*** I GOT A JOB OFFER in CALIFORNIA!!! ***

[ChopstickHero]

Hey all, I just need some advice from anybody interested or has been in the same position as myself.

I got a job offer from a company in California. I currently just finished a working contract at a company in Toronto and do not have any other jobs lined up other than the one in California. I am quite specialized, I am a GIS Cartographic Design Specialist, so it's not like there are many jobs in the Greater Toronto Area that fit me. Anyways, the company in California is a GREAT company. They are the leader in the GIS industry and are willing to bring me down there to work.

The offer is a good one, although I wouldn't mind having a slightly higher salary than the one they offered. The benefits package is great so no complaints about that. I won't go into exact numbers for personal reasons, but what is common ground for negotiating a salary. Currently I will be able to survive in Southern California based on what they offered, but I figure I need at least 25% more to live comfortably. I know I won't get that, so I need some ground rules to negotiate for something better.

Suggestions and comments please. Thanks!

 

[Gbourdon]

25% is a lot to ask. I got a company to go up 8% once and I thought that was pretty good. Be honest with them though and let them know that it is the thing that is holding you back.

If they cover your moving expenses and everything then it could be worth it. Is there a potential for raises after the first year or so? Benefits make the job here in the US. It costs a lot of money to get insurance on your own and retirement plans are nice to have.

 

[Foolish]

Living in CA is crazy expensive. Be careful with your estimates of what it will cost to live there. As for negotiating, I have no idea. Just don't let yourself be underpaid. I have known two people who've moved out there making a very nice salary, only to find that in Cali it's just barely enough to get by.

 

[Notorious]

awesome, hope you make it out here.

 

[Blarghman]

Sup dude!
I'm from Toronto, but i moved down to LA when i was like 13. I love it out here a lot more than in Toronto for a number of reasons, mostly the weather. I could go on for hours about the differences, but some things to keep in mind are that the living expenses down here are pretty ridiculous but things also cost less and the tax you'll be paying will probably be less. Whereabouts will you be moving?

 

[ChopstickHero]

Sup dude!
I'm from Toronto, but i moved down to LA when i was like 13. I love it out here a lot more than in Toronto for a number of reasons, mostly the weather. I could go on for hours about the differences, but some things to keep in mind are that the living expenses down here are pretty ridiculous but things also cost less and the tax you'll be paying will probably be less. Whereabouts will you be moving?

I am moving out to Redlands area. That's where the company is located .... so it's not dead centre LA and hopefully not too expensive.

I just talked to the recruiter, and he said I should send a statement stating why I want a higher increase in salary. Cost of living will definitely be a factor and the fact that i'm moving and leaving everything i have behind. I am thinking a reasonable increase of about 5 to 7% above what they offered.

 

[skuzbucket]

ESRI huh???

Well - I used to work with them - good luck with all that...

 

[ChopstickHero]

ESRI huh???

Well - I used to work with them - good luck with all that...

sounds negative... lol

 

[garretts77]

I just left southern California (for Northern California) because of the cost of living. I have no idea what it is in Toronto, but my wife and I were making about $65k, and we had $0 left at the end of each month. In fact it was more like -$50 at the end of each month. I don't know what your salary will be, but if you are on your own, I would suggest at least $50k to not have to worry about money all the time...

 

[ChopstickHero]

I just left southern California (for Northern California) because of the cost of living. I have no idea what it is in Toronto, but my wife and I were making about $65k, and we had $0 left at the end of each month. In fact it was more like -$50 at the end of each month. I don't know what your salary will be, but if you are on your own, I would suggest at least $50k to not have to worry about money all the time...

Dang...

Well, my starting salary is very close to that, but i just want to be sure. my counter offer to them is more of a security thing anyways. i made sure not to make it sound like a money grab of any sort.

 

[AndrewF150]

Yea, don't sell yourself short and get underpaid. Cali is VERY expensive to live in, and if you are on your own, about $55-60k a year would be a nice bit of change to live on and you would be fine I think.

 

[ChopstickHero]

Yea, don't sell yourself short and get underpaid. Cali is VERY expensive to live in, and if you are on your own, about $55-60k a year would be a nice bit of change to live on and you would be fine I think.

yes, definitely aiming for that mark. again, i am keeping in consideration the fact that there will be pay raises every 6 months, so yeah... i'm aiming for a good starting base right now.

 

[MinnowGT]

another thing to ask is for housing assistance. I know when I got moved from Orange county to Silicon valley my company does mortgage assistance since I had a house down there and up here the difference was a lot more.

they ended up paying all real estate expenses to sell my old place and buy my new one and also are paying part of my mortgage for 3 years.

the other guys only rented so they got like a $1000 / month credit towards rent for 3 years.

Something like that will help out instead of a strait salary increase. and by the end of the 3 years you should of gotten a few raises to compensate.

 

[ChopstickHero]

another thing to ask is for housing assistance. I know when I got moved from Orange county to Silicon valley my company does mortgage assistance since I had a house down there and up here the difference was a lot more.

they ended up paying all real estate expenses to sell my old place and buy my new one and also are paying part of my mortgage for 3 years.

the other guys only rented so they got like a $1000 / month credit towards rent for 3 years.

Something like that will help out instead of a strait salary increase. and by the end of the 3 years you should of gotten a few raises to compensate.

they are paying for all of my relocation expenses. i still live at home in Toronto, so i don't have much to move. but they are allowing some of my budget to put a deposit on a place and to get some new furniture. although finding a place is totally up to me. anybody know anybody in the Redlands area that could help me? heheh...

 

[AndrewF150]

they are paying for all of my relocation expenses. i still live at home in Toronto, so i don't have much to move. but they are allowing some of my budget to put a deposit on a place and to get some new furniture. although finding a place is totally up to me. anybody know anybody in the Redlands area that could help me? heheh...

www.rent.com ???

 

[Stormtrooper77]

You have to take in consideration working visa, etc. I have a friend who when through (and still is) all the visa, citizenship stuff. It's been about 6 years now. He's even married to an American wife. It's a hassel, but if that's what floats your boat then good luck.

 

[ChopstickHero]

www.rent.com ???

yep, already using it. it's ok.... not the best in terms of listings....

 

[ChopstickHero]

You have to take in consideration working visa, etc. I have a friend who when through (and still is) all the visa, citizenship stuff. It's been about 6 years now. He's even married to an American wife. It's a hassel, but if that's what floats your boat then good luck.

they are taking care of it for me. as for how long i will be there? i'm not sure.... probably a few years. i will have to figure that stuff out in the near future.

 

[Stormtrooper77]

For me to move to Cali, they would have to offer me at least 75k USD. Like somepeople have mentioned, it's not exactly the cheapest place to live.

 

[ChopstickHero]

For me to move to Cali, they would have to offer me at least 75k USD. Like somepeople have mentioned, it's not exactly the cheapest place to live.

that's true, but i guess it depends what you're doing career-wise...

i've tried to get a job in the GTA and i've found some prospects, but nothing that pays that good. this company is the leader in the industry. it's kinda like the Microsoft of the GIS industry. www.esri.com. i am lucky that i have this opportunity and i'm not gonna miss it.