[vonnik]

If you want to stay in the heartland, you might look at Chicago, Denver/Boulder and Austin -- they all have burgeoning startup-tech cultures that would be a step up from the sticks. I'm from a small town in the northern Great Plains, and I know that empty feeling you're talking about!

[mead5432]

Second the Denver/Boulder area. There are quite a few companies in this area currently. Also, there are active efforts to expand the startup scene - lots of events and meetups. It may not be the Bay Area but cost of living is far lower and, in my experience, the people in the startup community here are more helpful and less focused on waiting for their turn to tell you about their startup.

[emingo]

I can vouch.

Currently working for a startup in Boulder, and it is really awesome.

[eastbayjake]

Do you have recommendations for companies in Denver/Boulder that are doing cool things? (I'm from Denver but live in SF, so I know the area well.)

[emingo]

Currently working for Kapost. It is pretty kick ass.

What's your stack? shoot me an e-mail erik.mingo at kapost.com

[mooreds]

Ditto for Denver and Boulder. Lots of the work available. I'd say that Boulder is a bit stronger for startups, but I think that is because Denver is larger so startups are a bit more diluted.