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Comment by huangc10 | Hacker News Reader

Canadian working in SV for almost a decade here. Yeah sure, it was about the technology, job, but a lot of it has to do with lifestyle (which the article fails to mention, and can't really be measured).

Since I've been here, I've learned how to drive stick shift, sky dived, and been on way more adventure than what I could have if I stayed at home. It's about adventure and taking a risk. Not necessarily about the money, but being paid more doesn't hurt ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

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I follow what you're getting at, but don't you think a large part of that is due to your own attitudes/perception? It's not like there aren't people in Canada who are doing exciting things like sky diving, let alone driving stick.

First of all, it's the weather. Half the year is rendered unusable for unplanned adventure.

More than once here, on a rainy winter day, I've gotten in my car and driven east until I hit the hills, found a park, and enjoyed a sunny afternoon.

When I looked at relocating from Vancouver/Victoria a decade ago, my wife's #1 requirement was "it has to have 4 seasons". I love the mountains so that means some winter/snow. Winters out east are not a lot of fun and the lower mainland/PNW is just so depressing. Tech + Opportunities + Seasons = a pretty short list (especially in Canada)

So... what fit the bill?

I grew up in the PNW, and I absolutely agree, I hated nothing more than feeling like I could never do anything outside because you can't count on the weather being acceptable unless it's between July 5 and September 5. It's not that it's bad that often, it's just so unreliable.

I think PNW winters are tricky. I'd actually rather spend the winter in a city like Toronto. I grew up in a similar city climate-wise and having a real winter made it easier to get outside & skate or snowshoe or something. The fewer hours of sunlight were worse than the cold/snow.

> I follow what you're getting at, but don't you think a large part of that is due to your own attitudes/perception?

I bet that's part of it, but probably also tied to the general population shift south and to the coasts where the weather is nicer.

True, a lot of things is due in how a person's attitude and perception. I think somewhat has to do with freedom and positive cash flow and another user commented.

> I've learned how to drive stick shift

It's a well known fact that the amazing opportunity of learning to drive stick shift is something you can't do in Canada. Luckily the US are there for that!

You haven't driven stick shift until you have driven stick shift in Europe. Extra points if you change gears with the left hand.

No, you haven't driven stick shift until you have driven stick shift in Bangalore. Not to mention you'll have a new found appreciation for gears 1-3 (of the 5 or 6 possible levels you can go up to).

Do you mean the UK? Cause driving stick in the rest of Europe isn’t hardly at all different than in the states.

It's harder to find automatic transmissions here. You essentially have the full model range with manual transmission, not only low end and sportscars.

And I've changed gears with my right hand my whole life. Changing gears with the left just "feels" right.

I think a big part of what the parent is talking about is how the community attracts like-minded people?

I moved to Calgary, AB in 2002 and a lot of people I'd meet grew up somewhere else and where economic migrants. It's a big deal to leave home, even for a good job, and lots cant/won't do it. It seems the further east you come from the stronger the pull of tradition/family/regionalism.

So, yes you can do any of the things mentioned pretty much anywhere, but the sentiment of more adventurous people => more willing to relocate for work seems to ring true.

Was it the opportunities that are available in SV that make it possible to go on these adventures or something else like increased cash flow combined with more free time? Despite the higher salaries how are you coping with the high cost of living and high tax rates?

edit: Think I misread your comment at first, but I'll leave this here anyway for some added perspective— comparing to Toronto.

Average rent in SV ~$3500 Average rent in TO ~$2000

Rent 1yr TO ~$24000

Take home after income tax before other deductions and expenses at $55000/yr is ~ $44000. Count on another couple grand in standard deductions before medical insurance.

Then add gov. or bank student loans payments (if you have them), groceries, transit, etc. Let me just say that you won't be buying a car. Maybe a dog if you're lucky— but if you work full time from an office and commute 30 mins to 1 hr each way that probably means ~$450/mo in dog-walker payments. So maybe not.

You won't end up on the street and you can save if you don't really do anything but go sit in a park, but it does make saving difficult.

To purchase a house here it's estimated that you'll need to be making at least $100,000/yr before the bank will even look at you. So there's that.

Right, it's a bit of everything. Kind of like "the world is your oyster" feeling. I'm not speaking for everyone, but when I was in my early 20s, I think as long as cash was a net positive (ie. have savings), it was enough so didn't think too much about cost of living and high tax rates. Ofc, we're talking about late 2000s, so living was a bit cheaper.

I mean sure, I had a studio at Post and Leavenworth to myself, newly renovated for $1200 in 2010. That same place went for $1900 in 2012. Now it's $2649 -- I just looked. I think it's fair to say the cost living has changed from the late 2000s.

What areas have that "the world is your oyster" vibe? Is it just Palo Alto - Mountain View or elsewhere?

I don't think there is one area specifically. I've actually lived all over the Bay Area. It's more of a sense that you'll be given a lot of opportunities and it's up to you to make the most of it.

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