> in the tech industry you are often rewarded for changing your job regularly.

That only works when you're early in your career (< 5 years experience, beginner to intermediate). You hit a wall fairly quickly after that. Also, in those five years, you hit your 80% learned with 20% of the effort. After that, you can learn and earn far more by making your own products and selling them. Or starting your own company.

I make better money than the average SF developer at my age, and my cost of living is half of what it would be in SF. I also work 40 hours per week (or less) and work-life balance is highly valued in our small startup scene.

Optimizing for independence is something you would explicitly be moving away from by living in SF, since your income (adjusted for cost of living) is lower there. There are studies showing that as well.

Please give more info where you're located, and by whom you're employed, and if you're local or remote.

Ex: living in NL and getting WA level remote salary 150K+ (you get the point).

I prefer not to give that many personal details out on HN. If you're curious, please feel free to email me via the address in my profile. I'm happy to chat!