It&#x27;s also location.  I never appreciated where I lived until I traveled across the United States.  It&#x27;s being close to mountains, nice mild weather,  close to the beach, close to well paying jobs.  Never cared about being close to  &quot;the excitement of San Francisco&quot; though.  I always felt it was a boring city.<p>For years, certain parts of the Bay Area were kept secret.  They have pretty much all been exposed--thanks mainly to the Internet, and I guess Apple&#x2F;tech?    I still regret not buying the small house out in west Marin I could have bought for under $100K.  I should have just bought it.