Ask HN: Why does Seattle feel so risk-averse compared to the Bay Area?

1 annyma 1 9/2/2025, 3:19:12 AM
Today I posted about an AI startup project I’m working on — zero salary, very early stage, “build for passion.” Dozens of people reached out, but almost all were from the Bay Area. Zero from Seattle.

It made me wonder: why does Seattle’s tech culture feel so optimized for W2/RSUs/stability, while the Bay feels wired for risk-taking and possibility?

Is it just my experience, or have others noticed the same cultural gap?

Comments (1)

stathibus · 4m ago
There are no zoomer coders drinking YC koolaid and moving to seattle with a backpack and a dream. Seattle is where you go to live a regular american upper-middle class life.