You have actually posed two separate questions (that for me would have different answers). QUESTION NUMBER ONE: Is the Bay area the only good place for Softw

You have actually posed two separate questions (that for me would have different answers). QUESTION NUMBER ONE: Is the Bay area the only good place for Software Engineers? I think most would agree there are other good cities. Seattle or Boston are great examples with large tech companies located there. The fact that most people can't answer if Switzerland is good option is very informative in and of itself. How many large Tech companies can you name from Switzerland? I have been to Geneva before and didn't find a very compelling tech scene. I bet there would be some scientific companies that would be great though, but I don't know enough. QUESTION NUMBER TWO: Would you be missing anything? Absolutely. Whatever city is behind Silicon Valley in second place, is very far far far behind. The best and the brightest talent head straight to silicon valley. Peter Thiel made the statement that they are not opening Venture Capital offices in any other city because they didn't think there was enough value, meaning that the big ideas come to Silicon Valley - so venture capital will wait for it there.