dot com boom. Now it’s been taken over by insane liberals and the homeless
It's even more expensive than NYC but you get way less for it.
free corona in nyc and free shit in a bag in san fran go to salt lake marry a mormon
Are you honestly considering that many cities? Or is this just for fun? If you are dead set on high finance like IB/PE, then being in one of those cities is pretty critical, otherwise, it's not.
I do think everyone should live/work in NYC or a similar HQ city at some point, but honestly, I don't think it is 'necessary' for a really successful career. If you factor COL, the marginal pay for the expensive cities is hardly worth it until decently mid-level/senior.
I spent a long-time in 'secondary' city before getting recruited to an NYC job. In all honestly, being the 'big fish in a small pond' accelerated my career. I don't think my story is the normal, but taking alternate routes can be very profitable.
So, I think cities like Nashville, Charlotte, Austin, Dallas, Houston, Denver, Miami, Tampa, Orlando, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Seattle, Salt Lake City, etc. all deserve some consideration. To be clear, not the same opportunities as in the NYC/Boston/SF/DC/LA set, but difference is not nearly as much as people make it out to be.
yeah that makes sense. I'm not actually considering all these cities - I'm mainly interested in the thought process and factors people consider when thinking about where to move after college.
Chicago, 3rd largest city in the US and has a low COL compared to LA/SF/NYC
Chiraq?
NYC
from my first moment seeing the city in 2006, I knew I had to get there and by 2007 I was there and it was the best decision of my life.
Houston, Dallas, Atlanta, and Charlotte all have a major financial presence and are much more reasonable than SF, LA or NY.
It's Houston for me, but I was born and raised there and trying to move back when I can. It's just too good in terms of COL and things to do. It has a bit of everything. A lot of people complain about that size of the city and having to drive everywhere but I actually enjoy driving so it's a non-issue (probably has something to do with me growing up here). It actually feels weird living in my current city having everything somewhat close by. Anyway, want to be able to afford a nice car(s), house with a pool, vacations, dinners out, etc? Has great public schools so you aren't forced to send your kids private (unless you live in the city). Has a huge sports presence, great food/bar/nightlife scene, not far from Austin for weekend trips to the hill country. Close to Galveston, even though the beach is shitty, I am used to it and still nice to get out fishing or drunk on the beach (find the more private areas as the seawall is trash). Honestly the nicest and most down to earth people as well.
If.I were to move anywhere else in Texas it would easily be Austin though. Love it there as well but just not enough to settle there.
Et atque asperiores laudantium. Et perspiciatis voluptates repudiandae facilis quas.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...