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> ...move out of the Bay Area when they want to have kids... This is fascinating to me, because if demographers' prognostications are to be believed, then futu

> ...move out of the Bay Area when they want to have kids... This is fascinating to me, because if demographers' prognostications are to be believed, then future growth economies (on the multiple-decades-scale) are heavily represented by new middle-class families, in Asia and Africa, and to a lesser extent the Middle East and South America. So not only is the Bay Area ecosystem doubling down on its geographic centrism into a non-growth geography, it is tripling down on a bet that a non-family-oriented HQ culture (where the majority of unicorn companies consider the majority of their staff "who matter" to be located) will innovate sufficiently to penetrate and hold family-oriented heavy-growth markets of the future.

asveikau 9y ago
By the way, I have first hand experience that raising kids in SF is quite good apart from some financial questions. There is a lot of community in places like playgrounds etc. More so than in some other places I have been. The average kid my kids meet is far kinder and more socially aware than what I grew up with, for example. So when people say SF is geared exclusively towards childless 20 somethings, don't believe them. Of course the financial picture continues to be challenging for many people, but many would be surprised at what a great place it can be for kids.
- chubot 9y ago
  Are your kids in school yet? I am pro-San Francisco, and don't have kids. But my neighbors do, and told me about the school lottery. While I understand the logic, it sounds awfully inconvenient. SF is already annoying to drive around, I can't imagine dropping off and picking up a kid to/from a random location in the city during rush hour. That seem like a good way to kill a lot of your day.
  - asveikau 9y ago
    Yes, the lottery sucks and creates traffic problems. Even if you don't have kids, make note of days when there is no school, your work commute will be much easier on those.

asveikau 9y ago

By the way, I have first hand experience that raising kids in SF is quite good apart from some financial questions. There is a lot of community in places like playgrounds etc. More so than in some other places I have been. The average kid my kids meet is far kinder and more socially aware than what I grew up with, for example. So when people say SF is geared exclusively towards childless 20 somethings, don't believe them. Of course the financial picture continues to be challenging for many people, but many would be surprised at what a great place it can be for kids.

chubot 9y ago
Are your kids in school yet? I am pro-San Francisco, and don't have kids. But my neighbors do, and told me about the school lottery. While I understand the logic, it sounds awfully inconvenient. SF is already annoying to drive around, I can't imagine dropping off and picking up a kid to/from a random location in the city during rush hour. That seem like a good way to kill a lot of your day.
- asveikau 9y ago
  Yes, the lottery sucks and creates traffic problems. Even if you don't have kids, make note of days when there is no school, your work commute will be much easier on those.