<prompt> Human: I come from the mid-west, and housing isnt generally that expensive. Most people live in a sub-200k home. If you get closer to the city, you could see an average closer to 300k. But as I leave the midwest, I see people purchasing homes for 500k, up to a million.These people dont seem to have extravagant careers. Are they bringing in like 7k a month between them and putting 4k towards their housing? Or is the income difference really that much? Im making 70k right now, and I cant fathom spending more than a grand a month on my mortgage. If I moved to New York or Chicago, would my salary really increase enough that I could live in a home similar to mine is now, knowing that the cost of the home may double?Id like to move to a coast, but the initial jump in investment required scares me, especially considering Id have no idea what kind of salary I should be looking to negotiate.  <response>: As a mid-30s urban dweller who bought a home in SF, Id say the answer to that is the stock options associated with a fast-paced startup culture, and bit a of luck. Most startups and small companies in the Bay Area there are quite a few, being the original tech and biotech hub offer average pay but large amounts of options and stocks to compete for talent. Over the course of 4-5 years, my wife and I saw saw our grants and options amass to 300-400K per person, more than enough for a down payment on a house in the city.Of course, I also know many friends who have moved from startup to startup that have folded after even working months for free. Theres definitely a bit of luck involved. 