[gigatexal]

This should probably be enshrined on tablets somewhere.

I too am worried about either moving into management or starting my own company or something else because there’s no way I’m going to be a worthwhile IC into my 50s. I need to do something more.

[epicureanideal]

I sure hope I have a big exit sometime before 60 (20 years from now), because the cost of living in the Bay Area is crazy. It would be awful to work as a "well paid" (but most of it goes to living expenses and raising kids) software engineer for many years, and then need to retire in some rural area on social security, with bare minimum quality of life...

[scarface74]

Hoping for a big exit is about like those hoping to retire from winning the lottery.

Only 1 out of 10 companies “succeed” and that definition of success is the VCs make their money back.

Better idea, leave the Bay Area.

[rorroe53]

Rural area isn't bad if you find the right place, hobbies and a proper house. Lots of opportunities for outdoor activities, such as gardening and trekking, which also help keep you healthy.

[badpun]

You should be able to sell your Bay Area house for millions by then.

[KyeRussell]

Bay Area life is hardly necessary and shouldn’t be taken as a given. You’re making an active decision to take the gamble on earning a lot on paper but being in a super HCOL area. I earn a comfortable amount and am likely going to retire comfortably, though I certainly earn less than you. You’ve decided to take the risk. Own it or change.

[epicureanideal]

I'm not really sure there are other good options. Sure, high cost of living, but high income. Moving would reduce both, and in any case the different in savings would be insignificant compared to inherited assets.

[haspok]

Some people do like coding until retirement and are / were quite happy about it. (Recommended reading is thecodist.com - who recently started blogging again!)

[PhilAT]

I'm 47 and although currently feeling a little burnt out (I've been here before. I'll be finishing my current contract in a few weeks for a well earned break), I know I love coding and pretty sure I always will having spent the last 40 years coding. I've done a bit of management, led teams etc, and I'm actually pretty good but I can't get excited about it. Maybe in 10 years I'll feel differently but I know I'm still a coder because I want to be not because I fear doing something different.

If you want to change your path and you feel fear then that's probably what you should be doing. A little fear/excitement keeps the motivation.

[swah]

Thanks for the blog suggestion - didn't know that one. In the topic of getting old, just bought a couple split keyboards to solve some wrist issues.

[scarface74]

Why not? I’ll be 50 next year and I’m very much an IC.

[emodendroket]

> I too am worried about either moving into management or starting my own company or something else because there’s no way I’m going to be a worthwhile IC into my 50s

I'm curious why you say this.

[gigatexal]

I’m not sure I’ll be able to keep up but also worried I might not be able to compete with the young guns and make the kind of money I’ll need to put away so I don’t retire destitute.

[emodendroket]

I'm only 35 so I'm comparatively young but still older than a lot of my colleagues... I probably do not have the same energy or drive I used to, especially having a young kid at home, but I think in a lot of ways that's compensated for by having more experience to draw on. My hope is that holds up in the future.

[JohnFen]

There's nothing inherent about getting older that will keep you from being able to keep up with the young guns. It's just a matter of interest, as it is at any age.