I’m a San Diego native who spent my 30’s elsewhere – specifically Washington State, Philadelphia metro area, and Atlanta.
I’d be happy living in San Diego, western Washington, or Philly – they all offer great things and all have things that are less than perfect. I would not live in Atlanta again – that left a bad taste in my mouth. (Crime and racism don’t sit well with me.)
All this talk about intellectual elitism cracks me up. There are ignorant bozos back east, too. In fact they’re more common than the elite intellectuals touted by other posters here. San Diego doesn’t have a lock on ignorant bozos. If you think San Diego doesn’t have intellectuals, perhaps you should look at the people you’re hangin’ with. There are plenty of PhD types around. Perhaps they’re just less snobby here. Talk to the other parents at your kids school – I am always surprised to see how many parents, even SAHMs, have advanced degrees among the parents of my kids’ peers.
