When Did We Realize It Was Time to Leave Silicon Valley?

Many have questioned the moment when they decided to leave Silicon Valley, a place known for its compelling opportunities but also its notorious living conditions. From personal anecdotes to broader social issues, the decision to leave can stem from a variety of reasons. Here are two compelling stories that illustrate when it became clear to us that the time had come to leave this tech hub.

Leaving in 2017: A Personal Tale

Living in SF and Leaving Mid-2017:

My journey to leaving Silicon Valley began in 2017 when I lived in San Francisco. There were several reasons for my departure:

A homeless man sitting next to my wife on the bus began masturbating while staring at her, revealing the dangerous environment and lack of respect for personal boundaries. A drunk man, without warning, spit a large wad of saliva onto the hair of an unfortunate Asian girl near the bus door. Her handling of the situation was commendable, but it emphasized the need for personal safety and the high crime rates. The sidewalks were often littered with dog and human poop, and bums could be seen relieving themselves on public transportation. I faced numerous encounters with sketchy individuals who made me feel threatened and uncomfortable. Despite my employment at Google as a software engineer, I found it challenging to afford a condo, house, or other accommodations, as the real estate prices were astronomical. When I approached a real estate agent with my price range, the response was dismissive. A 1.1 million dollar price range for a small condo was considered unreasonable. The crime rate in San Francisco was too high, leading me to believe that staying in such a dangerous city was not wise.

Faced with these challenges, I decided to leave Google and move out of California. I found a better job, bought a condo, saved more money, and now feel much safer in my new city.

Leaving in 1990: A Tale of a Broken Tech Bubble

The Aftermath of the Dot-Com Bubble and 9/11:

The decision to leave did not always have dire consequences, as it can be a matter of timing and personal choice. On January 2nd, 1990, I left Silicon Valley in San Jose after a winter vacation, knowing it was time to go. Here’s the story:

Following the dot-com crash in the early 2000s and the 9/11 attacks, consumer and citizen confidence plummeted. By 1990, Silicon Valley was already feeling the early signs of the tech bubble bursting. I was not directly involved in tech but worked at ad agencies that were vital in promoting e-products and services. Money, venture capital, ad contracts, and jobs seemed to evaporate rapidly. Former colleagues were finding themselves working at Starbucks or contemplating returns to their roots. Some were even thinking about going back to law school or pursuing other career paths.

My boyfriend and I were fortunate enough to secure some freelance work and managed to rent a cheap rent-controlled apartment. We found a profitable side hustle by gathering abandoned goods and reselling them on Craigslist, which included fixing and selling TVs, vintage clothing, and antiques. We even made friends with a middleman who would buy our items to sell them in Japan for a good profit.

Our lives in the Valley didn’t last indefinitely. Freelancing and our side hustle eventually ended, leading us to move to Boston, where we found the cost of living to be slightly more manageable. After a few years, we returned to Seattle, a city where we now feel at home.

Reflecting on our experiences, I can say that while Silicon Valley can offer many opportunities, it can also be a tumultuous place to call home. Seattle, with its own set of challenges, has become a place where we can flourish. Whether another bubble will burst remains to be seen, but for now, I am content in Seattle.