pellmell I do not consider California to be at all affordable to live, quite the opposite. The tax rate is oppressive and getting worse. The housing valie is vastly inflated and its in the running if not in the lead fir the worst legislated state in the country. There was a time I wanted to move there, glad I dodged that train wreck. The quality of life there SHOULD be the best in the world given the climate and job market, yet it just leaves people broke in a beautiful (most places) area.