I’ve spoken to over 100 founders over the previous 18 months concerning the execs and cons of shifting to San Francisco (SF), so I made a decision to compile all the things into this submit.
Why it’s price shifting to SF?
Firstly, SF isn’t for everybody. SF is for probably the most bold and pushed folks on this planet. It’s the main leagues for startups.
You’ll discover the best focus of nice founders, nice engineers, and nice buyers wherever on this planet. However what’s much less apparent till you spend time right here, is how open individuals are. To many, San Francisco welcomes you with open arms and is the closest expertise I’ve needed to hostel tradition.
For those who’re a founder, being right here will increase your floor space for luck. Not simply because there’s extra capital, however as a result of everybody round you is attempting to construct one thing bold. That form of surroundings rewires your sense of what’s regular.
For those who’re an engineer, the compensation displays the density of alternative – 2.5 instances what you’d earn in Australia, however the true worth is what you be taught from the folks you encompass your self with.
On the suggestion of Julia French, I got here to SF to go to for 2 and a half months as a result of I needed to be taught from the perfect on this planet. I left having done that, but additionally with three tight circles of associates and a way of belonging I hadn’t felt earlier than.
Every time somebody asks if they need to come, I inform them to attempt it for 2 or three months. The worst-case situation is you meet sensible folks and be taught lots. The most effective case is that it modifications your life, prefer it has mine!
A lay of the land
I first got here to SF in 2022 (by no means, ever San Fran). It felt like Gotham Metropolis, again then however the folks made it superior!
By the top of my two and a half months there, I didn’t wish to go away … however I ran out of cash. So don’t try this.
SF has improved lots, nevertheless it nonetheless has its issues. Sixth and Mission in SoMa and the Tenderloin are about as near “hell on earth” because it will get. The drug of alternative there may be fentanyl, which leaves many individuals in a zombie-like state.
The most effective locations to stay in are North Seashore, Nob Hill, Pacific Heights, the Marina, Cow Hole, Japantown, Russian Hill, and Fort Mason.
Some locations which can be first rate embrace Hayes Valley (lovely however proper subsequent to the Tenderloin), Chinatown, and the Mission (a bit tough in sure pockets, however wealthy in Mexican heritage with wonderful meals).
Locations which can be high-quality however slightly boring: Mission Bay, Noe Valley, NOPA, Anza Vista Interior, something west of Haight Ashbury, Potrero Hill, Union Sq./FIDI.
For those who’re a founder continually going to occasions, something south of the Mission, throughout the Bay in Oakland or Berkeley, or too far west previous Anza Vista is a bit inconvenient.
SF’s climate doesn’t actually change: fog, and a form of perpetual 15-20°C. The most effective months are August to October, however even then, deliver a coat when the solar goes down.
Cool locations: Castro (Homosexual district), Haight Ashbury (Hippie, weed-smoking space), Fisherman’s Wharf (it’s a vacationer entice, however I prefer it)
Lastly, “Silicon Valley” is called the South Bay like Palo Alto, Mountain View, and so on. Younger folks don’t actually stay there as a result of there’s nothing to do.
You would possibly get invited to a couple occasions and it’s price going simply to test it out through the Caltrain and go to the Stanford campus over a weekend (it’s lovely) however for a visit targeted on assembly folks and getting immersed within the vitality, you’ll wish to base your self within the metropolis.
Earlier than you get right here
SF is unimaginable nevertheless it’s not for everybody so should you’re contemplating shifting right here, come right here on an ESTA – Digital System for Journey Authorisation. Typically you’ll be spending greater than $3k AUD per 30 days. Once I did my first SF journey I did it on a budget and nonetheless spent $6k AUD in two and a half months. For those who don’t have the means, save earlier than coming. Doing SF on a budget is mentally taxing (belief me, I’ve completed it!)
For those who don’t have an account on X dot com the all the things app then get one ASAP. Turn into a reply man and make associates so that you’re not touching down in SF and twiddling your thumbs.
Individuals to observe:
There’s extra I’ve missed, however these folks will typically be probably the most informative/useful.
Attain out to folks on LinkedIn who stay in SF as properly.
For those who’re a founder, there’s a base stage of information anticipated. Rewatch How to start a startup by YC, not only one video, undergo each related video to you. Being ready issues.
Lodging: Get an invitation to Directory SF and attempt to get right into a Hacker/Founder Home should you’re a founder. I stay at Atmos however there are many them round. The folks you encompass your self with will form your expertise greater than the town itself. Be round the perfect so you’ll be able to grow to be the perfect, however don’t be pretentious about it.
There’s additionally an Aussies in SF Group Chat on WhatsApp run by the unimaginable Annie Liao !
Founders – SF IRL is an superior solution to make associates however most individuals who go to those occasions are in the identical boat as you. You wish to get an “in” with folks to get invited to extra unique occasions, see networking chapter beneath.
Meetup.com was prompt by Mick & Geoff, however sadly doesn’t work anymore.
Lastly, set a transparent objective to your journey. Ninety days goes by quick. Don’t count on prompt outcomes. The worth lies in relationships and expertise. Melanie and Cliff from Canva got here 3 times earlier than elevating their Seed spherical. Mike from Atlassian failed a few instances earlier than discovering traction. I personally raised solely $50k USD on my first journey so don’t stress if it doesn’t prove the way in which you deliberate.
You’ll overestimate what you’ll be able to obtain in a yr and underestimate what you’ll be able to obtain in 10!
Whenever you arrive
Give your self a day to recover from jet lag earlier than leaping into conferences. You wish to just be sure you’re showcasing your finest self in each assembly you’ve gotten.
Get an area SIM card. AT&T and T-Cellular are each high-quality. I exploit T-Cellular; they’re not excellent, however they’re low-cost, LOL.
Uber/Lyft is fairly fairly priced for brief distances; you’ll be shocked. For those who’re on a finances, the e-scooters and bikes are a very good mode of transportation.
Dealer Joe’s is fairly priced, however you’ll find yourself purchasing at no matter is closest ultimately. I like to recommend moving into the behavior of grocery purchasing from the get-go to save cash, significantly should you’re right here for a very long time. Entire Meals is extra dear however more healthy.
For those who get a private checking account, I like to recommend Chase. I did a whole lot of analysis, Chase is the simplest to arrange and work with. Right here’s a referral code.
For shifting cash, Sensible, Up, and a lot of the Australian neobanks work properly. For those who’re a founder, Airwallex is great for dealing with enterprise funds. When you begin paying your self in USD, get a Mercury account!
Issues I like
My favorite factor to do is to lease an e-bike and trip by Golden Gate Park to look at the sundown at Ocean Seashore.
My second favorite factor is to get the ferry to Sausalito, it’s so lovely, positively an important place for a date in case your vital different comes to go to or an important place to take a hinge date should you’ve met a pair instances earlier than.
The meals right here is sweet if you realize the place to go.
I’m not going to place collectively an enormous meals listing simply obtain: The Michelin Guide.
Just a few staples: Tony’s Pizzeria, go early there shall be a one hour wait, then go for a stroll round North Seashore or get a drink at a bar. El Farolito, has some nice Mexican! RT Rotisserie for my extra health-conscious gymnasium bros and at last Thai Spice, has in all probability the perfect Thai within the metropolis.
Typically, Chinese language and Thai meals is worse right here than in Sydney however the Japanese & Mexican meals is best, in my view.
I don’t drink espresso however everybody raves about Saint Frank’s. South Park Bluebottle is the well-known one which alot of VC’s go to. Nevertheless, Jackson Sq. is turning into extra fashionable so is perhaps price bouncing round should you’re on the lookout for some serendipity
Waymo’s are cool and enjoyable, it is best to trip in a single – if you need $10 off, click here.
Once I exit, I all the time appear to finish up within the Marina, particularly Balboa Cafe (which I’ve a love/hate relationship with). Pretty espresso martini’s, however there’s a ton of bars within the marina, so you’ll be able to soar round if want be. The Marina, North Seashore and The Mission have loads of good bars however all the things closes at 3 a.m. For those who can, go to an SF Home Celebration, it’s the closest factor you’ll expertise to a fever dream!
Go to Dolores Park on an exquisite Sunday afternoon, you’ll get provided medicine inside quarter-hour, nevertheless it’s nice to people-watch and absorb the solar. Typically, the parks right here rock!
Vital be aware about ‘networking’ in particular person
Aussies have a superb fame right here… don’t fuck it up. Don’t be transactional. Don’t clout chase (ask somebody who they raised from, how massive their firm is, what stage of their firm they’re at, and so on throughout the first two minutes of assembly folks).
A variety of transient People do that, and everybody who really lives right here hates it. That is the one place on this planet the place standing is tied to the success of your startup, so you find yourself with a whole lot of wannabe founders — and these are the sorts of conversations you end up having with them.
Don’t fall into this entice. Be real, be Australian.
What I often do is ask the place somebody’s from, the place they went to school (I discover the American school system fascinating — there are nerdy ones, sporty ones, social gathering ones, and so on.), and why they moved to SF. It’s a simple start line if there aren’t different rabbit holes to go down.
Madison Kanna sums this up very properly. I personally nonetheless see worth within the massive events however that is one thing Jayden Clark and I’ve spoken about at size since we arrived.
Reaching out to folks on-line
I’ve had lots of people attain out to me, saying “X advised me to attach with you as I’m on the town, I might like to catch as much as be taught extra concerning the market” or some generic shit like that. Don’t try this, the particular person might be actually busy. You are able to do 1 of the next:
- Try to work in a while while they’re doing one thing they do anyway. E.g. Fitness center, stroll, run.
- For those who’re much less bodily inclined and also you don’t know a lot about them personally, attempt: “Hey X, heard you’re a beast at [thing you need help with]. I’m at the moment experiencing y downside and would love to talk with you as I’m in SF for a few weeks engaged on [startup name].”
Instance: “Hey Brian, heard you’re a beast at fundraising. I’ve seen you guys bought funded by a16z and would like to see in the event that they’d be a very good match for us. Would love to talk with you as I’m in SF for a pair weeks engaged on Airbnb – a market for short-term accomodation.”
I’m trying to increase cash for my startup
Elevating funding in SF takes time. Many, many individuals message me saying they wish to come right here for a couple of weeks to boost a spherical. You’ll fail. Don’t do that. It takes a minimal of two months and even that comes with a excessive probability of failure.
Preparation and community are all the things. My buddy Alisa Rae , raised efficiently after months of groundwork. She’d constructed a robust community on Twitter, had a profitable exit at 21 and adopted the steps I discussed within the “earlier than you get right here” part. She’s an unimaginable founder!
The principle antidote to the above is doing a YC or a16z speedrun, however you’d be shifting to SF for these applications anyway.
You want intro’s to get funding within the US so make associates on-line earlier than you progress right here and launch your self a few weeks earlier than your journey. Whenever you meet with somebody, ask if they will introduce you to 3 different folks (cc: Mick Liubinskas)
While you might be right here you wish to attempt to get “adopted” by somebody who’s on the “inside”. This is perhaps a buddy or a mentor who can assist go into bat for you. For Airbnb, this was Michael Siebel. For Canva, this was Invoice Tai . So should you aren’t in a hacker home, be proactive in attempting to create real connections to make this a actuality.
Most buyers may even count on you to maneuver right here. Many individuals attempt to do the entire “come to SF simply to boost” and should you don’t have a extremely good reply as to why you’re not shifting to SF, buyers gained’t take you critically.
Considerations folks have
- Politics – Nobody talks extra about American politics than annoying People who you don’t wish to hang around with – and Australians visiting the US. Everyone seems to be fairly regular right here and often leaves all their views on-line, so it seems alot worse than it’s. I barely discuss American politics.
- Relationship – It’s nice! There are extra males than girls in SF, however the metropolis is various sufficient for all walks of life to seek out somebody. The principle complaints you see are individuals who go to tech events the place there are 10 girls and 90 males. These do occur however when you discover a good, various crew of individuals, you don’t expertise this. I’ve solely been to one-two of those events.
- Tradition – The folks of SF work more durable than Australians however there’s room for enjoyable too. For those who’re on the lookout for a very good time, you will see one. I positive do! Make associates with folks you vibe with; individuals are very accepting to newcomers. Very totally different to Sydney’s ‘you’re solely associates with folks you went to highschool with and first yr uni’ vibe. I personally want it. Individuals are extremely pleasant!
- Climate – Some folks like it, that is in all probability my least favorite a part of the town. Appears equal to Melbourne climate temperature-wise, which I don’t like as a Sydney boy. Nevertheless, it’s much less risky, barely ever rains. Don’t actually have an answer for this. Finest time of yr is between August and November however all the time deliver a coat.
- Security – I’m not going to deceive you, SF is extra harmful than Sydney. The reality is, stay within the locations that I really useful above, and you can be safer.
- Visa stuff – For the primary stint, get an ESTA and don’t stay in America even an hour longer than three months, in any other case you’re going to get banned from returning. They don’t fuck round right here. I’m on an E3 and spoke with a ton of legal professionals. The most effective within the sport is Sherwin. It took him about 4 weeks to get from my first assembly with him they usually had been tremendous skilled. I requested Sherwin if he may share his calendar with different Australians for this weblog and he has graciously completed so: Meet with Sherwin. My unsolicited recommendation – I like to recommend the E3 over the O1. $4k AUD each two years vs. round $25k AUD each three years. You can too regularly renew an E3, however I’m not a lawyer and everyone seems to be totally different, so be at liberty to talk with Sherwin!
Good luck!
For those who’ve bought thus far, congratulations, I want you the perfect in your journey!
When you’ve got any additional questions that I haven’t lined, I shall be making edits to this submit so be at liberty to DM me or touch upon this authentic submit!
Beneficial readings that helped me:
- Ben Kennedy is the founder & CEO of Gecko Rental Software – an ai-powered working system for gear rental companies. He moved to San Francisco in August 2024.
