Why not live in the suburbs of bay area (East Bay, for example), and quickly cut 30% of your housing costs? Obviously the commute sucks (I endure it daily), but it makes the numbers work. It boggles my mind that most software workers think that they have to live in SF. Bonus: There's Walmart and strip malls in the East Bay. :)
Agreed with your other points though. Not having staate income tax is a huge bonus.
Agreed with your other points though. Not having staate income tax is a huge bonus.