This is what I did. I lived in the Bay Area (Mountain View) and thought the cost of living there long-term was unaffordable. So I moved to Chicago and now I'm d

This is what I did. I lived in the Bay Area (Mountain View) and thought the cost of living there long-term was unaffordable. So I moved to Chicago and now I'm debt free and have a 3-minute-walk commute to work. I wish more people seriously considered this option. Yes, the winters are cold, but no place is perfect. A thick winter coat, gloves, and a hat are a lot cheaper than a Mountain View rent or mortgage. (This is a very privileged opinion though, and I wish everyone had the option of being able to leave if they wanted to.)