> There are plenty of big tech companies that pay well, offer a lot of freedom, interesting tech, but are also not FAANG companies with silly interviewing practices.
Names? I’m genuinely interested in places paying near 400k/yr but without stringent whiteboard exercises. Haven’t seen them tho...
They pay that much. https://www.levels.fyi/ I'm only going to be joining FAANG or similar if they pay that much as I have no incentive to otherwise.
My personal situation doesn't seem relevant to the question. Depending on how you look at it - I am. It's just that over half of it isn't liquid right now - but will likely be next year or the year after.
> I'm only going to be joining FAANG or similar if they pay that much as I have no incentive to otherwise
If this is your perspective, best of luck to you, I hope it works out. You've ignored most of what I was trying to say, which is fine. I hope you find the success you're looking for.
The alternative is work on blah-blah-blah but make literally half as much. For people who live in very expensive regions - FAANG and the similar are the only options to a semi-regular middle-class lifestyle. When non-updated 1930's homes that are 1000sqft on 4000sqft lots are regularly going for over $1.7mil - you can't really afford a typical middle class lifestyle on $180k/yr income.
You don't need to explain to me the economics of San Francisco. If you prioritize living in San Francisco over everything, you should try to make as much money as you possibly can. Best of luck.
Names? I’m genuinely interested in places paying near 400k/yr but without stringent whiteboard exercises. Haven’t seen them tho...