[Xcelerate]

If this is something that’s really getting to you, you should move to the Bay Area, at least for a few years. Your “luck” will skyrocket. The opportunities in tech just aren’t present in other cities in the way they are in the Bay Area. I say this as someone who moved there from a mid-sized city and now moved back to that mid-sized city, taking my Bay Area job with me. The primary difference I’ve noticed between FANG employees (having been one) and public sector employees is not talent but rather that the former are willing to move across the country or world for better opportunities, whereas the latter are not.

[dm270]

Yup. It's not a fair game. Or at least it benefits young people or people with loose family ties. I had opportunities there but being from another continent, seeing my family once a year wasn't enough. With kids and a significant other that has even stronger ties to their family, it is impossible. I think it wouldn't necessarily hurt the kids...but my partner wouldn't find work in the US and it would be a dent in their career.

Long story short like what others above say: If your team is good and your working conditions are good and you make good money in your country...maybe look at the bright side and not be envious of others.

I realized I make good money for here, have no management responsibility. Can work from home and basically as flexibly as I want to. All this ALREADY is a great gift. Don't need to dream of some FANG salary. I'm a big part of my kids' early lives instead of studying leet code questions.