4 U.S. regions quickly becoming major tech hubs

"The next Silicon Valley" may seem like the name of a reality television series.

In all seriousness, the competition to claim the title of America's Next Big Tech Hub is just as fierce as anything you might see on The Bachelor. As many startups promote themselves as "the Uber of" or "the Airbnb of" their respective industries, many cities around the U.S. aim to align with the hotbed of tech and startup activity that defines Silicon Valley.

But Silicon Valley is experiencing a bit of an identity crisis. While it's certainly still an attractive destination for any company seeking to insert the term "innovative" into its brand strategy, intense competition and the real estate boom present huge obstacles for tech companies seeking to set up shop or build from the ground up. In 2014, Coldwell Banker named Los Altos, California the most expensive real estate market in the U.S., with an average home price of nearly $2 million; rental costs for both businesses and individuals are also skyrocketing. Read more...