It's an interesting reflection of changing dynamics for startups - When YC started, it was in Boston, before later moving to SF.
Now that they're expanding to do some interviews on the East Coast again, they're doing them in NYC, rather than Boston.
Now that they're expanding to do some interviews on the East Coast again, they're doing them in NYC, rather than Boston.
- NY is far easier to get to Boston from anywhere else on the east coast - flights, busses, trains, etc. Much less Europe.
- While the amount of total VC dollars invested in each city is similar[0], I've always gotten the impression that figure is skewed by a small number of mega-rounds going into the biotechnology companies in Kendall Square vs. the number of companies in the wider ecosystems.
- NY is just a better city to visit. More public transit options, hotel rooms, things to see while you are in town for the interview, etc.
I love Boston, but I'd make the same decision.
[0] https://techcrunch.com/2018/08/04/boston-area-startups-are-o...
Closer in to NYC: Stamford (lots of empty office space), Hartford (now semi–accessible to NYC by rail, plus an international airport), White Plains (easily accessible to NYC plus regional airport). NJ has a lot of office space along I–95 once you get out of the NYC metro area, but am uncertain on the rent.
That's a lot of new unemployed talent that (potentially) is looking for a career start in Boston. It is also more affordable and public transit is decent.