What city did you work in before? I live in the midwest and have hopes to move to NYC one day but you're painting a picture between the world I live in now and the world I want to live in. Meaning, the more relaxed environment but "lower" pay (relative to the tech field but definitely well paying for where I live) place is where I live. NYC I somewhat envisioned as a bit more cutthroat if I wanted to live in Manhattan (which I don't) but maybe not so much if I wanted to live in Brooklyn, Queens, or even Jersey City.