It's also location. I never appreciated where I lived until I traveled across the United States. It's being close to mountains, nice mild weather, close to the beach, close to well paying jobs. Never cared about being close to "the excitement of San Francisco" though. I always felt it was a boring city.

For years, certain parts of the Bay Area were kept secret. They have pretty much all been exposed--thanks mainly to the Internet, and I guess Apple/tech? I still regret not buying the small house out in west Marin I could have bought for under $100K. I should have just bought it.