COSTA RICA: According to Desai, who lived in Costa Rica for four months in the winter of 2013, one of the country's main draws is the fact that the dollar can go a long way here. It also has a large population of expats and remote workers, and is home to an incredible scenery of beaches, jungles, and mountains.
AUSTIN, TEXAS: Austin has a growing startup community, boasting access to capital, incubators, and plenty of co-working spaces. Thousands of entrepreneurs descend on Austin for the SXSW festival every March.
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA: "It's the tech capital of the country," Desai said of San Francisco. He attributes this to factors like a motivated labor pool, capital, and the support startups can get through accelerators.
RALEIGH-DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA: Tech companies based in Raleigh and Durham have long benefited from being able to recruit talent from the three universities of the Research Triangle: Duke University, North Carolina State University, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The area hosts several tech startup accelerators, companies like IBM and Cisco Systems, and a relatively low cost of living.
Source: Duke University of Medicine
BOULDER, COLORADO: Boulder boasts a vibrant entrepreneurial community, one member of which is legendary VC Brad Feld of the Foundry Group. Desai, who has gone to networking events in the city, told us he often sees hundreds of young entrepreneurs there.
BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA: This city is one of Desai's favorites, thanks in part to its low cost of living, its low costs for starting a business, a collaborative entrepreneurial community, and fast Internet. When it’s time to stop working, there's a wide array of beaches and a bustling nightlife scene to enjoy.
DALLAS, TEXAS: Dallas took the number-one spot on MarketWatch's list of most business-friendly metro areas last year. Besides its welcoming business community, the city is also home to noted startup accelerators like Tech Wildcatters.
SINGAPORE: Singapore has not traditionally been known for its startup culture, but the Singaporean government has been rolling out cash grants, equity financing programs, incubator schemes, and tax incentives to build a thriving startup community. Singapore is also home to noted business figures like Jim Rogers and Eduardo Saverin.
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON: Not only is Seattle the home base of major companies like Microsoft and Amazon, but it also offers access to outdoor activities like kayaking, hiking, and rock climbing.
Source: The New York Times
TEL AVIV, ISRAEL: Tel Aviv boasts a large and vibrant startup community, in addition to an open business culture and access to capital. According to the Wall Street Journal, the city is home to more than 1,000 startups. You'll find everything from accelerators and co-working spaces to networking events and leading research institutions.
Source: The Wall Street Journal, Forbes
