Stuck on east coast trying to relocate

Hey everyone. This post is a little bit of a vent, but also a discussion. I have been trying to move to the Bay Area since January of 2025. I've been visiting on and off since the end of 2022. I submitted job applications for the first half of 2025, then life threw some trauma my way and I've been trying to pick myself back up for the last year now.

I began vigorously applying to roles in January of this year. 1,000 apps to date. I am in Analytics with 4-4.5 years of experience. White, 25 year old female, U.S. citizen - no visa or sponsorship needed. I am currently located in Boston, MA with a job making $93K. I am close to receiving a promotion to Analytics Manager within 3-4 months. Should bring me to $100K-$105K TC. I have gotten callbacks, but the well has dried up since March. I try my hardest to show that I think beyond typical analyst execution and from a strategic perspective - becoming AI native, earning certifications, and asking to be in the rooms where decisions are made. I have working at a telecom company and now I'm at an advertising agency. But I am an analyst at my core, not someone in media or someone who makes dashboards all day. I've set my resume up to reflect this level of ownership and I've come up with squat. I reach out to people in my network on LinkedIn and get left on read continuously. I don't really have people in the Bay Area to hit up for a job, and in this economy, the most a referral typically gets you is a chat with the recruiter.

I strongly dislike Boston and the northeast. I grew up in the northeast, but spent time out west after college and like the vibe and lifestyle significantly better. The northeast makes me a ball of stress constantly and I feel like a neurotic Nelly. Ive been dreaming of living in the Bay Area, but can't stick the landing. And moving without a job is not an option. My current job has an office in SF, but we're in the midst of a merger and they are absolutely hell-bent on in-office attendance. I don't feel comfortable rocking the boat and asking for a transfer, especially being up for a promotion, as I will not be near my team. But I am drowning in Boston. I resent it. The people, landscape, activities, lifestyle. Everyday is a drag. I spend everyday waiting for the job market to get somewhat better. But I don't see that happening anytime soon. I did the math and I really need to make at least $110k to afford living in the Bay Area, which is near the market rate for someone with my background. The competition with all the laid off FAANG people and H-1Bs is insane, so hardworking employees across the country like me get automatically filtered. I feel like I am set up to fail. I has no problems having an employer relocate me up until 2024.

I don't want to have to give up my dream of living in CA, There's no place quite like it in the U.S. But I am having problems finding affordable and reliable housing in Boston (IYKYK), and since I want to remain flexible to move if I get a job offer, I am in a month to month lease beginning this month at over $4k/month. I don't know what to do at this point and if I'll even be able to make it to the Bay in 1-2 years.

Also, I know this post may sound tone deaf to the unemployed. Yes, I am thankful that I am employed, but I work for a subcontractor of the department of defense, which as you can imagine, is pretty crazy right now. My heart goes out to you guys and it warms my heart to see the hiking for the laid off pics. I was laid off from my first company in late 2023.

Is anyone else in a similar position or went through something similar?