Moving to the US as a founder: which city to choose?

The summarized criteria are:

- by the sea and sunny (presumably 60%+ sunshine per year)

- Europe-compatible TZ (no west coast)

- 20 minutes to airport

- better taxes

- dog-friendly

- diverse populace

If that's it, and Florida seems to be a fixation, then I'd probably go Tampa instead of Miami. Similar tax situation but significantly lower cost of living, especially food and housing, and Tampa has had less foreign-investment bullshit in its housing market. There're also fewer dog breed restrictions in Tampa, and a smaller, faster, easier airport that still has non-stop flights to London and Frankfurt.

A lot also depends on which diversity metrics matter; Miami city is <15% non-Hispanic white and >50% foreign-born, but also mostly Hispanic, while Tampa is ~45% non-Hispanic white and <20% foreign-born, but has larger proportions of Black and Asian populations than Miami.

I don't really get the rationale in general to be in the US, though. "If we were a 100% self-serve company, I don’t think it’d be necessary to open a US office anytime soon. When we hire US sales folks, I need to move there, otherwise, we won’t attract the best talent"? Why would US GTM people care if the founder/CEO is US-based? The US is massive; you aren't going to be close to most of your field sales no matter where you live.

If you want to be in the sun near the sea with few taxes, access to an airport, live in a good TZ for doing business in Europe and recruiting GTM in the US, avoid taxes, enjoy dogs and local diversity, and you also don't care about hurricanes enough to want to live in Miami, then Nassau is right there.

With all its problems, it is still hard to beat Silicon Valley. Its on-the-edge mindset and its density of early startup knowledge are hard to replicate anywhere else. You are more likely to find your support network in the valley than other areas.

Skimmed rather than digested, but I don't see anywhere they say what business they are actually in... there are definitely still enclaves of know how and talent around the country with domain specific knowledge. Or, places where industries once thrived that are now shuttered but could be revitalized. There's a lot to be said for looking for locations with tax breaks / business incentives too, which might not be the usual suspects as far as cities go. Sure if you want to go ride the Silicon Valley express, that's one path in life, but there are lots of different ways to reach a successful outcome. Lots to be said for building one's life where you want to be.

I feel why the op seems to prefer Miami. It's difficult for those not born and raised in tropical countries to understand the impact that the lack of sunlight has in our lives. We're used to have a good amount of sunlight during the 365 days of the year. At least the Silicon Valley isn't all bad in that sense...

p.s: I haven't been to Réunion, but I flew over the island when I went to Mauritius. It's indeed tiny but it is extremely beautiful and exotic too \0

East coast already decided but needs sunshine so NYC out. I’ve heard good things about the NC triangle, but never been there. DC is about as close to Paris lifestyle as you’re going to get in the US, if you can handle the cold winters.

Halifax is good for timezone to Europe and close to US. Toronto has great connections to US, but an hour farther away. Real estate is nuts. Montreal could be better.

As far as sunshine is concerned, it has to be Calgary - two more timezones away from Europe.

Politically far more sane than US, far fewer guns and mass shootings. For employees with young families, decent schools, government funded health care and reproductive health care without the uncertainties brought about by the overturning of Roe v. Wade.

Peoria or Muncie