Moving to Silicon Valley

Decide where you will work first, because the Peninsula and San Francisco pull in different directions. Then choose a school district, then a town inside it.

Rent first if you can. Prices are high enough that buying in the wrong town is an expensive mistake.

California taxes income at up to 13.3% and gives no relief on capital gains. Residency begins when you arrive with intent to stay, and California taxes worldwide income from that day.

Time liquidity events before the move where you can, and take advice before arriving with unrealised gains.

International founders and engineers come through H-1B, L-1, O-1 or E-2 routes. Startups commonly sponsor O-1s for founders with a track record.

There are no restrictions on foreign ownership. Proposition 13 resets property tax to the purchase price, at about 1.1 to 1.2% a year, so a new buyer pays far more than a long-standing neighbour.

Hillside towns carry wildfire risk, and insurance is increasingly hard to place, so check it before you offer.

Palo Alto Unified, Los Altos, Saratoga and Hillsborough are among the strongest public districts in California. Menlo School, Castilleja, Crystal Springs Uplands and the Harker School lead the independents.

Public school assignment in San Francisco is by lottery, which is why most families with children choose the Peninsula.

Stanford Health Care and UCSF anchor care. Coverage is private and usually comes through an employer.

Founders bank with technology-focused banks for business accounts. Personal accounts open easily with a California address.