Companies are essentially subsidizing $1M (or more now?) mortgages if you are willing to go into their SV offices. You don't have to retire there! Just sell the house and move on.
You don’t have to retire there, but it turns out that the Bay Area has one of the most pleasant climates in the entire world for humans and it is coupled with some of the most stunningly beautiful and varied terrain in the world.
It’s hard to leave and call anything else retirement if you’re just considering climate, weather, and nature. My family did end up leaving the area but it was hard. I am still working. Wouldn’t surprise me if I return some day.
It's not easy but you can find similar (even arguably better) climate in Europe (Cyprus, Canary Islands, Malta) at a much cheaper COL, with lower crime rate, healthier food - and even less taxes with the right choices.
South East Asia and South America have opportunities too albeit .
I think the weather in SF is decent but not great (way too cold) - but it's all the other cons (homeless, taxes, drugs) that makes me run away from SF.
As somebody who would prefer to return to California—- The Blue Ridge line between Roanoke, VA and Greenville, SC is probably where I’ll end up myself. But sadly the mountains are not nearly the same, I’ll miss that elevation.
I think what he means is: Some SF companies pay very large compensation packages so that their engineers can afford to purchase homes.
I don't think this is true. There are only a handful of companies that pay $500k+ TC for senior+ engineers. The vast majority of companies top out at $250k, be it F500 or startups (not including their worthless "equity").
You can't afford a home, on your own, at $250k in the Bay Area. Realistically you need $500k+.
Yeah I recently looked at rent costs down in the South Bay (thinking “tiny shitty apartment to avoid 12-15 hours of mandatory commuting 3 days a week”) and it’s insane - like “more than my mortgage payments” insane.
It’s hard to leave and call anything else retirement if you’re just considering climate, weather, and nature. My family did end up leaving the area but it was hard. I am still working. Wouldn’t surprise me if I return some day.