Most of what you wrote is true about California. IMHO, housing and high tax on everything are huge negative factors.

I have a friend in CA making about $200K a year (double income family). They are still unable to find a decent house in a reasonable location with good a school, and have been renting for the last few years.

If you want to live in a large and beautiful home, it's time to seriously think about moving. Most middle class districts outside of CA are very nice.

We are in the same boat! so sad.

scubadiver：
如果你不能在弯曲快乐地生活， 你在哪也不会快乐。

California!

I just want to kickoff the topic, hopefully people will contribute ideas about where to go!

here are some criteria I use:

on the coast
warm
beautiful
current residents are nice and embrace the notion of diversity
good place to raise family
access to Chinese/Asian food