I moved from California to Nevada several years ago for the lower cost of living. My rent in Las Vegas was half of that in San Diego which in turn was less than my rent in Silicon Valley. Similar story if you're buying a place. However, my indie income doesn't cover living expenses here, either. I still rely on contract work to pay the bills, and it's a lot easier to find work if you live where all the potential clients and employers are. Even now, my one regular contract is with a client in California, and most of my professional network is still there.