My husband and I lived in Alameda, CA, for over 30 years. We loved it and never thought we’d ever leave. After our savings took a major hit when we both lost our jobs following the 2008 meltdown and my husband, over 50, couldn’t get an IT job in the Bay Area for years to save his life (“Over-qualified” dontcha know?), we moved back East. We figured affording retirement would be much easier elsewhere, and we were right.

We’re now in the Lehigh Valley of Pennsylvania and we love it here. Our son, 28, is still hanging in there in California, but it’s brutal. His cousin, 28, lives near me in PA. She and her husband are already homeowners, while my son is contemplating moving in with his uncle so he can afford rent. If that doesn’t work out, he may be leaving soon, too. California is for rich people now. Even six figures isn’t enough.