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Tech workers swore off the Bay Area, now they’re coming back

nytimes.com

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Re: Tech workers swore off the Bay Area, now they’re coming back

#21

Post by commandlinefan »

ghaff wrote: post #16
prohobo wrote: post #13

Honest 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…

> maybe hire talent

Are most of the bay area developers bay area natives? I was under the impression they were mostly immigrants under H1B contracts that could live anywhere in the US.

Re: Tech workers swore off the Bay Area, now they’re coming back

#22

Post by okareaman »

bgentry wrote: post #14

I 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 cr…

I've been to Austin. I felt trapped in a flat plane of existence in Texas. I need mountains to escape to on my time off. But as a native Californian, I hope a lot of people move out to Texas. Several million would be a good start.

Re: Tech workers swore off the Bay Area, now they’re coming back

#23

Post by ghaff »

commandlinefan wrote: post #21
ghaff wrote: post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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…

> maybe hire talent Are most of the bay area developers bay area natives? I was under the impression they were mostly immigrants under H1B contracts that could live anywhere in the US.

I doubt if they are mostly H1B immigrants but, yes, they could mostly work anywhere in the US. But many went to school in CA and decided to stay there or, to my other point, they like living in CA for whatever reason.

I don't and never have lived in CA but I've spent a lot of time there and I do see the attraction other than CoL and some other downsides. And there are certainly areas of the US that for me would heavily weigh against any employment opportunity offered there. (Though I'm full remote at this point anyway.)

Re: Tech workers swore off the Bay Area, now they’re coming back

#24

Post by nodesocket »

bgentry wrote: post #14

I 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 cr…

Concur, I was ahead of the curve and fled San Francisco and California in 2018 for Nashville, TN and don’t anticipate ever moving back even though my immediate family is still in Cali. I don’t want to give California a cent of my tax dollars ever again.

I absolutely love Nashville and Tennessee and even bought a house at the height of Covid. The people and southern hospitality are amazing (though I am seeing a lot of California plates lately around which frankly is making me nervous). Nashville is a such a beautiful city, opportunity is unlimited, amazing night life, food, culture, and of course music. Southern is way more my style and speed.

Re: Tech workers swore off the Bay Area, now they’re coming back

#26

Post by nine_zeros »

commandlinefan wrote: post #21
ghaff wrote: post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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…

> maybe hire talent Are most of the bay area developers bay area natives? I was under the impression they were mostly immigrants under H1B contracts that could live anywhere in the US.

A non trivial amount of strong immigrant engineers are in SV. Ask me how hard it is to hire hundreds of engineers without faang funding in a tier 2 city.

Re: Tech workers swore off the Bay Area, now they’re coming back

#27

Post by skystarman »

NationalPark wrote: post #9
8458e112e7b2 wrote: post #4

Earlier 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?

I don't think there's an "agenda" here.

There were dozens and dozens of articles in every publication over the last decade or longer about the decline of SF, COL is too expensive, homeless, dodging shit on the street, etc.

Then the pandemic and exponentially more articles about the flight from SF, NYC, etc. people are now fleeing for good.

Of course the actual statistics show a tiny fraction of people left SF. I think an article which focuses on this reality is well warranted.

If anything the people criticizing this article have an agenda in their belief that SF is awful and everyone should leave and anything to the contrary is of course biased.

Not that I should have to say this but there is of course plenty to criticize about SF and the Bay Area. The reality is the overwhelming majority of people are not leaving anytime soon. Only a tiny fraction are leaving.

Re: Tech workers swore off the Bay Area, now they’re coming back

#28

Post by Aboh33 »

NationalPark wrote: post #9
8458e112e7b2 wrote: post #4

Earlier 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?

I would guess a return-back-to-the-office agenda, but then again, I've been told here on HN that the NYT is not of 'one mind' and/or is diverse and impartial so what do I know /s

Re: Tech workers swore off the Bay Area, now they’re coming back

#29

Post by bgentry »

okareaman wrote: post #22
bgentry wrote: post #14

I 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 cr…

I've been to Austin. I felt trapped in a flat plane of existence in Texas. I need mountains to escape to on my time off. But as a native Californian, I hope a lot of people move out to Texas. Several million would be a good start.

Did you spend any time in the hill country on the south/west parts of town? They have a very different feel than the flat parts.

Re: Tech workers swore off the Bay Area, now they’re coming back

#30

Post by dboreham »

wil421 wrote: post #3

Who pays for these kinds of articles? Is there some PR firm Big Tech funds to get these kinds of articles? Just doesn't seem like the type of stuff NYTimes really cares about but I guess clicks is all that matters.

Obviously yes there is.
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