3 ms·

We're a startup in Scotland (Edinburgh and Glasgow) - (http://www.getadministrate.com http://www.getadministrate.com). This post annoyed me b/c I was just abou

We're a startup in Scotland (Edinburgh and Glasgow) - (http://www.getadministrate.com http://www.getadministrate.com). This post annoyed me b/c I was just about to post about the advantages I see starting and running a business here :) The author misses quite a few of the main things that I find great about being in Scotland, although I do agree with the general thrust. Some thoughts about Scotland compared with the USA, having previously started and ran 3 companies there: - wages are very cheap here compared to the USA or even the South (England), and the talent is good. - It's easy to market to and service the USA (no huge timezone difference or language barrier and Americans like the Scottish accent). - there are already some incredible tax advantages (low capital gains) for startups, and more being pushed by the current government. - most funding seems to be done by angel syndicates in a public / private hybrid where both the gov and the angels share risk and reward. I much prefer the syndicate model to individuals as you get more structure and less hassle. - you don't need health insurance for employees, which removes a distraction and makes your job offer compete on a more level playing field when compared against a traditional large company - the tech community like the author pointed out is really good, particularly for the size - the quality of life here is AMAZING. Can't fully describe the benefits in a comment. - office space is currently very cheap - great public transport - easy to travel (for business and pleasure) to either EU or USA

lazyjones 14y ago
If wages are so cheap, doesn't that usually mean that real talent leaves to find better jobs in the USA or London or similar places? Is office space really that cheap in Edinburgh or other large cities?
- jarofgreen 14y ago
  > If wages are so cheap, doesn't that usually mean that real talent leaves to find better jobs in the USA or London or similar places? The cost of living is cheaper and quality of life is usually considered better, so when making personal decisions about where to go it's not just a simple wages comparison.
- delinka 14y ago
  Wages are cheap because cost of living is low. If someone wants to find "better jobs" somewhere else, they generally have to accept higher cost of living. Those remote jobs where you get San Francisco wages and live in the rural mountains are fewer than is ideal.
- nemesisj 14y ago
  Two others already responded but I'll echo them. Office space in the city centre of Edinburgh and Glasgow is remarkably cheap and plentiful. Living costs are very low (even in these cities) for what you get compared to the suburbs in the USA. There is some brain drain, but the culture and quality of life is the "pull" that the original article was describing. Most Scots who are brain drained away come back to raise kids or retire.
  - mmcnickle 14y ago
    In Edinburgh especially, there is a lot of empty high-quality office space at the moment. You can negotiate very favourable terms, not limited to long rent-free periods, well spaced breaks in contracts, and more-office-for-no-extra type deals.
- rmc 14y ago
  Remember that some people dont want to go to London. They want to live in Scotland. (this same argument applies to many places, some London people would hate to move to Scotland, some people from rural England do not want to move from that part of rural England etc.). So there is a pool (of some size) of labour that really wants to stay in the area and is probably willing to earn less rather than move. For a business this can be an advantage.

lazyjones 14y ago

If wages are so cheap, doesn't that usually mean that real talent leaves to find better jobs in the USA or London or similar places? Is office space really that cheap in Edinburgh or other large cities?

jarofgreen 14y ago
> If wages are so cheap, doesn't that usually mean that real talent leaves to find better jobs in the USA or London or similar places? The cost of living is cheaper and quality of life is usually considered better, so when making personal decisions about where to go it's not just a simple wages comparison.
delinka 14y ago
Wages are cheap because cost of living is low. If someone wants to find "better jobs" somewhere else, they generally have to accept higher cost of living. Those remote jobs where you get San Francisco wages and live in the rural mountains are fewer than is ideal.
nemesisj 14y ago
Two others already responded but I'll echo them. Office space in the city centre of Edinburgh and Glasgow is remarkably cheap and plentiful. Living costs are very low (even in these cities) for what you get compared to the suburbs in the USA. There is some brain drain, but the culture and quality of life is the "pull" that the original article was describing. Most Scots who are brain drained away come back to raise kids or retire.
- mmcnickle 14y ago
  In Edinburgh especially, there is a lot of empty high-quality office space at the moment. You can negotiate very favourable terms, not limited to long rent-free periods, well spaced breaks in contracts, and more-office-for-no-extra type deals.
rmc 14y ago
Remember that some people dont want to go to London. They want to live in Scotland. (this same argument applies to many places, some London people would hate to move to Scotland, some people from rural England do not want to move from that part of rural England etc.). So there is a pool (of some size) of labour that really wants to stay in the area and is probably willing to earn less rather than move. For a business this can be an advantage.