Location is everything when you’re trying to start a business since it affects the potential audience that you can reach. Some states have stricter regulations on certain industries, while others incentivize them. Your city may also affect the talent pool you can access, your access to capital, and the size and quality of your network. You can’t just move to any city if you want to be successful in the long term. Being in the wrong place could seriously stifle your potential, so you have to choose wisely. Here are some of the best US cities for starting entrepreneurs.
San Diego
The west coast has always been a hotbed of entrepreneurship, but things are getting tougher for entrepreneurs because of rising costs. Housing, in particular, can get very expensive in certain areas. Housing in cities like LA, San Francisco, and even cities like San Jose is becoming ridiculously expensive, and if you want to live there, you might be forced to downsize. One exception, however, is San Diego. You can still find some reasonably priced San Diego luxury apartments if this is the standard of living you’re used to. If you’re okay with a regular apartment, then there are plenty of options in and around the city.
San Diego has most of the advantages of a city like LA but without the drawbacks. It is clean and has lots of beaches and entertainment options, but is much smaller, convenient, and safer. It also attracts a lot of people with great ideas, but it’s not as overcrowded as San Francisco and San Jose. San Diego is a perfect option if you want to live in one of the best cities in the country and have access to an incredible entrepreneurial community without having to deal with too much competition.
Boston
Boston was not always seen as the sexiest city for entrepreneurs, but it has done a complete 180 over the last decade. Boston is now a bonafide tech hub and has some of the biggest venture capital firms in the country. The city is also great for networking, and a lot of it has to do with how the city is set up. It is not as sprawly as many other cities which fosters human interaction and collaboration. There are tons of networking events held every single evening in the city, and it’s also a great place to find top talent. So, if you’re a tech entrepreneur who wants to get a business off the ground fast, Boston is the place to be.
Denver
Denver is one of the most popular cities for millennial professionals and the migration of millennials in the area is well documented. Denver is like a big city with a small-town charm and feels much more accessible than many other cities of the same size. But it still has a very strong entrepreneurial community, and the high number of young professionals means that you won’t have issues finding great staff in no time.
All of these cities should be on your list if you’re looking for a place where you and your business can flourish. Look at all these destinations in detail and survey the local community to see what they have to say about them.