I &#x27;grew up&#x27; in the Valley, 80&#x27;s and 90&#x27;s, lucky enough to wise up and leave it by way of a move to Europe.  Never looked back.<p>My personal, subjective reality is that the reason to leave the valley is this: culture.  Which is to say, by way of corollary, a reason to <i>Be</i> in the Valley is this: the lack of culture.<p>Let me explain what I mean by culture:  If you have to drive and park, its not culture.<p>After 15 years of success in the Valley as a relatively content systems software developer, what it boiled down to was this: can I take a bus where I need to go?  No?<p>Well, go where the buses are.  Go where the train, is.<p>Too many long days spent in dread of the ride home, the inevitable gear-grinding maelstrom of disaster that starts on the onramp and doesn&#x27;t end until you get to your generic hide-away.<p>Cars: a reason to move.