This type of experience sharing is interesting, but only really useful to someone with very similar conditions. If someone is a “WFH” customer service rep who is expected to be manning the phones from 9-5 New York time, then I imagine it would indeed be very tough to work those hours while living in SEA.
Personally I do most of my work when it suits me, it’s only scheduled meetings that can be inconvenient.
even with 3 kids in tow, you could do without a car.
Well, at what cost, though? You then either have to live in walking distance to all the stuff you and your kids need to get to - ideal, but usually much more expensive.
Otherwise, you have to rely on public transportation or taxis. Even if public transportation isn’t dogshit (I’ve pretty much only experienced public transport good/reliable enough for daily use in Japan) it takes way more time than having your own car.
I live outside of the US and prefer to walk or bike when I can, but having kids without having a car would be terrible. I don’t enjoy driving or the stress that comes with owning a car, but it provides a lot of convenience/utility which frees you from the frustration, stress and time cost of public transport.
This is probably not the right place for such a question.
But I am a developer, and this part here:
It’s not a realistic concern. Or rather, if your idea is so good that this is a realistic concern, you should learn how to develop the app yourself. But I really, really doubt that is the case. Generally, ideas are worthless if you can’t execute. Presumably your idea relies at least somewhat on your knowledge about psychology, and probably other knowledge/skills you have that a dev won’t have.