SF to Orlando here. The tax benefit was huge, CA taxes were around %9. That alone covered a mortgage in Orlando - which has no state income tax. While working

SF to Orlando here. The tax benefit was huge, CA taxes were around %9. That alone covered a mortgage in Orlando - which has no state income tax. While working remote in Orlando I fixed up our house every weekend by watching youtube videos. Eventually I sold this house for a massive profit within 2 years and upgraded to a much larger home. Looking back paying SF rent prices I could kick myself for not leaving quicker. I looked through all the spending in SF - and realized rent control is the only way to make any money in SF. You need to lock in a cheap rent and sit.