Trading Networking - I live in LA, do I have to move to New York?

Quote from gmst:

I had Gelber in mind but I checked and they have an office in San Diego.

To Surf:
Latency doesn't matter equally to all the quant shops. E.g. there is one well respected quant shop located in Hawaii, missing its name it was discussed on ET last year or so.

Gelber is based in Chicago. They have a small office in LA to accommodate a few traders that moved out there. Gelber is NOT a quant shop.
 
Quote from Newmoney24:

Bump- I would much rather live in LA but ill move to NY if I have to

what I don't understand is--- I LOVE Cali weather. I don't like cold snowy winters or hot summers- I can't imagine that traders aren't like this too--- also LA has roughly 14 million people - how is it possible for there not to be a major trading hub in LA like there is New York? (is it the timezone/trading hours?)

One aspect may be found in the (lack of relevant) qualification of people in LA ... if you want to stick in CA, take a look around the bay area...
 
What's Gelber? :confused:

Quote from Maverick74:

LA has ZERO quant shops. If I'm wrong, start naming them.

First Quadrant.

Quote from Newmoney24:

I have a lot of interest in algo/automated trading and overall being in a trading environment,

do you think I could find that in abundance in LA, or would I have to move to New York?

I'm not too sure about the question. Are you looking purely to network or to find employment? If the former, it doesn't matter so much the physical location as does the events that you get involved in. Based on my personal experience, I've gotten less networking done at Chicago/NY than at my base of operations and conferences along the east coast.

If you only want to be in LA, the best I can suggest is FQ. KCG has a small office in LA. If you're fine with IB back office as a first step, I think Houlihan Lokey has a programming position in LA. I'd check with Credit Suisse and UBS LA too, although the latter have been taking a lot of flak lately.

If you're fine with SF, I'd try GMO or Headlands. SIG and Wolverine have small presences and limited vacancies. Edit: Just reminded, Peak6 probably has a presence in SF too. If you're fine with being on the tech side, Fidessa also has occasional market access development positions.

There are probably more that I don't know about (Gelber?). But for the ones above, PM me if you need any color.
 
I spent some time in LA--and have an uncle in bev hills---- there is zero competition for hedge funds---most of the HNW that I spoke to were very naive about investments -- very unlike my experience in NYC where everyone is or thinks they are an investment wizard. The vibe is radically different, its almost like another planet in CA. surf
 
Quote from marketsurfer:

Thanks RR. Speed is everything for 70% plus of the markets.

Quote from marketsurfer:

I spent some time in LA--- there is zero competition for hedge funds---most of the HNW that I spoke to were very naive about investments -- very unlike my experience in NYC where everyone is or thinks they are an investment wizard. surf

Quote from marketsurfer:

Latency, my friends, latency is why No top quant shops in LA.

Sorry, but this is incorrect. If it was true, you wouldn't have some of the very best in places such as Purchase, Stamford, Philadelphia, Sydney, Minneapolis, East Setauket. And of course, First Quadrant is indeed a premier shop.
 
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