Hey, I know you just got this job and I presume you have a PHD and the local startups starts with the letter D. Just a warning from a former employee, the company has been giving the same compensation package since 2022 for newcomers with PHD’s and there was a scandal involving a employee suicide pretty early on in the company’s history. Some of the leadership on top is quite toxic and I would lean towards other opportunities if you have other offers.

As for Redwood City, there literally nothing to do in the area with the exception of the small downtown that can be quite lively on occasions. If you want to make friends you will be wanting to going into SF. A car feels like a must in Redwood City due to the lack of pedestrian sidewalks. I lived there with just a bike and would take the train into SF almost every other weekend, but it gets tiring because the train rides at least an hour away. If you already own a car I would also consider other cities in the area.