So lately I have felt a bit stagnant. I am in my late 20s, have a house, a spouse, but no kids. Overall I am happy, but I am trying to think ahead. I live in a state that is growing fast. For now that is a good thing,but if it keeps up and cost of living goes sky high it might now be worth it. I also have a rental where I am and want to expand, but the cost of houses are just too much. College is relatively cheap where I am , so I have been working on a cs certificate and degree. After that the only thing keeping me here is bills and what I feel like are a few more years of good growth before the cost of that growth catches up.

I have a good job but feel like the industry has been shrinking where I am, thus the change in industry. Where I am at has a decent tech sector, but I feel like I need a challenge since I have what I need. For now my plan is to finish the cs certificate, pay down some debt, and save/invest.

I want to be in an environment that challenges me. My current city has pulled me up to doing pretty decent, and now I want to excel. I would move to my industry center, but the cost of living and taxes is a lot, it is cold, and the pay bump would need to be a lot to get me to even consider moving. Pre covid I would have gone some place like Singapore or Hong Kong, but between the geopolitical issues and debt, it seems kind of Dumb. I like the idea of living in a busy city, but there seems to be drawbacks. I like San Diego, but work is not as plentiful and pay is the same as where I am living. Los Angeles is cool, but same thing with work and historically unemployment has been a pain. Silicon Valley and the surrounding areas seem fascinating, but in addition cost and recent layoffs I worry that the culture does not seem to be a good fit. I liked how San Francisco was portrayed in Cyberia, but I realize that is 30 years old. Also I worry about politics (not because it is liberal), but extremes like reparations and the like. A city like Hong Kong would fit the bill, but the recent news is not good. Bogota or Santiago almost fit the bill, but the crime in the former and just the state of things (plus not as much work) makes the former a hard sell for now, and the latter I need to research more. Long story short I want a city that stimulates me. Silicon Valley on it's face seems like a good fit, but a lot of stuff I read Makes it out to just be a hive of 9-5 play it safe culture. Not saying that is bad, but I want some place that is stimulating. I am in the research phase of this and part of this might be waxing for nostalgia of more stimulating times.