I have to agree with Tahititams...San Diego is one the best towns to live in. And you are right about the real estate prices...they are going down and that makes this "resort type of living" affordable for many.

Our son is a Junior at San Diego State Univ. and he absolutely loves living so close to the ocean!

I agree with San Diego accomodations. Do you have a budget and/or weather preferences?

I love living in Chicago because:

- Midwesterners are friendly people;

- I can walk or take public transportation nearly everywhere I need to go;

- Great restaurants with tremendous variety of cuisine;

- Great shopping;

- Shop assistants don't treat you with disdain;

- Lots of sports to watch and play;

- The entire waterfront is public space;

- Tremendous outdoor activities;

- Summers chock full of street festivals, outdoor concerts, movies in the park, dance lessons in the park, etc.

- Two airports provide great access to anywhere you want to go, and you can get almost anywhere in the continental U.S. within 4 hours or so;

- Arts, live music scene, great theater (and much cheaper than NY);

- Less expensive than NY, SF, or LA;

- Phenomenal snow removal compared to other big cities I've spent considerable time in;

- People are not obsessed with being the size of a stick insect;

- Great hospitals.

hills,

There are so many reasons Chicago is a great city, but you meniton what I think is the best reason-the public waterfront. I have been to many cities and none come close to Chicago in the way they use the waterfront.

I was raised in San Diego as young girl. I have now lived on the East Coast near the jersey shore and I frequent Florida often. From what you say, I think San Diego would be a perfect fit for you. Outdoor activities are enjoyed year round, where on the East Coast one must like the cold weather as well, and 4 seasons to make it work. Ihave never been to Seattle but it sounds people who live there give it a thumbs up. I think the coast line is beautiful from the pictures I have seen. Florida is very humid, and quite miserable in the summer months. San Diego has a perfect climate. I would not rule out S.D. Go for a vacation first, to the place you think you would like and try it out first. Good luck.

Hills- Where do you think the following applies?
"People are not obsessed with being the size of a stick insect".

Chalk up another one for the Seattle area. I love it and will only leave if pried away with a crowbar. It's beautiful her and there's literally something for everyone.

I just want to say how fortunate you are to have a choice. Although we are very happy in northwest Florida, DH and I aren't in a position to move -- my elderly parents need our constant care, and I have forgotten too much law to pass any more state bar exams. However, if I had the choice, I think I would love Seattle or San Diego. The climate is almost perfect.

Trippin, South Florida, LA, NYC....

Hills- I will be in NYC next month with my size 6 daughter (I'm a 10/12). So you mean she will feel like a plus size model there? For some reson, that doesn't surprise me...

I don't think it affects one when you visit, just when you live there. I used to live in South Florida, and my body image is so much healthier in Chicago. And I'm not overweight at all. But when you are surrounded by girls with no body fat and huge fake boobs, eventually that starts to seem normal.

I just love seeing everyone's territorial dander fluffing up!

I love where I am and I don't have to defend it against anyone! If you love where you are, stay there. If you don't, we'll welcome you.

I live on the North Shore of Massachusetts near the Nh border and I love it. My very small town is friendly, has good schools, responsible government, and is very pretty in a typical New England way (white steeples, antique colonial homes, open fields with stone walls). Next door is a larger port town with lots of shops, restaurants, galleries and a small theater. We have access to excellent medical care and cultural events in Boston. Outdoor activities are easily accessible - sailing, kayaking, hiking, skiing, snowmobiling, lots of horseback riding. Overall there isn't anything we lack. Downside is of course the expense of it all.