Some think there are only two places to make it big in the tech world: San Francisco and the Silicon Valley. That’s not necessarily the case. California isn’t the only candy store in town when it comes to tech jobs.

I read a story about Kate Rogers, manager of a website builder called Weebly. She was tired of long commutes, high rent, and woeful wealth inequality gap in San Francisco. She moved to Phoenix. Rogers has never been happier. She feels she can thrive and prosper in Phoenix. She never has that feeling in San Francisco. Kate Rogers’ story isn’t unique.

San Francisco and Silicon Valley face issues like overcrowded highways and housing, ridiculous inflation costs, and disgruntal, underpaid employees. Phoenix is experiencing a renaissance. Though hit hard by the late 2000s Great Recession, they’re back and better than ever. Uber and Yelp have headquarters there. The cost of living is 25% cheaper in Phoenix. The average home in Phoenix costs $212,000. The average home in San Francisco costs $810,000. And Phoenix’s increase in tech jobs is 18% between 2010-2015. That’s just the middle of the pack. Raleigh, NC and Austin, TX have tech job increase rates 38% and 37%. Other hot rising tech cities include Nashville TN, Atlanta GA, Charlotte NC, Salt Lake City UT, and right here in Boston!

Yes, San Francisco and San Jose was also on this list. But if something isn’t done to combat these woes, they won’t be for long. California has competition, and plenty of it. Employees know it. Companies know it. They’re taking advantage of it. If more people can find better work, better pay, better housing, and a better environment for their families in other parts of the country, they’re going to take it. Here in Boston/Cambridge, MA, there are tech giants like M.I.T.’s labs. Google also has headquarters in Cambridge. Think about the college graduates. I’ll never forget the San Francisco employee who complained of conditions there. She was fired for it. I don’t think she’ll have a problem in Phoenix, Austin, Raleigh, Boston, or dozens of other rising tech cities. These places are putting Silicon Valley on notice. That’s a good thing for the worker and corporation. For the Silicon Valley area, not so much. In 10 years, will Silicon Valley even be Silicon Valley anymore?

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Source: Geek Choice