Maybe this is a question that plagues only the few restless spirits out there, but we’ve been having a long (5 months!) debate about where we should live as we branch out on our own. The debate is wrought with many angles, such as network vs. family, cost of living vs. resources for startups, city energy (+ distractions) vs. suburban withdrawal (+ boredom), freedom to travel vs. stability. Phew. You’re probably starting to see why it’s been going on for months, and why we can’t decide.
Some of the factors broken down:
- People. The people you’re surrounded by are always important, but having a supportive network when you’re starting your own business is key. Right now we live in San Francisco, where thanks to serious job hopping and higher ed, we have a great community of people we know. This network, in combination with the start-up vibe in the Bay Area, makes it a great location to start our business. The downside? All our friends and family are on the east coast.
- Cost of Living. When you’re trying to bootstrap, any way you can cut costs is worth exploring. In San Francisco, we live in the second most expensive city in the country. With two people working, we live in a fantastic neighborhood with lots going on. With only one income stream and working from home, suddenly our small pricey one bedroom is a lot less appealing.
- Energy. What are the things that you need in a city or town to maintain your motivation and enthusiasm for your work? For me, it’s at least one coffee shop with free wi-fi, an academic or intellectual vibe, and a few 25-35 year old up-and-comings. There is this and more in San Francisco. You know where it’s not? Windsor Locks CT, where I stayed with my family in November while finishing my master’s thesis. I did not get much work done at all. No wireless internet, no cute coffee shops. It’s the kind of place where people “mosey on up to the internet”.
- Time. Where are you going to most effectively use your time? Right now we are totally mobile, and it’s really appealing to think of going to Mexico, or living in San Diego for the summer, and Tahoe in the winter. But while we’ve never had the freedom to travel like that before, there’s a danger that all that moving around will cause us to lose focus and not get stuff done. I am notorious for justifying just about anything when there’s a time limit on my stay in a city. But when you’re trying to build a product, suddenly you don’t want what happens in Vegas to stay in Vegas.
So that’s the short list of criteria, but it certainly makes it tough to decide. You can always leave it up to your friends.
