4 ms·

I also thought Boise was a bad example. From my perspective, the natural alternative to San Francisco is Seattle: decent public transit, awesome food, has a tec

I also thought Boise was a bad example. From my perspective, the natural alternative to San Francisco is Seattle: decent public transit, awesome food, has a tech culture, friendly cannabis policies, amazing landscape, and (most importantly to me) a much more affordable cost of living. When I was making the choice to relocate to the west coast, I started out 100% set on getting to the Bay Area. But as I visited the cities, looked at the job opportunities (disclosure: I am not a programmer by trade, but have worked in the tech industry), and evaluated my living choices, San Francisco just didn't make any sense for me. Of course I don't mean to suggest that's the only alternative. Rather, I agree with the OP that it seems like there's an argument to be made for basing your start-up outside of San Francisco, and there are at least decent alternatives.

geoka9 13y ago
> the natural alternative to San Francisco is Seattle Only it rains 8 months out of 12 in Seattle :(
- HelloMcFly 13y ago
  No city is 100% perfect. I've found that the rain in Seattle is one of those things most brought up by people that have never lived here. It's a daily light rain, and not constant. The annual rainfall in Atlanta is higher than the annual rainfall in Seattle. It is dark in the winter months though, and for some that will be a big bummer. But it's an easy trade for me if that means I can easily afford to live in the city.
  - geoka9 13y ago
    Believe me, I know what I'm talking about. I live in Vancouver, which is basically the same kettle of fish as far as the weather goes :) It is dark 8 months per year; and it doesn't help that statistically it actually rains only 150 days. If not for the "dark" months, this (PNW) would be the best place on Earth as far as I'm concerned. But, as you said, no place is 100% perfect.

geoka9 13y ago

> the natural alternative to San Francisco is Seattle Only it rains 8 months out of 12 in Seattle :(

HelloMcFly 13y ago
No city is 100% perfect. I've found that the rain in Seattle is one of those things most brought up by people that have never lived here. It's a daily light rain, and not constant. The annual rainfall in Atlanta is higher than the annual rainfall in Seattle. It is dark in the winter months though, and for some that will be a big bummer. But it's an easy trade for me if that means I can easily afford to live in the city.
- geoka9 13y ago
  Believe me, I know what I'm talking about. I live in Vancouver, which is basically the same kettle of fish as far as the weather goes :) It is dark 8 months per year; and it doesn't help that statistically it actually rains only 150 days. If not for the "dark" months, this (PNW) would be the best place on Earth as far as I'm concerned. But, as you said, no place is 100% perfect.