On Friday I performed an interview for my team at work. My job was to take the candidate to lunch and answer questions the candidate might have and attempt to assess his intelligence and “fit” for our team. This is one of those very rare interviews that actually turned out well and everyone who interviewed the guy liked him and we decided to hire him.
However, I feel like he may not join us because he is actually currently living in Austin, Texas. He said that he went to a nearby open house in Foster City and was shocked to find that a tiny townhouse less than half the size of his home in Texas is listed for $900,000. He used to live in Sacramento many years ago but the cost of living there is nowhere near the craziness of San Mateo. Then we chatted about the Bay Area in general and I said that I actually did some research on Texas and found that I could afford a 40% pay cut and still afford a better standard of living. He agreed with me, and I asked him if he would consider relocating and he said he would probably prefer telecommuting. However, after he finished his 8 hour grueling interview my team lead did mention that he would like all core members to be close to the headquarter and telecommuting from Texas is probably a deal breaker.
I imagine this is happening all over the Silicon Valley. There are a lot of great talent from other states that are interested in the companies here, but are totally put off by the cost of living and the cost of relocating. Additionally, I know dozens of people who are exiting this place due to the same reason. Even though I love the energy and dynamics in this place sometimes I wonder if it’s worth it. Yes, we do have fairly high incomes compared to the rest of the country, but with that we have extremely high taxes and a ridiculously high cost of living. When all the math is worked out, I think many of us who live in the Valley could have better lives elsewhere.
I thought that the job candidate is wise to investigate the cost of living before making a decision. I doubt that he is getting a 70 to 100% pay increase because Austin, Texas is also a very lively city with an abundance of jobs. On one hand, I do want him to join our team, but on the other hand I was honest with him and I want him to make the best decision possible for himself. I really don’t want him to join my company and then regret it and become grumpy!!
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5 comments ↓
I agree.. I am also seriously considering other parts of the country (or even canada) to settle down. Many ppl are staying in california for the weather, but the one thing that I think cannot be beat anywhere else is the abundance of asian restaurants. So I think I’m going to eat my fill here while I don’t have kids and then move somewhere else. It seems to me my co-workers with kids never really eat out much anyway. Which other areas would you consider moving to?
I must say I live in Dallas and have LOVED the lower cost of living it affords me. Not only does TX have very affordable housing, but there’s also no state income tax.
Low cost of living doesn’t mean much if you’re comparing areas with vastly different opportunities of course. But cities like Austin and Dallas offer world-class dining, shopping, entertainment, arts, culture, and music; and they also have thriving business economies and good job markets for most industries.
I’ve had friends move to Chicago, NY, and LA from here, and I can’t imagine trading up so much in terms of cost of living. I know there are lots of people who say they live in expensive cities because their jobs don’t exist in other places–but unless you work in fashion or media or you’ve founded a company in one of those areas, there’s often little basis for those claims.
There’s nothing wrong with choosing to live in an expensive area, of course. But if you’re struggling to make ends meet or if you can’t even afford to do all the fantastic things in your city, then moving to a less expensive area can be the quickest way to increase your wealth and your lifestyle.
I think the key is to just rent and invest the difference. My rent is just slightly more than it was in Boston, but the salaries are significantly higher.
AMEN! I moved here from New Mexico, and talk about a HUGE change! I had a 5BR home there, with the mortgage being $1000 LESS than what we pay here for a 2BR apartment! Of course the pay scale in NM is much lower.
I really like living in CA, but I could think of a few places I wouldn’t mind moving to!
I have lived here since 1996, and realized the other day that I still don’t feel at home here. Here is my poem about California: California
It never rains here
This long-legged mistress is a mystery,
She is fake and beautiful
With no soul
But never changes.
The year is like a stack of blue cubes,
Square as windows of an Internet Company
Reflecting the sky
Of daily brightness
And vapid valleys streaming in cars
Climbing one hill and another
Which exit only for take-out coffee
The ocean is untouchable
Cold, colorless darkness
A metaphor for “the beach”
Where you may look, but don’t touch
It’s all a part of the perfection,
And you can insert your image everywhere.
The natives, having pushed out
Indians, Mexicans
But sit in trees and fight for the condor,
Must always defend how beautiful
And bounteous their land is,
Vain and proud of their humility,
Political correctness and perfection.
I listen, but only hear
The sky, void of thunder.
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