[ptero]

"6 figures" starts from 100000. In almost any US metro area this is not a lot of money. For example in Boston $100k means a frugal lifestyle. Not poverty, but very far from luxury either. Bay area on $100k? Ouch! I am not dismissing low six figures as a low salary, but given a choice that the author has I would settle at a much cheaper COL area.

If the comp is >$250k it would be another story. Personally I would still choose a very comfortable setup in a low COL area and spend the rest on investments and travel, but at least comfortable life in an expensive location is an option in this case. My 2c.