Why don't you move abroad?

For some, home is where the heart is.

I've lived in 11 major cities around the world for the past 25 years, but in the end I moved back home to my rural hometown, in my home country. Remote work made that possible. I make probably 20% of what I could have done in high-COL areas like the Bay Area.

But I have a fantastic work-life balance. Make good money, relative to my peers. Clock in 9, clock out 4. Get to spend lots of time on my hobbies, never work any weekends. Live in a peaceful place with zero crime, everything is a 5 min walk from my home. Hiking trail is practically 50m from my doorstep. Family and friends live close by.

I did spend some time fighting FOMO of not living in a big city, which held me back from moving home - but COVID kind of accelerated that decision.

With that said, I always say to younger people that they should try to move out in their 20s-30s, see the world. I've never met anyone that regretted on "traveling too much".

In the bay area, most people I know only work in the office three days a week (working sparingly on the other two days) and they come in at 10am and leave at 3pm. Never work weekends etc. Crime is low in South Bay. Most amazing trails and mountains right near home for hiking, riding, and driving. All of this while making enough to buy a house and go vacationing. COL is completely dwarfed by the pay. West coast work ethic is very chill compared to midwest or east coast -- part of the reason I avoid those places.