Ahh, there’s a big debate about which is better, Seattle or Silicon Valley.
There are things to like about both (I’ve lived in both places).
But for me there’s no option: I couldn’t do what I do anywhere else in the world than here (the range and diversity of tech companies is a lot greater here than in Seattle).
Luckily Seattle is only a couple of hours away from here so I can get the best of both worlds.
One thing you shouldn’t miss is the amount of building that Microsoft is doing. Microsoft’s campus is absolutely huge now and getting much bigger. Nothing like it in Silicon Valley. Oh, and the Boeing factory tour is a not to be missed thing. It’s amazing how they build airplanes there.
Robert,
Let’s not forget the difference in weather. We all know Seattle gets far too much moisture compared to SV.
I know it doesn’t matter since we can do nothing about it, but don’t you worry a bit about living in earthquake territory?
I prefer the beauty of the NW over CA anyday, though, and the people in WA are generally more friendly than in CA. Portland, however, is in a class all by itself. Weird place. Weird vibe.
Robert,
Let’s not forget the difference in weather. We all know Seattle gets far too much moisture compared to SV.
I know it doesn’t matter since we can do nothing about it, but don’t you worry a bit about living in earthquake territory?
I prefer the beauty of the NW over CA anyday, though, and the people in WA are generally more friendly than in CA. Portland, however, is in a class all by itself. Weird place. Weird vibe.
Seattle is more prone to earthquakes and natural disasters than Silicon Valley is. Did you forget the volcano that, if it went off, would wipe out large parts?
I lived through the 1989 earthquake. They don’t worry me. I’m far more likely to get killed in a car wreck today driving across the San Andreas fault than in anything the earth is likely to do to me.
Seattle is more prone to earthquakes and natural disasters than Silicon Valley is. Did you forget the volcano that, if it went off, would wipe out large parts?
I lived through the 1989 earthquake. They don’t worry me. I’m far more likely to get killed in a car wreck today driving across the San Andreas fault than in anything the earth is likely to do to me.
Wreck: my brother lives in Portland. That explains it all!
Wreck: my brother lives in Portland. That explains it all!
I have also lived in both places. Seattle is the most beautiful place on earth for about 6 weeks; the rest of the time you’re better off spending the day in your basement (and many people do).
There was a pretty decent quake in Seattle in 2003, so SV is not unique in that category.
I have also lived in both places. Seattle is the most beautiful place on earth for about 6 weeks; the rest of the time you’re better off spending the day in your basement (and many people do).
There was a pretty decent quake in Seattle in 2003, so SV is not unique in that category.
Seattle is much prettier but as Wreck points out, the weather in Seattle stinks most of the year.
Seattle is much prettier but as Wreck points out, the weather in Seattle stinks most of the year.
The biggest amusement is hearing people in Portland whine about higher traffic and urban sprawl, and those too expensive 400K houses. And much of this population growth is due to people moving to the NW from California, priced out of the market here.
Because of this migration, Portland is becoming more like Seattle, Seattle more like San Francisco of twenty years ago, while the Bay Area becomes more like Los Angeles, and LA Mexico City. Enjoy each while it lasts.
The biggest amusement is hearing people in Portland whine about higher traffic and urban sprawl, and those too expensive 400K houses. And much of this population growth is due to people moving to the NW from California, priced out of the market here.
Because of this migration, Portland is becoming more like Seattle, Seattle more like San Francisco of twenty years ago, while the Bay Area becomes more like Los Angeles, and LA Mexico City. Enjoy each while it lasts.
[...] different and I think the end result will be more fulfilling and more interesting in the end. And Scoble, it’s the other way around. We’re 2 hours from the [...]
Having been born and rasied in Cali, then relo-ed up here by MSFT this is how I describe what it is like to live in Seattle to people from California:
Steps to recreating Seattle -
1) Go into your bathroom.
2) Turn off all the lights.
3) Turn on the shower with only cold water.
4) Stand in shower under spray. For 9 months.
That is what it is like to live in Seattle.
Having been born and rasied in Cali, then relo-ed up here by MSFT this is how I describe what it is like to live in Seattle to people from California:
Steps to recreating Seattle -
1) Go into your bathroom.
2) Turn off all the lights.
3) Turn on the shower with only cold water.
4) Stand in shower under spray. For 9 months.
That is what it is like to live in Seattle.
We have a – history of Silicon Valley site, that clears up the mystery of how Silicon Valley came to be.
It is much more complicated and coincidental than anyone imagines
We have a – history of Silicon Valley site, that clears up the mystery of how Silicon Valley came to be.
It is much more complicated and coincidental than anyone imagines
I could not live in Seattle except for those couple/three months where it’s nice all the time.
I lived in NE England for a few years and it’s just like Seattle — months of a constant mist, dreary, overcast slate-gray skies. Your skin stays nice, but your mood usually matches the weather. You can become used to it, but it takes effort. I also lived in southern Europe, where the heat can be oppressive, it rarely rains, and the beaches are far too crowded. People tend to be happier in southern europe like they are in the southwestern US.
I live in the SW, and I can tell you that it gets too hot here, too many scorpions, too many black flag days (100+ heat). We are in the 80s-90s by late March, and come June, it’s 100 or so most of the time through September. Almost no rain after April/early May. If I had the money, I’d live in southern Europe almost full time.
I could not live in Seattle except for those couple/three months where it’s nice all the time.
I lived in NE England for a few years and it’s just like Seattle — months of a constant mist, dreary, overcast slate-gray skies. Your skin stays nice, but your mood usually matches the weather. You can become used to it, but it takes effort. I also lived in southern Europe, where the heat can be oppressive, it rarely rains, and the beaches are far too crowded. People tend to be happier in southern europe like they are in the southwestern US.
I live in the SW, and I can tell you that it gets too hot here, too many scorpions, too many black flag days (100+ heat). We are in the 80s-90s by late March, and come June, it’s 100 or so most of the time through September. Almost no rain after April/early May. If I had the money, I’d live in southern Europe almost full time.
What does it matter. The west coast gets the headlines. The real work is done in mid-west.
What does it matter. The west coast gets the headlines. The real work is done in mid-west.
[...] Silicon Valley vrs Seattle – Future Tech Innovation Leader? The Latest Tech Debate: Silicon Valley vrs SeattleHistory of Silicon Valley and MicrosoftWe will pose the question to youWhich one is the current tech capital of the world?Where do you see the leadership of tech and hi tech innovation coming from during the next decadeThis controversy has really gotten passionate comments from Geeks from these top tech blogshttp://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/15/an-outsiders-flawed-view-of-silicon-valley/http://blog.redfin.com/blog/2008/02/the_next_silicon_valley.htmlhttp://scobleizer.com/2008/02/15/seattle-vs-silicon-valley-sillyness/ [...]
What work gets done in the midwest?
What work gets done in the midwest?
Valley is spread-out mindless urban sprawl, with hellish traffic, if going to Frisco or anywhere outside of the burby micro-communities. San Jose is office park hell, gone modern deco, with just enough shine to keep you from going insane. Much luster and romance painted up by people who have never lived there. Life seems but a day-to-day struggle for most, lacks any peace of mind. A few lucky ones, like millionaires in Manhattan, get to bask in all the parties and overpriced glory hype, everyone else rat-races themselves to early deaths.
Seattle is expensive, bitter-rain hell. It’s like having a bad cold, most of the year. Gray, wet, depression-inducing, with only brief summer sprites. Traffic is no picnic either. The “grundge movement” birthed in Seattle, continues to churn at its cultural and political nethanderal levels.
Weatherwise California always wins, but everything else is a toss-up. And yes, sure, some good in anyplace if you look deep enough, well excepting the entire State of Arkansas. Valley has ideas, and like-minds, a close comforting cult, Seattle has the great outdoors, just take the raincoat.
Chicago, the most livable big-city, still has the Lake Mich. bitter cold, and the Miami paradise, has it’s soaring high-costs and sprawl. Nothings perfect, go where the job is.
Valley is spread-out mindless urban sprawl, with hellish traffic, if going to Frisco or anywhere outside of the burby micro-communities. San Jose is office park hell, gone modern deco, with just enough shine to keep you from going insane. Much luster and romance painted up by people who have never lived there. Life seems but a day-to-day struggle for most, lacks any peace of mind. A few lucky ones, like millionaires in Manhattan, get to bask in all the parties and overpriced glory hype, everyone else rat-races themselves to early deaths.
Seattle is expensive, bitter-rain hell. It’s like having a bad cold, most of the year. Gray, wet, depression-inducing, with only brief summer sprites. Traffic is no picnic either. The “grundge movement” birthed in Seattle, continues to churn at its cultural and political nethanderal levels.
Weatherwise California always wins, but everything else is a toss-up. And yes, sure, some good in anyplace if you look deep enough, well excepting the entire State of Arkansas. Valley has ideas, and like-minds, a close comforting cult, Seattle has the great outdoors, just take the raincoat.
Chicago, the most livable big-city, still has the Lake Mich. bitter cold, and the Miami paradise, has it’s soaring high-costs and sprawl. Nothings perfect, go where the job is.
What work gets done in the midwest?
Groan. Do they teach geography in schools anymore? Pretty much everything, with major centers on transportation, manufacturing and agriculture. And even holdouts like, Boeing, wishes it was all in Chicago, which in time, will happen anyways.
Well, the Midwest lacks in Web 2.0 widget coding, though pockets (of evil) do exist in Cook County.
What work gets done in the midwest?
Groan. Do they teach geography in schools anymore? Pretty much everything, with major centers on transportation, manufacturing and agriculture. And even holdouts like, Boeing, wishes it was all in Chicago, which in time, will happen anyways.
Well, the Midwest lacks in Web 2.0 widget coding, though pockets (of evil) do exist in Cook County.
I’m glad all of you guys are eating up the anti-Seattle hype. It’s a good campaign to keep all the whiners out of here. You can have your two-season Valley weather, I’ll be at Green Lake tomorrow.
I’m glad all of you guys are eating up the anti-Seattle hype. It’s a good campaign to keep all the whiners out of here. You can have your two-season Valley weather, I’ll be at Green Lake tomorrow.
I would rather live in a small town and make far less than live in a big, built up soul-destroying area and have a fat wallet.
I don’t like any of the major cities I’ve visited. Too many people, a veritible rat race, everyone scurrying around to get their piece of the pie no matter who they step on to get it. No thanks.
I would rather live in a small town and make far less than live in a big, built up soul-destroying area and have a fat wallet.
I don’t like any of the major cities I’ve visited. Too many people, a veritible rat race, everyone scurrying around to get their piece of the pie no matter who they step on to get it. No thanks.
“One thing you shouldn’t miss is the amount of building that Microsoft is doing. Microsoft’s campus is absolutely huge now and getting much bigger.”
Really?
…
Visit Seattle! One of the sights that isn’t to be missed is Microsoft’s construction site! It’s amazing!
…….
Really???
“One thing you shouldn’t miss is the amount of building that Microsoft is doing. Microsoft’s campus is absolutely huge now and getting much bigger.”
Really?
…
Visit Seattle! One of the sights that isn’t to be missed is Microsoft’s construction site! It’s amazing!
…….
Really???
[...] script: Robert Scoble chimes in, noting that he is in the Valley because “the range and diversity of tech companies is a lot [...]
Seattle has prettier girls. Suck it, Silicon Valley!
Seattle has prettier girls. Suck it, Silicon Valley!
How about Silicon Valley vs. Bangalore?
Now Bangalore has the highest number of software professionals in the world.
On second thought, it is Silicon Valley and Bangalore
which makes things happen.
Jay, from Bangalore
http://ideaburger.blogspot.com
How about Silicon Valley vs. Bangalore?
Now Bangalore has the highest number of software professionals in the world.
On second thought, it is Silicon Valley and Bangalore
which makes things happen.
Jay, from Bangalore
http://ideaburger.blogspot.com
Do you have to be a VIP to get a tour of Boeing?
Do you have to be a VIP to get a tour of Boeing?
Jon: no. The Boeing tour is open to the public and free. Details here: http://www.boeing.com/companyoffices/aboutus/tours/
Jon: no. The Boeing tour is open to the public and free. Details here: http://www.boeing.com/companyoffices/aboutus/tours/
I thought Seatle has rain mines
as a major industry 
expensive 400K houses lol i used to work in London (Camden) and there where some nice flats near buy that where 600K and thats 6 years ago.
We had 4 bodies found with a 1/4 mile of the office cool place to work not sure if id want to live there all the time though
I thought Seatle has rain mines
as a major industry 
expensive 400K houses lol i used to work in London (Camden) and there where some nice flats near buy that where 600K and thats 6 years ago.
We had 4 bodies found with a 1/4 mile of the office cool place to work not sure if id want to live there all the time though
Robert – I live in the Boston area and commute up the Rt128 corridor between Waltham and Reading, which is the “Silicon Valley” of the east. Never been to SV nor Seattle but looking forward to both this summer. Does Microsoft have a tour of their facility as well for the public?
Sach
Robert – I live in the Boston area and commute up the Rt128 corridor between Waltham and Reading, which is the “Silicon Valley” of the east. Never been to SV nor Seattle but looking forward to both this summer. Does Microsoft have a tour of their facility as well for the public?
Sach
Is this debate taking place to make Yahoos feel better about moving north?
Is this debate taking place to make Yahoos feel better about moving north?
I would rather live in a small town and make far less than live in a big, built up soul-destroying area and have a fat wallet.
What kind of flimsy soul did you get issued if it’s “destroyed” merely by a high population density of other souls?
Fact is, Big City Life doesn’t destroy your soul so much remove (abrade, ablate, rip off) the delicate, sensitive outer layer your soul was born with. Eventually, you find yourself liking black coffee, lulled to sleep by street traffic, feeling a certain perverse camaradarie with everyone else stuck in traffic with you on your rush hour commute EXCEPT FOR THAT JERK WHO JUST CUT ME OFF, IT’S CALLED A ‘TURN SIGNAL,’ A–HOLE, IT’S ON THE LEFT SIDE OF YOUR F–KING STEERING WHEEL.
But I digress.
Eventually you take for granted your ability to see European art films, or walk to 27 different coffee houses, or satisfy a craving for really good ethnic food at 3 AM.
Then — perhaps by accident — you visit the country and you find yourself apalled that they haven’t even heard of Alain Resnais, you have to get in the pickup and drive somewhere to get a cappucino, and that the local idea of “ethnic food” is a Chinese place that closed two hours ago.
At the local sandwich shop, a simple request for organic field greens and shallots with prosciutto on whole-grain, gluten-free, Fair Trade bread is greeted with blank stares.
Friendly stares, but yes, quite horribly blank.
Those who leave this world as they entered it, with their shiny, tender, and yet VESTIGAL outer layers of soul intact are perhaps less interesting in the Next World. Just as water smooths stone, so does adversity build character. City Life does not “destroy” one’s soul so much as give it rather interesting and unique qualities, like aged and distressed leather, which is more valuable than raw cowhide.
Observe also that one finds cowhide in the country, and valuable aged leather in the city.
That said, not everyone is cut out for City Life. There’s a song about New York that goes, “If you can make it there, you can make it anywhere,” with the tacit assumption that, well, you, not everyone DOES make it there. Which is possibly why God invented Cleveland.