Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

Ask HN: Company is offering me a move from NYC to Nevada. Should I take it?

news.ycombinator.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

1–10 of 19 posts

Ask HN: Company is offering me a move from NYC to Nevada. Should I take it?

#1

Post by homosaphien1 »

Paid move from New York City to Sparks, Nevada with same New York salary. I make 120K in New York City right now as a Software Engineer with 7 year experience. My only goal currently is financial independence. My only concern is if this company goes down and I get settled get a house in Sparks/Reno area where there are no jobs what would I do? In NYC if this company goes down there are a lot of backups. Will appreciate any advice on:

a) Should I even move to Sparks, Nevada?

b) If I do, should I buy a house there or rent? My company is a startup.

Re: Ask HN: Company is offering me a move from NYC to Nevada. Should I take it?

#2

Post by byoung2 »

It all depends on your situation and appetite for risk. Young, single and no kids, I'd do it and save as much as possible. $120k would go a long way in Nevada, maybe you could save/invest half of your salary. Maybe rent at first and see how it goes before buying (I assume you are renting now in New York). If it doesn't work out with the company short term you can always go back to New York with your savings.

Re: Ask HN: Company is offering me a move from NYC to Nevada. Should I take it?

#3

Post by homosaphien1 »

byoung2 wrote: post #2

It all depends on your situation and appetite for risk. Young, single and no kids, I'd do it and save as much as possible. $120k would go a long way in Nevada, maybe you could save/invest half of your salary. Maybe rent at first and see how it goes before buying (I assume you are renting now in New York). If it doesn't work out with the company short term you can always go back to New York with your savings.

I have no kids, gf has a small business which she operates from home and is willing to move with me.

Re: Ask HN: Company is offering me a move from NYC to Nevada. Should I take it?

#4

Post by nandemo »

Moving will result in saving more money, and that will further your goal of financial independence.

If the company goes down you can always move back to NYC.

> If I do, should I buy a house there or rent? My company is a startup.

Uh, why is that even a question? Just rent. If you do have money for a down payment then save it for when you're really getting settled.

Re: Ask HN: Company is offering me a move from NYC to Nevada. Should I take it?

#5

Post by hluska »

You said that your only goal is financial independence. I've never lived in either NYC or Sparks, so I can't give you numbers. However, assuming you make $120k a year forever, how many years are you away from financial independence in NYC? How about in Sparks?

The cost of living in Sparks is likely significantly lower, so if all else stays equal, you'd get closer to your goal faster if you were there.

That said, all else is not equal. How would you and your girlfriend deal with the climate in Sparks? What about art and culture? What if you have trouble making friends in Sparks?

Personally, I would rather be broke and happy than rich and miserable. But there's another side. If you're unhappy and have $$$$$ in the bank, the temptation will be to travel all the time. Heck, spending every second weekend in San Francisco will quickly eat up the cost of living difference between NYC and Sparks.

If you go, rent first. I've moved around quite a bit and am a firm believer that it's a bad idea to buy until you've been somewhere for a year. The alternative is to end up in a horrible neighbourhood...

Re: Ask HN: Company is offering me a move from NYC to Nevada. Should I take it?

#9

Post by homosaphien1 »

hluska wrote: post #5

You said that your only goal is financial independence. I've never lived in either NYC or Sparks, so I can't give you numbers. However, assuming you make $120k a year forever, how many years are you away from financial independence in NYC? How about in Sparks? The cost of living in Sparks is likely significantly lower, so if all else stays equal, you'd get closer to your goal faster if you were there. That said, all…

really appreciate your reply. Thanks!

Re: Ask HN: Company is offering me a move from NYC to Nevada. Should I take it?

#10

Post by homosaphien1 »

nandemo wrote: post #4

Moving will result in saving more money, and that will further your goal of financial independence. If the company goes down you can always move back to NYC. > If I do, should I buy a house there or rent? My company is a startup. Uh, why is that even a question? Just rent. If you do have money for a down payment then save it for when you're really getting settled.

hmmm good points.
Post reply on HN