Real estate values in Calif are getting reasonable now. It's nowhere near as smoggy in L.A. as its reputation, or as it used to be. I like it here in San Diego, where I was born, and often travel from the Ventura County area, which is also nice.

Elsewhere, there are many wonderful out-of-city areas, such as Borrego Springs in the desert or Lake Isabella in the mountains. Overall, California is a great state.