Moving to the US as a founder: which city to choose?

With all its problems, it is still hard to beat Silicon Valley. Its on-the-edge mindset and its density of early startup knowledge are hard to replicate anywhere else. You are more likely to find your support network in the valley than other areas.

Peoria or Muncie

Skimmed rather than digested, but I don't see anywhere they say what business they are actually in... there are definitely still enclaves of know how and talent around the country with domain specific knowledge. Or, places where industries once thrived that are now shuttered but could be revitalized. There's a lot to be said for looking for locations with tax breaks / business incentives too, which might not be the usual suspects as far as cities go. Sure if you want to go ride the Silicon Valley express, that's one path in life, but there are lots of different ways to reach a successful outcome. Lots to be said for building one's life where you want to be.

The summarized criteria are:

- by the sea and sunny (presumably 60%+ sunshine per year)

- Europe-compatible TZ (no west coast)

- 20 minutes to airport

- better taxes

- dog-friendly

- diverse populace

If that's it, and Florida seems to be a fixation, then I'd probably go Tampa instead of Miami. Similar tax situation but significantly lower cost of living, especially food and housing, and Tampa has had less foreign-investment bullshit in its housing market. There're also fewer dog breed restrictions in Tampa, and a smaller, faster, easier airport that still has non-stop flights to London and Frankfurt.

A lot also depends on which diversity metrics matter; Miami city is 50% foreign-born, but also mostly Hispanic, while Tampa is ~45% non-Hispanic white and I don't really get the rationale in general to be in the US, though. "If we were a 100% self-serve company, I don’t think it’d be necessary to open a US office anytime soon. When we hire US sales folks, I need to move there, otherwise, we won’t attract the best talent"? Why would US GTM people care if the founder/CEO is US-based? The US is massive; you aren't going to be close to most of your field sales no matter where you live.

If you want to be in the sun near the sea with few taxes, access to an airport, live in a good TZ for doing business in Europe and recruiting GTM in the US, avoid taxes, enjoy dogs and local diversity, and you also don't care about hurricanes enough to want to live in Miami, then Nassau is right there.

He mentioned wanting to be close to the sea, which might give Peoria the upper hand. But then he also mentioned valuing lower taxes, so Muncie might be the best fit after all.