Does it Matter Where The Young Entrepreneur Lives?
That’s a question that I have been tackling for some time now and I am not sure if there is an easy answer for such a question. Does it matter what city or state you live in? Does the state you live in have a financial impact on your business? If you’re an Internet entrepreneur, does it matter where you live because all you need is an Internet connection?
These are the question that I find many young entrepreneurs asking themselves all the time. Let’s focus on my situation to see if we can come up with some solutions to this widely asked question.
As you all know, I’m an Internet entrepreneur. I am currently living in NYC. Now, though it’s true that I only need an Internet access to run my business, I strongly feel that my living environment has an impact on my business.
So much so, that I have been considering moving to San Francisco for the past 6 months and that may become a reality in July 2007. Why? Well, NYC is a great place to live with unlimited possibilities – let’s just get that out of the way. But I don’t think that it’s an ideal environment for a young entrepreneur, especially an Internet-focused one such as myself.
New York City is the media capital of the world. There isn’t a lot of new money in this city. Instead, there are tons of people who are set in their ways of doing “business” and making money the same…old…ways…. Which happens to be working because NYC has the highest concentration on wealth in the world, ahem, Wall St.
But these are the things that I don’t and can’t relate to living in NYC. I’m not a businessperson, never been one. I’m a young entrepreneur. And though there are small – very small – groups of young entrepreneurs here in the city, there really isn’t anything spectacular.
Young entrepreneurs should be living in cities that are populated with like-minded individuals. When you surround yourself with people who are creative, innovative, and are just as enthusiastic about entrepreneurship as you, great things can happen!
I’ve never been to San Francisco, but I think that I would be much happier there as a young entrepreneur. I have friends who currently live there and others who visit there regularly and I have received a lot of great feedback about living in SF as a young entrepreneur.
More than any other type of entrepreneurs, young entrepreneurs can’t afford to be living in a town, city, or state with people who aren’t about entrepreneurship. Doesn’t make sense. We’re young and shouldn’t be afraid to move to another part of the country to experience something new.
Many of you young entrepreneurs may feel that you’re already established in a state and couldn’t move even if you wanted to. Well I say rubbish to that! If you aren’t happy in where you are now, then do everything in your power to move and start fresh somewhere else. Take as many risks as you can now while you’re young. You are only young once, right?
Are you happy in your current state as a young entrepreneur? Do you know of any states that are ideal for young entrepreneurs? Have you ever moved while running your business?
Share your story with Mind Petals.
10 Comments
Luke P
March 2nd, 2007 at 3:58 pm
I would move to San Fran or San Diego in a heartbeat. Anywhere in sunny SoCal. I’m trying to figure out a way to work in the US during the winter and work here in Canada in the summer. An Internet-based business would be ideal.
Dave
March 2nd, 2007 at 4:16 pm
You may want to give Austin a chance. It’s beautiful here and the city is swimming with young entrepreneurs. The standard of living here is significantly less than in SF too. It’s a very casual, friendly business environment. Wear jeans and flip flops and you’ll fit right in—no matter how much money you have in your bank account.
Chris Johnson
March 2nd, 2007 at 5:01 pm
I definitely agree that where you live will help foster your entrepreneurial spirit, but not so much your success. A business can succeed anywhere, but the spirit of entrepreneurship is only in so many places.
I’d second either San Diego or Austin, I’ve visited and lived (temporarily) in each location. Loved the atmosphere, weather, people, everything. I’m looking forward to the opportunity to leave the northeast for either of those locations.
Dennis
March 2nd, 2007 at 5:56 pm
How is the cost of living in California… I thought it was high? Rather than going to Silicon Valley… why not search for the next “Silicon Valley” and live there…
Aaron
March 2nd, 2007 at 6:12 pm
I don’t think that it matters where you live. You can find opportunities and like minded people no matter where you live.
Especially with the ability to collaborate with other entrepreneurs via the internet location becomes less and less important.
Dave
March 2nd, 2007 at 6:48 pm
Dennis, funny you mention that. In fact, Austin has been pegged by many as the “The Silicon Hills”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Austin,_Texas#Economy
David Askaripour
March 3rd, 2007 at 2:06 pm
Thanks for the awesome feedback, everyone! So so far I hear you speaking about SF, San Diego, and Austin. Between SF and San Diego, which which is more ideal and why? Can someone shed some light on that for me. You know, I am definitely a flip-flop /blazer wearing dude, so I need a place where I can dress like that all year around…hehe
Well, in regards to the prices… I’m already living in NYC so I have been accustomed to paying anywhere between $800 - $1100 a month in rent. I actually think — from what I have been hearing — that SF is cheaper than NYC.
Landon
March 3rd, 2007 at 6:14 pm
I would have to say that where you live means a whole lot. Sure, it won’t affect how an internet business is run, but so much of your business success is determined by the environment you live in. If you’re around like-minded people who understand the success you want, it’ll make you that more inspired and motivated to learn and succeed. For some people, it’s necessary to have that face to face connection with others.
In terms of San Francisco vs. San Diego, I would choose San Diego, which is where I’ve wanted to live for the last year. But that’s only from a weather standpoint, as SF can be very foggy and cool during summers. I’ve never been to San Diego, but I’ve heard about how much San Diego is a great place to live for young adults, much like Austin.
Cheyne Rood
March 5th, 2007 at 12:23 pm
At least you’re not in Utica - I would take NYC over Utica in a heartbeat, but yes SF would be better still…
When you’re bootstrapping, making that kind of move is budget busting.
David Askaripour
March 5th, 2007 at 12:31 pm
Landon: Thanks for the feedback, much appreciated. Yeah, I, too, hear the the weather in SF isn’t always the best. But I guess it’s more of a strategic move than anything else, so I won’t mind some fog.
Cheyne Rood: Utica,ahh.. well I hear that it’s a good place to party at least, eh?
Leave a Comment