Well.... If I had to choose NY or CA, hands down I would pick CA even though I lived there most of my life, and left 3 years ago, and yes I am still paying state income taxes there, even though I live in Florida. It is wicked expensive, you should make more money to make up for it, but NYC is not cheap either. Lots of opportunities, and those are heavily taxed. If you are not a democrat, you may as well as not even vote, because it doesn't count or will not count. Read that how you want. San Diego is awesome. Bay area used to be awesome, but is a wreck now, and LA...... yeah...... It is LA.... Embrace the sucky parts and love the weather. Nowhere is perfect.