An Introduction to Silicon Valley

Thanks for the post. I organize Hackers and Founders SV, SF and Berkeley, and we're seeing tons of people show up at our events that have just moved to the area.

I keep saying that H&F really needs to set up a Silicon Valley Startup Wiki, but between boostrapping, Newsley and H&F, I simply don't have the time. I'd be happy to contribute content, because I answer these questions repeatedly at H&F events, but I don't have time to maintain it.

We also wiki topics covering about basic legal issues, incorporation, vesting schedules, equity stakes, term sheets, etc...

Maybe it's not a wiki. Maybe it's a Q&A site, but either way, there needs to be more content about the meat and potatoes of starting a startup, and less blog posts on "I did x and it lead to Y awesome thing for me".

This blog post is a great start. We need a ton more content like this.

This is actually a better article on why you should move to the Valley than many other I have seen, because it asks the reader to understand why they are moving to the valley. I've read many an article that that tells readers to pick up their bags and pack to the Valley, in the same pretense an actor or writer would go to Hollywood.

The Valley isn't cheap. If your product can be completed without going to the Valley for as long as possible, try to hold off because you'll be burning cash fast. You may choose to go to the Valley to find mentorship or grow your idea, but remember your cost for every month you're there.

I'm moving to the area in November to start work as an attorney, and found this article very helpful, thanks for the post.

One point..

My startup friends tell me one of the secrets of working in SF is..you can get cheap studios and sometimes whole small houses leased in Oakland only 8 miles a way..

We are talking in the $1000 to $1500 range..