First and foremost I would like to thank all of the people who contributed to helping me with the decision process, granted nothing has been decided yet. In regards to location we are not set on Scottsdale proper, but exploring all options in the surrounding area. Ultimately the job market, should we decide to move will influence location. Currently after reading one Piggs post am I really interested in Anthem. It looks like a great place to raise a young family. Price ranges are from 265K to $330k. The boat argument is moot since it would be a smaller boat I could store in the garage. I would also say the argument of Santee, Ramona, Lakeside is also irrelevant and was fabricated to prove a point. Lets be honest these cities suck ( no offense to current residents) and the weather is comparable to AZ. In addition anyone who has driven during rush hours knows the commutes would be horrendous and one would lose roughly 2 hours of the day 5 days a week. Lastly the elementary school rankings for these cities range from 4 to 8 out of 10, with median around 6 (www.schoolratings.com). While the areas we are focused on and can afford in AZ are 9’s and 10’s. As I mentioned to the OP, should we stay in CA I am fine with a much smaller house 3/2 1200sq. ft. I strongly feel if you are going to live here the goal is not to be in your house as much possible, where as in AZ sometimes this is unavoidable. The challenge to stay in CA is not over extending ($450k) to get into a house that is in a somewhat desirable location that also needs 100k in work. This would be at an unfavorable debt to income ratio and result in being house poor like so many of our friends. Key in that the current sales territory and job locations eliminates much of North county and south county and the current bidding wars going on for these first time buyer or investment properties and it is very discouraging for young families. While BG wants to point out everything that is wrong with the Gen Xers, I disagree we are making smart conservative decisions not using real estate as an ATM and over extending hoping to gain equity. Also considering BG has no idea of my families background, college credentials, or experience it as rather bold assumption to indicate what can and can’t be made in regards to salaries in AZ. Additional factors that concern me about staying in CA are the current governments inability to manage their finances, attitudes toward business’s, and the state of our schools system. There is a long road ahead for CA even if things go right. I am not a conservative but a moderate, and I feel strongly this state is headed in a bad direction. Ultimately its the thirty somethings like my self and our children who are going to foot the bill. AZ being more conservative makes it very appealing in that regard. The hardest decision is leaving behind family and good friends which is a decision that will have to be made. There is definitely an opportunity cost to be here in this beautiful state and I just not sure if I willing to pay it anymore. However you never now what could happen, there’s always the lottery and the chances some other employer call offering more $$. Let me just address this to before BG tries top argue this point. My family and I live within or means but as anyone who has a young family know things are not cheap here. We use an affordable childcare provider and the rates is about $2200/mo. while rates in AZ tend to be about $1600/mo. For out little house with a yard and driveway we pay $2000/mo., granted it is by the beach but this is the sacrifice we make in square footage for location. However look around clairemont, Tierra Santa, etc this is about the going rate for a rental.With no business to write off or mortgage interest it leaves us with limited deductions and a tax rate in the upper 20% to low 30%. Tack on food, insurance, gas, etc. My point is it is really difficult to make it here with a family if you don’t have joint income of over $150k. Once again thank you all for your assistance and what ever the future holds may it bring you happiness.