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What should I prepare for before moving to the Bay Area?

4 points by christopher8827 ↗ HN
Hey all,

I am an Aussie trying to get my foot in the door in the Bay Area. My main skills are React / JavaScript full stack. I finished a Bachelor degree two years ago. At the moment, I'm looking for companies to apply for from Sydney, that way I will have a job lined up. For any Aussies that have done the move in the past, any advice on what I should have do before making the jump?

8 comments

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uberman
Make sure you understand the cost of living. Check the prices for rent ahead of time particularly.

When I first moved to SF, I lived in someone's dining room. Four of us lived in a two bedroom apartment because that was all we could afford. All four of us were/are programmers at large tech companies.

The bay area (SF particularly) can be cold and wet. I moved from Canada to SF and assumed the California was uniformly tropical. The best bay area summers are in September. By January and February, the persistent fog means nothing ever really gets dry. Come prepared or you will be cold.

Good luck on your job hunt.

cvolzer3
I just moved to the Bay Area from Chicago, so I can provide some general logistics advice. These are the first things that come to mind, but if you have questions, my email is in my signature. Unfortunately, I can’t help with the contrast between Sydney & Bay Area culture.

// Living

Lifestyle – the Bay Area experience varies greatly based on where you are. Take the time to find an area that has things, people, lifestyles you’re interested in.

Housing – short term options are abundant in the Bay Area, but vary in price and availability by location. HotPads, Craigslist, AirBnb, Padmapper are all great options for finding housing.

Transportation – most of the Bay Area isn’t easily accessed by public transportation. CalTrain, BART, and Muni will get you to a general area, but you’ll likely need to Lyft or Uber from there.

// Jobs

There are many small startups (<20 employees) that pay well. Don’t hesitate to apply somewhere with a seemingly small presence.

If you’re finding it difficult to get interviews, recruiting agencies would be a solid alternative. If you’re talented and hook up with a good agency, you can find some very good opportunities.

i_phish_cats
Don't. SF is covered in feces, needles, and bodily fluids. There is absolutely nothing to do in south bay except work. The entire area is an intellectually homogeneous, collectivist wasteland.
masonic
Do you have eligibility to work in the USA already?
vkaku
1. Plan your transport time: hint - it may not be driving friendly;

2. Estimate your rent, insurance and bills. Make that a % of your in-hand salary.

3. Look for reasonable stores, food and entertainment options.

Optimize for all.

gesman
Beware that you won't have any credit history in USA and it will be hard to get any credit [card too] initially.