Ask Slashdot: Undervalued, Livable American Tech Towns?

An anonymous reader writes: I've been working in tech as a software developer for about 15 years. As I've gotten older I'm starting to see the appeal of living in a city that's not crazily blown out and expensive like most established tech markets (think San Francisco, Austin, Seattle, Los Angeles, etc.). Are there are any good tech job markets that are normal, affordable, livable, American cities, or am I forever doomed to be subjected to the rat race found in these overheated and overcrowded markets? Lots of cities have at least some vibrant tech scene; Omaha, NE, Raleigh, NC, and Ann Arbor, MI are three that spring to mind, but everyone's tastes and tolerances will vary. What do you find in your neck of the woods? (Even if it's one of those "crazily blown out" examples.)

Comments

Huntsville, Ala.

[KiranWolf]

We have lots of engineering jobs in Huntsville, Ala. Most are with government contractors (the Army and NASA are very prominent in this town, along with every defense and space contractor you can think of), but there is a growing non-government tech sector here, too. Most of the contractors are in Research Park, while many of the non-tech companies are moving to or already are downtown. Downtown is quickly starting to become a really neat area.

Cost of living is extremely reasonable (I live in a 3,500 sqft house in a nice neighborhood and it runs me about $1,250 a month). Taxes are low, utilities are cheap, my commute is 15 minutes to and from the office. Great place to raise a family, too.

As far as things to do, we're never short of entertainment. If you like outdoors stuff, plenty of hiking, caving and water sports opportunities are nearby. And if you ever do get bored, Nashville and Birmingham are 1.5 hours in either direction. The beach is about a half-day drive too.

Re:Huntsville, Ala.

[CMU_Ken]

Just to add to this, there are a couple of gotchas and bonuses that come with Huntsville: Gotchas: 1. If you're not a very religious person, the culture in the South can feel a little bit insular. 2. Huntsville's airport is one of the most expensive to fly out of in the nation. 3. There is not really a good direct path to drive to Atlanta. You can either take the backroads or go south through Birmingham. 4. If you're single and male and an engineer of any sort, the dating scene isn't going to do you any favors. Bonuses: 1. If you're a US Citizen and you can get a security clearance, government work or defense contracting in Huntsville can have high job security while still being lucrative. It's not necessarily because they're paying a lot, it's because the Huntsville metro area costs so little to live in. But as it is anywhere, if you're talented, you can make serious money, too. 2. The Lowe Mill is the the largest independent arts center in America and it's in Huntsville. 3. The US Space and Rocket Center is in Huntsville. You can't miss it driving down I-565. If you've ever heard of Space Camp, that's where it is. 4. Huntsville has one of the highest percentages of engineers per capita anywhere, if you like that kind of statistic. 5. If you like rocket scientist jokes, Huntsville is the place for you.

Value to you, not undervalued.

[Aquitaine]

You don't want an 'undervalued' city - you want a city whose value is in line with your willingness to pay it. Raleigh and Ann Arbor are not inexpensive cities, for instance, even though they're cheap compared to the Bay Area. Austin (where I live) is heinously expensive compared to many parts of Texas, but even with the tremendous growth and increase in cost of living, it doesn't begin to approach the Bay Area. The brand new 3000sq ft house we just bought fairly close to downtown Austin would have cost north of of 2 million in San Francisco.

city-data.com is a great place to start for cost of living comparisons and questions about specific towns. Ask this question on the Raleigh board, the Omaha board, or the Austin board. Findyourspot.com is also an interesting exercise though not necessarily conclusive.

Denver area

[rock_climbing_guy]

I've lived in the Denver area for about two years now. I live in the suburbs on the south side of town. The traffic downtown is abyssmal, but there is one thing that really stands out for a town this size besides the number of tech jobs (check Dice, there are lots!)

There is an area about 10 minutes south of downtown known as the "Denver Tech Center". This area is HQ for a number of tech companies and it's extremely convenient because you can get a decent tech job there, live in the 'burbs, and not have to drive downtown every day.

The skiing and other mountain activities nearby are phenomenal. There is a lifetime supply of camping, hiking, and mountain climbing opportunities. I'm told that the nearby town of Evergreen has America's largest outdoor ice-skating park, as well.

RTP, NC

[duckintheface]

Research Triangle .... Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill... is the best mix of tech jobs and Southern living. If you like the fine food, art, music, politeness and gentle culture of the liberal South, this is the place to be. Best weather in the eastern US, a culturally diverse society. Right now we have a backwards Republican Governor and General Assembly but that won't last for long.

Re:Austin?

[SydShamino]

Austin has gotten pretty expensive, yes. We bought into a central Austin neighborhood at the bottom of the recession (thanks luck we both had jobs) and rode it up. We couldn't afford to buy in our own neighborhood now. Sister-in-law wanted to buy a year and a half later and the only houses in the price range in the city were on the periphery of the core city area. Now you mostly have to go to the suburbs or the funny offshoot bits of the city, and getting from those into downtown (or even in the core periphery area where most of the tech companies are) takes a long time.

On the other hand, if you live central and work at a tech company on the periphery, you commute against traffic. My ~10 mile commute takes 11-15 minutes.

SLC, UT

[Anonymous Coward]

Salt Lake City. It has the nickname 'Silicon Slopes'.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silicon_slopes

Lots of great out door activities, low cost of living, and the SLC area isn't heavily Mormon.

Re:Austin?

[JustAnotherOldGuy]

Word got out that it's in Texas.

And that would be enough right there to cross it off my list of places to live.

I spent 20 years in Texas one week, and that was it for me.

Nevada City, CA

[MpVpRb]

Absolutely beautiful! I love living here!

We are 90 miles from Sacramento, and have a great community!

Our local ISP is in the final stages of approval for a gigabit fiber network. Once we have internet, we will have it all

Yes, new tech business are welcomed here. Our economic development council is active in encouraging tech businesses to come here

We have a strong tech history. The Grass Valley Group has been producing top of the line video equipment for decades

I just hope that we don't get overwhelmed. Part of the magic of this place is its smallness and lack of density

It's a difficult balance..more businesses will provide jobs and help the area.. or OH SHIT!, here comes the avalanche

So yeah, I strongly encourage a VERY FEW tech companies to locate here