My expectations aren't internet bluffing, its taking my RSUs by the current stock price, and adding in my expected bonus. Although if the stock market crashes in the next 6 months it could seriously decrease, its not a 0 risk supposition.
I think you have a lot of wrong information about real cost of living in the valley. My commute is 20-25 minutes each way, and could easily be much lower at the same housing price. This morning it was 35 due to an accident, first time its been over 30 in 6 months. That's lower than most people's commutes are in other places I've lived. Housing is truly disgusting, but even then its a difference of 24K/yr over what I was paying in other cities. Subtract that from the salary. As for hideously crowded- you'd have to pay me 10 times what I make now to live in a less crowded area, what the fuck do you even do all day on weekends in a rural area? No museums, no galleries, no street musicians, no festivals, no events. No thanks. Its not even all that crowded, its just a giant spread out suburb. Crowded would be like Manhattan, which would probably be more fun