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As a native and current Angelino, if the city wants to grow tech, it needs capital. We don't have the businesses, can't keep talent, and cost of living is too h
by bryanmgreen 7y ago
As a native and current Angelino, if the city wants to grow tech, it needs capital. We don't have the businesses, can't keep talent, and cost of living is too high to survive without a good salary. Irvine, despite being an excruciatingly boring cookie-cutter place, is slightly cheaper to live and has the Silicon Valley overflow offices.
A lot of talent starts in LA, but it gets immediately poached by literally every other city. If you don't have a Hollywood tech job, it's grim. I really want to stay, but can see a realistic/near future where I leave. (But I'm not going back to Irvine ever again)
- mdorazio 7y agoRight there with you - it seems like capital could flow the 300 miles south without much problem, but for whatever reason it just doesn't (I suspect it's at least partially related to the types of startups and founders in LA). Irvine is ok if you're a family-oriented corporate person, but for young tech talent it's the most soul-sucking Stepford Wives place this side of Plano, TX. In my case, I ended up just not working in LA itself for half the time I've lived here. I've spent at least as much time working in the Bay Area, Austin, Seattle, Irvine, and now Portland as I have working in LA because the companies and compensation are just so much better elsewhere.