6 Alternatives to Silicon Valley With Better Weather Than Portland你可能会发现科技创业的助教king root wherever you find a good university in a lively city with sunny weather.
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A few weeks backI wrote abouthow, in recent years, Portland, Oregon has become a popular alternative to Silicon Valley. It's attracting big companies like Google and giving the area the nickname "Silicon Forest." However, as the article accumulated several thousand shares, it also sparked some outrage and backlash from people who live in the area, concerned about how Portland is "becoming the next San Francisco."
It's true. There are issues that come with "San Francisco-ization," as several people put it, including overpopulation and higher housing costs. At the same time, however, many Portland-area residents areexcited to see the influxof tech talent.
Something perhaps even more interesting occurred as well. People from other tech hubs across the country spoke out, saying something along the lines of, "If Portland doesn't want the talent, we'll take it." People from Austin, LA, New York and Denver were represented as usual. But what really caught my attention were the folks from less-discussed tech hubs who claimed their locales are ideal for startups looking to plant roots. Here are just a few of these unsung startup tech cities.
Roanoke, Virginia.
I had to do some research when one guy on Twitter sang the praises of his native Roanoke. Turns out, with Virginia Tech only 45 minutes from the heart of the city, Roanoke is a natural fit for tech startups. As a business grows, it can choose from the large number of graduates who choose to settle in the city. Workers in the area have access to Roanoke'slow cost of livingwithout sacrificing the many amenities in other cities, includingculture,shopsandrestaurants.
Related:The Ancient City of Jerusalem Is Seeing Rebirth as a Tech Hub
San Diego, California.
It seems odd to put the eighth largest city in the U.S. on this list, but San Diego generally hasn't gotten as much attention in recent years from the biggest tech companies or startups looking to get off the ground. Those who do plant roots here though know that the environment is ideal, with nice weather year round and a heavy stream of tech talent flowing from the University of California San Diego (UCSD).
While the cost of livingis highcompared to national averages, it is significantly lower than San Francisco's current cost of living,which is often consideredthe highest in the country. San Diego is widely known as an epicenter of biotechnology research. It is also home to a large number of corporate headquarters, including tech companiesSilicon Beach SoftwareandTechnology Integration Group.
Provo, Utah.
As one of thefastest-growing areasfor tech jobs, Provo is seeing an influx of startups. Both Provo and Salt Lake City have seen greater dollar-per-deal investments from venture capitalists than many other cities, with Provo's startupsrivaling even San Francisco'sfor investment amounts. Provo's cost of living is only slightly higher than the national average, making it easily affordable for a tech company's workers. Additionally, the cityhas been namedas having the highest level of well-being of any city in the country.
Related:The 4 Ingredients of Utah's Startup 'Secret Sauce'
San Antonio, Texas.
Like its higher-profile neighbor, Austin, San Antonio is attracting tech startups by the dozens,especially thosein the biotechnology and cybersecurity fields. The area is popular due to its culture and history, making it a tourist destination as well as an ideal place for young workers. The city has seen a 15.7-percent increase in tech talent in recent years, with a population of more than 26,000 employed technology workers. You probably didn't know it, but San Antonio is now the7thlargest cityin the U.S., and it has alower-than-averagecost of living, as well.
Related:5 Emerging Tech Hubs From Around the World
Nashville, Tennessee.
With tech industry employment growth ata staggering 65.8 percent从2001年到2013年,纳什维尔地区变得ing an unexpected tech leader. Part of this is due to the area's tremendous growth in general. In fact, four of the area's countiesrank in the Top 100fastest-growing in the country. One of the city's biggest benefits is its low cost of living, which is0.80 percentbelow the national average.
Huntsville, Alabama.
With68.02 tech employeesper 1,000 jobs, Huntsville has the talent new businesses need to accomplish their goals. The median rent in the area is far lower than cities like Seattle and San Jose, which has put it on many businesses' radar in recent years. Much of the attention focuses onCummings Research Park, which is one of the world's leading science and technology business parks. The businesses located in the park include Fortune 500 companies AT&T, IBM, and Comcast.
For businesses looking for an affordable alternative to Silicon Valley, one of the above six cities may be the right option. In addition to cost of living, businesses should consider the amount of tech talent in the area, even if they haven't begun hiring yet. An area with a low cost of living, access to schools and amenities, and a bearable commute may also provide all the features employees need to begin working for a business and stay there for many years.
