I'm a software engineer that works for a company in London. My salary is lower comparatively to many of those a level lower in the US.

I'm looking to move to California soon, where my salary will effectively double, arguably more so since I'll be taking more home.

I can afford a home an hour from work in London. In CA I seemingly can't afford shit, and rent nearby will absolutely wipe me out. It's insane how one can earn the kind of money people can retire on in Europe and barely live a middle-class life. I'm in an extremely privileged position, and given my position I have no idea how others manage to do shit like have families.