Ask HN: Thoughts on the Bay Area versus other locations? | Hacker News Reader

Ask HN: Thoughts on the Bay Area versus other locations?

4 pointskurtvarner16 comments

I know this has been discussed a lot in the past, and I'm not trying to beat a dead horse... but I'd like to get the input of people who have lived both in SF and other locations (assuming that you were involved with startups while in both locations). What are the advantages and disadvantages of both? I'm very seriously considering moving to SF from LA for better opportunities within the startup world.

Also, if you know of any good posts that discuss this topic, please share!

Many thanks!

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San Francisco & the Bay Area exist at the center of the Startup universe. It's just the way it is.

I have lived in San Francisco and now live in Chicago and run my own startup- but NorCal is definitely the best place on Earth to be. There are other great places- but IMO the best is still Northern California

Why did you leave then? I'm always curious as to why some people move away from SF if they want to run a startup.

Oh for a variety of reasons- cost of living being one. Chicago is expensive- San Francisco is REALLY expensive. haha. Although East bay is affordable

And I really do love it there- If you don't have any commitments holding you back- move there and check it out. You'll love it (although it isn't as warm as SoCal)

I always get these very arbitrary responses, and I don't understand why. If SF is really a better environment for startups, then the difference in cost of living should be a small trade off. I don't mean to come off harsh, I'm just trying to wrap my mind around this occurrence.

i left my reply above this comment- sorry :)

Saying, "If SF is a better environment for startups the cost of living should be a small trade off" doesn't work.

Everything depends on your personal situation. If you are launching a startup, LAUNCH IT. You don't need to be in SF.

If you want to live where the center of the startup universe is, if you want to not be able to swing a dead cat around your head without hitting another entrepreneur, if you like it 60-65 degrees almost every day of the year, SF is the place for you.

You don't NEED to be in SF to launch a startup unless your service/product is narrowly defined as SF residents using it. Plenty of startups move to the Bay Area when they need funding- but...you can always visit and check it out yourself.

I'd say, launch your startup now. That is key- forward momentum.

Completely agree about starting now... and I have. I'm on my second startup. No one should delay starting because of location alone.

right on- and good luck!

One big advantage is if you fall on your face you can get a job at Google or Twitter or some other smaller startup. I've found in other places if all goes wrong you're stuck trying to get a job as an IT administrator.

I really liked the weather in the Bay Area but most people I know from LA do not. I enjoyed going to Marin and Santa Cruz, and biking and skateboarding in San Francisco.

That said, I left. It's hard to explain exactly why I left. Although I loved SF, I always had a feeling of impending doom. The social dynamics were also weird to me.

Good point about working for other companies. Just curious, where did you relocate to, and are you still involved with startups?

I worked in NYC for a couple years and now I just travel around and make iPhone apps for fun.

Social dynamics are definitely a bit off in SF but that is a whole other topic...ha

When you say you are considering moving, "for better opportunities in the startup world," what opportunities? Are you looking for a job? Starting your own company?

I'm speaking in terms of founding and growing a startup.

You can do that anywhere- do you need capital? Then yes, SF has more (and easier) sources to find for capital. But really if I were you I'd build the thing first- you can always move later if you have to.

The biggest thing about building a startup is GET STARTED :)

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