Make more money? Yeah, I agree. That's what I always end up doing.

They say money can't buy happiness, but in your case it can't even buy you the material goods you want. Just move! Even with the current housing crisis you could afford a small mansion in the midwest with half your income. Your investments alone are enough to pay it in cash. And I'm not talking about middle-of-nowhere midwest; I'm talking about suburbs for metropolitan areas.

This guy is just entitled, and a whiny entitled at that. “Why can’t I buy a 10 acre farm with avocado trees and chickens in the middle of the city!!!”

He was just trolling and drew some people in. Downvote and move on.

He’s an energy vampire

Yes but then I'd have to live in the midwest - wouldn't I? I'm not one to be taking on that level of social suicide.

I lived in poor rural communities for the first 18 years of my life. I've paid my dues to my poor working class roots and I'm more than glad to say goodbye forever. And you can tell me, "But Omaha isn't that bad!" but I'm not buying it. I know people in the midwest and there's a reason so many want to leave. Only reason they stay is because they can't afford somewhere else - not because they like it.

To each their own I guess. I live in the midwest and I'm perfectly happy here. No social problems whatsoever. I've spent enough time in some of the biggest US cities to know I'm not missing anything.

I'm not sure what sort of mass exodus you're talking about either. The midwest city I live in is among the top 10 fastest growing cities in the US.

If selling your soul to FAANG in exchange for a lousy appartment is your recipe for happiness then I guess have fun with that.

You could also move to the east coast, or the south, or even the somewhere else on the west coast that isn't the bay area.

Your options are not Bay Area or Omaha.

And would I have a $400K+ TC if I left? No. (Mind you - I'm at $400K now but I expect $500-700K in the next few years)

People act like these jobs and high earnings just follow you wherever you move - they don't.

Maybe. Sounds to me like you'd be happier without that and all its baggage.

Changing my answer to therapy