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Do the Most Hipster Thing Possible – Move to Des Moines

nationaljournal.com

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Re: Do the Most Hipster Thing Possible – Move to Des Moines

#61

Post by rquantz »

couchand wrote: post #59
rquantz wrote: post #57

Earlier quoted context omitted.

please stop talking out of your ass about something you're so clearly uninformed on. Nice. I did say I haven't seen it. I certainly won't claim that exactly the same thing opened up across the street from me. They don't own the building. I'm sure they're not paying 6 million a year rent though. They have performance space, gallery space, yoga and other classes, and a restaurant/bar. Again, my point is not that you ca…

So you're making an apples-to-oranges comparison based on your intuition? Thanks for raising the bar of the conversation here.

I don't understand your hostility. In this article and many others recently, there is an implication that you can't do anything big in NYC anymore, especially in the arts. This is patently untrue. That, and only that, is what I'm responding to.

The comparison with the Des Moines Social Club was not based on intuition, it was based on the description in the article.

Edit: as far as the level of conversation goes, you're the one who brought up my ass.

Re: Do the Most Hipster Thing Possible – Move to Des Moines

#62

Post by programd »

briandear wrote: post #47
dr_ wrote: post #36

Earlier quoted context omitted.

A newly established startup that just needs an Internet connection maybe could be created anywhere - but a company, which at some point may want to bring in more seasoned talent as it grows, is probably better off near the coastal areas, with a few exceptions.

"Bring in seasoned talent.." All seasoned talent needs is an Internet connection. A successful company doesn't require a ping pong table. Basecamp makes more money each year than most startups ever will and they're entirely remote. I love in the south of France and work just fine without having to go to company HQ in New York. The only folks working in the office are just the sales guys and even they could do their w…

I have to agree 100%. I ran a company started in 1994 which was entirely based online, no office, contractors all over the world. Even then, other then an occasional "Huh. Really? You can do that?" nobody really cared that we did not have office space. Having said that you do have to have a physical mailing address, and it should not be your home. The govenment generally has a hard time dealing with a lack of physical presence, and it's useful to have somewhere to store mail packages until you are ready to pick them up. Get a business center mail drop. I think I paid about $20 per month for 10 years.

Re: Do the Most Hipster Thing Possible – Move to Des Moines

#63

Post by vcjohnson »

eli wrote: post #35
wyclif wrote: post #21

If you're interested in alt-startup US cities, here's my list of places I would be interested in if I were a founder or early employee: 1. Boulder 2. Austin 3. Omaha 4. Des Moines 5. Reno (the real sleeper, but just look at the low, low business tax rate and proximity to SF). The above list isn't meant to be chiseled into stone—it's just a thought experiment on my part and I'm interested in what others think the pros…

I hear Austin is already getting tough: high rents forcing out exactly what made it cool in the first place. I personally think the value of being in a hot well known startup city is overrated. My startup is in DC and we're doing fine.

Yeah Austin rents are pretty high in the main area of the city now. You can get decent places/rates a little farther out, but the boom has risen rent prices considerably in the last 5 years. Still much, much less than SF/NYC though.

Re: Do the Most Hipster Thing Possible – Move to Des Moines

#64

Post by teh_klev »

jeffwass wrote: post #24
brandnewlow wrote: post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What's silliest is that these nicknames make no sense. Why call your town "Silicon __________" to refer to a scene where people are making iPhone apps? Where's the Silicon?

Agree 100%, and also the Silicon theme is getting tired. At least here in London they're now calling the Old Street tech hub 'Tech City' instead of 'Silicon Roundabout'.

It can also be the kiss of death. Look what's happened to Scotland's "Silicon" Glen [0].

[0]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silicon_Glen

Re: Do the Most Hipster Thing Possible – Move to Des Moines

#65

Post by couchand »

rquantz wrote: post #61
couchand wrote: post #59

Earlier quoted context omitted.

So you're making an apples-to-oranges comparison based on your intuition? Thanks for raising the bar of the conversation here.

I don't understand your hostility. In this article and many others recently, there is an implication that you can't do anything big in NYC anymore, especially in the arts. This is patently untrue. That, and only that, is what I'm responding to. The comparison with the Des Moines Social Club was not based on intuition, it was based on the description in the article. Edit: as far as the level of conversation goes, you'…

Fair point. I wasn't meaning to be hostile but I can see how it came across that way.

My point was just that you acted awfully sure of something that you seemed to have no factual information on. Statements beginning "I guarantee" and "I'm sure" that aren't backed up with details are not helpful. Your argument that it's possible to do new things on the coasts is strong enough by itself, no need to throw in suppositions based on apples to oranges comparisons.

Re: Do the Most Hipster Thing Possible – Move to Des Moines

#66

Post by couchand »

Jemaclus wrote: post #60

Almost everyone commenting here falls into two camps: A) "NYC/SF is great" and B) "I've been to Des Moines, it's great." But nobody here really seems to be comparing the two. If I live in SF/NYC and I want to move to Des Moines, what are the upsides? What are the downsides? Sure, Des Moines is a nice place with fun stuff -- but so are a hundred other cities in the US. What makes Des Moines different or a good enough…

One thing that hasn't been mentioned is the quality of the public schools. If you're thinking of starting a family that could be a compelling point. Iowa is widely considered to have some of the best public schools in the country.

Re: Do the Most Hipster Thing Possible – Move to Des Moines

#67

Post by _nullandnull_ »

wyclif wrote: post #21

If you're interested in alt-startup US cities, here's my list of places I would be interested in if I were a founder or early employee: 1. Boulder 2. Austin 3. Omaha 4. Des Moines 5. Reno (the real sleeper, but just look at the low, low business tax rate and proximity to SF). The above list isn't meant to be chiseled into stone—it's just a thought experiment on my part and I'm interested in what others think the pros…

The quality of life in Boulder is amazing but I don't think it is sustainable unless you are wealthy. I have lived here off and on since the 90s. In the past couple of years it has changed dramatically. The rent is expensive, the picturesque views from within the city will be changing due to new construction (I have lost 25% of the views on my deck to construction in one year) and city council's current goal is revenue, not quality of life. BBC did a segment on Boulder's affordable housing market. http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-29240704 I'd recommend Denver before Boulder.

Re: Do the Most Hipster Thing Possible – Move to Des Moines

#68

Post by armenarmen »

wyclif wrote: post #21

If you're interested in alt-startup US cities, here's my list of places I would be interested in if I were a founder or early employee: 1. Boulder 2. Austin 3. Omaha 4. Des Moines 5. Reno (the real sleeper, but just look at the low, low business tax rate and proximity to SF). The above list isn't meant to be chiseled into stone—it's just a thought experiment on my part and I'm interested in what others think the pros…

Where does Detroit factor into your list? I hear such mixed things?

Re: Do the Most Hipster Thing Possible – Move to Des Moines

#69

Post by walshemj »

rb12345 wrote: post #30
jeffwass wrote: post #24

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Agree 100%, and also the Silicon theme is getting tired. At least here in London they're now calling the Old Street tech hub 'Tech City' instead of 'Silicon Roundabout'.

It always was, officially. It's just that everyone else ignored that and called it "Silicon Roundabout" regardless.

As old street used to be a major tech centre for BT (207 and 211) we used to call it the one with the really rubbish canteen.

Re: Do the Most Hipster Thing Possible – Move to Des Moines

#70

Post by monksy »

sneak wrote: post #41

You misspelled Berlin.

The last thing that Berlin needs/wants is more hipsters from NYC. The amount of resentment by the German people for that group is pretty high. Go to a nightclub, they'll deny you entry if you don't speak German or look American.
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