They are ... for their non-engineering employees (Lyft in Nashville is the most recent example).
But for engineering talent, it doesn't work. I don't know the exact reason but it seems to be some combination of the ability to poach from each other, herd mentality, and the concentration of VC money.
Take a look at the remote engineering jobs on WWR. Most of them aren't in SF. To me that screams "We opened an office in an affordable city but we still can't get people to come here"
But for engineering talent, it doesn't work. I don't know the exact reason but it seems to be some combination of the ability to poach from each other, herd mentality, and the concentration of VC money.
Take a look at the remote engineering jobs on WWR. Most of them aren't in SF. To me that screams "We opened an office in an affordable city but we still can't get people to come here"
https://weworkremotely.com/categories/2-programming/jobs