Former Bay Area Resident Misses California's Entrepreneurial Spark

A career coach who has lived in San Francisco, Seattle, and Austin wants to move back to the Bay Area by 2027.

Mar. 14, 2026 at 9:13am

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Pavi Theva, a 31-year-old career coach, left San Francisco in 2019 to work at Amazon in Seattle, and later moved to Austin in 2023. While she enjoyed the slower pace and lower cost of living in Austin, Theva has been missing the ambitious, entrepreneurial energy of the Bay Area and plans to move back to California by 2027 to grow her coaching business.

Why it matters

Theva's story highlights the appeal of the San Francisco Bay Area's vibrant tech and startup ecosystem, which continues to draw talent despite the high cost of living. As more companies and workers migrate to cities like Austin, the Bay Area's unique entrepreneurial culture remains a draw for those seeking inspiration and professional growth.

The details

After leaving Dallas to work at a San Francisco startup in 2018, Theva found the city's fast-paced, tech-focused culture both exhilarating and challenging. She later moved to Seattle to work at Amazon, but found the city underwhelming. In 2023, Theva and her partner bought a home in Austin, attracted by the lower cost of living and sense of community. However, Theva has missed the entrepreneurial energy of the Bay Area, and plans to move back to San Francisco by 2027 to expand her career coaching business and take advantage of the region's networking opportunities.

  • Theva left Dallas for a startup job in San Francisco in October 2018.
  • Theva moved to Seattle to work at Amazon in December 2019.
  • Theva and her partner bought a home in Austin and moved there in 2023.
  • Theva plans to move back to San Francisco by 2027.

The players

Pavi Theva

A 31-year-old career coach who has lived in San Francisco, Seattle, and Austin.

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What they’re saying

“If you really want to grow, be challenged, and push yourself to be the smartest, that's the energy of California — nothing can beat it.”

— Pavi Theva (Business Insider)

What’s next

Theva plans to continue her career coaching business and expand into corporate consulting when she moves back to San Francisco by 2027.

The takeaway

Theva's experience highlights the enduring appeal of the San Francisco Bay Area's entrepreneurial ecosystem, even as other cities like Austin gain prominence. Her desire to return to California underscores the unique energy and opportunities that the region continues to offer for ambitious professionals.