Now that silicon valley isn’t the only place with a bright and shiny future in digital innovation, there are plenty of places across the United States that anyone who’s making a career in the digital sector should visit (at least once) in their lifetime.
1 St. Louis Missouri
With an estimated population of 2,916,447 people in the greater St. Louis area, it is also home to 9 Fortune 500 Companies and huge names in information technology including Graybar Electric, a distributor of electrical, communications and data networking products, as well as Daugherty Business Solutions, an IT and business consulting firm. These factors make it the largest metropolitan market in Missouri as well as the 19th largest media market in the United States.
St Louis is home to two major league sports teams, offers 2 passenger airports and a subway system. Home to its own distinct blend of cultures and cuisines, the thin-crispy St. Louis Style Pizza is most definitely worth a try. It’s not like back east…but it sure is good!
2 Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota
Known as the “Twin Cities,” the greater Minneapolis-St. Paul area is the 16th-largest metropolitan area in the United States with about 3.52 million residents and an ever-diversifying population. It’s the 14 largest metropolitan area in the U.S and is home to a large number of technical colleges and universities as well as prominent manufacturers of medical equipment and tech giants like Cray Supercomputers. Minneapolis-St.Paul could very likely be poised to become the next leader in digital storage technologies.
If you should happen to visit, keep in mind it’s a very meat-and-potatoes type town, so while Swedish meatballs and sausage stands are prominent, You might be a little more hard-pressed to find vegan and vegetarian options.
3 San Francisco California
Known as “The City By the Bay,” San Fran is the 13th-most populous city in the United States with an estimated population of 870,887 as of 2016. The San Francisco Bay Area is a melting pot of cultures from all over the world, as well as a stronghold for the LGBT movement. It is the 4th largest radio and 6th largest television market in the United States. San Fran is also home to some of the biggest internet companies including Pinterest, Ebay, and Cisco Systems. Needless to say, the digital sector is a huge part of San Francisco’s economy and overall infrastructure
With so many diverse cultures and demographics, the progress started during the “dot com” bubble of the 90’s, carried on through the social media boom of the 2000’s and shows no signs of slowing today.
If you’re looking to grab a quick bite, San Francisco is known for its hundreds of unique food trucks: Everything from authentic tacos de asada to fresh seafood ceviche is almost always within reach.
4 San Jose California
The “silicon valley,” San Jose is an economic and cultural leader of progress across the united states. With a population of well over a million people, it is the 3rd most populous city in California and the 10th most populous in the United States. San Jose is the largest city in the San Francisco Bay Area. With companies like Apple, IBM, and Samsung calling San Jose home, it’s no surprise that this the home of every next tech giant.
San Jose is the place to be for all the trendiest latin and Asian and Mediterranean fusion cuisines. The fare in this city is a mixture of the old and new worlds and is definitely hard to duplicate the blending of cultures with as much authenticity as San Jose.
5 Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Known as the “Research Triangle” because of its anchor points North Carolina State University, Duke University, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, this bustling metropolis is home to nearly 3 million people. The research triangle area, including nearby Fayetteville is the second largest metropolitan area in North Carolina, second only to Charlotte, and with companies like Verizon, Sony Ericsson and LabCorp planting firm roots here, it is sure to be a continued beacon in the mobile tech sector, as well as medical and laboratory technologies.
If you’re looking for something great to eat in the Triangle, North Carolina is famous for its one of a kind honey mustard-vinegar-cayenne style barbeque, and smokehouses are plentiful in the “City of Oaks.”
6 Seattle, Washington
This American seaport is home to an estimated 704,352 people and is the fastest-growing major U.S. city with a 3.1% annual growth rate reported in 2016. Seattle is located roughly 100 miles from the Canadian border and is a major import market for asian goods and products.
Seattle is home to the Marine Advanced Technology Education (MATE) Center, a leader in robotics technology education. According to their website, “The MATE Center uses underwater robots – also known as remotely operated vehicles or ROVs – to teach science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) and prepare students for technical careers.”
7 Austin, Texas
Self-proclaimed “Weird City, USA,” Austin, TX is considered to be a major center for high tech companies. Dubbed “Silicon Hills” in the nineties due in part to the “dot com” boom of that decade, it is home to many communications moguls, with Google and the Samsung Group both calling the city home.
Ranked as the second-safest major city in the U.S. for the year 2012 and named the best place to live in the U.S. in 2017 by U.S. News and World Report, this is a great city to visit for the culture and nightlife. There are many long-running musical programs like Austin City Limits and The South by Southwest (SXSW) festival happening every summer.
If you’re a fan of Tex-Mex cuisine, try any one of Austin’s numerous Cantinas and Grilles. And while you’re at it, try the avocado lime margaritas! At Curra’s Grill. You will thank us.
8 Chattanooga, Tennessee
Last on our list, but certainly not least, this laid-back but progressive city of is poised to become a hub for tech companies and creative individuals alike. Nestled in the smoky mountains of Tennessee, Chattanooga has come to be known affectionately as “Gig-City” thanks to the blazingly fast internet speeds available from EPB fiber optics.
Chattanooga has also been referred to by Vice News as the “City that was saved by the Internet.” It’s no doubt that this city, once in disrepair, is quickly becoming a hub for progressive tech companies, and a melting pot of Americana and foreign influence. With many “tribes” of people interacting on the most personable levels, and incorporating the best aspects of many cultures and subcultures into a surprisingly diverse and inclusive charm that is distinct only to Chattanooga.
Conclusion
Whether you’re looking for a place to film your explainer video or for a source of inspiration, these cities are worth visiting if you have a spot in your heart for tech. Fresh with ideas, innovation, and melting-pots of techies with a dream; These cities are great places to see the advances of technology in action.
What cities have you been thinking about visiting? What factors would influence your decision on making a move to a new metropolitan area? Leave us a comment in the section below.