It’s becoming more and more difficult to keep female, LGBTQ+, or those with children who fall into those categories, in state. I own a tech company with headquarters in Austin and a presence in Florida, California, Virginia and Wyoming. Time and again our candidates ask if they’d have to move to Texas or Florida. They bring up their concern about the political climate, accessibility to healthcare (subtext being gender reassigning care or reproductive care). We are 100% work from home if you choose but have workspaces in certain locations accessible to our staff.
It used to be that most candidates couldn’t wait to move to Austin or Orlando, now many e concerned if they’d have to leave their blue state. Austin is an amazing city and I highly recommend it, especially if you are young and are looking to build a close network that’ll last you a lifetime. The Austin tech industry is smaller but it also maintains a small town vibe. After a while, you won’t only know people across multiple companies, you’ll actually properly know those people beyond casual acquaintance.
PS: I know a lot of tech C level execs in Austin. If you’re a young woman considering Austin but concerned about access to abortion, bring it up during the interview process. A lot of companies are offering benefits like discreet transportation and lodging with a suspiciously large per diem to cities in blue states. Some extend those benefits to “significant others” and your children. Don’t expect these benefits to be advertised, just ask.
PPS: If you live in Texas or Florida, vote Democrat regardless of whether or not you agree with all of their policies. The Republican agenda is going to destroy the economies of those states.