I also notice that they do focus on the most extremes. I'm not going to claim that things are remotely cheap anywhere in the Bay Area, but if you're not dead set on being in The City (tm), the prices drop substantially. Again: yes, still expensive. Yes, if I lived somewhere else, my rent share for a 2BR place in Santa Clara would be less than I'm paying. But so would my salary, and in my experience -- and a little contrary to my expectations -- the salary often does make up for it on an absolute dollar basis.
There are few other places you can experience so much of life's variety within a 3 hr drive.
This, more than anything else, is what makes me reticent to move.
Comments
I also notice that they do focus on the most extremes. I'm not going to claim that things are remotely cheap anywhere in the Bay Area, but if you're not dead set on being in The City (tm), the prices drop substantially. Again: yes, still expensive. Yes, if I lived somewhere else, my rent share for a 2BR place in Santa Clara would be less than I'm paying. But so would my salary, and in my experience -- and a little contrary to my expectations -- the salary often does make up for it on an absolute dollar basis.
There are few other places you can experience so much of life's variety within a 3 hr drive.
This, more than anything else, is what makes me reticent to move.