Yeah, as someone running like hell from the Bay Area (to Manhattan), I think this is the key.

It's actually possible to get cheap, bad, but livable housing in NYC. It would be difficult to get a plot of floor with a roof over it of any quality at $2k in SF.

No you can't. Those $1900 apartments of 2013 are now $2500+. But still, there are far more options in the NY metro including those with reasonable commutes. The Bay just seems like a big headache if you don't work near your home.