the solution is to work remote if you want a higher salary and to keep your lifestyle.  our best employees and contractors are in places like texas and ohio and we&#x27;re based in california and pay above-market salaries becausd we&#x27;re small.<p>for what it&#x27;s worth there are companies in large coastal cities that do not match the SV mold.  you just have to be extremely upfront and non-yielding with your requirements when seeking them out&#x2F;interviewing.<p>as far as the smarmy office bullshit, i can&#x27;t stand any of that stuff either, although i do enjoy a lot of urban amenities like restaurants and the general feeling of anonymity.