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Google pays $250M for Sunnyvale offices where 3,000 could work

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Re: Google pays $250M for Sunnyvale offices where 3,000 could work

#31

I don't get why Google and others are not going out of the valley to nearby cities like Sacramento? The difference in property acquisition is probably pocket change to the company, but I reckon the quality of life to the Googlers, Facebookers etc would be vastly different.

This You can have shuttle buses between campuses from when you really need to be in one place, for example

[deleted]

Re: Google pays $250M for Sunnyvale offices where 3,000 could work

#32

I don't get why Google and others are not going out of the valley to nearby cities like Sacramento? The difference in property acquisition is probably pocket change to the company, but I reckon the quality of life to the Googlers, Facebookers etc would be vastly different.

This You can have shuttle buses between campuses from when you really need to be in one place, for example

[deleted]

Re: Google pays $250M for Sunnyvale offices where 3,000 could work

#33
post #18
post #17

I find it crazy how the big IT companies are still willing to pay almost a million a worker per office (most likely much more if you count running costs), any idea why Google is not hiring more people remotely? I mean, if that's a modern IT company that cares for employees it would be the case, I'd rather make $100k in different state or even country, than pay $5k for rent in the bay...

First, 250m for 3000 ppl is 100k/worker. Secondly, buying a building is (save some closing and renovation costs) a neutral operation on your balance sheet, especially if you're flush with cash. In other words, when you buy a building, it maintains its value.

> when you buy a building, it maintains its value

Historically, there have been lots of empty offices during economic crises.

Re: Google pays $250M for Sunnyvale offices where 3,000 could work

#34
post #8

Recently my rent in Sunnyvale for a nice two bedroom went up to $2900* a month from $2100 Looks like the trend will continue. *not including trash and utilities.

Just for comparison, that would cover PITI for a 15 year mortgage of around $330k. In cheaper parts of the country, like Dallas, that would net you a 4br 2000+ sq foot home on a 1/2 acre in an affluent suburb.

Re: Google pays $250M for Sunnyvale offices where 3,000 could work

#35
post #33
post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

First, 250m for 3000 ppl is 100k/worker. Secondly, buying a building is (save some closing and renovation costs) a neutral operation on your balance sheet, especially if you're flush with cash. In other words, when you buy a building, it maintains its value.

> when you buy a building, it maintains its value Historically, there have been lots of empty offices during economic crises.

Still doesn't make it a 'cost' of 100k / employee. And of course you depreciate etc. My point was that buying a building isn't a 'cost' in the way pencils are.

Re: Google pays $250M for Sunnyvale offices where 3,000 could work

#36

I don't get why Google and others are not going out of the valley to nearby cities like Sacramento? The difference in property acquisition is probably pocket change to the company, but I reckon the quality of life to the Googlers, Facebookers etc would be vastly different.

In 2014, Google's Total Operating Expense was 49.5B.

I'm not convinced going out of the Valley would be vital for them.

https://www.google.com/finance?q=NASDAQ:GOOG&fstype=ii

Re: Google pays $250M for Sunnyvale offices where 3,000 could work

#37

I don't get why Google and others are not going out of the valley to nearby cities like Sacramento? The difference in property acquisition is probably pocket change to the company, but I reckon the quality of life to the Googlers, Facebookers etc would be vastly different.

Why stop there though? Why not open up shop near a university town with a low cost of living? Steady supply of interns, new hires, R&D partnerships, etc. Culture in a university town, while not on par with a major city, is generally quite well too.

I agree, open up site offices near universities, major labs, single tech company towns, etc. There's a huge number of talented people looking for work in those areas and it saves on everything from real estate expense to relocation expenses.

But then of course, big companies will do it wrong. I'm reminded of companies moving to places like the D.C. area, where all their clients are in Virginia or Maryland, but go ahead and set up shop in D.C., where nobody from their client locations likes to go. Even better they'll pick one of the few spots in the city without metro access and make it even harder on themselves to do business.

Companies almost need relocation experts for setting up these kinds of remote sites.

Re: Google pays $250M for Sunnyvale offices where 3,000 could work

#38

I don't get why Google and others are not going out of the valley to nearby cities like Sacramento? The difference in property acquisition is probably pocket change to the company, but I reckon the quality of life to the Googlers, Facebookers etc would be vastly different.

Why stop there though? Why not open up shop near a university town with a low cost of living? Steady supply of interns, new hires, R&D partnerships, etc. Culture in a university town, while not on par with a major city, is generally quite well too.

This happened in Pittsburgh. Not quite a college town, but many Google Pittsburgh employees are straight out of Carnegie Mellon.

Re: Google pays $250M for Sunnyvale offices where 3,000 could work

#39
post #34
post #8

Recently my rent in Sunnyvale for a nice two bedroom went up to $2900* a month from $2100 Looks like the trend will continue. *not including trash and utilities.

Just for comparison, that would cover PITI for a 15 year mortgage of around $330k. In cheaper parts of the country, like Dallas, that would net you a 4br 2000+ sq foot home on a 1/2 acre in an affluent suburb.

Mortgages also don't go up once you're in, so they decrease as a percentage of living cost over time (assuming no change in income), while rents go up roughly with inflation.

Re: Google pays $250M for Sunnyvale offices where 3,000 could work

#40

I don't get why Google and others are not going out of the valley to nearby cities like Sacramento? The difference in property acquisition is probably pocket change to the company, but I reckon the quality of life to the Googlers, Facebookers etc would be vastly different.

Why stop there though? Why not open up shop near a university town with a low cost of living? Steady supply of interns, new hires, R&D partnerships, etc. Culture in a university town, while not on par with a major city, is generally quite well too.

They have offices all over the country at college towns for this very reason (see Google Ann Arbor)

https://www.google.com/about/company/facts/locations/

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