[Sara]

Originally Posted by i dunno

I went to school in Irvine, and immediately moved after I graduated. socal never really clicked with me but I do love the rave scene down there. untz untz untz

Well thats because you were in Irvine!!

[i dunno]

well its not like I only hung out in Irvine. I had to be out and about bc theres nothing there lol

[yarviinn]

Originally Posted by i dunno

I went to school in Irvine, and immediately moved after I graduated. socal never really clicked with me but I do love the rave scene down there. untz untz untz

I like SoCal. There are just so many things to do day and night... I just can't stand the traffic down there though.

[srezzo]

Originally Posted by KingOfJericho

Detroit is the most dangerous city in the US. It might have a few wealthy suburbs but detroit proper is as bad as it comes.

I never said anything about Detroit proper. All my comments were about the metro region. And although many publications cites Detroit as the "most dangerous" city, many others do not. As someone who has been to the worst of Detroit, Chicago and LA I'd say the later 2 are MUCH worse. It's so sad when I take ppl from out of town to the city and they are SHOCKED that it's not a warzone. People need to stop listening to the media and check things out for themselves.

[Sara]

Originally Posted by yarviinn

I like SoCal. There are just so many things to do day and night... I just can't stand the traffic down there though.

1 hr to go 10 miles on the 405

[Ehwnnc]

Meh I will stay in North Carolina. Plenty of roads to drive. Laid back. Beach and mountains. Seasons. I was born and raised here and will stay here

[yarviinn]

Originally Posted by Sara504

1 hr to go 10 miles on the 405

[dreamingat30fps]

I was in SF for a couple days a few years ago. Just remember lots of homeless people, cold and rainy, crowds everywhere and it smelled.

[youngnastyman]

Originally Posted by dreamingat30fps

I was in SF for a couple days a few years ago. Just remember lots of homeless people, cold and rainy, crowds everywhere and it smelled.

Lol yea there were definitely Alot of bums.. But then again I live in Houston so it's nothing new to me..

[BMW F22]

I work with a few people that moved here from the East Coast less than 9 months ago. They all love it here (California/Bay Area). I guess the one thing that surprised them the most was how much more expensive everything is. Remember that you could make more money here but the cost of living is also pretty high. A city like SF has outrageous rents. Even around cities like Sunnyvale rent could be $3k or more for a house. I know someone in Burlingame and she pays about $1400 a month for a tiny studio (nice area but tiny).

Depending on what expenses you think you will incur, a six figure income might be just enough. If it's more than $100k you will be fine. If it's $100k, then it really comes down to how your lifestyle is. I figure you get about $65k or so after tax. That comes out to about $5400 a month. Subtract about $1500-2000 a month for rent, take out a car payment (if you have it), food, insurance, gas, parking fee, going out, etc. If you don't spend a lot you will perfect fine. If you do, however, $100k might not cut it in SF.

[chumley]

Originally Posted by dreamingat30fps

I was in SF for a couple days a few years ago. Just remember lots of homeless people, cold and rainy, crowds everywhere and it smelled.

Ha! My memories exactly! Only been 2x but it's one of my least favorite cities. California is beautiful and has amazing diversity but living in San Fran would be a serious quality of life issue for me.

[elusive303]

Originally Posted by youngnastyman

So by your logic I should stay in Houston, pay 100K for a school that no one has heard of and just be happy?

People leave our city to get educated in expensive metropolitan areas all the time. I'm not saying this is permanent, it may be, but who knows. Again school is key - I may not get into Berkeley but maybe I get into Northwestern, or Illinois - Then I'll be in Chicago? Or UT - Austin? Not exactly cheaper than Houston. Just because our cost of living is cheaper here doesn't make it the most ideal place to live and get educated. Granted there is money to be made here and life to be lived but I am young, single, making a good amount of cash and don't plan on settling down ANYTIME soon. You on the other hand are married with kids, have a house, etc. Two totally different lifestyles, mentalities, goals in life.

Plus I like to smoke pot and Texas doesn't look too kindly on that haha.

You are young and don't appear to have any baggage. This would be a perfect time to break away and try something new. It's not like your quitting your job and leaving for a different city to be a bum. Looks like you'll have a good job lined up and you're planning to pursue a graduate degree.

Yes the cost of living is going to be significantly higher then in Texas but the experience and exposure you'll get working for a big tech company will open a lot of doors for you in the future. Plus, I wouldn't put too much into base pay, most of the tech giants here pay you significantly more when you add in yearly cash bonuses and stock bonuses.

If you decide later that you don't like it here you can always move back. Having FB on your resume will make you a very valuable asset, then you'll be able to choose where and who to work for. If you're a tech nerd and have a passion for the industry you owe it to yourself to experience silicon valley. There's nothing quite like it.

[Foxrus14]

Originally Posted by Ehwnnc

Meh I will stay in North Carolina. Plenty of roads to drive. Laid back. Beach and mountains. Seasons. I was born and raised here and will stay here

I will stay in Charlotte, NC as well... Everything I could ever want. Born and Raised in Pittsburgh but love the milder winters here in the south.
Plus Cali is full of the credit card millionair... All the so-called successful people are putting it on plastic and loosing their ass on their houses. We make plenty of money here but it definitely wouldn't go as far there as it does here.

[f30nynj]

I invite you to work in NYC and live in jersey(esp Hoboken).

PLUS for working in city

• Lots of companies and easy to find a wel paying job.(You'll hv to look at right places)
• Good money to be made. Some investment firms pay 250k + Bonus for your xperience.(I am in same field as you Unix Admin)
• NYU and Columbia Univ are in Manhattan
• Great nightlife and hot b****s from all over the world.
• Take Vacay to Europe which is sometimes cheaper than cross-country(only 6-8hrs away)

PLUS for living in Jersey(Hoboken)

• Own a car and park for $200 in Garage
• 24hr trains & bus to city.
• Save on 4% city & 1% in NYS. Sales tax is low too.(thats like 5k on a 100k salary)
• Hoboken is lively and you can hang out if not in city.
• Ski in winter and beaches in summer(can't say same in CA)
• Atlantic City(poor man's Vegas closeby)

MINUS of NYC

• Traffic. Though I hate driving in NYC but over the years I know which streets are empty at what times and how to get around without getting stuck in traffic.
• It's dirty in lots of areas. But there is no business for you to be there anyway.
• Toll to Enter the city from NJ. (sucks but it's manageable)

MINUS of living in NJ

• Looked down upon by lot of folks living in NYC. Ppl living in filthy studios have no clue what a 1Bedroom luxury building in NJ is like. (call it ignorance). Just say you're from Hoboken and you'll be OK as it's quite sought after place other than city.
• Rent is almost the same as living in city.(Hoboken) but you get bigger space.

Not comparing SFO to NYC, but just the good parts which I find convincing.

[MediaArtist]

Originally Posted by BMW E90

Subtract about $1500-2000 a month for rent,

$1500-$2000 if you're willing to commute into the city from the East Bay (pretty much your only viable option in that price range). If you want to actually live in the city, better get used to room mates.

[youngnastyman]

Originally Posted by MediaArtist

$1500-$2000 if you're willing to commute into the city from the East Bay (pretty much your only viable option in that price range). If you want to actually live in the city, better get used to room mates.

ugh.. not sure i can do that... i'm expecting to be able to dish out around 2500 or so for rent, give or take some

[F32]

Originally Posted by Foxrus14

All the so-called successful people are putting it on plastic and loosing their ass on their houses. We make plenty of money here but it definitely wouldn't go as far there as it does here.

Take a look at the housing market in the nicer parts of the Bay Area. It's at all-time highs well above 2006-2007 levels. No one's "loosing" anything.

[Litos]

lol @ living in New Jersey.

might as well tell him to live inside of Miley Cyrus' yeast infections.....

[Sara]

Originally Posted by BMW E90

I work with a few people that moved here from the East Coast less than 9 months ago. They all love it here (California/Bay Area). I guess the one thing that surprised them the most was how much more expensive everything is. Remember that you could make more money here but the cost of living is also pretty high. A city like SF has outrageous rents. Even around cities like Sunnyvale rent could be $3k or more for a house. I know someone in Burlingame and she pays about $1400 a month for a tiny studio (nice area but tiny).

Depending on what expenses you think you will incur, a six figure income might be just enough. If it's more than $100k you will be fine. If it's $100k, then it really comes down to how your lifestyle is. I figure you get about $65k or so after tax. That comes out to about $5400 a month. Subtract about $1500-2000 a month for rent, take out a car payment (if you have it), food, insurance, gas, parking fee, going out, etc. If you don't spend a lot you will perfect fine. If you do, however, $100k might not cut it in SF.

Thats what my studio was in Newport Beach. I paid $1353 before utilities. My 1 bedroom is $1693 and its about 700 sq ft. I call it my shoebox.

[F32]

Originally Posted by Sara504

Thats what my studio was in Newport Beach. I paid $1353 before utilities. My 1 bedroom is $1693 and its about 700 sq ft. I call it my shoebox.

Yet you drive a $65K car. LOL.

[Sara]

Originally Posted by F32

Yet you drive a $65K car. LOL.

For only $400 with zero down. You cant even get a honda for that

[Billup]

Originally Posted by Ehwnnc

Meh I will stay in North Carolina. Plenty of roads to drive. Laid back. Beach and mountains. Seasons. I was born and raised here and will stay here

Moving here from MI, I will never move back to that God forsaken state. NC is gorgeous.