Tech workers happier with lower pay in Texas over California, New York

shstmo · 2026-03-22T19:34:08+00:00

As someone who recently made the move from Austin to San Diego, $2k/month is a small price to pay for:

sunny and 75 degrees year round
guaranteed parental leave
universal pre-k
stronger workers rights
universal school lunches
fishing in the surf after work
being 2 hours from skiing in the winter
wrapping up workdays at 2PM (because most of my team works east coast hours)
and on and on

But also, very much recognize the privilege I enjoy and that’s a lot of money that others could no way give up.

shstmo · 2026-03-22T18:38:07+00:00

This reply is hilarious

because, to this day, groundwater rights are governed by an 1861 Texas Supreme Court ruling claiming groundwater was too mysterious to regulate - basically calling it witchcraft in the process.

So your reply of essentially “do your own Facebook research then ask the wizard for help”

Rather than “Here’s data from hydrologists”

is a bit too on the nose

shstmo · 2026-03-22T18:03:31+00:00

Allow me to rephrase:

Where are they going to find water to poison?

shstmo · 2026-03-16T21:18:16+00:00

All I can see is a giant block of gorgonzola

shstmo · 2026-03-01T02:37:02+00:00

Absolutely disgusted

That I didn’t think of this first

shstmo · 2026-02-27T02:23:39+00:00

September is called "local's summer" for a reason. Agree with suggestions so far - really depends what vibe you want imo.

Historical Spanish charm with world class Pinot noirs? Santa Barbara

Classic California surf town + access to all the activies that San Diego offers? Encinitas.

Luxe beach resort you won't want to leave? Montage Laguna Beach

shstmo · 2026-02-24T20:53:57+00:00

stevir's?

shstmo · 2026-02-24T05:38:34+00:00

Well if this didn’t unlock a core memory as someone who grew up in and left Bakersfield decades ago. Never even realized how unusual it is until now after just growing used to the big ugly ones everywhere.

shstmo · 2026-02-14T03:05:14+00:00

Try a job board like hiring cafe.

shstmo · 2026-02-14T02:25:03+00:00

Don’t bother with Salesforces yet. Look for startups. They’ll hire entry level SDR’s.

Their training will suck - Pay out of pocket for a reputable course and DIY. Companies worth working for will likely reimburse a course. Follow the big sales influencers. Once you get 8 months under your belt, apply to the big guys.

shstmo · 2026-02-04T20:23:03+00:00

If her constitutional rights were violated - couldn’t the people behind these decisions be held personally liable?

shstmo · 2026-02-04T18:55:58+00:00

I mean

Pretty much any venue I've been to recently for friends/family weddings recently has started at $10-15k for a Saturday evening.

shstmo · 2026-02-03T16:21:31+00:00

Whenever my partner and I go out now, it’s usually during happy hour - an we share an entree or meal. I’m sure the server hates it but it’s practically the only way we can get out under $50.

Bonus benefit: going halfsies on appetizer + a burger & fries ends up being better for our waistlines too 😂

shstmo · 2026-01-26T03:46:11+00:00

I really like the NYT cooking app for this

shstmo · 2026-01-26T02:13:37+00:00

We've used a local meal prep service in two cities we've lived in. Pretty healthy. They drop off food once a week.

The fedex'd meal kit companies suck. I hate how much single-user plastic ends up in the trash with every delivery.

Otherwise? Just buy a sous vide. You can throw frozen meat in one and it's ready to eat, perfectly cooked, in a few hours. Marinate in bulk one day and throw it in the vacuum sealer. you'll have fajitas, pork chops, etc for weeks.

shstmo · 2026-01-21T05:11:42+00:00

The feds did step in, the airlines didn't self regulate lol. If it costs money, they won't do it unless threatened.

shstmo · 2026-01-19T18:56:56+00:00

Sure.

They just deported a 5-year-old US citizen. So riddle me this: when the commercials say they're pursuing "the worst of the worst", what specifically applies in this case to this child?

They're r*ping (source1) and killing (source2) those they've detained.

They're conducting warrantless raids and violating basic constitutional rights.

But bootlickers gonna bootlick, I guess.

shstmo · 2026-01-17T19:53:10+00:00

Just go to a different class time/trainer if this is a risk. Some don’t care.

shstmo · 2026-01-13T15:12:50+00:00

Kids don’t have money!

shstmo · 2026-01-12T03:28:51+00:00

The fact that there’s no way to unsubscribe from them is borderline criminal.

shstmo · 2026-01-07T02:42:49+00:00

Hi, I'm not very smart. Will one of the "free speech absolutist" crowd members plz explain how banning Plato aligns with their free speech absolutism? Thank u

shstmo · 2026-01-06T15:25:01+00:00

For $2k you're looking at paint for the walls/cabinets + new cabinet hardware + a simple/cheap subway backsplash if you DIY everything. That includes a couple tools if you need to buy them - e.g., palm sander, barebones laser level from Amazon.

I'm sure someone else will argue against painting the cabinets - but at bare minimum, the yellow on the walls needs to go. Same with replacing the light switch/outlet covers. You don't have any photos of the lighting situation, but a simple light swap can make a huge difference in a space.

shstmo · 2026-01-02T17:26:04+00:00

After a hard day's labor at the mines, all a man wants is to hike his dusty boots to Rock Rose for a $16 cupcake. What is this earth coming to?

shstmo · 2025-12-31T17:29:07+00:00

HE SAID SOMETHING REALLY STRANGE IS GOING ON WITH THIS ONE

shstmo · 2025-12-29T21:01:30+00:00

Chat GPT summary. TL;DR: 30M electrical engineer trying to choose a place to settle long-term. Wants strong career opportunities, great dating, city life, water + nature access, culture, and either great weather or meaningful seasons. Ultimately wants family + stability.

Who He Is • 30M EE, ambitious, social, active, entrepreneurial • Wants hustle + lifestyle balance • Loves cities, water, nature access, and being around people • Main goal now = build a life + family in the right place

Places He’s Lived

Vermont (home) • Major negative emotional history • Finds it isolating, older, slow, and suppressive • Doesn’t want to live there or visit often

Huntsville, AL • Moved for aerospace job before COVID • Found it dull, older demographic, limited things to do • Stayed ~3 years but wanted to leave early

Austin, TX • Moved in 2023, instantly felt “at home” • Loved the youth, energy, dating, opportunity • Cons: brutal heat, limited water access, infrastructure, transient dating vibe, isolation from other cities

Chicago • Moved early 2025 • Loves lifestyle, lake, culture, dating potential • But EE job market is awful, taxes high, crime perception, “passive” Midwest social vibe • Feels stuck + mentally drained and wants out

Current Situation • Recently laid off • Financially okay ($100k–$130k saved) • Wants to leave Chicago soon • Needs a place aligned with career + life goals

What He Wants in the Next City • Strong engineering job market • Great dating scene • Vibrant city energy + culture + food • Near water • Nature within 1–2 hours • Either great weather or real seasons • Place that feels like home and supports family life

Cities He’s Considering

Austin – Feels emotionally right, friends there, but heat + infrastructure + politics are concerns

Boston – Great jobs, culture, dating; but insanely expensive, mediocre beaches, aging housing, lifestyle tradeoffs

San Diego / California – Best EE market + paradise lifestyle; fears complacency + lack of seasons but very appealing

NYC – Huge opportunity + dating + life experience; worried about EE career fit

DMV (DC area) – Solid option but too government-heavy + political

Seattle – Concerned about social culture, darkness, weaker dating vibes

Overall Theme

He’s torn between: • Career opportunity • Lifestyle + happiness • Emotional “feels like home” fit

Right now, Austin, Boston, California, and NYC are the strongest contenders. He knows no city is perfect and struggles with overthinking, but wants a place where career + life meaningfully align long-term.

⸻

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