[RestlessMind]

> Doubt, especially once you factor things like paid vacations, paid parental leave, healthcare, etc.

Your doubt is misplaced. Have been working in the valley for 15-20 years now. Between my partner and myself, we have seen close to ~10 companies. At almost all of those except for a tiny startup, we saw: good health insurance (with out-of-pocket maximums to cap your spend), 3-5 weeks of paid vacations per hear, 3-4 months of paid parental leave (for both parents), etc.

I know that the bottom quintile of the American society doesn't have it great. But if you have a tech job offer from a decent Silicon valley company (not tiny bootstrapped startups), the only thing you have to worry about would be your visa. Another tricky area would be housing and I say tricky only because personal preferences vary a lot there and your options also differ based on your family situation - partner working? kids? schools? like cars? hate cars?

[shankr]

> Another tricky area would be housing

It's even worse in big European cities. Lack of housing is a big issue. This means you have to move outside of the city and boom your life is car dependent now. You can try throwing money at it but at the end paying 2K for rent when you earn 3K(after taxes) isn't something you would be happy about.

[lm28469]

> It's even worse in big European cities. Lack of housing is a big issue. This means you have to move outside of the city and boom your life is car dependent now.

None of my friends own a car, we all live in big European cities.

We all pay less than ~25% of our income for housing.

[imtringued]

He said Alabama not the richest location in the entire country.