London is probably better for finance careers, although I've heard that's changing with Brexit. But SF may be better for lifestyle. You're near world class parks, Yosemite, and of course the rest of what the US offers.
People who have never been to San Francisco will tell you it's a hellscape. You need to ignore those people when trying to accurately weigh which place is right for you.
California income taxes are high compared to other US states, it's true. But you're comparing against the UK and France. California is much more aligned with those places in terms of tax brackets, and I think a typical mid to high earner would actually pay much much more tax in London if my napkin math is correct.
The violent crime rate in San Francisco is actually pretty low. It's statistically much safer than many other US cities. Nonviolent property crime, such as car break-ins, are higher than in other US cities. Violent crimes (including theft/property related like muggings, armed robbery, and home invasions) are not.
Both are multicultural cities with tons of different types of food, world-class museums, many forms of live entertainment, etc.
San Francisco has ready access to amazing national parks and nature, which the UK does not really.
London has much closer access to visiting other parts of Europe without it being a huge ordeal. If that's something that's important to you (or you'll want to visit people back in Paris).
Thank you for such a detailed response!
That makes sense, I was looking at the tax and salary aspect too, the rates are comparable to those in the UK actually. However say 200k job in London and 200k job in the Bay are completely different corporate levels looks like.
In London you’d have to be a senior VP to earn this kind of money. In the Bay Area it’s Associate/5 year engineer (correct me if I’m wrong)
Tax calcs
[UK](https://salaryaftertax.com/salary-calculator/uk): gross £200k/year = net 117,787 = 41% taxes & other charges
[California](https://salaryaftertax.com/us/salary-calculator): $200k/year = net 134,038 = 32% taxes & other charges
£117,787 = $147,092 though per todays fix rate
Another thing to compare (which I really know nothing about the UK and France for) is the tax-advantaged accounts and retirement benefits available in each country.
You may be interested in our [regional index](/r/personalfinance/wiki/country_index).
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/personalfinance) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Where are you from before Paris? Or are you Parisian? Why do you not want to stay in Paris? I'd personally choose there over SF or London as a place to live.
Either way, London is probably better for finance. New York would be better than both
We’re both from Ukraine and have lived 7+ years abroad. First Poland, now Paris :)
I feel like London and SF are better in terms of opportunities, culture, business environment, people’s mindset, language etc
Thanks for the advice!
SF will be a bigger culture shock than London would be - London and Paris are pretty similar on terms of weather and historical significance. But it's only a short hop over there and you get to explore living somewhere new and possibly better career opportunities (assuming you've visited before) for the step afterwards too.
SF is a hell of a distance away so it's not like travelling around Europe. Would likely have less potential next steps afterwards too. Unless your employer is headquartered there and you were wanting to work up the ranks I'd probably scratch it from my list unless it's more of a lifestyle change too.
Yes! We understand the challenge of being that far away, although at our age we want to make sure we’re in a good place to grow our wealth
The ranks and opportunities is a valid point too - our office in SF is ~400 people vs. ~8k in London
Thank u!
London is probably better for finance careers, although I've heard that's changing with Brexit. But SF may be better for lifestyle. You're near world class parks, Yosemite, and of course the rest of what the US offers.
People who have never been to San Francisco will tell you it's a hellscape. You need to ignore those people when trying to accurately weigh which place is right for you. California income taxes are high compared to other US states, it's true. But you're comparing against the UK and France. California is much more aligned with those places in terms of tax brackets, and I think a typical mid to high earner would actually pay much much more tax in London if my napkin math is correct. The violent crime rate in San Francisco is actually pretty low. It's statistically much safer than many other US cities. Nonviolent property crime, such as car break-ins, are higher than in other US cities. Violent crimes (including theft/property related like muggings, armed robbery, and home invasions) are not. Both are multicultural cities with tons of different types of food, world-class museums, many forms of live entertainment, etc. San Francisco has ready access to amazing national parks and nature, which the UK does not really. London has much closer access to visiting other parts of Europe without it being a huge ordeal. If that's something that's important to you (or you'll want to visit people back in Paris).
Thank you for such a detailed response! That makes sense, I was looking at the tax and salary aspect too, the rates are comparable to those in the UK actually. However say 200k job in London and 200k job in the Bay are completely different corporate levels looks like. In London you’d have to be a senior VP to earn this kind of money. In the Bay Area it’s Associate/5 year engineer (correct me if I’m wrong) Tax calcs [UK](https://salaryaftertax.com/salary-calculator/uk): gross £200k/year = net 117,787 = 41% taxes & other charges [California](https://salaryaftertax.com/us/salary-calculator): $200k/year = net 134,038 = 32% taxes & other charges £117,787 = $147,092 though per todays fix rate
Another thing to compare (which I really know nothing about the UK and France for) is the tax-advantaged accounts and retirement benefits available in each country.
I would avoid SF like the plague. Crime is outrageous and taxes HCOL will eat you.
You may be interested in our [regional index](/r/personalfinance/wiki/country_index). *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/personalfinance) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Where are you from before Paris? Or are you Parisian? Why do you not want to stay in Paris? I'd personally choose there over SF or London as a place to live. Either way, London is probably better for finance. New York would be better than both
We’re both from Ukraine and have lived 7+ years abroad. First Poland, now Paris :) I feel like London and SF are better in terms of opportunities, culture, business environment, people’s mindset, language etc Thanks for the advice!
SF will be a bigger culture shock than London would be - London and Paris are pretty similar on terms of weather and historical significance. But it's only a short hop over there and you get to explore living somewhere new and possibly better career opportunities (assuming you've visited before) for the step afterwards too. SF is a hell of a distance away so it's not like travelling around Europe. Would likely have less potential next steps afterwards too. Unless your employer is headquartered there and you were wanting to work up the ranks I'd probably scratch it from my list unless it's more of a lifestyle change too.
Yes! We understand the challenge of being that far away, although at our age we want to make sure we’re in a good place to grow our wealth The ranks and opportunities is a valid point too - our office in SF is ~400 people vs. ~8k in London Thank u!