San Diego has deep, fundamental problems. the cost of living, the homelessness, the failed neighborhoods. You can cut costs significantly just by moving to Detroit and not have to explain to prospective applicants why living in a feces-riddled yet expensive nightmare is appealing.

San Diego is one of the best places to live in the US. Cost of living, homelessness, and failed neighborhoods are no worse in San Diego than in Seattle or Austin. Benefits are perfect weather, proximity to Silicon Valley VCs, recruiting from the University of California system, and a willingness from talent to relocate to join your startup.

Everywhere has challenges. Attracting real talent in the midwest is challenging. Cost of living in industry hubs is also challenging. There's no perfect location to start a startup.

Source: 7 years at startups in the midwest, the south, Seattle, and now San Diego.

I would be shocked if you found it easier to convince candidates to relocate to Detroit than to San Diego.

I grew up in the Midwest. There's no version of reality where I want to move back there.

lol "feces-riddled" san diego is probably the cleanest city in the country but ok

I think you missed the point. The valley used to be (still is actually) a windswept burning desert half the year. Which is part of what makes its 60's self comparable to Detroit.

Sorry, but for all of Valley's problems, the above characterization couldn't be more wrong. You might be thinking of a part of California east of I-5, but Valley as it pertains to the tech hub couldn't be more pleasant from the climate perspective.

You might be right, but as a San Franciscan, who had to stop by the office in Palo Alto today, the sun did feel a bit oppressive =)

I feel like a lot of people don't realize how gloomy and cold SF's microclimate is.