Good/best USA geographic location(s) for an e-biz base

[SilverShine]

This need for this query is some way off but because there is a possibility that I will have to move in the near future (within 3 months), I thought I would ask now in case location is important or pivotal.

Initially, I will be a stockless retailer but I want to know if there are some key geographic locations in the USA where it would best for an e-biz to be based, should our success come more rapidly than anticipated and require us to start stocking products?

[HRoth]

IMO, the beauty of an online biz is that you can live wherever you can send out and receive deliveries, which takes in a lot of ground. I like upstate NY because it is beautiful and cheap and NYC is four hours away. Shipping is pretty good here. If I mail a priority mail box to CA, it goes up to Rochester that night and is often there the day after. Longer to FL or TX. People complain about the taxes here, but they have never seen the taxes in IL, I think.

Anyway, if you are thinking of relocating, choose a place you really like.

[ssgumby]

Illinois ... this is central to the US and gives you the best rates and time in transit to the east coast, west coast, and all in between.

[jwolthuis]

Upstate Michigan (top-of-the-mitten) ... fly fish for steelhead in clear streams, the skiing is excellent in the winter, and the sandy beaches are warm in the summer.

Oh, and packages arrive at their destinations on-time, just like anywhere else.

[viggen]

i would like to point out to this thread were i asked a similar question and got great ansswers

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cheers
viggen

[jsinger]

For eCommerce you want to be central with good transportation.

Illinois is a fiscal basket case. Crooked politics. Iowa, Nebraska and the Dakotas have some of the strongest economies in the country but cold. Farming is strong. Missouri is warmer and the state is fairly strong. Tennessee has to rank well as a shipping hub. Northern Mississippi (south of Memphis) is good. Earthquake prone.

Subject has come up before on this group.

[JackieBlue]

I'm in Virginia but many of suppliers are in other areas. Centrally, Michigan and Indiana are really good - goods get to Virginia via UPS in 2 days. Also from Michigan many west coast states are 2 days. Louisville might be a good option too. UPS has their big hub there (Zappos locates there warehouses there too) and the cost of living is not bad. You are also only a few hours away from several other major metropolitan areas - if that is important. Chicago, Cincinnati, St. Louis, and Nashville are all an relatively easy drive away.

[thirteen]

Kansas City, Kansas and Kansas City, Missouri. Google is using those cities as test sites for fast internet connection. You will have the best internet infrastructure in place there for e-biz.
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North Dakota is another good place. It is one of the few States that is booming. It has low unemployment, government surplus, and growing population growth. Good place to develop your own space for local e-biz.
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