With increasing housing costs ,  it's becoming increasingly difficult to put aside even a little  for rainy days from your paystubs. Even though there are opportunities in myriad of professional domains, from government contracting to technology to financial services and consulting, worsening trafffic problems, and skyrocketing housing costs, both rental and homeownership costs, coupled with stagnant pay is making me think move from Washington DC Area to other cities with cheaper houses, yet decent job prospects. Raleigh/Charlotte, North Carolina, Austin and Houston, Texas are in my mind.  As I compare cost of living index, it's about 65% cheaper to live in either of these cities than what it costs in DMV area. Currenlty, I work in government contracting industry in program control/finance. 

I would like to hear Sajhayetis experience, especially the ones from Management/Finance domains about their thoughts.  Lets have some good discussion. It may help those ones who're contemplating to move in.