I have found my current career path at a dead end because of the company I
work for. I have gained the skills they need but they outsource the work
and don't have a position open for what they need.

Anyway, I'm open to relocation now and have been contacted by a recruiter
for a position in Bakersfield CA. at Chevron. I told the recruiter that I
wouldn't' be interested unless the position paid an outrageous amount of
money. He asked how much I have in mind, and hence this post. This is a 28
hour drive from my current location and where my family lives. To consider
this position, I need an estimate of the cost of living in the Bakersfield
area. What I want would be enough money to equal what I make now plus the
additional cost of living in Bakersfield (a place to live plus utilities)
plus enough to fly my family home multiple times per year.

I've found some positions I'm trying for within 5 or 6 hour drive that pay
in the $120k range, I'm thinking I'd want $150K to relocate to Bakersfield,
but I don't know the cost of living there.

RogerN