I agree with just about everything you wrote in the article! Pretty much nailed it. The only main region I think you skipped over was San Mateo, that weird place in the middle.

My wife was offered a job at Levis, so we moved here from San Diego around six years ago. Like you, it was the best career choice we both could have made. I cut my teeth at a large company in the financial and then tried a fun startup in SOMA. After that, I worked at a start up in San Mateo and found it was a little more mature. I ended up working at an established company right over the other side of the 101, still in San Mateo.

I moved here to experience the culture, which meant living in SF and I do love it so. I don’t mind the drive to San Mateo so much, because it only takes me 30–40 minutes whereas some of my coworkers take 1.5–2 hours to drive each way. Getting to the point, if you are younger and hungry, do the startup thing and scrape by to live in the city. Learn how to spot a successful startup, or one on its way and understand what it takes to work for them and if it’s right for you. You can do it, it just takes resilience.

If you are established and don’t care about being offered a bunch of worthless stock and no bonuses, then set up shop in the East Bay, San Mateo, or South Bay. I agree with Patrick: Recruiters are biting at the bit for established talent in these areas. One last bit of advice, make sure your portfolio is very solid UX driven. Do not make the mistake I made of thinking that you should mix your graphic design with UX, you will be spotted and flagged. Research UX portfolios and take the time to do it right. Good luck!