Whatever you do Russ, if you make a switch, don't switch to another instance of startup+dayjob. I strongly believe it is that which is killing you. I have been

Whatever you do Russ, if you make a switch, don't switch to another instance of startup+dayjob. I strongly believe it is that which is killing you. I have been doing that for a while and I constantly feel like I am cheating on one or more of my commitments in life. I used to do 80 hour weeks at my startup job too but it wasn't half as stressful as this is. Now I work 7 days a week. Had it no been for a super understanding wife (who works with me on weekends!) I'd be nowhere. There are other complications for me in switching to doing the startup full time, but I am switching as soon as I can. So assuming you take that advice, your choices are full time job at a startup or your own startup in Atlanta vs full time job at a startup or your own startup in the bay area. In the bay area you'll get surfing and a higher chance of funding - which, while not the same thing as success as @apinstein pointed out, is certainly a step in that direction. My advice to you is to switch to the bay area. Work wise, doing a job at a very early stage startup vs doing a startup will entail the same number of hours - what to do is up to your appetite for risk right now but at least you'll be at a place where you can be fit doing something that is fun and if/when you start a startup - get funding for it. If you work at slightly more established startup (50-100) employees, it will likely be closer to 60 hrs/weeks Having said that, all of us here won't be happy to lose you to CA...