Nithya Ruff’s Post

This week marks 5 years of moving from Silicon Valley (SV) to the Research Triangle (RTP), and the Raleigh area. I frequently get asked, why did we move and how do I like this area? Especially by my friends in Silicon Valley. When you are in SV, you feel that you are living in a monoculture of tech folks. Almost everyone around you is working in tech or is an investor or a VC. It leads you to be hyper-competitive, and constantly chasing that next win, and that next role, and a higher paycheck. You need that higher paycheck to live and work in SV. And there is no other place like SV to fuel new companies, and tech startups for sure. The housing costs are out of control, the traffic and competition for schools and resources. Much of this was a motivator for leaving. But there were also many things that drew us to Raleigh and that we are grateful for. Being closer to our children who are both on the east coast. A lower cost of living, a simpler and calmer life and a diverse culture of real world humans. There are great schools here Duke University, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University as well as multiple other community colleges. A vibrant art and restaurant scene with world class museums like the North Carolina Museum of Art. There is a vibrant tech community as well and a world-class open source conference called All Things Open Conference run by the amazing Todd Lewis. I am also able to travel from an airport 15 mins from my home, and fully participate in my tech career but come home to a calm existence. Nothing wrong with that. #grateful #NorthCarolina #SiliconValley

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David Stewart

Senior Director at Intel Corporation

2mo

You have perfectly described what I love about living in the Portland, OR area. 40 years in the SW industry and never felt like I needed to move to the Bay Area. I'm glad you like NC, that said, I used to visit every summer as a kid, and the humidity just killed me. 

Todd Larsen

Senior Software Engineer at Google

2mo

After living in the Bay Area for 8 years, I had a similar positive experience going remote and moving to Huntsville, AL ("Rocket City", home to NASA Marshall Space Flight Center). Thanks again, Chris DiBona, for making that possible after my first 4 years at Google. I'm still remote, and I'm still at Google 17 years later.

Troy Jensen

Marketing Director in High Tech | Head of Demand Generation | Developer and Cybersecurity Marketing Expert

2mo

Ok, I remain partial to the Bay Area for a lot of reasons that I won't get into here, but one thing I agree with you on 100% is ATO! Well run, great content, awesome attendee participation, a reasonable investment. It's really a great show!!

Jennifer Cloer

CEO of Story Changes Culture Media & Consulting; narrative nonfiction writer and essayist. Executive producer and writer, the Chasing Grace Project; Co-host of the Hyped podcast; and Women's Media Center SheSource Expert

2mo

My niece Kaili Matiaco just moved into her new apartment in Raleigh earlier this week, she's loving it!

Jason Hibbets

Owner at Soul Surfer Consulting, managing editor working with All Things Open

2mo

RTP is the Silicon Valley for people in tech, biotech, phrama, etc. who want to have families in an affordable, growing, region that is globally connected with RDU. I think you made a great choice!

Steve Rudinsky

Director, Server Solutions at Supermicro

2mo

As someone who started my computer career here in Silicon Valley, but also lived elsewhere, I think living in the Bay Area (is SF now Silicon Valley?) is overrated, with more negatives than positives. I think that, over the past few years, the evidence shows (from people far smarter than me) that there are now better places for tech than Silicon Valley.

So happy we can play a small role in your RTP experience Nithya! We're thrilled and honored to work with you and we so appreciate your friendship and support. Nearly 13 years ago we started putting the ATO conference together for the first time. You could feel the momentum of the area, literally. I often said to people "If I was a betting person I'd be long on Raleigh and the RTP - it's an absolute rocket ship". That initial observation has turned out to be more accurate than even I expected - thanks to amazing people like you.

Pete MacKay

Product Security & Engineering | Architect | Advisor

2mo

I enjoyed working with you and watching your career and am glad you're in a new location and adventure. I live in rural WA now (an hour east of PDX) which has always been where my heart lies, and I've moved back and forth a few times. Sili Valley has a frenetic energy around it that is ultimately unhealthy. Cheers to your new chapter! 🥂

Jennifer Madriaga

Senior Marketing Leader, specializing in open source technologies and strategy // Making fantastic things happen for stakeholders // Community Builder // Storyteller Extraordinaire // Writer of all things

2mo

I love having you close by! It’s such a delight, and I am so glad you are enjoying your life here.

you moved? such a well written piece. Have been meaning to text you every time I go past Fremont. We moved out of the bay area 5 years ago and couldn't be happier or calmer. No doubt its the hotbed of innovation in tech but the price I feel is sometimes too high.

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