You really need to decide what things are important to you.

Remember the USA is larger than all of Western Europe.

Weather, number of people or how crowded it is, cost of living such as state income tax, property taxes and cost of real estate are just a few things to consider.

I live in Southern California now but I have lived in Wisconsin, Colorado and New Mexico.

Given my choice I'd be living in Southern Colorado, Northern Arizonia, New Mexico or Texas - not in any particular order. And when I retire I will move.

I find that California is too crowded, too expensive and too politically correct. Sales and income taxes are high. Real Estate prices are high compared to most states and thats even with the real estate recession.

Southern Cal. just might have the best weather though.

There are beautiful beaches and mountains but if you can only take vacation during the traditional holidays and summer months be prepared to share them and wait in line with millions of other people.

I live here because when I moved this is where the jobs were.