Obviously Philadelphia is a much smaller city with a smaller job market, but do you think there are enough job options in Philadelphia to sustain a good career? I really love the city but am worried about moving there if it would be career suicide. Seems to me that on one hand, it could be an advantage to work in a less competitive environment. Perhaps easier to get ahead and better live/work balance. On other hand, perhaps there are less opportunities. Any advice would be appreciated.

Why don't you first get a job and then move to the city where the job happens to be ?Susquehanna is in Philadelphia. Maybe you should start by applying there ?

Obviously NYC and Chicago will be hotspots for some time, but Philly does have the 3rd largest option exchange, so I'd expect there are still some opportunities floating there. I'm in the same boat as you, I am strongly drawn to Philly (coming from North Carolina) and hoping to get a trading position at a market making firm. Can't offer any advice, and certainly not trying to take away opportunities...granted Greenwich is about 3hrs away, hopefully the second tier financial environment (compared to NYC at least) will work to our advantage...

QuoteOriginally posted by: MrMartingaleWhy don't you first get a job and then move to the city where the job happens to be ?Susquehanna is in Philadelphia. Maybe you should start by applying there ?Well my situation is more complicated than that because currently my job splits me between a few different locations in the NY and Philly areas, so I could move to Philly and keep my current job and be in a good position to do a good job search in Philly and go on as many interviews as I need to in order to find a good fit. Also on a personal level I am getting tired of NYC and feel an irrational but intense need to move.

QuoteOriginally posted by: resident76Obviously NYC and Chicago will be hotspots for some time, but Philly does have the 3rd largest option exchange, so I'd expect there are still some opportunities floating there. I'm in the same boat as you, I am strongly drawn to Philly (coming from North Carolina) and hoping to get a trading position at a market making firm. Can't offer any advice, and certainly not trying to take away opportunities...granted Greenwich is about 3hrs away, hopefully the second tier financial environment (compared to NYC at least) will work to our advantage...R76 - thanks for the useful thoughts. I lived in Philly for one year in 2005 and really loved it. Unfortunately I am not too knowledgeable about the job market but I can wholeheartedly recommend the city as a great place to live.