” It’s as if I worked on the continent except that it is a heavenly place with the sea, nature, beautiful vegetation… And that during the meetings my colleagues knew that I was there because they heard the birds singing behind. »Paul Fruhauf software architect in mobile payment in Sunnyvale spent two months in Hawaii this summer. Owner on one of the islands, he did not hesitate: ” because of the Covid I could not rent anymore, so I went “. Like him, many young professionals from Silicon Valley have recently changed their lifestyle.
Rémy V. and Agathe K. also take advantage of this institutionalization of teleworking in the bay since the start of the pandemic. They are employed in American technology companies, she on the business side, he as an engineer. “ When the confinement lasted over time, we said to ourselves: instead of paying our rent, why not take Airbnbs and see the country? “
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Since they left their apartment in San Francisco, they have “ a bag of clothes each to last at least two weeks, a car with kitesurfing, paddleboarding etc. for weekend activities, and then computer screens, extension cords, multiple sockets to be efficient during the week. Everything else is in a storage room “. Lake Tahoe, Hood River in Oregon, Washougal in Washingto Statenot, French Polynesia… The young couple traveled a lot, getting tested regularly so as not to spread the coronavirus.
Wifi hunting
To choose the destination, infrastructures are key. “ We need a fast wifi, for us it is the first criterion to work well. OAvoid places that are too remote, we aim for small towns close to nature but not too isolated “. Newly nomadic, Agathe K. and Rémy V. nonetheless remain assiduous professionals. “ We make sure that it is not at all inconvenient for our job, we stay in the same time zone as San Francisco and we always have at least two rooms so that everyone can take their calls without disturbing the other. “
Because working remotely, in an idyllic setting, does not mean not being efficient. Elias Chedid, Senior Data analyst at Shipt, understood it well and convinced his friends. “ At the beginning, people didn’t want to, they were afraid it wouldn’t look serious », He recalls. ” Whereas when everyone is working it’s like being in the office and have colleagues », Explains thee young engineer. The latter kept his room (and his cat) in San Francisco, but very often leaves in groups.
” The first time was Memorial Day week, there were 16 of us telecommuting from Lake Tahoe. And from there we started to organize ourselves to do it regularly: 4 days in San Luis Obispo, 2 weeks in Utah, and then 2 weeks in Tahiti at 12 »From which he has just returned, with regret. “ This time I was on leave but if I am guaranteed a good internet connection in Moorea, I will go back directly and for longer », He specifies.
Temporary situation or new life?
It is difficult to say precisely how many have chosen this way of life, but the movement is real. The consequent drop in rents in San Francisco is revealing. According to a report from Realtor.com, this drop in studio, two-bedroom and three-bedroom leases is the largest in the United States. For all these tech kids, it is especially ” the occasion or never ” to live a new experience. Power hasfter a day of hard work, go hiking, surfing, kiting, or diving for example. Some have chosen this routine for a while, others indefinitely.
Agathe K. and Rémy V. leave pour 3 to 6 months maybe 9 months or more. ” This is not a rejection of San Francisco. But we are happy to be able to take advantage of this freedom which is quite rare, during this period when so many other freedoms are restricted. “ Paul Fruhauf returned while awaiting the birth of his baby girl. ” Once she is there we have plans to settle down in Maui for good, and I will keep my job in the bay while being there full time. “. And Elias Chedid thinks of escaping for a few days at least every two months. He also plans to move to New York next year, without changing careers.
