When I tell people "I live in Tokyo" they immediately assume it's crazy expensive. I always say, compared to what? London? New York? San Francisco? Tokyo is actually cheaper.

And there is choice! I could live 15 min away from where I live and save 30% of my rent. But I love the place where I live! (and I don't need to travel anywhere, just walk. So worth the money).

One can vary the size / location / age of the building and fight something. Tokyo is so amazing due to mixed-use zoning. Apartments, restaurants, shops, office buildings. All tastefully mixed together.

Also the food is so much cheaper. I can get a great, tasty and healthy (-enough) lunch in Tokyo for $10. Same food/quality would cost me $20 in US.

Bay Area is terrible. Pay through the roof to live in the middle of nowhere and spend hours every day in traffic.