Ha true! I think a few tech park type areas popped up around Irvine in OC, but most folks I know work remotely these days (me included, and my company was Bay Area). I guess that makes it hard to meet people though which might be why I struggled. Still, I prefer WFH. Catch 22! It sounds like you already know what you want to do, I hope you connect to that feeling and carry it forward. Whatever you decide will be right for you!

Yes… SoCal is fabulous. I love so much about California. Weather, food, the outdoors, mountains, beaches, earning power, investments, even my healthcare and dentist are great. Back home in the U.K. I know the NHS exists but the wait times are wild. Plus it was hard to save in the U.K. Life is generally sweet here, I just miss my friends and family in the U.K.

How many years in to Aus were you when you started thinking about moving back to the US?

Thank you, I really connected with your post. Similar age and I did the same, but left the UK and moved to California. I often think about moving back to the U.K., as I haven’t quite found my people here. Maybe in time though.

I would say based on your list, spend some time looking at areas in Cali that maybe aren’t in the Bay Area. Most companies are remote or hybrid. I’m in SoCal and prices in LA, San Diego and even OC are bananas, but good deals pop up… it might be worth renting for a year to see if the housing market changes. Good luck, go with your gut instinct.