Most of what you've heard is true!
Pros
Working at Google is great, for all the well-documented reasons that you've already heard. Excellent culture, great work-life-balance, tons of learning opportunities, work that's both rewarding and challenging, and generally competitive compensation, perks, and benefits.
Cons
Post-pandemic recovery has been hard on company culture. Many of the old guard have begun their early retirements and/or moved on to start their own ventures, so there's some risk from shifting institutional memory. Promotions to Level 6 and beyond are becoming increasingly rare. Perception of executives is generally not as favorable as it once was. If you're seeking a nimble, ultra-fast-paced startup environment, Google hasn't been this for well over a decade and you should look elsewhere; despite this, the speed and effectiveness of this company and its people can be impressive.
