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My wife and I left Los Angeles for Indiana. Our rent was cut in half, we enjoy a better quality of life, and I'm part of a vibrant tech ecosystem.

My wife and I left Los Angeles for Indiana. Our rent was cut in half, we enjoy a better quality of life, and I'm part of a vibrant tech ecosystem.

Robin Madell

Arvind MurthyCourtesy of Arvind Murthy

Arvind Murthy and his wife moved from Irvine, California to Zionsville, Indiana in 2022.
When they moved to Indiana, they were afraid there wouldn't be a lot to do, he said.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Arvind Murthy, a 38-year-old general manager and early-stage startup advisor based in Zionsville, Indiana, about his relocation. It's been edited for length and clarity.

In December 2022, I relocated from the perpetual dynamism of the Los Angeles tech scene to the tranquil serenity of Zionsville, Indiana.

I collaborate with hard-tech and climate-tech entrepreneurs in my current role and I'm committed to fostering innovation in Indiana's burgeoning Hard Tech alley while enjoying the serene backdrop of my new home.

I grew up in LA and Orange County and spent the bulk of my life in Southern California.

Murthy on Crystal Cove state beach in Southern California. Courtesy of Arvind Murthy

The "Silicon Beach" ecosystem boosted my development as an entrepreneur and angel investor.

Murthy with two fellow mentors from the LA ecosystem. Courtesy of Arvind Murthy

Source: Insider

I got addicted to the world of startups and creating great companies from ideas on the back of napkins. I've spent the past decade working with startup founders and started mentoring for an early-stage startup accelerator in 2019.

When I got married in 2022 I started to investigate alternatives to Southern California.

Murthy and his wife, Ranjani, at the Getty Center with West LA in the background. Courtesy of Arvind Murthy

My wife and I love the outdoors and museums and wanted to find a new area to explore and call our own.

LA is the epicenter of cool stuff, but I wanted to find something more material.

Murphy at the trendy waterfront in Venice Beach, California for an event by the creators of Soonish, a gluten free beer alternative. L-R: Murthy's wife Ranjani, Murthy, Chip Welsh (Soonish), Greg Maiatico (Soonish), Vaughn Blake (an LA venture capitalist). Courtesy of Arvind Murthy

As an early-stage startup advisor, I'm always looking for the next big thing. I was an active angel investor during the pandemic. Seeing so many great early ideas provoked me to search for world-changing ideas.

My wife and I left sunny SoCal for Indiana's Hard Tech Corridor in December 2022. We arrived just in time for a winter deep freeze, so we learned how to layer up like the locals.

Murthy and his wife on their first day in Zionsville on Main Street. Courtesy of Arvind Murthy

Source: Indiana Chamber

The quaint, small-town nature of Zionsville and reduced cost of living has added to me and my wife's new lifestyle.

We traded in our 850-square-foot apartment in Irvine, California for a three-bedroom home in Zionsville. Compared to SoCal, our rent was cut in half and we got almost three times as much space for our money.

Murthy’s three-bedroom home in Zionsville, Indiana. Courtesy of Arvind Murthy

When we moved to Indiana, we feared that there wouldn't be a lot to do on the weekends — but that's not the case.

Murthy and his wife at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for a charity event. Courtesy of Arvind Murthy

We do all we can to embrace Hoosier hospitality and are melting into some popular local customs.

The hustle and bustle of Santa Monica is alive in the Midwest if you know where to look.

Murthy in front of Rosie’s Place in Zionsville. Courtesy of Arvind Murthy

Pop into Rosie's Place on Main Street in Zionsville and you'll overhear more about term sheets and funding rounds then you will about tractors and cows.

The food and culture in the Midwest are endless and charming.

Murthy eats at Convivio in Zionsville Courtesy of Arvind Murthy

Convivio on Main Street in Zionsville a true farm to fork experience, and the Indianapolis Museum of Art is on par with any cultural institution on the coasts.

We loved farmers markets back home and are happy to be spoiled with some of the best here in Indiana.

Murthy hangs out at the Zionsville Farmer’s Market. Courtesy of Arvind Murthy

The charm of a small town with brick streets and historic buildings is a huge plus.

Murthy and his wife on Main Street in Zionsville. Courtesy of Arvind Murthy

Zionsville's world-class schools and kid-friendly communities make raising a family so much easier.

We love the walkable trails and parks in Zionsville. The outdoor space here is perfect for taking calls and bouncing ideas off cofounders.

Murthy and his wife stroll at Turkey Foot Nature Park. Courtesy of Arvind Murthy

The work I do with my team at the Heritage Group Accelerator in Indianapolis is helping to draw innovators from all over the globe to Indiana.

Hard tech founders in a discussion at the Heritage Group Accelerator in Indianapolis. Courtesy of Arvind Murthy

I like to be around founders who are trying to tackle humanity-level issues such as cleaner energy and sustainable construction.

The proximity to major industrial partners makes the Indiana ecosystem a place to be for Hard Tech.

Ginger Rothrock of HG Ventures, a leading VC in the Hard Tech space. Courtesy of Arvind Murthy

Industrial names like Caterpillar, Allison, and Rolls Royce plus world-class engineering schools like Purdue have created a hardware Silicon Valley in the Midwest.

Projects in the Hard Tech Corridor take longer to launch than in LA, San Francisco, or NYC due to the nature of Hard Tech's research and development life cycle and customer acquisition phases.

A cohort from the Heritage Group Accelerator during a fireside chat. Courtesy of Arvind Murthy

Still, we came to Zionsville for the innovation, and we're staying for the high quality of life and the people. But if you're coming from Southern California, bring a jacket or two — it gets cold.

Murthy and his wife at the Carmel Christkindlmarkt, an outdoor Christmas market. Courtesy of Arvind Murthy

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