HN Explorer

Ask HN: Is NJ a cool place for a startup?

5 points by dlsay ↗ HN
Hi all. Im in stealth mode with my start up in New Jersey and wanted to know if i risk losing out on talent to NYC because of the lower-panache factor of the address. Is it important to move into/closer to the city as I grow?

5 comments

[ 5.9 ms ] story [ 24.3 ms ] thread
friendstock
The "panache" is not the issue... the issue is whether your startup is in a location where young people want to live or commute to.

I worked at a telecom startup located in Bedminster and must say that it was not a convenient location for those who want to live in the city, since it required driving 45 minutes each way...

I would suggest Jersey City (e.g. Grove St.) or Hoboken -- some place that is accessible by PATH or other convenient public transit.

dlsay
thanks - I was thinking about jersey city or newark.
nika
Don't know NJ well, but having been there for awhile I can say that I would much rather live in a cost effective area and have a good daily commute than work in NYC. It may be "cooler" but it is a lot more expensive, and a lot less convenient.

Pursue employee happiness and productivity over panache anyday. Chasing panache will get you nowhere, and it is ultimately going to exceed your budget.

mapster
There is great talent in NJ you just have to place a notice. People are leaving places like NJ for S.V.
rdouble
It's not just "panache," it's also practical. All trains go to Manhattan. If you live in Queens or CT or Westchester or Long Island you won't commute to a job in NJ. However, NJ has a lot of engineering types. You might do ok, depending on your location and what type of startup.