All around the world... (Score 1)

FWIW, I bought my first house recently, after Ghost was purchased by a U.S. concern. We're based in New Zealand, and my partner and I have a house + self-contained-flat/office (4br, 2bath overall) on two acres of land for around US$70K total (it's a semi-rural locale and I tele-commute lots). Relaxing for us, bloody awesome for those with kids.

Now, I've spent time in SillyconV and I love the energy there (San Diego is cool too). But my gut feeling is that while most businesses would love to have an address like 1 Infinite Loop, that _real_ real estate is an overpriced commodity relative to the marketing pull. It doesn't make up for weakness in your product, it doesn't get you market credibility... and if your employees really are the creative engine in your business, their interests are a major part of your business equation.

Why was _The Matrix_ done in Sydney, again? It's not like a Kiwi to to praise the Aussies ;-) but quality of life, let alone lower overheads, is nothing to be sneezed at. One of the things about being technically astute is knowing better than to disrespect people for the reasons the traditional elite do (where you live, what clothes you wear, etc...). That kind of pigeonholing is part of what we all would like to break down.

It's not about whether you live on a farm, drive a pick-up and drink beer, or live in an inner-city apartment and swill lattes with the cafe set, or live at your desk ... the quality of your ideas, your software, and the people you work with are what matter in the long term.