London or NYC?
Which one is better for a second year IB female associate? Working culture, living condition, expenses and dating...
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Lived and worked in both
CoL is high in both places, so not sure what it'll be like post pandemic. best to check leases and see how rent has developed
Work culture was similar because I worked at the same firm in both locations, but I preferred the American way of handling things better. I think there are more opportunities in NYC compared to London.
Dating: I am a guy, so my opinion won't matter that much if you are a girl. I dated both in London and NYC and found both places to be stellar. Great girls in both places, but that is easy to say because both cities are huge and have a lot of people. Hard not to find someone in a large city. I had success in both cities. No preference.
Expenses: my hobbies were slightly cheaper in the US. But I wouldn't base life decisions on that.
what do you mean by American way of doing things?
The US offices had larger meeting rooms and there was a row of chairs along each of the three walls. I asked them why we had all those chairs, the director in the room said the firm wanted the ability for junior staff to pop into any meeting they wanted and listen in, to learn how business is done.
I realized that none of our EU offices had those chairs!
That alone says a lot about culture in a firm.
Aren’t salaries way lower in London?
From what I have seen in our firm, yes. But they get more equal the more senior a colleague would get (in our firm).
However, if OP is US American, the exposure to a foreign country/culture would be a huge plus and balance out the short-term losses in wages. IMO. Assuming she'll go back to the US one day.
Thanks for the comments! I am an Asian currently working in Japan. The firm provides me this opportunity and asks my preference...Had global training in NYC for a month,TBH not even sure I can survive the competition lol...more of a cooperative personality than aggressive
Really? Are you Japanese? I always heard the corporate culture over there was cutthroat
I think it all depends on the team. But I guess the culture in general is less competitive and more emphasis on corporation&support
I have Korean friends who moved from Europe to the US. They previously worked and lived in Germany and then had a stint in England.
While they never had truly horrifying experiences in Europe, they mentioned several times being yelled at in both countries. They also faced difficulties in renting apartments across Europe.
After moving to the US they had initial difficulties in adapting, but they recently sent an email saying they are happier in the US compared to Europe.
This is just an anecdote, obviously, but it would be useful to speak to a few Koreans before making a move to either location. All depending on what you want to do in the long run.
I have heard many times that immigrants may feel more comfortable in the US, being a melting pot and more diverse than any EU country currently could be.
thank you very much, this is very helpful.
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Maybe if they want to ask dating advice, isn’t is better to specify the gender??
NYC > London
Can’t go wrong with either. Which do you like better? Where do you want to be long term?
Personally I prefer NYC - higher comp, better food variety, easier to get around, better energy and nightlife (very subjective). Also feels like there’s more professional opportunity, and I’m a sucker for a high rise with a skyline view. I also think it’s easier to meet people and make friends than it is across the pond.
That said, I love London as well. London is cleaner, the tube is nicer than the subway (somewhat), there seem to be fewer crazies around, travel options are better (though realistically not many people seem to make use of it), more international business. Probably roughly even on cultural activities
Can’t speak to London during / post-pandemic... NYC was pretty rough for almost a year, but the last couple months it’s been roaring back. This past week you could barely tell the pandemic had happened - bars and restaurants packed to the brim, tourists crowding onto Fifth Ave, Midtown restaurants full at lunch. It feels good
thank you so much for this! only picturing the roaring back dynamic already gives me great energy. Kind of thinking won't get attacked being Asian if it is London. How do you consider the Anti-Asian emotion going in NYC?
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