Topeka is the capital of Kansas. There are jobs with the state government and jobs in businesses connected with the state government. It's also a city of 125,000 people with the usual mix of jobs. Not extremely vibrant economically but not particularly depressed either. Just an ordinary small Midwestern city.

Lawrence is the home of the University of Kansas, and is only 30 minutes down the road from Topeka. Quite a few opportunities there, including startups. Kansas City is about 40 minutes away down the turnpike with the opportunities of a 2+ million metro area.

No, he's not going to make the sort of money you do in California, but he's not moving to some economic wasteland either. He won't have too much trouble pulling in 50-70,000 in some white collar job and, considering the cost of living, he'll be quite comfortable. Probably more comfortable than a 100k job in SF or LA.

>He won't have too much trouble pulling in 50-70,000 in some white collar job and, considering the cost of living, he'll be quite comfortable. Probably more comfortable than a 100k job in SF or LA.

This was an Uber driver... you think Uber drivers are making 100k? You really think an Uber driver is gonna find a 50-70k white collar job in Kansas?

The Uber driver will not always be an Uber driver. And probably has something already lined up if he's paying for his new house via a mortgage. The reference to a 100k job was making a comparison between the quality of life in different parts of the country, and not an assumption the Uber driver was actually making 100k.

Can’t tell if you’re trolling but you’re making some seriously unfounded assumptions based on zero information because it fits the outcome you want. I could just as easily make different assumptions to end up with different results.

I have no idea what prompted this reaction or an accusation of trolling.

Also, 100k jobs in the midwest are not that rare for those with the tech (or non-tech) talent.

Not to mention huge houses have significant ongoing costs - maintenance, insurance, utilities, repairs, taxes, HOA fees, etc. Even if you owned your house free and clear you need cash flow to be able to keep it.

Are you being sarcastic? Of course all the jobs in Topeka, KS aren't minimum wage. He probably plans on getting one of those. Just like everybody else who lives in a decent sized (not huge) house in Topeka, KS.

That was just a single example, the greater point being - housing isn't expensive everywhere.

Also, you can't honestly believe that the ONLY jobs in Topeka are "Sales Associate" jobs. Your extensive 10 second google search was probably not all encompassing.

Personal attacks like this will get your account banned. Please read https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html and post civilly and substantively, or not at all.