Possible relocation to SF.

[MyBeautifulRaven]

Any advice from US base MNetters, particularly West Coast.

I've had an approach from a tech company - $380k base with a very attractive equity package. It would mean a relocation to the Bay area, which is what gives me pause. I'm very happy with my life here, our children are in the process of fledging so it feels like an odd time to relocate. On the other hand, it feels like an incredible opportunity, especially at my age. DH works for a US company already, albeit in a remote role, but it means his hours would align nicely so no problem there.

Ugh, any thoughts?

My culinary child has eaten at The French Laundry with us - her love of food is international - she's eaten at many three star restaurants from very young - I think the Bay and No Cal would be amazing for her,

Could you set some of the money aside for house deposits for your children? I imagine that would really soften the blow of you going for them (and just generally be a lovely thing to do). Would help them be supportive of you going!

We have that.

Oh absolutely!! The Food Scene in the Bay Area is amazing! And a bit farther east Sacramento has an amazing burgeoning Food Scene.

I highly recommend Localis and The Kitchen, both have a Michelin star. The Kitchen has a 4 month wait list for reservations, not sure about Localis.

I'm envious!

Ok so as a past H1B visa holder they were (assuming no changes in the last 15 years) applied for around April and if you get them they start late September, so that’s good if uni kids as I assume they’ll be starting the new term. You should 100% negotiate in flights for you/your husband to see your children 2x yearly (or for your children to come to you). SF is nowhere near as bad now as it once was, tenderloin is still dodgy, but the rest is fine. Napa, Sonoma and healdsburg are great, you’d be a 4 hour drive to Lake Tahoe which is one of the most stunning places I’ve ever been. I love CA (live in SoCal now), it’s liberal, relatively safe and a very fun time. Enjoy it!

I think this is key. You’ve likely spent their whole lives putting them first - as we do - and the result is they are currently pursuing their studies so you’ve done great. Do this one for you - it’s an incredible opportunity and your DC should be proud of you (whilst getting amazing holidays). Please go !!

Delighted to hear it. You'll be so glad you did, I promise.

Congratulations!

Congratulations @MyBeautifulRaven, you're going to love it! And your culinary school child is going to love it even more. We have such great food here that it has ruined eating in almost every other city for me.

Brilliant, OP. I hope you love it.

In addition to visiting Lake Tahoe and the wine country, I'd strongly recommend:

1. Yosemite. I'd spend a couple of days there, but day trips from SF might be easier to arrange. One thing to bear in mind is that small rivers in California can dry up completely in the summer, so the rivers and waterfalls will be far more spectacular in the spring. Wildflowers are also at their best in Yosemite Valley in May and June (the peak is later for the high country).
2. Big Sur. The drive down Highway 1 is one of the most spectacular routes in the world.
3. Muir Woods or other areas with redwoods or giant sequoias. You'll need to travel to the Sierras or to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks in SoCal to see the sequoias but there are many areas of coastal redwoods in the Bay Area. The most famous is Muir Woods in Mill Valley. In the East Bay, you can get to Dr. Aurelia Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park by taking BART to Fruitvale station

https://moovitapp.com/index/en/public_transit-Redwood_Regional_Park-SF_Bay_Area_CA-site_18194164-22

Here is a map of some parks with redwoods on The Peninsula

https://www.savetheredwoods.org/redwoods-magazine/2025-edition/10-best-redwood-parks-on-the-san-francisco-peninsula/

If you love butterflies, visit Pacific Grove from late November to early January. Pismo Beach also has a wonderful butterfly sanctuary but is further away. Santa Cruz is a bit closer to SF than Pacific Grove and has one, too.

https://seetheworld.travelforkids.com/monarch-butterfly-california-sanctuary-pismo-beach-pacific-grove-natural-bridges-santa-cruz/

If your DS wants to study physics in the US, in addition to the unis listed above, there are many good unis in SoCal, including Cal Tech, UCLA, and UC Irvine in LA. There are plenty of daily flights between SF and LA so visiting would be relatively easy. UC Santa Cruz (greater Bay Area), UC Santa Barbara and UC San Diego also have good programmes.

Go for it woman. An amazing opportunity. Stop fretting about your children and go. Sets a great example. They have a base and lots of family. I don’t understand this no harm business really. They are e adults and there is technology available now that wasn’t when I was young ( dreaded duty phone call from a phone box every Monday.) I would have been overjoyed if they had emigrated !

Oops. Just seen your update. Congrats !

If this excites you then just go for it! It’s an amazing opportunity!

If you don’t like it you can always come back.

The kids can fly to meet you - they are both old enough to travel independently - and you can plan in advance to come back every summer or Christmas. Or perhaps use some of the extra cash to plan some adventurous family holidays too to make the most of your time there? (I imagine most
teens will be tempted by West coast exploration, Central/South America, Canada…).

In the unlikely event that one of the kids has a problem you can’t solve over video call, your husband can always fly back to the UK.

Dont think of it as a permanent move; just think of it as a a few years for a brilliant adventure.

I'm glad it's not just me! The OP lost me at this point!