AI founder says even a $300,000 salary in San Francisco left him stressed, moved to Argentina where rent is 10x cheaper and he's happier

For years, San Francisco has been the dream destination for startup founders hoping to build the next billion-dollar company. But for Koby Conrad, founder of AI sobriety companion Sunflower, success no longer meant staying in the heart of Silicon Valley.

The 32-year-old entrepreneur recently relocated to Buenos Aires, Argentina, saying the move has transformed both his business and personal life. While he still believes San Francisco is unmatched when it comes to technology and innovation, Conrad told Business Insider that Argentina offers something he couldn't find in California—a more affordable life, greater peace of mind and a better place to raise a family.

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From a $900 mortgage to sharing a home with nine roommates

Before moving to California, Conrad lived a very different life in Boise, Idaho. At 26, he packed up and headed to San Francisco after his younger brother encouraged him to become part of the city's thriving startup ecosystem.

The financial contrast was immediate.

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"At the time, I had this 2,000-square-foot house, and my mortgage was like $900 a month. In San Francisco, I moved in with nine roommates, where I was paying $1,600 for this tiny little room," he said.

Despite the dramatic increase in living costs, Conrad immersed himself in the city's startup culture. He even entered the prestigious Y Combinator accelerator after his brother listed him as a co-founder on an application.

'San Francisco is still the best place for startups'

Although he now lives thousands of miles away, Conrad has no intention of criticizing the city that helped shape his career.

In fact, he still believes San Francisco remains the world's leading destination for technology startups.

"I love San Francisco. It's one of the most gorgeous cities on the face of the planet," he said.

He described living there as feeling like "peaking over the edge of the universe and seeing what's coming next."

However, he also admitted that the city's social circles can become overwhelmingly centered around the tech industry.

"If you're in SF, you're around a specific type of person all the time. Highly technical humans who work at tech companies is 90% of the circle. I think it's really good for early-career humans," Conrad explained.

Why Buenos Aires won over New York

When it came time to leave California, Conrad considered relocating to New York before ultimately choosing Buenos Aires.

His reasons went beyond finances.

"I love the food, I love the culture, and I love the fact that my rent is 10x cheaper," he said.

The lower cost of living has completely changed the way he thinks about money.

"In SF, if I'm making $300,000, I'm still stressed about money. Here, you can make $100,000 and think: 'Cool, I'm set for the rest of my world.'"

For Conrad, financial security isn't just about earning more—it's about spending less while maintaining a high quality of life.

Building a company from Argentina

Even after leaving Silicon Valley, Conrad isn't distancing himself from the U.S. startup ecosystem.

He continues to travel regularly to San Francisco and is applying for a digital nomad visa in Argentina. His long-term business strategy combines both locations.

According to Conrad, the company's engineering team will remain in San Francisco and New York, while the go-to-market team will operate from Buenos Aires.

He also believes Argentina has helped him become a more focused founder.

"When I'm in Argentina, I have nothing to do but work 24/7," he said, explaining that a full-time house manager handles everyday chores, allowing him to dedicate more time to growing Sunflower.

Starting a family became a major reason to leave

The move wasn't driven by work alone.

Conrad revealed that he and his girlfriend are expecting their first child, and the prospect of raising a family played a major role in his decision to leave California.

"It's really hard to be able to have a house or apartment that's big enough to have a baby in San Francisco," he said, adding that raising children in the city would be significantly more expensive.

He believes ambitious founders shouldn't have to choose between career success and family life.

"Our ambitions should include kids and family," Conrad said.

"I want to build massive things, have kids, and leave it all to them."

Safety concerns and why he chose Argentina

Conrad acknowledged that safety is often a concern for people considering a move to Latin America. He recalled nearly being kidnapped while visiting Medellín, Colombia, but said his experience in Argentina has been very different.

"Argentina is one of the safest places in Latin America," he said, adding that he has found the people welcoming and enjoys living in Buenos Aires.