Ok I have but a fraction of your experience and make more. And live in a much lower cost if living area.

I’m extremely mobile. Not like permanently move mobile. But I’ll take contracting work that require me to move to NY or London or whatever. Very job bumps my salary up. If I have to switch continents I will.

Home is always my low cost of living place, and in practice I spend the majority of time there.

I know most people aren’t like this. And most people don’t have spouses who tolerate this.

My wife is either very understanding, or maybe she just doesn’t like me that much.

But if I’m like, honey, I have to move to Austin a for six months, she’s like “Ok, just be home for Thanksgiving.”