I'm thinking about moving out there, and wouldn't mind getting a regular gig for a couple years at first. But is there like a culture of people who go to work at all hours or something? I mean, Europe would be something like 12:00a - 7:00a, and if you traded Asia you could never go out to eat. Not saying those are impossible, just weird. Anyone done it?
Not SF, but SD. Same time zone. Asia is actually much better to trade from here than any other time zone in the US except Hawaii, actually did it for a while. At least you go home at around midnight and not 3am. European hours suck pretty much anywhere in the US, did this for a little bit, but in the CST. US hours are early here but you get used to them.
SF is a cool city. barclays global is always hiring and there are smaller trading firms around. i think hedge funds mellon and clarium are quite active.