[wfhbata]

I’ve told myself I won’t go back to the Bay Area. SF is a joke and the peninsula is ridiculously overpriced even on a tech salary. I’ve loved the last year living outside of the Bay Area.

On the other hand, the thought of whiteboard interviews at this stage in my life or taking a massive pay cut to work at a local company is not enticing either. So we’ll see what happens in a couple months when forced to decide. I realize the path of least resistance might win out for me and others.

[pbuzbee]

I agree. When I left the Bay Area at the start of the pandemic, I felt a surprising surge of freedom.

The salaries and jobs in the Bay Area are great, but they come with the big caveat of choosing between (1) living near work, but spending a fortune to rent small, old apartments forever or (2) having a better living space, but with a nightmare commute.

Why would I want to return?

[wfhbata]

> I felt a surprising surge of freedom.

Same, it was like a big weight lifted off of me. Felt great, and feels great except for the company’s return-to-office date looming over me.