[perrylaj]

I wonder if I am a minority that puts a high value on the California climate? All of the cities listed are great. I lived in Portland for 3 years and loved the city, Seattle was great too. Spent time in TX and Chicago, though not years. Great towns, but I feel like I'll keep coming back to CA for the weather.

Portland was far too dark and dreary for 9 months of the year. TX was too humid, and Chicago too cold/windy in the winter. Sure, each of those areas has a 'great ______ season', but coastal California weather is nice for 9 months of the year (give or take ) whereas the others are nice 3.

Not to say I won't leave again (Denver seems like some place I'd like to pitch a tent for a while), but I always miss the weather when I leave.

[bkjelden]

Some people really value the variety in weather that the interior of the country provides.

I live in the midwest right now, and whenever I contemplate moving to the west coast, one of the things I would dislike the most is giving up having 4 distinct seasons.

The first warm days of spring, crisp fall mornings, "its so hot out we have to go swimming at the lake" days in summer, and the first snow of the year - these are just a few things that, in moderation, are really enjoyable to me (and many others).

[perrylaj]

I love the idea of that, just suppose it didn't feel that way in practice. Tad jealous to be honest!

[bkjelden]

I think a lot of it depends on what you grew up with. I grew up with 4 seasons and gently rolling hils, others grew up with mountains, and others grew up with the beach and pleasant weather year round.