I responded to lniles post primarly to thank the gods above for telecom and gainful employment for the last 25 years. However, I don’t think I will ever leave San Diego. If so it would be a radical departure perhaps to live in Australia in a coastal area over there but that would be more pipe dream/retirement then anything else. Last winter we took the toddlers and dog to the snow in the morning and then went back to dog beach at rivermouth and were home by 3. Going to college at UCSD and living in Mission Beach was priceless. Some of the beach towns from OB (insert joke here….but OB does have character) to Encinitas are cool. I can work all week and cut out to the track to catch 4 o’clock Fridays… The urban center is what you want to make of it. If you crave culture and an urban experience then San Diego may not be your place. Most everyone here would take the 1977 version of San Diego over the 2007 version but I still like it here. I will bitch and moan about the cost of living here and most likely endure a lower quality of life because of the hours I have to work as opposed to living elsewhere. However family is here and above all that is the priority. I guess the weather is not to bad either.