It's sort of a good news/bad news situation. If you're interested in NYC, there is a hi tech enclave there - so you don't absolutely have to "settle" for Silicon Valley.

But, the bad news is that "web design" and "web development" have been popular degrees in academia in the US in the last 10 years or so. Given the collapse of the dot com bubble, there are also more than enough web designers out there looking for work or working for themselves on a freelance basis.

The "outsourcing" phenomenon has kind of reduced the need for companies to go through the H1B hoops to recruit web developers, too. In many cases, it's just not necessary for your web developer to be physically present in the country - plus it's a whole lot cheaper if they live and work elsewhere.

But it's not impossible - you just need to find a way to make an "end run" somehow. Get some unique experience or get yourself known at conferences (like thaumata suggested) and who knows what you may be able to work out for yourself!
Cheers,
Bev