Lack of space is subjective, you certainly don’t have to have roommates if you make $300k, and work/life balance is above average at many of these companies. That said, remote work is more rare, and flights from SF to SC to visit family are a pain.

I think the bigger issue for many people is probably cultural. I’ve loved my time in SF and NYC because I love cities, am fairly liberal-minded, don’t mind small living space, and don’t really care about living near extended family. Working remotely from a sprawling home in a small town near family is the opposite of what I want for my life. YMMV!