Looking to the Future...Seeing the Pacific

Since returning from our exploratory trip to Silicon Valley, it seems most conversations between my husband and I revolve around the location which we will call home. Each conversation brings us one step closer to once again packing up the moving van, the compass pointing towards the west.

Our mission was to travel to America's technology mecca in search of the 'Valley Advantage' as it pertains to technology start-up culture in contrast to start-up culture in Atlanta (This was actually my husband's mission. I tagged along as photographer/videographer). A serial entrepreneur, my husband is always working on an idea for a new technology company. When we met, he was in the midst of searching for capital to fund a product he developed. Though he now holds a regular consulting gig, he is always in the start-up state of mind.

I traveled to the Bay Area once, an extended field trip with my department in college. Needless to say, my recollection of the visit is hazy at best, thanks to the Anchor Steam beers, tequilla shots, and Irish carbombs. This trip with my husband was much more enlightening to the landscape and culture of the area. San Fransisco was exactly what I expected. An eclectic and energetic city. Our rental car took us to all the city landmarks: Fisherman's Warf, The Presidio, Golden Gate Park, Haight/Ashbury, the Financial District, Union Square. We didn't see Lombard Street, but after tackling one particularly terrifying 40 degree incline, my tour of the city was through.

We spent the majority of our time in the Palo Alto/Mountain View/San Mateo area. The El Camino Real corridor, if you will. The geography alone is compelling. Within an hour you can be in the city, in a small town, in the moutains, or at the ocean. Not only was it completely picturesque, surrounded by mountains, lush evergreen plants and mild temperatures, it was like Disneyland for nerds. Every major technology company you can think of - from Apple to Facebook - was there, within a few short miles of each other. The professional services in the area are custom tailored to cater to the technology community. We were in the hub of innovation. We even went to the Computer History Museum. We also took a late night tour of the Apple campus in Cupertino. Oh, the things I do for love...

The conclusion drawn from our week in Geek was this: though you can start a tech company anywhere, the dichotomy of Silicon Valley is completely unique from anywhere else in the US, perhaps the world. Coupled with the beautiful landscape, Silicon Valley casts a seductive spell, especially for the serial entrepreneurs like my husband. The seed of contemplations was planted and began taking root.

First came the discussion of our present residence in rural East Georgia in regards to my husband's involvement in the Atlanta start-up community. Perhaps we should move back into the city. Then, after a frustrating discussion about the future of technology in Atlanta with a fellow professional came the statement I knew was inevitable since we boarded the plan in San Fransisco: maybe we should think about moving to California. Just an idea, he assured me. He didn't really want to move. I was naively relieved until he called me down to his office one night to look at the houses for rent in Redwood City within our budget. I think I started crying at that point. Once he starts taking interest in housing, its a done deal.

There are still too many variables in our lives here to up and move to California, but I know I'm just biding my time. While I am terrified of moving across the country further away from my family, living without a timeline for our departure causes most of my reluctance. It's like waiting for your execution without a definitive date. Okay, maybe execution is a little extreme, but you get my point.

I expressed this concern to my husband today. I cried a little too, I couldn't help myself. Pending the proper arrangements - namely his finding a job and a place to live - the tentative date for our departure will be the first of next year. Five months of southern comfort and grace before embarking on a west coast lifestyle. Am I up to the challenge? I hope so.