[peacemaker]

I lived in the KC area (Overland Park) for a short while and loved it. The people are friendly, there is loads to do, and it's cheap to live there. The downsides for me were the lack of startup software jobs and the weather, tornados specifically.

Now I'm here in SF and paying double the rent for a place half the size of my place in KC, seeing something like this is very intriguing. Especially since I'm trying to bootstrap my own startup and feeling a bit lost in a sea of Silicon Valley startups!

[ggchappell]

> The downsides for me were the lack of startup software jobs and the weather, tornados specifically.

I lived in KS & MO for a total of 20 years. I'd say that worrying about tornadoes in KC is a bit like worrying about earthquakes in the Bay Area. Outsiders think, "Oh, my goodness!" but people who live there just do what little (very little) they need to, to deal with it, and mostly don't worry about it.

Nonetheless, weather is an issue. KC does not have a mild climate. Late summer can get very hot. Cold, windy winter days can be miserable. Ice storms can cause power outages. Most of the year, it's fine, but these do happen, and should be taken into account.

[ghshephard]

The one thing about the bay area - particularly on the peninsula, is the incredibly moderate weather. I've lived here for 15 years, and have turned on the climate control in a house or apartment I've ever rented - no heat in the winter, and I've never been in a home with air conditioning.

I will admit, in one house with close to zero insulation and very large windows, having finally purchased an electric blanket for about 2 weeks out of the winter - but never turned on the central heat.

Certainly a change from the Cariboo Interior in British Columbia, let me tell you...

[jroseattle]

Seriously, do not discount the weather. It is extreme.

Weather events in KC don't just make the news; they take lives. Flooding, ice/snow, wind, lightning, tornados, heat waves, cold spells. You name it, KC deals with it.

It can seem like there's always something to deal with everywhere, but the midwest gets the crap knocked out of it from the weather. It is not mild in the least.

[waterlesscloud]

There was also substantial, serious flooding in the area in the 90s. Probably will happen again eventually.

[supercanuck]

I did consulting work in Olathe, and it seemed like every other cabbie 's side job was storm chasing.

[cjfarivar]

Cyrus Farivar from Ars Technica here. Would you be willing to talk more about your thoughts on this? Email me: [e-mail]. Thanks!

[EwanG]

Are you looking for folks who have applied (I just did), folks who currently live in KC and might be willing to be part of this, or... ?

[cjfarivar]

I was, but we published already.

http://arstechnica.com/business/2012/08/startups-would-you-c...

Still, if you do end up committing to move there, I'd love to hear about your experience.

[peacemaker]

Hey, just read your article and noticed my comments! Shame I only just saw this reply as I would have emailed you with a bit more detail.

[adrr]

Biggest downside for Kansas and Missouri is that both states enforce non compete clauses. Working at a company, and think you can can build a better product, tough luck you can't for the duration of specified in the clause.

Also forces salaries lower, competitors can't hire you away. If you are skilled, you're better off in a state like California. Paid more money, and you aren't handcuffed to your job. Look what facebook did to Google's talent pool or Zynga did to EA's.

[msh]

You dont get any compensation for noncompetes?

I am not from the US, but where I come from noncompetes are enforced, but are very expensive (by law) for the companies so they are not used that often.

[adrr]

Nope. It doesn't require compensation. And it applies even if your are laid off, fired etc. I've seen some that extend for 2 years. Its legalized slavery which is why California outlaws them.

There's even worse things out there for employees. I've read about ownership of all ideas/work clauses including outside of work hours while employed and enforced in a court of law. Imagine doing a startup nights and weekends only having it taken from you.

[nordicnomad82]

Anything that extends for more than 6 months and isn't extremely narrow in terms of geography or activities will have a hard time standing up in court. The employer has no right to deny a person a living.

As for IP stuff, that's really a case by case basis with each companies contract and how reasonable the claim that special resources and information made available by the employer were behind the development of the ip. If you're working for Starbucks and patent an algorithm for targeted advertising than no way in hell. But if you work for Garmin and develop a method to improve GPS reception in small devices, you're probably screwed.

And most of that stuff is pretty standard across the country.

[_delirium]

Varies entirely by state, but I don't think any US states have mandatory compensation, only whatever is negotiated in the original employment contract. Some states that allow noncompetes will, however, narrow or in some cases refuse to enforce one if it's deemed to produce too great a burden on the person's ability to earn a living.