Always a touchy subject, but generally, the life of an investment banker is tougher in New York than anywhere else. The other big international banking centers, London and Hong Kong, come in next. The West Coast of the U.S. is indeed more laid back, as per its stereotype. Bankers in secondary cities (often satellite offices) also tend to have better lifestyles. Having said all that, banking is still banking, and just because you may have a view of the beach from your cube, don’t expect to work 9 to 5.