[sjg007]

I would interview at Facebook as well. You can live across the bridge in the East Bay where it is cheaper and some have good schools. But with such a big population boom and concerned parents, schools in general will get better even in bad areas since everything is gentrifying. Interview at Google as well but if you do you should try to live in Mountain View since that commute really sucks.

And since your daughter is young you can afford to spend a few years finding the right place. Like I said, commuting sucks. If you pick an SF startup but you are in San Jose, expect a 1hr minimum train ride each way that will be very crowded. Traffic is also bad. Some places have rent control which is nice.

Really think hard on startups you think will be acquired or IPO. You really need the lottery ticket of options to be able to fund a downpayment in the housing lottery. It's almost impossible to pick the right early stage startup.. YC is a good filter but also go find the ones with the super smart people. The type that succeed no matter what. Or find a startup with veteran or ex-industry types. This is where networking in crucial.

It will be a shock. Then again the Bay area is beautiful with great things to do but my guess is you'll be working all the time!!! :)