Very much this. There's an awful lot of the country that is extremely affordable without being extremely rural.

Perhaps we should be thankful so many people are unaware of the cities between the coasts, more people might come here and wreck it!

Everyone knows, they just don’t like the weather/geographic features/politics/laws/economic opportunities, and are willing to pay the higher prices.

That's all well and good. I don't begrudge anyone for spending their money how they wish. Just don't choose to spend your money on those amenities and then complain and act like it's some sort of generational injustice that you can't afford a home or family in one of the most expensive cities in the country.

I'm 20 miles outside of Seattle renting from a private owner, so comparable rent for the same 1br to where I grew up in suburb upstate NY. Shop at walmart, dollar general. Went back to smaller town NY last year to visit family, absolutely no difference in costs except electricity costs are higher there. Rents aren't cheaper than what I'm paying even in the 'flyover state' cities.

>Rents aren't cheaper than what I'm paying even in the 'flyover state' cities.

With all due respect, this sounds like complete horseshit. How much are you paying for rent?