I moved from Austin to Silicon Valley. I now know that Austin is not a startup hub (and nowhere else is either). I used to think it was just a matter of degree, but Silicon Valley is really a dramatically different environment for starting a technology company than anywhere else in the world.
I think it's worth noting that even though Boston is considered the "second place" finisher in the startup hub races, not a single Y Combinator company has been funded in Boston, and about 90% of those from the Boston YC programs who keep working on their businesses move to the valley. I don't believe either of these things are accidents of history.
I'll move back to Austin when I "retire", or maybe even sooner, since a large percentage of our customer base is in Texas, but while we're in a position to need to raise money and to stay on top of the technology world, there's just no other place to be.
I think it's worth noting that even though Boston is considered the "second place" finisher in the startup hub races, not a single Y Combinator company has been funded in Boston, and about 90% of those from the Boston YC programs who keep working on their businesses move to the valley. I don't believe either of these things are accidents of history.
I'll move back to Austin when I "retire", or maybe even sooner, since a large percentage of our customer base is in Texas, but while we're in a position to need to raise money and to stay on top of the technology world, there's just no other place to be.