I LOVE stories like these. Now what I want to know is, why did you move away from Seattle? How do you feel about "the big one" earthquake slowly getting closer and closer to happening? My biggest shock about the bay area were the tiny houses and tiny backyards. It's something I just can't deal with and don't want to compromise on. For the same price I can get an amazing home somewhere less crowded with a higher quality of life, less stress, less pollution, and less traffic. Are the opportunities and friendships in the bay area really worth giving up all those things for?
What I like about the Bay Area is that it has some of the greatest backyards within driving distance: Marin Headlands, Yosemite, Death Valley, Lava Beds, Redwoods, Channel Islands, Joshua Tree, Sequoia.