I am enjoying this thread... It has re-enforced some of the things one needs to look for:
a major Airport, Good health care, favorable taxes and fees, things to do, good people, etc.
I am 56 and tired of what is going on in CA... It just seems that every 6 months there is another Bond measure, Tax increase, Fee, something that raises the cost to live here. We could talk about attitudes, traffic, the lack of water (drought noises again), housing issues, etc. I also agree that no matter where you go, in 30 years that place will change not necessarily for the better. My youngest is a Freshman, so I have 4 years to go before we can do anything. My better half does not do cold, so that limits us... I have Family in the Treasure valley area of ID and her Family is in the Tampa Bay area of FL. We have extended family in WA and AZ, but not the kind where I feel the burning desire to be near them, if you know what I mean...
I don't plan to import Californizm to where ever I go, which is why most places dislike Californian's in general.
So for the time being I will grin and bear it, and keep looking around at what is out there.