Is it worth the hassle to try to get into the high tech companies in Silicon Valley as a Software Engineer?
That's a completely personal decision. I know some who are still there. I know who worked there and left, hating it. I know some who worked there and left, loving it. They are all correct.
I'm assuming by silicon valley you're generalizing for the top tech companies, cause they got plenty of those jobs in Seattle, Nyc, etc.
It depends what you call a hassle and what you think the benefits are.
No. its a shit show now and now with everyone remote the pay is significantly reduced. Prices remain high and jobs are going to other parts of the country where cost of living is low.