We are checking out Iowa (Des Moines), Southern Illinois and and Northern Texas. CA is not a place we would like to raise our kids or be further jaded by. Everytime we visit another city, state, we find that people by far are more conservative, more friendly, the real estate is more affordable, (granted, appreciates slower) and the quality of living seems much more geared towards family and away from BMW's and designer clothes.
Yep, your'e right. We were waiting for our sons to finish college or force them to go transfer. Smaller rural towns seem to be the only option, people tend to be more conservative , moral values are still apart of your life.