The Pros > relatively newer, affordable housing > decent weather > good public schools > there is room for my young kids to grow in the suburbs > It is green (love the tree cover), though the locals don't seem to care and keep chopping down the trees with no remorse. > not prone to earth quakes, forest fires and gets plenty of rainfall. > Plenty of trails, lakes. You can get to a beach in 5 hours (Hilton Head, Destin etc)
The Cons > Salaries are lower and yes roles are stack specific > Opportunities are limited. > Mindset > Traffic
If I had the means to buy a home at any of the tech centers, I would have not moved. It is always a good idea to stay close to the mother ship(HQ). The network effect of companies attracting engineers and other way around will always work.