You and many other commenters here fail to understand a few things:
1. Out of a salary of 450k you loose more or less HALF to taxes (CA has the highest taxes).
2. The cost of living in the bay area is very high, for example, a 4 bedroom house can cost 4500-5000 dollars a month (rent). Not to mention buying a house would cost you no less than a few millions.... Private schools and daycares can cost 2000-3000$ per kid...

I'm writing all that so you'd realize that yes, even though this salary is VERY high, one doesn't get filthy rich from it within 5-6 years as most people would think. Giving it up is definitely not an easy choice and I don't know how many people would be brave enough to make it!