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Comment by mattnewport | Hacker News Reader

I think there's a decent number of us who don't see a 50% pay increase as enough compensation for living in the Bay Area over Vancouver.

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By 50% underpaid I mean a 100% pay increase (doubled) for moving to SF.

I know people who've doubled their total comp on a move from Vancouver to SF (at current exchange rates) but I'd say they were generally underpaid by Vancouver standards already. I think 50% is closer to reality if you've already maxed out what you can get in the Vancouver market. Once you adjust for cost of living that drops again. Some of the remaining difference can be accounted for by Vancouver being a nicer place to live and work. I think that still leaves some difference unaccounted for and exactly how much will depend on the individual and their priorities and preferences. I know I'm not the only one who is pretty aware of the trade offs and potential pay increase of working in SF and still prefers Vancouver though

Making $80,000 in a nice big city is easily a better life choice than moving to SF for a $160,000 job.

It could be worth it if you also have or find a spouse that can swing $160k, and then one or both of you move up. Plus you get SF weather and outdoor scene.

I think the outdoor scene is better in Vancouver. World class snowboarding / skiing a 2 hour drive away in Whistler, world class climbing a 1 hour drive away in Squamish, all kinds of water-based activities (except surfing) on your doorstep and great hiking all around. Friends who've moved to SF find SF better in some respects but overall I think Vancouver edges it out.

Vancouver is awesome too...But the money sucks.

pretty amazing surfing on the island at Tofino, but that's a bit more of a trek. Also diving as well

Spouses can’t work on their partners TN visa unless they qualify themselves.

Utterly stupid oversight of the NAFTA agreement.

Actually even 80K to 160k is kind of underselling it. Once you add Amazon/Google/Facebook RSUs the total comp can become outrageous. Then you add a working spouse or partner.

Currently making 50k USD before taxes in Vancouver... I'm pretty sure it'd be a big increase if I went down.

It's more than 50%.

I'd guess more than 100% before exchange rate.

Then you do the smart thing and come to Seattle instead.

edit: ah yeah the difference is clarified below.

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