It can still make sense to live there while you're young, save a bunch, and then move to a lower cost of living area later. I know a few people who did this. Th

It can still make sense to live there while you're young, save a bunch, and then move to a lower cost of living area later. I know a few people who did this. Then you can buy a house in a great neighborhood in a smaller city closer to things you like doing. Because of compound growth saving as much as you can when you're young and have few obligations really adds up later in life.