Also consider what to do if you don't like your new job. (My situation). After spending a ton of money and dragging family through untold stress to make the big move, you're stuck in a job that isn't that suitable to your strengths or interests. You have to worry about your performance all the time, work late, and have no particular interest in the subject beyond making the next mortgage payment. Any financial buffer you have now will be shot in no time in SV, whereas presumably in the midwest you have enough buffer to take some time experimenting.
That said, perhaps that's one upshot of SV over Seattle. If you don't like your job in the big 5, there are lots more options from startups and mid-range companies to choose from. Seattle isn't quite as deep, especially east side. Granted, I haven't tested those waters, so maybe it's deeper than I realize.
That said, perhaps that's one upshot of SV over Seattle. If you don't like your job in the big 5, there are lots more options from startups and mid-range companies to choose from. Seattle isn't quite as deep, especially east side. Granted, I haven't tested those waters, so maybe it's deeper than I realize.