So after 7 years with the same company getting paid peanuts (what a fucking mistake) I started job hunting and it is going very well. Currently in Arizona, but more than willing to move out for the right opportunity. What do fellow RVFers think about cities for the best combination of money, career options, cost of living and lifestyle for us IT folk?
Here are some of my thoughts:
Phoenix, AZ:
+ I'm already here, have a social circle
+ cheap as fuck (comparatively)
+ wages not too bad, I should be able to get 110k or more easily
+ winters are great
+ not a bad lifestyle for the $$$, nice girls for US
- getting bored of it here, would like some change and a 'reset' in general
- summers suck hard
- mostly uninspiring suburbia
- not really a 'tech' city
Bay Area (SF especially):
+ the holy grail of career opportunities, prob most $$$, very dynamic job market
+ SF is a cool city
+ weather
+ beautiful surroundings, new things to explore in NorCal (Yosemite, Tahoe, etc.)
- everything is expensive as fuck
- outside of SF really not very inspiring, but still expensive
- bad ratios, especially Silicon Valley
- taxed to death
Seattle
+ lots of jobs, good money, definitely a tech city
+ cheaper than SF
+ beautiful surroundings, nice city
+ heard that summers are awesome
- weather sucks most of the year, I like rain now living in AZ but would be sick of it after one rainy week
- from what I heard, women and people in general suck ('Seattle freeze')
- still quite expensive compared to other areas
- startup scene lacks compared to Bay area
Los Angeles
+ quite a few jobs, good money most likely, should be able to get 125k or more
+ most areas are a lot cheaper than Bay Area, although 'cool' places in West LA are coming close
+ very good weather (on the coast)
+ good lifestyle (I think)
- traffic, traffic, traffic (could be mitigated with good choice of living place)
- most of the area is spread out uninspiring suburbia
- not as exciting for me as I go to SoCal very often, seen it all
Denver
+ somewhat of a tech city
+ fairly low cost of living
+ clean air, beautiful scenery
+ legal pot
- "Menver"
- flyover country
- cold winters
I do like places with beautiful scenery, mountains/outdoor things to do, so I might be a little biased that way. Also somehow I prefer West coast, but that might be irrational. I don't miss snow and cold weather very much, prefer warmer places.
Anyways, what do you guys think, maybe I missed some obvious places, would love to hear your suggestions.
Here are some of my thoughts:
Phoenix, AZ:
+ I'm already here, have a social circle
+ cheap as fuck (comparatively)
+ wages not too bad, I should be able to get 110k or more easily
+ winters are great
+ not a bad lifestyle for the $$$, nice girls for US
- getting bored of it here, would like some change and a 'reset' in general
- summers suck hard
- mostly uninspiring suburbia
- not really a 'tech' city
Bay Area (SF especially):
+ the holy grail of career opportunities, prob most $$$, very dynamic job market
+ SF is a cool city
+ weather
+ beautiful surroundings, new things to explore in NorCal (Yosemite, Tahoe, etc.)
- everything is expensive as fuck
- outside of SF really not very inspiring, but still expensive
- bad ratios, especially Silicon Valley
- taxed to death
Seattle
+ lots of jobs, good money, definitely a tech city
+ cheaper than SF
+ beautiful surroundings, nice city
+ heard that summers are awesome
- weather sucks most of the year, I like rain now living in AZ but would be sick of it after one rainy week
- from what I heard, women and people in general suck ('Seattle freeze')
- still quite expensive compared to other areas
- startup scene lacks compared to Bay area
Los Angeles
+ quite a few jobs, good money most likely, should be able to get 125k or more
+ most areas are a lot cheaper than Bay Area, although 'cool' places in West LA are coming close
+ very good weather (on the coast)
+ good lifestyle (I think)
- traffic, traffic, traffic (could be mitigated with good choice of living place)
- most of the area is spread out uninspiring suburbia
- not as exciting for me as I go to SoCal very often, seen it all
Denver
+ somewhat of a tech city
+ fairly low cost of living
+ clean air, beautiful scenery
+ legal pot
- "Menver"
- flyover country
- cold winters
I do like places with beautiful scenery, mountains/outdoor things to do, so I might be a little biased that way. Also somehow I prefer West coast, but that might be irrational. I don't miss snow and cold weather very much, prefer warmer places.
Anyways, what do you guys think, maybe I missed some obvious places, would love to hear your suggestions.