On the other hand, I moved to the Bay Area in 2013 to work for a big famous tech company and I was utterly disappointed. Earning a high income was no fun because I was trapped in a city full of type-a, over-achievers, who only wanted to talk about work. The people who I most enjoyed hanging out with were financially struggling and on their way out.

Cheaper places allow for more diversity, which creates a healthy and vibrant culture. The Bay Area feels sick to me; like something from a William Gibson novel. I left after a year and will _never_ live there again if I can help it.