Anecdotally, I've had a few Bay Area friends say that their management is itching to fill seats once again.
Management really loves to see their chattel in their pens. ;)
Tech workers swore off the Bay Area, now they’re coming back
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Re: Tech workers swore off the Bay Area, now they’re coming back
#12Re: Tech workers swore off the Bay Area, now they’re coming back
#13Honest question: why would any new tech entrepreneur want to move to SF?
The prices suck, and if you need to improve your network you can meet the vast majority of tech people online (IRC, Discord, email, online conferences).
Weather?
Re: Tech workers swore off the Bay Area, now they’re coming back
#14I moved to Austin in November after 10 years in the Bay Area and a lifetime in different parts of California. Not a chance we will move back, certainly not for decades.
The most refreshing part of the change is that people are genuinely nicer and more friendly around here than anywhere I lived in California (OC, SD, SF, Berkeley, Stockton for college). I really didn’t expect that, which I think was probably due to crude stereotypes Californians like to spread about Texas. Ultimately I think the grind of just trying to live a decent life in the crowded/expensive parts of CA takes its toll on the populace.
The weather takes some adjusting, but not more than it took to adjust to the Bay Area fogginess for this SoCal native. Most of the year it’s beautiful out here.
Re: Tech workers swore off the Bay Area, now they’re coming back
#15Earlier quoted context omitted.
It is quite clear that with these types of articles, NYTimes is pushing an agenda.
It isn't quite clear to me. What agenda and who does it benefit? Where's the connection to the New York Times itself?
Not sure but everyone they asked said they would like to go back to the office. I don't think a single person said no I don't want to go back to the office full or part time. Seems biased.
Re: Tech workers swore off the Bay Area, now they’re coming back
#16Honest question: why would any new tech entrepreneur want to move to SF? The prices suck, and if you need to improve your network you can meet the vast majority of tech people online (IRC, Discord, email, online conferences). Weather?
It is a major tech center. Probably easier to get VC money, make serendipitous connections, maybe hire talent. (Though, arguably, the advantages are less than they used to be and the disadvantages greater.)
And not weather directly but there are a fair number of tech people who, to the hiring point, have trouble imaging living other places because of some combination of weather and culture (and choice of jobs without having to maybe move to a different city in another state).
Re: Tech workers swore off the Bay Area, now they’re coming back
#17Earlier quoted context omitted.
It is quite clear that with these types of articles, NYTimes is pushing an agenda.
It isn't quite clear to me. What agenda and who does it benefit? Where's the connection to the New York Times itself?
The decline of SF is seen as an indictment of progressivism run amok.
From a card-carrying progressive Ezra Klein:
“If progressivism can’t work there, why should the country believe it can work anywhere else?”
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/11/opinion/california-san-fr...
Re: Tech workers swore off the Bay Area, now they’re coming back
#18Honest question: why would any new tech entrepreneur want to move to SF? The prices suck, and if you need to improve your network you can meet the vast majority of tech people online (IRC, Discord, email, online conferences). Weather?
Network effect, online isn't the same.
Re: Tech workers swore off the Bay Area, now they’re coming back
#19The bay during the 2010s was a very special time and place. Hard to understand if you weren't there. I've never felt a sense of community and energy and excitement like that anywhere else. Not to mention all the free pizza and beer. If COVID is over and that world comes back, I'd love to return. But right now there doesn't seem to be much point.
Re: Tech workers swore off the Bay Area, now they’re coming back
#20Honest question: why would any new tech entrepreneur want to move to SF? The prices suck, and if you need to improve your network you can meet the vast majority of tech people online (IRC, Discord, email, online conferences). Weather?
I recently founded an early stage startup. The only reason I can proffer is imposter syndrome.
There’s a certain nagging feeling that we’ll never be a “real startup” until we have offices in the Bay Area. And sometimes that views externalized by others. You run into a scenario where you’re talking to someone who’s excited about your tech and vision. Then you mention you’re located in suburban Florida and their enthusiasm just drops out of the floor.