[tptacek]

Don't move to Ann Arbor. There's like 6 companies within a 30 mile radius that can hire you there.

Move to Indianapolis, Chicago, or Cleveland, if you want to stay in the midwest (I'm in Chicago and wouldn't blame you).

Strong agree with the overall sentiment that you can't stay in Grand Rapids if you want to be a dev.

[rdouble]

What's in Indianapolis and Cleveland?

[tptacek]

Lots of companies that need code written. Saying "move to Chicago" felt janky given that I'm a Chicago booster. I don't know if there's much of a Cleveland startup scene. There is an Indy scene but it's small. However: who cares? You don't have to work for a startup to get paid to code.

Thanks for calling me on this, though; if you look at "top employers" lists, Columbus might actually be a better location. Columbus feels A2-ey, but there big companies HQ'd there.

I lived and worked in A2 for 4+ years. I love A2, but I would strongly advise against moving there unless there's a job there you're in love with.

[rdouble]

Well I mean, are there any specific companies or industries in those towns? Or is the idea just a bigger town with more programming jobs at banks, insurance companies, etc? Genuinely curious. If the idea is to uproot to another mid-sized midwestern city to get a generic programming job, why not suggest somewhere civilized, like Minneapolis? Alternatively, if one is so desperate as to consider moving to Cleveland to find a programming job, might as well drive another two hours to Pittsburgh. There probably actually are python jobs there...

[tptacek]

Cleveland isn't a terrible city. You don't have to be desperate to move there. I think we are ultimately in agreement that he should move to a real metro area.

[timtadh]

@tptacek thanks for saying this. Cleveland really isn't terrible and there are programming jobs here. There is a bit of a startup scene and they are looking for programmers. I can try and dig up contacts if some one wants me too.

Columbus also has a pretty good tech scene. Battelle has good reputation in the area and there are a number of other good companies in Columbus as well. I am attending PyOhio this week and there are lots of Python people here as well.

In general I believe Cleveland has more VC chasing after ideas than Columbus, particularly biotech ideas (between Cleveland Clinic and Case Western there is huge amount of expertise in Cleveland on biotech). However, Columbus is in general more of a growing city.

Conclusion: there are jobs in both cities, and you don't have to be desperate to live there.

[rdouble]

I agree with moving somewhere else but will have to "agree to disagree" about Cleveland...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZzgAjjuqZM

[timtadh]

Yes it is a funny video but it isn't really representative of the city. Yes Clevelanders have all laughed at this video. For a positive take on the city see: http://juliaincleveland.tumblr.com/