[jk2323]

Before you downvote, give a reason. All these are interesting places. I likely prefer to live in Budapest or somewhere before I live in Berlin (again). Yet, this does not make these places a silicon valley contender.

Lisbon is a great place. I speak the language. Real Estate is already expensive as f.. if you want something decent. Great place to live or retire. But a new Silicon Valley? No.

[V-2]

Your point about "language" isn't convincing to me, as everyone speaks English in the IT sector anyway. And what sort of "xenophobia" are you referring to?

[jk2323]

Many of the East European countries are not very open and friendly to foreigners. Speak Poland, Czech Republic for example. Travel there and see for yourself. Sometimes it is country specific (e.g. Russians and Germans in Poland) or Ethnic specific (Say Hungary and Poland) or sometimes they hate everyone (speak Czech republic). Travel there to see yourself. Try to bring a foreign looking girl friend. Enjoy.

People in Romania seem to be very friendly. GDP growth higher than China but not sure I see a basis for a silicon valley there. I don't know Bulgaria.

[joefourier]

In the Czech Republic, people are certainly more reserved and less outwardly cheerful than in the US, but it's got nothing to do with xenophobia. You won't have any issues making friends as a foreigner, just because people smile less and strangers don't instantly treat you as their best friend does not mean they hate you.

[LifeLiverTransp]

Czech Republic sort of has a reason for that.

They got ripped off after the cold war/ the wall fell - most of the countrys assets (land/buildings) beeing sold of to western investors for cheap.

Ironically that is what makes them so good at tech now- if all you got is your head and your skils and no investments to sit on, that blad will be sharp.

[jk2323]

"They got ripped off after the cold war/ the wall fell " Also the buildings and land they stole from the Germans? It is a dog eats dog world man!

[V-2]

> Travel there to see yourself. Try to bring a foreign looking girl friend. Enjoy.

The condescending tone is uncalled for. As for the advice, I don't really need to travel as I've lived in Poland for my whole life (minus a few years spent abroad / in the UK). I've also been to several countries in the region, and yes I have indeed brought quite a few "foreign looking" friends with me, including an Italian girlfriend.

I'm sorry if something unpleasant happened to you on such a trip - assuming you're speaking from first-hand experience, rather than just propagating negative stereotypes - but it still wouldn't entitle such sweeping generalizations.

[jk2323]

" including an Italian girlfriend."

Try to bring an Indian one. Or Chinese.

"I'm sorry if something unpleasant happened to you"

It is less about me. I have been there three times and I can take a lot. On my last trip, I spare you my experiences, I stayed one day in the hotel to work on my computer and my GF came back crying and told me she wants to leave and never come back. On the Train to Budapest I met an American Lady. She said, she would not come back to Prague, people are "harsh".

"but it still wouldn't entitle such sweeping generalizations."

I saw once a statistic about foreigners (can't find it anymore). They were hated the most in the Czech republic, the most welcoming country was Uganda. BTW, I have lined up a trip to Uganda, there is a great music festival every summer.

Make you own experiences. It is not a terrible place, but why go to Prague if you can go to Budapest? Total different bunch already.

[V-2]

> I stayed one day in the hotel to work on my computer and my GF came back crying

You should have said that from the start. This definitely rules out Prague as the next Silicon Valley.