A few years ago I hopped an early morning flight to Hong Kong.
In Hong Kong I opened up my necessary bank accounts to make my publishing company official.
That company is called Superdrive Publishing Limited and I have been spending a lot of my time developing and nurturing content for this company.
Under the Superdrive Publishing banner are currently 5 websites: Bold & Determined, VictorPride.com, John Doe Bodybuilding, BOSS MMA, and Iron & Tweed (brand new addition).
In the future we will be adding more websites and more books.
Our first official book release under the superdrive banner was Becoming the Bull by John Doe Bodybuilding.
Becoming the Bull is the best book about bodybuilding training, diet, nutrition and steroids that has ever been released and I recommend it for anyone who is into bodybuilding.
You can pick up Becoming the Bull on amazon.
We have some more books in the works and some more website launches planned.
In the meantime…
Here is a recap for all of the articles published by Superdrive Publishing in the month of June, 2015.
Articles from Bold & Determined:
Articles from VictorPride.com:
- How To Start Your First Organic Garden (For Fun & Food Security)
- The Gentleman’s Guide to Growing a Beard
Victor Pride on instagram.
#30daysofdiscipline 17 A video posted by Victor Pride (@boldanddetermined) on
Can’t live in the mountains and not have an Alaskan doggy to watch the house. A photo posted by Victor Pride (@boldanddetermined) on
Articles from John Doe Bodybuilding:
- The Poor Man’s Guide to Getting Shredded
- How Fasting During Ramadan Can Turn You Into An Anabolic Muscle Machine
- Super Size and Super Strength on Super Mandro
- The College Kid’s Guide to Cheap Nutrition
- Hypershock and Joyful Joints: Pre-Workout Energy and Joint Support That Works
John Doe Bodybuilding on YouTube.
Articles from Iron & Tweed:
- 4 Unconventional Tips to Reinvent Your Shoulder Routine
- My Experience with Suavecito Pomade
- Everyday Carry: How to Choose a Pocket Knife
- Your Daily Beard Care Routine
- Father’s Day Gift Guide: Classic Gifts
- The Original Boat Shoe: Sperry Top-Sider
Iron & Tweed on instagram.
Posing with my good friend and coach @ifpaprojamesp at his #bachelorparty. #barbells #bodybuilding #motivation #ripped #gym #gymlife #abs #muscle #fitness A photo posted by Iron & Tweed (@ironandtweed) on
Who else is hitting the gym on Memorial Day? #gym #bodybuilding #gymlife #lifting #fitness #motivation #abs #ironandtweed A photo posted by Iron & Tweed (@ironandtweed) on
Articles from BOSS MMA:
BOSS MMA is an mma news site focusing on the mental aspects of the fight game.
The idea is to try and predict who will win a fight.
The site does daily articles so you’re better off just checking out the site and viewing all the articles there.
Books to buy:
- Becoming the Bull: Building Huge Muscle, Getting Ripped, and Taking Life By the Horns
- Gorilla Mindset
- Mad Outta Me Head: Addiction and Underworld from Ireland to Colombia
Future of B&D
I have been living abroad for the better part of five years.
In my time abroad there’s one truth I have been reminded of repeatedly…
West is best.
America is the greatest country on earth…..for making money.
Not necessarily for dating, not for total freedom, but for making money America is #1.
(America is also best in the world for food. When I visit the grocery store here in Dalat I literally only buy eggs and bread.)
I don’t believe I would be able to live as financially comfortable as I do if I were not American.
America has a lot of problems, but opportunity is not one of those problems.
More opportunity exists in America than anywhere else in the world.
So…
I will be spending a lot more time in the States starting soon.
I’m looking at San Francisco or New York City.
I’m leaning towards San Francisco thanks to this article - The Top 5 Cities in North America to Get Rich and Enjoy Life.
I know the cities are very expensive, and that’s why I like them. Cheapness doesn’t excite me.
If things are too expensive, you make more money to compensate. Problem solved for everyone involved.
Not only does cheapness not excite me, it makes me sick. I can no longer stand cheapness after seeing it up close and personal in Vietnam.
I currently live in a very cheap city (I pay $333 per month for my house) and the stench of cheapness makes me sick.
Poor people keep themselves poor
Recently I saw a group of SIX! grown Asian men together eating dinner. To save money they shared one bottle of water and poured the water into six shot glasses.
“Right” I thought. “Maybe if all six of you weren’t dehydrated you could work a little bit harder and make enough money to buy water“.
It is one thing to live spartan (I can pack everything I need into one suitcase and one backpack, anything else I will just give away)…
…and it is quite another to keep the lights off and live in darkness so you don’t have to pay a large electric bill.
I’m going to the States to kick ass in business and grow the B&D network into something larger than life, and that simply isn’t going to happen in cheap-town.
Your city plays a big part in your life. Places like Manhattan, Silicon Valley, Hong Kong, Singapore and London exist for a reason - to make money.
Places like Dalat exist for one reason - to stay poor.
San Francisco vs Manhattan
If you’re a New Yorker or a San Franciscan please leave your thoughts on these two cities in the comments below.
Pros and cons will be weighed before a choice is made.
But leave out the “it’s so expensive!” arguments pretty please. Being expensive is a bonus, it isn’t a drawback.
-Victor Pride
PS - To celebrate the 4th of July we have some badass SPARTAN raglan 3/4 t-shirts coming out very soon.
In a cool climate, the raglan 3/4 shirt is my favorite style of casual shirt.
The SPARTAN shirt won’t be ready until mid July, fortunately we can take pre-orders and your shirt will be shipped as soon as they arrive (mid to late July).
These SPARTAN 3/4 tees are limited (we’ve only got 100 available to us) and after they’re sold out they might go away forever.
The shirts are on Alternative stock. They are very comfortable (50% Polyester, 38% Cotton, 12% Rayon) and they are very high quality (I have about 10 of them right now).
We only have sizes medium, large and x-large and when they’re gone, they’re gone for good, so grab yours now.
My uncle lives in San Francisco so everything I’m sharing is based off of what he has shared of his experience.
1. The people are of a higher caliber
My uncles favorite part of SF is that by and large, the general populace is more educated and informed than they were in the places he lived before.
Sure there’s still the papparzi bullshit and loads of close minded “Go Liberals” types of people, but his general consensus is that he enjoys starting or eavesdropping on conversations more in SF than anywhere he previously lived (a big compliment coming from someone who drinks only the finest scotch, studies theoretical astro physicics for fun and has received an Oscar for his special effects work on the golden compass)
All that to say I think you will find the people of SF a little bit more to your liking, even if they are all just pussified scholars.
2. The food/grocery scene is bar none
My uncle is a total foodie, he likes he steals mooing the same way you do and likes his fine scotch, beer, and cigars.
One of his favorite parts of SF is that there are dozens of incredible local farmers markets with fresh produce daily, amazing hole in the wall coffee shops and pubs, and great specialty stores like bakeries etc
3. It’s liberal
This had to come up at some point, but as a non Nancy boy, you can expect a fair amount of left wing bull shit in SF. Not in the “im well educated and have decided this is what I believe based off of historical evidence and facts” kind of way…more the “everyone else believes it so me too!” Kind.
You’re going to deal with some fairly retarded people, but I guess that’s true anywhere.
Hope this helps. I know it’s a little limited since I don’t live there myself, but my uncle absolutely loves it and really has grown fond of the city.
Good luck finding a place Vic!
You had me at “food”. Liberals are silly-heads but they take care of their environment, they make good neighbors, and their cities are usually clean.
“You’re going to deal with some fairly retarded people, but I guess that’s true anywhere.”
I’m in Vietnam right now. Fairly retarded is a step up.
Shit, bold and determined is literally turning into an empire… I like it. You’ve changed my life in so many ways it’s not even funny, I’ve read all your articles at least 5 times. If I’ve a question, you normally have an answer and that’s why I come back. Keep up the ass kicking Vic, and never give up bold and determined.
“Shit, bold and determined is literally turning into an empire…”
Yes.
“never give up bold and determined.”
B&D is never going anywhere. You can bet on that.
Hey Vic,
It truly amazing to see how you are continually moving upwards. I have been following you since June of 2013. You inspired the hell out of me. Your blog kicked my ass into gear to begin building my business system. I live here in New York City, Brooklyn to be exact. New York City is a bit of a paradox in that this is the place to really make money and alive a great quality of life BUT as with what Aistin was saying about SF, the culture here is very liberal. Liberals are incredibly stupid. When it comes to money, they want all they can get but they do not want you to have it so they tax you eight straight ways if you are a wage slave. Along with that you are forced into purchasing health care. Several months back I asked you how does the Obama care crap affect you and you said it does not because you do not live in the states. As an independent person that you are You will reap all of the benefits of wealth but you must offshore everything else to keep your wealth and prevent the tax man from stealing it from you to give it to some lazy candy ass. I know for a fact that you will make your decision but find many intelligent way to keep your wealth. I have been to SF and both SF and NY are beautiful. Both cities offer opportunities to make money but keeping it with out a tax game plan will be hard. I know this will not apply to you.
Yeah, there will be more expenses and more taxes. I’ll just make a few extra dollars to cover it. You can’t offshore income and not pay taxes on it…if you want to stay out of jail. Americans pay taxes anywhere and everywhere.
Good point Vic. I still love America and God bless it.
Vic its Joe, recently sent you pictures of my business. I wouldn’t live in the big city for anything. I feel like a wild animal when I’m around all those people (but your already used to that). I cant relax driving, going out to eat takes fucking forever, parking is non-existent. I’ve grown up in the rural country all my life though.
The biggest thing I wasn’t used to was how people handled problems between each other. I’ve been fighting all my life. Nobody calls the cops or grabs a weapon where I’m from, we go outside and scrap. Down in California any altercation I had with somebody resulted in a gun or knife being pulled out instantly. Ultimate puss move in my book and I couldn’t stand it.
I know you’ve thought it through but I just hope you dig it man…I sure as shit didn’t
I can tell your way over the heat and humidity that you’ve been in for the past 5 years.
Different strokes for different folks. Country livin’ would have me ready to leave in about 3 days. I’m in a tiny (by Asian standards) mountain town right now. At the 2 week mark I was looking at airline tickets.
Victor,
I can’t caution you against San Francisco enough.
You might become rich in San Francisco. The female situation is just terrible, as in there are none. Any females there are men in female bodies, wanting to “career” the hell outta their woman parts until barren and sing “anything you can do I can do better” while they train for marathons. There is no ass there and my friends and I often refer to it as the “city of 6’s”. Also, if you are cool with your taxes paying for sex change operations for city workers, then by all means, contribute your wealth to the San Francisco tax base. There is no diversity of thought in SF, not just liberal, but crazy left wing rules the day and all minds in the 7 mile by 7 mile city.
Actually, the wealth in the San Francisco area all comes from VC firms located on Sand Hill Road south of the city. Maybe look at living outside the city, where the weather is warmer (sf is just cold and windy all the time).
Lastly, have you considered Santa Monica Tech Beach area? It seems to be an up and coming area that is already very expensive to live. The weather and woman are 1000 times better in the south.
“The female situation is just terrible”
I couldn’t pretend to care less. I’m in this for business.
“Maybe look at living outside the city, where the weather is warmer (sf is just cold and windy all the time).”
I absolutely do NOT want to live anywhere warm. The chilly air is one reason I picked San Fran.
“Lastly, have you considered Santa Monica Tech Beach area?”
A little bit, yeah. I’m not opposed to the idea. What does Santa Monica have going for it?
You should really consider Santa monica Vic, Weather is a important factor for you and its literally on the beach , cooler climates with sunshine , clean air etc.
- Santa monica is a expensive area as well
- Literally next to one of the richest places in the U.S.
- 10-20 minute drive from Beverley Hills, Hollywood, Westwood etc .. and those places would be great for expanding your businesses
Conclusion: you live on the beach/expensive area/great weather but you are so close to the richest cities/big parts of LA ..
Please uncle vic consider Santa monica
“10-20 minute drive from Beverley Hills, Hollywood, Westwood etc .. and those places would be great for expanding your businesses”
I’m in digital publishing, not the acting business. The #1 thing is to be near to people who can do the work I need done.
Winters are terrible in New England. San Fransisco hands down.
Victor,
I lived around LA for a little while and I can say yes that there is definitely a lot of money to be made in that area. Although, I’m not there anymore and moved out East in California. Where there’s expensive areas there’s definitely money to be made. I hear some good things about San Francisco as well.
Thanks for everything at B&D, Vick! Been reading for a few years now and always find superb content on here. Take care!
Congratulations Victor!
Your hard work and dedication has paid off tremendously! I wish you a ton of success on your business endeavors!
You said you were thinking to moving to either NY or San Francisco? Why? Both cities reside in high taxed states. You should talk to your lawyer or accountant to find out what can be the best option for you and your company as far as coming to either city.
I’m sure you have done that already!
But if i had to pick from the two I would suggest NY as its called the EMPIRE STATE! This is the place where Empires were built and are built today. As long as you can endure the cold winter months you could be okay.
Also being that Manhattan is pretty expensive when it comes to renting office space you should also check up in Westchester County where the rents tend to be a little less expensive than the city. Its also a few minutes train ride from the New York City.
At least you could look into that while your starting here in NY!
I apologize for talking too much here! Anyway congratulations again and I’m going to say something that will be a little biased here so here goes!
From one New Yorker to another, I would like to welcome you to NEW YORK! The Big Apple and the EMPIRE STATE!
Jose
Why not both?
Spend 6 months in each city to see if it’s the right fit for you.
You mentioned weather being a factor, so I would lean towards SF. Make SF the home base and maybe stay in NY during spring and fall.
Exactly what I planned to do, very good guess.
Spring and Fall are the best times in NYC. We all know about the winters and the summers are too damn humid.
This is one thing that put me off NYC, hot, humid summers.
I’m from SF. I’d recommend it. The above posters were right in terms of the entire population being crazy liberal left wingers, but in terms of just the city itself it’s great.
It’s an easily navigable city and very beautiful. There are trees and parks everywhere so you don’t feel like you’re trapped in a maze of concrete. (Google image search “Palace of Fine Arts” to see one of it’s more beautiful parks.)
Los Angeles is also only a five hour drive (or hour plane ride).
San Francisco is also the startup capital of the world. In other words you’ll be surrounded by people who have started their own business or work for someone who has just started their own business.
Other than the fact that there is not parking anywhere (most people use lyft or uber), and that it’s a liberal nesting ground, San Francisco is a great place.
I forgot to mention that Las Vegas is also only a few hours away, so if you’re interested in betting on MMA fights (as one of your previous articles suggested you are) you can legally do it there.
Can be done online, not necessary to fly to Vegas.
Sounds perfect.
Vic,
I have been all over the world, including SF and NY. These are great cities, but Chicago is the best home in the world. You should at least consider it.
Victor,
If you want to make money you should consider Austin!
I moved here a year ago and have had more opportunities than I thought possible. People are literally migrating from San Francisco to be here because they can double their income due to the lower costs. It’s also much easier to start and build a business here. People are also leaving New York to move here.
Plus if you move here I can help you with your websites (software developer)
Just some thoughts to consider.
Good luck man!
“double their income due to the lower costs”
It isn’t possible to double your income by lowering costs.
I’m also not starting or building a business. That work has already been done. Austin is way too hot for me.
OMG no! Austin is an overrated, overcrowded shithole with horrific traffic that is only getting worse. Very hot and humid weather here 7 months out of the year, yet it still manages to get cold enough to require heat in the winter. All they can say is “Houston is worse” for everything. The motto for Austin is “It’s worse in Houston.” Most people in Austin daydrink their asses off and worship long lines for trendy food. It’s hard not to deny the privilege of a group of people who choose to wait in what would be considered “soup lines” only a few generations ago. It’s for the young, dumb and full of cum to fucking party, party, PARTY! “Live music capital of the world?” Who gives a fuck? That’s the dumbest title ever!
hahaha! I also don’t care for Austin. I’d stay in Asia sooner than moving to Austin.
Good call. I think you can only become so successful when surrounded by poverty. I felt so uninspired when I lived in Thailand.
Nothing compares to being in a big city, seeing all of the wealth, and “feeding off the energy” as lame as it sounds.
It isn’t lame in the slightest.
I grew up in the Northeast and am currently working for a big tech company in Silicon Valley.
Yes, the opportunity is greater than anywhere else in the world. Vic, in terms of growing a business, this is THE place to be-relatively trustworthy and ambitious partners and the money flows like honey. Next to apartment are 5 venture capital or incubator funds, and I’m not even in the heart of SF.
SF has a few problems. Poor people clogging up the streets. Let me guess though, that’ll be an upgrade from Vietnam or SE Asia in general. The rent is exorbitant (expect to pay 3.5K for a solid two bedroom in a nice part of town) but I view it as a PRIVILEGE. I stay here because I make enough money to enjoy life in possibly the best city in America. For expanding business, digital talent is a must and it abounds here…media, design, advertising, you name it. And the public transport…godsend, you don’t need a car in the city!
LA’s a giant desert disguised as the capital of entertainment in the US. You’ll have to get a car and be stuck in traffic all the time.
1) Are you bringing Ms. Pride along? SF is liberal, but there are more conservative areas near south city.
2) If you prefer cool-warm winter year round, SF is a great bet. Be sure to pack layers, weather is weird and hormonal and always keeps changing, that’s a problem sometimes.
Boom. You just convinced me. SF it is.
I don’t care about a liberal area/conservative area, I’m simply going to live in a nice neighborhood.
Glad to hear, man. Looking forward to catching up here when you get a chance.
I read the “top 5 cities” article and I have to agree with #1. Newport Beach is where I live and have my business. Everyone here is definitely wealthy.
The weather is great in Southern California. Business is amazing.
Bold and determined will be a huge success no matter what city you live in Vic.
Vic, SF is the call. Lots of positive energy and $$$ in that area.
You’ll have serious access to products from Napa and the garden of the nation San Joaquin Valley is in your backyard. The Italian section of SF is off the hook awesome. The outdoor destinations near and around SF Bay are insane.
Hope to buy you an espresso in the future.
“Vic, SF is the call. Lots of positive energy and $$$ in that area.”
SF is a done deal.
I’m also a current New Yorker. I only like certain parts of Brooklyn. There’s a very strong Caribbean population that are without a doubt of questionable character. Not the upstanding crowd you would want to raise a family around. That’s partly what’s hurting the area around the Barclays arena. Although I do like Brooklyn Heights.
If you could find the right area in Manhattan it would be great. Being that you currently reside in Vietnam you might like San Francisco a little better.
“Being that you currently reside in Vietnam you might like San Francisco a little better.”
huh?
San Francisco has a large Asian community. I lived in California for almost 20 years. Recently moved back east. Where I’m from.
Right. I’m leaving Asia for a reason.
Vic have you thought about moving to Vegas? No state income tax is a perk.
I thought about it and declined it.
Have you visited South Florida?
Yes, way too hot.
I am from the SF Bay Area. I went from crappy blue collar jobs to working at a successful startup in SF, before branching out to other ventures. Vic you will stand out here in SF as most people in the startup/tech culture are not tall and muscular, and do not have a balanced life as far as interests outside of work (I stood out in these ways as well). You can use this to your advantage, being a shark among goldfish if you will. The men that run these businesses do not “fit in” to the local culture. I didn’t, and you probably won’t either. That is ok. Any negative daily interactions as a result of your lack of political correctness can be turned into positive creativity, more fuel for the fire which then becomes some of your online content.
There are a ton of networking opportunities, investors are here, and there is much money to be made. B&D is great and you are doing the right thing by staying aggressive and pushing further growth. Looking forward to hearing about your new developments in the West.
“Vic you will stand out here in SF as most people in the startup/tech culture are not tall and muscular, and do not have a balanced life as far as interests outside of work”
They sound perfect. I wouldn’t want to hire someone who has a balanced life, I only want people who are obsessed with their work.
Exactly. You already recognize the advantages.
Welcome home V. Like yourself I’ve lived all over from Texas to South America and Hong Kong. I liked in NYC proper for about 10 years and would say if money is most important thing live there. I moved to Austin and honestly would recommend it there then anywhere else. First off people from NY to CA are moving here for good reason. Active lifestyle great weather and can have a laid back or balls to the wall mentality. From working out to tons of parks and Great Lake.
Like yourself I also grew up in Texas and for me personally it’s tough to beat Austin.
Stay strong
Austin doesn’t have what I’m looking for. It’s way too hot and the traffic is horrid.
I’m excited for you man. You’re taking a big step coming out here to the States and that can only mean one thing: you’re growing (financially at least). Welcome back to the land of opportunity.
Hey Victor! You may have heard about ” Astrocartography map (relocation astrology) ” , or not. You may believe in it… or not, we have the free choice to believe in whatever we want,but let me tell you few things about this ” Astrocartography map ” :
1. You can analyze/discover your ” best ” countries/cities on which your financial potential ”amplifies”.
Now, obviously you can make money everywhere,but each and everyone of us have on this globe some locations where businesses,jobs,investment opportunities comes much easier to us.
2. The interesting part is that I have analyzed the Astrocartography map of some very successful people and I have discovered some amazing things. For example :
- Steve Jobs who lived in Palo Alto,San Francisco,California - had one of his amplified ”financial and career sign” passing through that area. Coincidence or not.. ?!
- According to the biography of President George Bush, he made his first million in western Texas,where, again it has one of his amplified ” Vocation ,Career ” sign/line.
- Oprah Winfrey, success in Chicago , and soon she is moving into a new location, in West Hollywood,where it is beneficial as well for her in this matter of career and vocation.
- According to his biographical information Arnold Schwarzenegger moved to Hollywood from Germany with $20 in his pocket. It was in Hollywood that he made millions of dollars. And guess what ? In the west area of North America he has the most strongest line of his ” vocation and career ” sign.
- I have made the analyze for my brother as well,it has one of his financial lines in Scandinavia and he’s there from few months and he is earning more than ever( all his life he had financial problems ). Coincidence or not…?! Who knows?
3. If you would like I will make your Astrocartography map as well, for Free, usually it costs something around $25 for 3 cities, it depends on the website,some are charging more,but because you provide us with so many good articles, it is free for you Victor( if you are interested of course ) , and I would like to say that I am not responsible for anyone decision after reading this comment. ” Astrocartography map ” is for informational and educational purposes only.
I wish you the very best of luck with your empire and keep ” Wow us ” with your original style and uniqueness.
Best Regards,
Rudi
Yes, I am interested in hearing more about this.
I will need you to email me with the followings :
- full name
- date of birth
- place of birth (City + country)
- time of birth (this is the most important factor,without this I cannot analyze anything) and a difference of minutes can mean miles,so make sure this is correct.
- cities where you would like to move/make business
I have no idea what time I was born.
That’s funny, Vic, because even though you don’t know your time of birth you may have heard about ” Astrocartography map (relocation astrology) ” , or not. You may believe in it… or not, we have the free choice to believe in whatever we want,but let me tell you few things about this ” Astrocartography map ” :
1. You can analyze/discover your ” best ” countries/cities on which your financial potential ”amplifies”.
Now, obviously you can make money everywhere,but each and everyone of us have on this globe some locations where businesses,jobs,investment opportunities comes much easier to us.
2. The interesting part is that I have analyzed the Astrocartography map of some very successful people and I have discovered some amazing things. For example :
– Steve Jobs who lived in Palo Alto,San Francisco,California – had one of his amplified ”financial and career sign” passing through that area. Coincidence or not.. ?!
– According to the biography of President George Bush, he made his first million in western Texas,where, again it has one of his amplified ” Vocation ,Career ” sign/line.
– Oprah Winfrey, success in Chicago , and soon she is moving into a new location, in West Hollywood,where it is beneficial as well for her in this matter of career and vocation.
– According to his biographical information Arnold Schwarzenegger moved to Hollywood from Germany with $20 in his pocket. It was in Hollywood that he made millions of dollars. And guess what ? In the west area of North America he has the most strongest line of his ” vocation and career ” sign.
– I have made the analyze for my brother as well,it has one of his financial lines in Scandinavia and he’s there from few months and he is earning more than ever( all his life he had financial problems ). Coincidence or not…?! Who knows?
3. If you would like I will make your Astrocartography map as well, for Free, usually it costs something around $25 for 3 cities, it depends on the website,some are charging more,but because you provide us with so many good articles, it is free for you Victor( if you are interested of course ) , and I would like to say that I am not responsible for anyone decision after reading this comment. ” Astrocartography map ” is for informational and educational purposes only.
I wish you the very best of luck with your empire and keep ” Wow us ” with your original style and uniqueness.
Best Regards,
James Rustler
Vic, I’ve never lived in San Fran nor NYC, but been to both several times. As an outsider, San Fran blows away NYC. Climate: better, culture: better, Wine country nearby: better, Food: different & better, Coast line: better, California girls: by far better, Not far from Rocky Mountains and other natural adventurous settings: hell, you know that’s better.
I’m obviously biased. I’m looking forward to seeing what you got under your 3/4 shirt sleeve over here.
Regards,
You really never stop moving forward right?
Sharks die if they stop moving.
Being a native of the Bay Area and having lived in the city of SF for the past 16 years, I’ve seen a ton of changes occur in this amazing city. I’ve also benefitted from those changes financially and culturally.
I’ve also been in the mortgage lending business for 20 years and know the best and worst of the neighborhoods of SF as well as the outer-lying areas outside of the city. Victor, look me up when you land in SF and I’ll guide you through the maze of the neighborhoods and connect you with good people here. BTW, for a 2 bedroom apt in a lively and interesting part of town, rents are more like $4k - $5k+ per mo. More than a mortgage payment. That’s partly why my business as a lender keeps growing year over year.
Lastly, I have friends who have sold their companies to big tech companies. It’s for real and the explosion of wealth is happening all over the region. Not just Silicon Valley and SF.
I love the cooler weather. It’s just the marine layer. So what? We get plenty of warm, sunny days throughout the year.
I’ve been living in Asia for the past 5 months and already realized that, for all it’s problems, the west is the best.
I was living in Los Angeles working remotely and realized I could same a ton of cash by living in South East Asia. Don’t get me wrong, saving money here has been great and I have been able to pay off some debt.
However, I’ve become a bit burnt out on the peasant culture. I plan on either moving back to the US or Hong Kong.
Great post.
Big step going back to America. Good luck!
I have no idea which place is better. have only been on holiday to NY.
I prefer living in Europe
Vic just curious, hope its not too personal. Whats happening with your relationship? Are you leaving your gf in Vietnam? Or taking her with you?
I hope you would write more dating articles!
Best of luck in the States!
Have you considered Chicago, Victor?
Yes, no reason for me to live in Chicago.
Well , if you come back to Dallas , my gym door is always open to!
three years on my pulse feed and i finally post a comment just because i wanted to see how many people would talk about the tshirt. Queer. Im female,living in nigeria,not interested in body building but always curious about money. Read your blog posts once a week.you always sound like you know exactly what you are doing. Showed some guy a post on your blog three years ago the day i found your blog and this year he did exactly what was in that post.. i guess your ideas do leavean impression.hope you enjoy the city you eventually move to. Cheers
That was a very confusing comment. Cheers, I think.
Here is a blog post by Paul Graham that I was reminded of as I read Victor’s post.
http://www.paulgraham.com/siliconvalley.html
Graham is a famous programmer and angel investor in Silicon Valley and this is an essay he wrote on how different cities attract different types of people(duh) and that if you want to accomplish something you have to be in the right city for your goal.
Hey Vic,
You should check out the Phoenix area to; it’s like Silicon Valley for entrepreneurs.
Some more points to consider based on my visit there:
1.) The people there are friendly, polite and confident, people walk with their head held high.
2.) The people there are interesting; I had more interesting conversations there in four days than I have in the past year.
3.) It hardly rains (and your probably used to the heat from Vietnam)
4.) There are lots of interesting things to do in the Phoenix area.
5.) The infrastructure is great; the highways are rated 1st. in the country.
6.) It is a large city (Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe)
7.) Hot Arizona State girls
I was so impressed that I plan on moving there sometime next year.
Phoenix is too hot.
I lived in Phoenix for two years for grad school.
May - August I wanted to die. Felt like I was melting on the surface of mars. Or the sun.
Don’t move there.
I’m your typical skinny fat wow nerd loser who spend his time looking at pr0n, surfing the webs aimlessly and contemplating suicide regularly. Bought 30 dod, lasted a day and then gave up. Can you give me a reality check/advices?
Just give me one thing that I can hold onto, a line, an idea that will keep me going into the right direction and which will give me the force I lack in dark times. Please.
Ease into it man. Start off doing 3 of the things the first week, then keep adding more.
It will take time for you to adjust, and you may have to extend it from 30 days to 60 days, but try it out.
That, or just get your discipline in check. Don’t look for “motivation” because that’s temporary.
holy shit…….here’s some advice, get some ambition, get to work, and grow a fucking pair
Stop being a coward and embrace the fact it is going to suck. You cannot go from your current state to a soldier without some growing pains.
Very cool article Vic. Every time I hear someone cackling about buying something in particular, or shopping somewhere can “save you money” I cringe due to our mindsets (which results in our incomes, savings, and investments most of the time) being 180 degrees off.
That being said I would consider the following: Reducing taxable income at all costs. I love California, and I lived in CT until I was in my mid-20’s and love NYC. To visit. Unless your plans to build your empire include brushing shoulders in person with big wigs, or people who know them (and they very well might be), and the revenue from doing such makes it worthwhile, you will get literally KILLED on income tax in NY and Cali.
San Fran weather can’t be beat and we absolutely love it out there, as well as other parts of Cali. If I thought living there would create that much more revenue while taking into account my families best interests, I would seriously consider it. If it does to you, then more power to you.
I have two successful companies, both I can and do operate from anywhere in the world while traveling with my beautiful wife and my awesome 10 year old son who we home-school. We frequently do month-long homeaways in whatever state we choose to be in, but unless something drastically changes I will always hang my hat Texas. Austin in particular. No state income tax, Southern hospitality, and a unique blend still of liberal and conservative. And plenty of successful people and only growing.
But you put it perfectly in saying that liberals keep things clean and make great neighbors. Their opinions will never steer our own course and destiny. Choosing a home base with no state income tax, then traveling on business frequently could really pay off.
Look forward to seeing where you end up, glad you found your niche.
I’m not going to stay in San Fran permanently. I’m going to go and take care of what I need to take care of and then leave. My company is offshore, I can’t think of any reason I would open a new company in Cali.
SF has the social media technology and young bright people. There is the daydreaming dopey liberalism but you’re immune to that. If you can hook your publishing and lifestyle sense & business to technology, I see a great future for you in SF. That said, I’m glad you’re coming back to the USA, we need more of your kind here.
Victor, I live in the Bronx, NY actually due to the low cost of housing. I pay about 600-700 dollars a month for rent, and I’m doing this until I can successfully build up a business. I’m keeping my costs low on purpose.
It’s not the greatest area at all, but I’m a 10 minute train ride from Manhattan.
Some things I’ve noticed from living here for a year:
1. The people in New York aren’t very friendly, but that may be every city
2. It’s definitely more stressful living in a city than a suburb, but it’s worth it for the amount of opportunities
3. You need to learn street smarts if you’re living in the Bronx, and even some parts of Manhattan
4. It’s every man for himself for the most part. You’re just a minnow in a sea of piranhas
With that said, my choice to move was 100% the best decision of my life. I needed to get out of the small town I lived in before for my life to go anywhere.
If you have any more questions (anyone for that matter) feel free to ask me.
Victor pride coming back to the states,who would believe?
Ain’t permanent.
Ok.Why did post the confederate flag on ur Twitter?
Did that hurt your feelings?
Of course not.Nothing white people do surprises me.
Of course not.White people have a proven track record so nothing they do surprises me.
“White people have a proven track record”
We sure do and thanks for the compliment.
And of course I expect you too take slavery,the holocaust,genocide of the natives Americans and aborigines,and the bombing of Japan as a compliment.
Also open homosexuality is ok now just like how it used to be in good old Greece and Rome.And I’m sure you’re very excited about that!!!
I’ll understand if you want to leave white man’s land and go live peacefully with your own 3rd world scholars and pacifists. Goodbye.
Hey Victor if you come by New York City can we work out?
No, but when I come to NYC I will host a meet and greet.
Victor,
I was born and raised in New York State and I spent a couple years as an adult around and in New York City. In short - I had a very rough time there. The place will chew you up and spit you out. However, the ruggedness and the grit may be right up your alley. I feel as if there are more ‘real men’ there and much more driven people in general. In California, every other man you meet is gay or you couldn’t tell. There is a ‘hard’ vibe to New York and ‘soft’ vibe to California - pick your poison.
Having moved to San Diego after being in New York is like playing life on easy mode. People are much more laid back in general in California. But be aware of one thing. This state is infested with homeless people; San Francisco being one of the worst. There are a lot of losers who came out here with big dreams and no drive. You’ll find them everywhere.
The start-up culture here is huge. If you end up in the right circles (which I know you will) you can make big things happen fast. If I had to pick a place to give your first try at making it big I would have to say SF for sure. But my personal suggestion is southern California (I may be biased) Whichever you decide, I know you’ll be drilling and killing it.
Hi Victor,
all the best for your new journey in SF.
Peace
Have you considered moscow? I know its not in the States, but its one of the richest cities in the world, has a decent climate, and expensive housing. It has everything you need to build a publishing empire, beginning with advertisers and ending with top of the line graphic designers and programmers.
What it doesn’t have is english.
>white guy goes to poor, third world Asian country
>insult poor people who are trying their best to make a living
BTW, the 6 men drinking with shot glasses from a water bottle is most likely moonshine alcohol, kinda like vodka/sake mix. Restaurants offer water and green tea for free.
Restaurants in Vietnam don’t offer water for free you imbecile.
SF all the way.
Lot’s of tech, lot’s of smart people, lot’s of startups, lot’s of poor people though. Really beautiful city.
NYC - Has everything, but it will take more time to build the right network of people. But you can get it done.
I split my time between Bangkok and NYC. Only lived in SF for 3 months back a few years ago during my corporate job years in my 20’s.
Yea, fuck living somewhere hot long term. That’s why I leave Bangkok for 1/2 a year or so every year. Get bored of the 100 degree weather everyday. People think I’m crazy for wanting to live somewhere cold.
Warm and sunny is not a selling point anymore after you’ve lived in a tropical country.
Just keep this in the back of your head
Europe.Central Europe.
Although America has many opportunities,Europe has many holes to fill.Every other project,buisness etc that there is in America ,Europe lacks of.
In terms of your aspirations ,one note:There are many many great writers,bloggers ,buissness men,talented people thirsty for success that don’t know where or how to start.
Just an idea.If you don’t come someone else will grasp there opportunities ;)