While I'm open to local opportunities, the Bay Area at first glance seems a bit competitive for me with my full-time job in technology and somewhat modest amount of income earmarked for a first acquisition, and I suspect there might be clearer opportunities for solid cash flow elsewhere.

I know Sharad does it with technology but he built his systems in place before moving to California from IL.

And many of these firms are hiring talent of all ages certainly, but in the area of robotics, sciences and other technology fields, a lot of young urban professionals are coming from CMU and need places to live close to these businesses.

Many advancements in manufacturing technology were made there, the city was flush with startup capital, and it became a magnet for the brightest minds who wanted to be on the cutting edge.

Civil engineer (with a focus on structural design) by degree, Technology Consultant by day. 

With technology and the ability for folks to work remotely, people are able to move here, to a place historically lacking jobs.

My first office was on Technology Way in Reno, same street as the Goddard School in the south of town.

A good portion of middle-class and upper-middle-class parents send their kids to the county technology high school or private schools for K-12. 

And LASTLY - My car is my office,  I am driving around from this property, to that property, etc etc, so I am spending a ton of time in my car, I am sure many of you are also - so yes it does make a difference when you have a new car, you are more comfortable, you work better (again it depends on the person, some people get comfortable and get lazy, some other people driving a new car makes you work harder) the newer technology does make you more productive/efficient, you work better, would you rather spend 4 -5 hours a day in a brand new car or a used car? 

So a lot of this technology and thought process is old.