007 gives an excellent sense for what it's like to LIVE here. I would say that if your not saving most of the money you make here, the sacrifice in lifestyle is not worth it. If you do save most, then you won't be enjoying yourself. It's a catch 22. You may not understand it until you arrive but the endless "out for dinners" dries out. You really start to yearn for grass and open spaces where the "dogs can run" so to speak.
Don't forget if you have a 2-3 year run, you will leave an FO. If you have a 4-6 year run, a 320 CA. Longer... Then ignoring the differences between the companies would be foolish as one has much higher long term benefits.