I'm one of those commuters. I work in West LA and live in Santa Clarita. It has to do with more than affordable homes though; the politics in West LA are almost communist, while Santa Clarita is a conservative haven.
He can make more by working in San Jose but his home is in the Sierras.
What kind of commute is that, anyway? Three hours? One way?
I love the Sierras. But, I don't know about that.