[justsaysmthng]

That was an interesting read.

I can also subscribe to the image of San Francisco - with homeless and ill people on the streets - it was what made me decide against moving to Silicon Valley, although the offer was very attractive.

Beijing I've never visited, but now Nils made me curious - maybe I should take a trip there someday soon ...

[eitally]

Just so you know, SF isn't "Silicon Valley". It's SF. The peninsula is the valley, and although lots of people live in SF and commute down, lots of people also live up the east bay and even further south (Morgan Hill, Gilroy, Santa Cruz, ...). You absolutely don't need to live in SF to work at an SV company, and in fact, the commute from SF to anywhere south bay is really unpleasant.

[inestyne]

I rented in Milbrae because it was as far as I could get from SF, still be on the peninsula, and still have access to Bart. Every useful part of SF has a Bart stop nearby.

Perfect!

[bogomipz]

San Francisco is not the same as "Silicon Valley." Also ill people on the streets although very prevalent in certain section of S.F. is also not a problem unique to S.F.

Nils oversold Beijing, it is not that crazy or futuristic if you have been to other large cities - London, New York, Tokyo etc.

[rahimnathwani]

If you or anyone else reading this visits Beijing, contact details are in my profile.