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Ask HN: How is the tech scene in LA?

14 points asdev | 2 comments | 07 Jul 25 00:21 UTC | HN request time: 0.397s | source

Wondering how the tech jobs/startup ecosystem is in Los Angeles. From searching around, seems like only aerospace/defense startups and big tech. Hardly any startups. The Who's Hiring thread from this month only had 2 entries from LA.
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mylaaccount ◴[07 Jul 25 21:02 UTC] No.44494638[source]▶
Tech people I meet in LA are much less careerist in general compared to the Bay Area (where I used to live). They work for either big tech, smaller not household name companies, or remote. Pay is on average less than the bay. Tech people in LA live in LA for the lifestyle and use the job to fund their lifestyle.

Personally (and contrary to the other comment about LA) it’s been the best place I have lived. It’s a polarizing city, understandably. But I think if you can make enough money and are ok with driving there’s endless amounts of things to do and passionate people to meet.

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1. frizzlebox ◴[08 Jul 25 00:21 UTC] No.44495837[source]▶
> if you…are ok with driving there’s endless amounts of things to do and passionate people to meet.

I’m someone who is currently struggling to find these people; what has worked for you? It often feels that everyone cool is trapped in their car, and we are destined to never cross paths.

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2. mylaaccount ◴[08 Jul 25 14:40 UTC] No.44500427[source]▶
For me:

1. Neighborhood matters a lot. This determines the kinds of events you’ll go to and people you see regularly. I explored a lot before I settled some place that felt like home. I live some place with good walkability and being able to walk to a coffee shop or park has been very important.

2. Hobbies. Outdoor fitness, DIY/underground music, and board games for me. It took some digging to find groups I liked (some of which I found out about online and some by asking people I met), but now I participate in at least one event/meetup pertaining to these hobbies every week (more if I can). Ex helping out at a DIY show, run clubs, hiking groups, board game meetups.

3. Having a dog. I’m outside regularly bumping into people. Having a dog often sparks a conversation and helped me to know my neighbors. You don’t really need a dog though any way you can open a conversation is good. Compliment someone’s shirt, ask a question, etc

So TL;DR walkable neighborhood that suits you, find something related to your hobbies and do it as much as you can, start conversations.

Good luck, it took me years before I got into a rhythm.