Win with proper savings strategies? This all assumes that you can't get the same pay (or at least close enough) elsewhere, which is an OK rule of thumb, but not

Win with proper savings strategies? This all assumes that you can't get the same pay (or at least close enough) elsewhere, which is an OK rule of thumb, but not true in all cases. How about trying those saving strategies outside of the bay while still on a very good tech salary? My current apartment would also be incomprehensible in the Bay Area. Luxury 1 bd, new construction, walking distance to the office, pool, Friday night car service, 24/7 concierge, pet friendly, on-site maintenance, and more for under $2k. They also threw in a free month of rent, no deposit... I'm stashing away plenty in savings too. Big tech has expanded beyond the Bay and will continue to do so. They've realized they can pay the same or a bit less and the employees can keep more. They also get to attract people that don't want to live in SF, the Bay, or CA in general. Not to mention state tax incentives that states are handing out. They're literally offering for people to move out of our non-Bay office with the same package. Those staying are paying a die-hard Californian tax and it is an expensive one.