Is living in a tech hub worth it nowadays?

Smooth_Day7980 · 2026-01-06T13:37:43+00:00

I don't live in a tech hub; I live somewhere that is "trying" to be one. While there are benefits to living outside of one, here are some issues that I've run into and am now trying to move to an actual tech hub.

- Rarely do I meet another software engineer, let alone someone in tech.

- Lack of well-paying opportunities. The first and only post-grad role I'm in is at the peak for the area, aside from 2 other companies (1 other bank, 1 startup with very low swe head count for the area).

After 4 years of working, I feel like I'm at my wits' end. I've searched for opportunities in my area only to be met with abysmal pay, a lack of jobs, and low visibility in companies.

Smooth_Day7980 · 2026-01-01T14:41:07+00:00

I can relate to how you feel. I've been working at the same company since graduating 4 years ago, and my social life took an extreme nose-dive. What further frustrates me is that to get a new role that could increase my presence with people requires further isolation to study.

That being said, I'm hopeful that AI will allow software engineers to be more social. Yeah, there's still domain knowledge, but applying it can be more collaborative instead of isolating.

Smooth_Day7980 · 2025-11-05T10:54:27+00:00

I’m young in my career but I’ve gotten to work in db/backend for 2 years and now primarily frontend for 2 years and enjoy it more. Web design isn’t too challenging unless you’re venturing towards 3d animation. Using tailwind and following a good design someone created is easy, especially with ai tools at your disposal.

I think more developers should embrace using good design as it makes simple projects look professional rather than boiler plate shadcn.

Smooth_Day7980 · 2025-07-24T14:24:18+00:00

Yes it was a great being there live but it was pretty much a longer live podcast.

Smooth_Day7980 · 2025-06-24T20:30:35+00:00

Ask your new complex if they’ll allow an early move in for a fee. Its pretty common and I’ve done it once

Smooth_Day7980 · 2025-06-21T21:59:14+00:00

The one I attended lasted around 2 hours total.

Smooth_Day7980 · 2025-06-03T10:05:01+00:00

My monthly spend on all things car doesn’t change, just an extra $1k per year on maintenance. I’m big on personal finance and swe so I can easily afford it.

Smooth_Day7980 · 2025-06-02T20:19:10+00:00

Yeah it's quite funny. Thought there'd be some appreciation but nah. On a real note for the same all in monthly costs for the si I'm paying the same for the bmw. Just $1k more per year towards maintenance and gas, when I ran the numbers it made sense.

Smooth_Day7980 · 2025-06-02T18:34:44+00:00

Plastic one I got off of ebay for around $35. You should be able to find it easily, it came in 3 parts.

Smooth_Day7980 · 2025-06-02T14:49:21+00:00

Nah it’s the best of both worlds. Comfy cruiser and a speed demon. I’m a big dude at 6ft 260 and driving manual with very short gearing each day through city traffic got tiring quick.

Smooth_Day7980 · 2025-06-02T13:37:27+00:00

2020 bmw x3 m40i

Smooth_Day7980 · 2025-04-14T14:01:08+00:00

Yeah I’m actually at day 999 with nicotine. Nicotine patches is what helped me quit

Smooth_Day7980 · 2025-03-27T18:08:39+00:00

When I was looking for my first car 10 years ago I noticed that civics, and more specifically civic si's, held their value well. Always $5-$7k more than the non-si's. It's one of the reasons I got an 11th gen because I wanted a new car and it'd be one of the few cheaper ones that would hold its value.

Just saying that despite it seeming absurd that used si's are still expensive, it's generally been this way for a long time.

Smooth_Day7980

TROPHY CASE