I'm obviously biased because I don't consider FAANG to be a goal at all, either as a stepping stone or end game. There are much better things in life than a lot of money.
> There are much better things in life than a lot of money
Sure - but if you want to live in silicon valley, you will have to join FAANG or have startup riches (much more difficult) to have a "normal" life that you'd have elsewhere. You're not going to own a house in good school district with startup income.
If you live in BFE then whatever - maybe the 100%+ raise in income wouldn't affect your lifestyle. For most of us in SV, it has a very substantial increase in quality of life.
